By Raechel Donahue
The harbor city of Racine, Wisconsin, overlooks Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Root River and is a destination vacation spot for water sport lovers as well as being a popular site for conventions of all kinds. Family dining spots are in abundance and there are many restaurants that provide party rooms and private dining for special occasions.
Italian
Right in the center of the historical district of downtown Racine, Salute is a family-owned and operated restaurant specializing in dishes from the Calabria region of Italy. Handed-down recipes include braciolle, lasagne, shrimp fra Diablo as well as the cannoli and tiramisu, which are baked fresh daily. The restaurant can accommodate 140 people and is available to be rented for private events from October to June. The staff is experienced in handling wedding rehearsal dinners and company parties, and will happily assist in planning special occasions and celebrations.
Salute Restaurant
314 Main St.
Racine, Wisconsin 53403
(262) 633-9117
saluterestaurant.us
Classic Supper Club
HOBNOB is a Wisconsin supper club with a slight European flair. Starters include oysters Rockefeller, French onion soup and snails Bourguignon, but after that it's all about American steaks, chops and lobster. Perched on the shore of Lake Michigan, the restaurant's views from the cocktail lounge and dining room are spectacular. In a nod to times gone by, the bar creates sumptuous ice cream cocktails, including pink squirrels, brandy Alexanders and grasshoppers. Four different banquet rooms, each accommodating 125 patrons, are available for private parties and special events.
HOBNOB
277 S. Sheridan Road
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 552-8008
thehobnob.com
Nautical Theme
The Yardarm Bar & Grill is a waterside restaurant with a family fun atmosphere. The menu is barbecue, burgers, seafood and good old-fashioned fish fry fare. Clusters of small tables are surrounded by a jumble of nets, oars, bosun lanterns and antique belaying pins---a veritable nautical garage sale. Prices are reasonable, the bar scene lively and the dress casual. For parties up to 36 people, Yardarm offers a special gathering room called the Lodge. Hosts may create their own party platter for their guests, choosing from a wide variety of sandwiches, dips, appetizers and entree selections.
Yardarm Bar & Grill
920 Erie St.
Racine, WI 53402
(262) 633-8270
yardarmbargrill.com
Country-Western Style
Raytown Roadhouse is all about the group partying, with an offstage VIP area for 35 guests and a private balcony that holds 95. Wedding services include rehearsal dinners and a special photo opportunity for the bride and groom atop El Diablo, the mechanical bull. The food is standard fare for a country-Western venue: burgers, ribs, wings, tacos and fried chicken.
Raytown Roadhouse
522 6th St.
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 898-1615
raytownroadhouse.com
About the Author:
Raechel Donahue is an author, journalist and former features editor of the "Brentwood News." Her specialties include travel, entertainment, film and music. She writes a daily radio comedy piece, runs a travel website and has written, produced and directed several documentaries for PBS and TLC.
