Paola's takes private events at 1302 Madison Avenue in Carnegie Hill, on New York's Upper East Side. The whole restaurant can be reserved for up to 85 seated guests, and an upper balcony offers a semi-private space for up to 25. The official site lists brunches, luncheons, seated dinners, cocktail receptions, birthdays, baptisms, baby showers and corporate gatherings.
Seminars and company events
The restaurant names corporate gatherings among its private events, and menus can be built for a business lunch, a client dinner or a cocktail reception for a team. The setting is a dining room rather than a conference space, so it suits meals and receptions more than a day of presentations. The official site does not list audiovisual equipment or a meeting room, so raise those needs when you inquire.
The location is close to Museum Mile and several of the city's cultural institutions, which makes it practical for a group coming from a morning at a museum or an event nearby.
Rooms and capacities
Paola's Restaurant is described as the larger event space. It suits full private parties and smaller semi-private gatherings, and it seats up to 85 guests for a private event. The upper balcony is a semi-private dining space for up to 25 guests. The restaurant describes it as well suited to brunches, luncheons, birthdays, baptisms and baby showers. The site gives no standing capacity for the main room.
Catering and menus
The culinary team writes a custom menu for each event around Roman-inspired Italian classics and seasonal specialties, with handmade pasta, seafood and local meats on the restaurant's regular menus. The private events guide lists these formats:
Prix fixe menus for traditional seated lunches and dinners, with appetizers, main courses and dessert. Family-style menus, with courses served to the table to share. Shared table menus, with shared starters or salads followed by a choice of entree for each guest. Cocktail reception menus for standing events, with passed hors d'oeuvres and beverages. Brunch menus, in prix fixe or family-style format.
Beverage service can be arranged by consumption, with wine service for the table, or in other customized ways, from a wine list the restaurant describes as extensive.
Weddings and celebrations
The official site does not offer weddings. It does cover family celebrations such as birthdays, baptisms and baby showers, and the balcony is presented for these smaller occasions.
History and setting
Paola's was founded in 1983 by chef Paola Bottero. It is family owned and has been a local restaurant on the Upper East Side for more than 40 years. Its cooking draws on the flavors and traditions of Rome.
Getting there
The address is 1302 Madison Avenue, New York. The restaurant is in Carnegie Hill, near Museum Mile. The official site does not name a nearest subway station. Contact the events team by phone at 212-794-1890 to discuss availability and menus.
