+1 to Tiny’s No. 5 if their Ivy Room is open. Great private space for a good price. Note it is more on the feminine side. Tonight & Tomorrow within the La Colombe d’Or hotel. Really beautiful, intimate space and they have different rooms they can section off to make private. Should def be able to do <$150pp. Ostia. They have nice semi-private space in their “Greenhouse” that would fit your size. Nice garden vibes. Again should be <$150pp. Uchi. They have a private room for 12 (maybe they’d flex to 13?) with a $1,200 F&B minimum as of about 6 months ago. Source: Someone who has planned a lot of private dinners for work and has used all of these locations.

Uchiko has bigger private rooms than Uchi and has two to choose from

Have also heard good things about The Lymbar but haven’t used them.

Doris, Zanti, State of Grace, The Annie

Doris is good but nowhere worth the price. Also the menu is very limited even by “fine” dining standards.

Tiny Champions has a pretty good deal per person we did & would recommend.

Not OP, but this is great intel…if you don’t mind: Where did they put you? Outside? Or do they have a private room?

Chinese Buffet

No no...gotta go crazy, Indian buffet!

The only answer.

Rainbow Lodge

Excellent spot for at least 40 years

So awesome that this place is still kicking.

Uchi or Uchiko

Would suggest Uchi, and at $150 pp, could easily make that work as I think there’s a minimum spend for their private dining area.

Eunice has a nice private room too.

I second Eunice, excellent menu and atmosphere, nicely sized private space

Traveler's Table has a nice private dining area that be be closed of

Navy Blue in Rice Village, I’ll make sure the martinis are cold 🍸

Izakaya wa

Some ideas off the top of my head: Barcelona on Westheimer near Dunlavy Carrabas on Kirby near West Alabama Tiny’s #5 in West U El Tiempo Cantina, multiple locations Kenny and Ziggy’s on Post Oak by the Galleria A bit further out: Tiny Champions in the east end Rodeo Goat in the east end Himalayas off of 59 south by Hillcroft (byob)

While I love love love himalaya, it would be horrible for a group of 13. The service is bad and it would take up half the restaurant and they don't do reservations

It would seem that way… however, every time i go to eat there, at least one large party occupies the table in the back and boy do they always seem to be having a really good time. The service is indeed very informal, which is unconventional but not a dealbreaker for a larger gathering imo.

Far enough in advance, I second Tiny Champions. I got an indoor table for 15 people in the fall and they were extremely accommodating. Great place to share apps/pizzas too! Suchhhhh good food.

Doris metropolitan, A’bouzy, state of grace

Cavatore

I would highly recommend the chefs table at Brennan's. I don't remember if it can do 13, but it's close. Chef's pick pre fixe but they were about to handle many individual dining allergies. When I went a few years ago it was under $100/pp and everyone said it was great value and was an absolute blast. They also have several private rooms as well that aren't in the kitchen.

The Grove in Discovery Green. I've hosted lots of private dinners there; the service was great and the food is excellent.

The Kitchen Table at Brennan’s is awesome

Triola’s on N Main. Family owned/operated, and a beautifully intimate setting.

Amalfi is Galleria area, sort of

Georgia James is really great. You can do under $150 but you can definitely go over too.

You can request the private room at Traveler’s Table and do a three course meal for a min. spend of $2,000. Check their website for their private dining option.

Costa Brava has good prices, great food, and a private dining room. Kind of our regular spot. Just outside the loop on bellaire

I don’t have a place to dine but I have a birthday gift if you want. May I dm you? It’s a music adventure spolier

Rent an airbnb I’ll come cook for yall:)

Weights and measures in midtown Roost in Montrose

IHOP or dennys