BANQUETS/MEETINGS/PARTIES F.A.Q.

The Shoals Restaurant is often the site of special celebrations: company parties and meetings, retreats, seminars, private parties and weddings. In order to establish the highest level of quality and service, we wish to communicate all pertinent facts relative to our services. Thanks for reading! :-)

SIZE/LIMITATIONS/HOURS

Q: How many people can the Shoals accommodate?
A: Because of limitations of parking and the fact that our hotel and restaurant are extremely busy on weekends, we can accommodate different size parties depending on the day of the week and service hour requested:

Weekends: Lunch/Brunch Maximum 50 diners
Dinner hour: Maximum 25 diners.

Weekdays: (M-Th) Lunch/Brunch Maximum 50 diners
Dinner service: Maximum 25 diners.

Q: What hours of the day is the restaurant open?
A: Our food service hours are fixed and are as follows: Lunch (Monday through Saturday) 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, Sunday Brunch 10:30 am to 2:00 pm, and Dinner everynight 5 pm to 8:30 or 9:30 pm (later on weekends).

FOOD SERVICE

Q: Do we need to pre-order menu items?
A: Yes. We require a pre-order off of our banquet menus for parties of 14 or more. Each party is limited to three selections off of these menus. You can review the banquet menus and winelist here.

Q: Can we bring our own food to the Shoals?
A: No food or beverages will be brought into the hotel by the engager.

Q: Can we be served outside?
A: Because of the fact that the Cliff House Inn is a quiet retreat type experience for room guests, we only serve sit-down meals inside. We can serve appetizers and hors d'oeuvres as well as libations outside before or after your sitdown service (depending on size of the party and the day and time).

HOTEL ROOMS

Q: Do I need to make room reservations for my event?
A: The hotel and restaurant function as two independant entities. The Cliff House Inn sells out rooms as much as two months in advance. The Cliff House Inn does not accept multiple room block bookings and normally each guest would have to reserve independantly of one another. There is a strict two-night minimum stay requirement for weekends.

Q: Is there any room or restaurant services discounts when I book my event there and/or get rooms?
A: No. The hotel and restaurant serve as separate entities. Since the Cliff House sells out every weekend in advance, there is no discounts possible.

Q: What kinds of parties do you offer?
A: The Cliff House Inn is a quiet retreat type property. Consequently, office and personal parties tend to consist of intimate, small celebrations that include a memorable dinner (or lunch/brunch). We are limited
in terms of music that might disturb room guests or neighbors.

BEVERAGE SERVICE

Q: Do you have a bar at the Shoals?
A: We are permitted to serve wines and champagnes (and beer) when accompanied with food service.

Q: Can we bring our own wine, champagne and/or other beverages?
A: No. The Shoals is already a popular and busy restaurant and we are not able to justify not providing our basic services to all of our customers. The Shoals allows regular dining guests to bring a bottle of their own wine or champagnes for a corkage fee, however, we do not extend this service to large parties (15 or more) because of the extensive staffing and set-up expense to these affairs.

Q: Does the Shoals have a dance floor?
A: We do not at this time.

Q: Can we bring our own alcohol or provide our own bar at the Shoals?
A: Because we are licensed by the ABC, we are responsible for all alcoholic beverages served here. Therefore we strictly do not allow any alcohol brought in without our immediate supervision and control.

OTHER SERVICES

Q: Do you provide audio visual equipment, easels, boards, and other meeting items?
A: We do not offer these items, howver, we can refer you to a local company that can rent you these items with delivery and pickup. Please see links page for phone numbers.

RESERVATIONS/CONTRACTS/DEPOSITS/PAYMENTS

Q: Is there a deposit required to reserve a party? Is it refundable?
A: We require a $200 deposit to reserve a large party. It normally is applied to the final tab. It is refundable in cases when we receive at least a 72-hour advance notice of cancelling (prior to the event date), otherwise it is forfeited.

Q: Are we required to sign a contract?
Yes. Our contract can be printed from here.

Q: What is your policy about rain?
A: The 72-hour notice is required rain or shine.

Q: What is your policy about tipping or service charges?
A: A 20% service charge will be added to the final tab. It is inclusive of all of our services.

Q: What is we add more guests or subtract?
A: Whatever the number of people are on record by 72-hours prior to the event date, this will be considered the guaranteed number, not subject to reduction, and charges will be made accordingly. The Shoals cannot be responsible for service to more than 5% above the guaranteed number of people.

Q: Can we pay by credit card or check?
A: We accept Visa, Mastercard, Diners, Discover, or Carte Blanche, or cash. California based company checks will be accepted. Personal checks are normally not accepted except by prior arrangements and special circumstances.

Q: What next? How should I proceed with my party/meeting or other event?
A: Come up with a date and time and decide how many people will attend. Make out the event form. Our banquet coordinator will contact you. Review our banquet menus and winelists and make your selections. Print the contract (for weddings and larger events) and mail it along with your deposit check. Make any arrangements you might have for any rental items, and you are on the way to making your party a reality.

Fees and Services | Weddings FAQ | Events/Banquets/Meeting FAQ
Banquet Menus/Winelist| Deposit Agreement
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