Rehearsal Dinners

When it comes to putting your guests at ease for a wedding weekend, the rehearsal dinner presents the opportunity to set the tone. This is the time for the wedding party and out-of-town guests to get to know each other, as well as the bride and groom’s chance to thank those that have worked hard on their behalf and the selection of the perfect venue is essential. Consider the unique personalities of these restaurants to make your rehearsal dinner memorable.

In Boston’s South End, Mistral seamlessly fuses Provence-style décor with a French and Mediterranean-influenced menu. Private dining in the modern-day wine cellar, with its glass enclosed wall of bottles, seats up to 60 guests. A huge ornamental clock and a fireplace mantel lined with flickering candlelight warms the space no matter what the season. Choose signature dishes from the dining room menu and end with a crowd-pleasing dessert trio sampler.

Temple Downtown in Providence is an edgy mix of the mystical aura of a one-time Masonic Temple and eye-popping urban graffiti left on the walls by squatters. Gothic fixtures and recesses cut into walls filled with votives create soft flickering lighting. The 33 Degree Room accommodates 40 guests and the Rites Room seats 30 for American Brasserie-style food. Local flavors infused with southern flair make the most of home-grown ingredients.

Wow your guests with French service at Gracie’s in Providence. Courses are carried out by an army of waiters and simultaneously placed in front of each guest. The private room, seating up to 50 guests, is dressed in burgundy and gold with refurbished beams and wood-planked floors. Customized menus include popular tasting menus driven by the freshest ingredients possible prepared with “inventive culinary thinking.”

Bring on the picky relatives and in laws, Eleven Forty Nine in Warwick prides itself on pleasing every guest with a widely varied menu. There are two private spaces with stacked stone, marble and wood trim: one holds up to 35 and the other can house 100-plus guests if needed. The latter opens to the patio with a bubbling water fountain and outdoor fireplace. 1149’s Amanda Marcello notes, “We break all the rules to make a wedding party comfortable.”

Newly opened in the arts and entertainment district of downtown Providence, Aspire features opulent, red walls tempered with modern details like white leather chairs and lampshade-covered crystal chandeliers. With a private dining room for up to 36 guests, Aspire promises a relaxed atmosphere with high-end service devoid of pretentious stuffiness. The American cuisine incorporates daily deliveries from area farms and fisheries and pays homage to local Portuguese and Italian heritages.

Located in a refurbished drawbridge gatehouse on Providence’s Seekonk River, Waterman Grille offers a romantic seaside setting with outstanding views. Brickwork, wood flooring and nautical touches celebrate its historic past, while providing a comforting air of continuity. The intimate size creates an exceptionally personal experience in the Riverview Room with 40 to 70 guests or the Loft with 25 to 35 people. Pair selections from the award-winning wine list with coastal dishes prepared from locally grown produce and fish.

> Written by Francine Kaplan