Philadelphia 2001

By Susan L. Fitzgerald , Jennifer J. Salopek

Academy of Music

The Academy of Music is the oldest grand opera house in the United States still used for its original purpose. The celebrated landmark opened in 1857 and today hosts thousands of performances each year by the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Ballet, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The centerpiece of the opulent interior is a stunning crystal chandelier that is 50 feet in circumference. With gilded wood sculptural decorations and ceiling murals throughout, the hall offers its main auditorium, ballroom, and Academy Hall for special events of 20 to 1,000 guests.

Insider's scoop: "This downtown venue offers a lot of history and charm. We use it annually for graduation but also for special receptions with heavy hors d'oeuvres and serving stations." Broad and Locust streets. Call (215) 893-1935 or visit www.academyofmusic.org.

The Appleford

This circa 1705 mansion is surrounded by a 22-acre estate, part of a land grant from William Penn, filled with English-style gardens, ponds, and waterfalls that make this a local favorite. Located in the Main Line area, the mansion houses many antiques and can seat 100 guests for dinner. The terrace tent, available from April through December, can accommodate a group of 230. Events must conclude by 10 p.m. and rental fees range from $300 to $5,500. The Appleford has a list of preferred caterers and musicians and offers ample parking.

Insider's scoop: "A beautiful location that draws people out of the city and from the surrounding northwest suburbs. We had a lovely alumni event there with our president." 770 Mt. Moro Road in Villanova. Call (610) 527-4280 or visit www.partyspace.com/appleford.

Duportail House

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this suburban stone farmhouse, which dates from the 1740s, sits on five acres of landscaped grounds on the fringe of Valley Forge National Historical Park and offers an elegant country setting for indoor/outdoor events. The first floor's two large meeting rooms and solarium with adjoining patio-tented from April through December-can accommodate up to 200 guests. Groups may be required to use the house's preferred caterer list; all other vendors must be approved in advance. Parking is free, but valet attendants are required for events. The house is about 30 minutes northwest of downtown.

Insider's scoop: "Great location, nice meeting rooms, and a good price. I highly recommend DuPortail House." 297 Adams Dr. in Chesterbrook. Call (610) 644-4840 or visit www.partyspace.com/duportail.

Independence Visitor Center

Home to the Liberty Bell and the front yard of Independence Hall, Philadelphia's Independence Mall is the 15-acre expanse recognized as the birthplace of U.S. independence. Scheduled to open on the mall in November, the new Independence Visitor Center will provide the usual welcome services, but the $38 million complex also will include an event space called the Great Hall, which is expected to offer a spectacular view of Independence Hall from just one block away. An atrium will connect free underground parking with the center.

Insider's scoop: "We're eagerly awaiting the center's opening so that we can check out this new event venue. Room capacity and fees aren't available yet." Sixth and Market streets. Send e-mail to mmcenteer@independencevisitorcenter.com or visit www.independencevisitorcenter.com.

J. Scott's Catering

Presentation is the name of the game, which is why this Main Line caterer emphasizes fresh flowers and upscale linens and weaves event themes into unique displays. For example, the on-site front loaders at a recent groundbreaking ceremony doubled as drink coolers, and toy trucks on the tables held napkins and condiments. While J. Scott specializes in French cuisine, he's no stranger to barbecue for gatherings of 25 to 10,000.

Insider's scoop: "J. Scott provides excellent customer service at a great price. He spends time with you to create the atmosphere and menu you want. His creative displays will have your guests asking for more!" 117 W. King St. in Malvern. Call (610) 725-9420 or visit www.jscottscatering.com.

Williamson Catering

A family-operated company, Williamson has a 55-year tradition of providing fine dining in the Philadelphia area. The company runs three popular restaurants and its catering service is widely considered one of the best in the Delaware Valley. Williamson Catering handles events for 20 to 2,000 guests and offers a wide range of menus. The company will e-mail sample menus for different types of events through the new menu-on-demand service on its Web site. With a standard staff-to-guest ratio of 1-20 and employees who average eight years with the company, Williamson prides itself on providing outstanding customer service.

Insider's scoop: "Versatile, reliable caterer. We use them for everything from box lunches for alumni bus trips to high-end receptions for major donors." 2524 Wyandotte Road in Willow Grove. Call (215) 659-4900 or visit www.williamsonfood.com.