1. Interactive Dinner
At MacMenamin’s Grill & ChefWorks it’s as much about the atmosphere as it is the food. This former munitions factory turned stylish loft space in New Rochelle has a glass-top elevator to transport your guests to the dining room. But this is not your average sit-down meal -- private parties gather around the kitchen to watch professional chefs cook up a gourmet meal, and guests even get to participate! (914) 632-4900
2. Garden Party
Rehearsal dinners are in full bloom at Grotto on the Lower East Side. This subterranean setting is perfect for warm weather affairs, according to Rosarie Ledesma of Max Rose Events. The menu: hearty Italian. (212) 625-3444
3. Organic Outpost
Set the tone for organic style with a rehearsal dinner at The Green Table. This Chelsea Market establishment specializes in turning out natural and organic cuisine that tastes as good as it looks. There is even an organic, sustainably grown wine and beer menu to accompany the meal. (212) 741-6623
4. Dinner Cruise
Take to the seas aboard Valiant, a 97-foot luxury yacht. Valiant Yacht Charters can pull together a rehearsal dinner cruise with a customized gourmet menu for up to 80 guests. Cruises can depart from Stamford, CT, New York City, and other nearby ports. (860) 536-8300
5. Sweet Home
Having a formal wedding? Set the rehearsal dinner apart with a relaxed gathering at home. Red Table Catering can create a personalized and memorable evening in the comfort of your own dining room. The menu: take your pick—a multicourse meal, exotic hors d’oeuvres, or tasty finger foods -- chef and owner Melanie de Coppet welcomes favorite dish requests and family recipes. (917) 553-5944
6. Destination Wedding Digs
If you have a lot of out-of-town guests, Leslie Price and Eyal Tessler of In Any Event suggest Opia restaurant, housed in the same building as Hotel 57 in east Midtown. This venue has private and semiprivate rooms so you can host a small intimate rehearsal dinner for immediate family and the wedding party in a private spot, then move the party to a larger space and invite the out-of-towners for cocktails and desserts. (212) 688-8448
7. Foodie Find
If to you, the rehearsal dinner is really about the dinner, check out Equus at Castle on the Hudson in Tarrytown. This five-star restaurant prepares award-winning gourmet cuisine fit for a king and queen. The best part? The 900-plus label wine menu features selections from around the globe. (914) 631-3646
-- Christa Vagnozzi
Courtesy of Tovero & Marks/Macmenamin Grill & Chefworks
See More: Rehearsal Dinner , Rehearsals + Brunches