Jane, we'll be in Napa then and as of now have no plans at that time. It would be fun to get together in the city, so put us on the list as plans develop.
So close but so far away! I will be in San Mateo on the 25th, but will be taking care of my nephews with my mom. Then the next day I head to Sacramento. I am truly bummed I will miss this GTG.
We have reservations at Crustacean's on the 26th so we could either GTG there--not sure they have appropriate space,though. Or, we could do the GTG the 27th. Or if the 26th is best and Crustaceans won't work, we can move our plans for that night--they were just arbitrary anyway. So....26th or 27th--which is best. I suspect more will be joining us. This will be so fun.
Just found out today that I've got a meeting in San Francisco that week. Our meeting is the 24th-27th. I know I'll have dinners I have to attend with the company on the 24, 25th, and 26th. I'm not sure when I fly out-if I'm there on the 27th it would be fun to meet some Slow Travelers. I'll watch this thread and see when you are meeting and will see when I find out more about my travel dates.
Joan, Cindy, Roz, Colleen, Judy--and I wish Shannon--this will be a fun evening. Hopefully we'll hear from some more. I'll see if Crustacean's has abilities to have a group. If not, other ideas? What about that place Jerry raves about--something Door? Other ideas?
The Slanted Door? My sister and I just had a great meal at Chez Papa Resto, also good drinks and appetizers at Absinthe. I am looking for a getaway late January too..and this just might do it!
Posts: 920 | Location: Simi Valley, California | Registered: 20 March 2002
Debra--yes, Slanted Door. I'll check several out and share the options. Debra and Sharon, glad you are joining us!! I think the venue will need to be related to our numbers.
I would like to try and make this GTG. Those dates are open for me right now.
Colleen, it has been so long since we have seen each other! I really want to get back into the GTG swing and meet other STers.
Slanted Door is great, but it can be very noisy and the tables are very close together. I work in SF (Potrero Hill/Dog Patch area). If you wanted me to go over and check the layout for a larger group, I would be happy to. I have only been there as either a party of 2 or 4, maybe the larger tables have more room around them?
If there are additional places that strike your fancy, let me know, I can check them out as well.
Colleen, regarding the Slanted Door, did you ever eat at Bong Su on Third Street? Just as good as the Slanted Door, but easier to get into, space between tables and much quieter. I haven't been to their sister restaurant in Palo Alto, but I was so sad when they closed in SF. It was one of my favorite places to take clients.
Jane - we had a great GTG at Slanted Door a couple of years ago when Jerry (JdeQ) and Paul came to town. They have a private glassed in room for large groups, so the only noise we could hear was that of our group. At that time they required a set menu for everyone - see this thread for the planning process.
Judy
Posts: 3915 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
Judy, I would love to go the Slanted Door if others don't mind going again less than a year later.
Joan, Sharon, Colleen, Roz, Cindy, Susie, Debra (and anyone else who can join us)--how does that sound? If we can get the private room, then Susie's concern about noise is taken care of and we don't need to be a part of everyone else.
I am going to suggest the 27th---Cindy, you can make your reservation for the 28th ;-)
Will this work for people? Let me know and I'll call Slanted Door about the private room. The set menu sounds good too as that is a convenient way to take care of the bill.
Jane - the GTG was at least two years ago, so that isn't a problem. However - based on what I saw on the Slanted Door website, I just gave them a call, and it sounds like we really lucked out when we made our reservation -- to ensure the private room, a. it has to be available and b. we have to agree to their minimum charge of $1500 or more:
quote:
5:30 pm start time with a firm 8:00 pm exit $1500 food & beverage minimum, exclusive of tax & gratuity
6:00 pm start time with a firm 8:30 pm exit $1500 food & beverage minimum, exclusive of tax & gratuity
6:30, 7:00, or 7:30pm seating with no set exit time (i.e., BUYOUT of the room) $2500 food & beverage minimum, exclusive of tax & gratuity
The prix fixe for dinner is $48/person - so they would charge us that, plus the cost of beverages, then add enough to bring the bill to $1500.
I asked how it happened that we had that room for our group of 14 - the reservation fellow said it was probably because the room was not reserved that day and it was easier to put us there than set up a large table in the main dining room.
So --- we can't be sure we will get the private room unless we want to pay a substantial amount to do so; and if there are seven or more of us, someone will have to make a decision on the prix fixe menu.
Sorry - I had forgotten the details when I posted my previous note.
Judy
Posts: 3915 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
Judy, thanks for the call. I e-mailed them a little while ago so it will be interesting to see if that answer is the same.
So...if this does not work--suggestions for some other place. It seems that we may have more than 7. Roz and Mike, Ken and me, and aren't you two?, and I don't know about how many each of the others really are but even if they are all solo that is 5. We may end up with more.
Susie, since you live there and offered to check out a couple of places, that would be nice. Bung Su sounds interesting.
It seems that the conditions about the room at the Slanted Door refer to dinner but maybe not lunch. However, we are probably better off planning a dinner GTG as some people do have jobs during the day--as opposed to us retired folks.
I'll try to call Crustaceans today--it is just that I can't do so when Ken's around as this whole thing is part of his Christmas present.
Again, Susie, if you have an idea and can make it happen--that would be wonderful.
I could run by there and take a look if you like, it would be next week though if that is okay.
I have never spoken to a single person who did not like the Slanted Door, my only concern was the noise and close proximity of tables (but again, I was always in party of 2 or 4).
I think that since this is a Christmas gift for Ken, it should be somewhere the two of you would really like to go, especially since you are making the trip up from San Diego.
Another place I really like is Kokkari, near to the Jackson Square area. They serve Greek food, it is a beautiful space. The front dining room has a massive fireplace where they roast meat. They have lots of really great small plates to share, always a whole roasted fish option (good for 2 people to share) and they make their own pita which is unlike any pita I have ever had. Good wine list, full bar and good service. I would rate it as moderately expensive (whatever that means!). They have a private room as well downstairs, it has a wine cellar vibe. I ate in there once for lunch, they did not charge for it. Not sure if we got lucky or not.
BTW, Bong Su closed... I miss it so.
I have never been to Crustacean, I hear it is great!
Susie, that place sounds like it might be fun. How do the rest of you feel about it? Kokkari Susie, could you call and see if they could handle a group of about 10 or more on the 27th?
I just checked out the menu for Kokkari, and I am salivating. It sounds good to me - and not out of line, price-wise - may even be a little less expensive than Slanted Door.
But Jane -- this is your gift to Ken; would he prefer Asian, or would he enjoy the Greek?
Judy
Judy
Posts: 3915 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
One more suggestion which is near and dear to my heart is Fringale. It was launched by Gerald Hirogoyen who went on to start Boccadillos and Pastis. He sold the restaurant to a long time staffer, Jean-Marie.
I have taken clients to Fringale since the mid nineties. Everyone raves about it, it is South of Market on 4th and Brannan. Easy street parking as well. I have never had less than a delightful experience and that means at least 100 meals? I think I am being conservative here.
If you look at the photos of the dining room, it does not show an alcove which can easily seat 10 to 12.
Jean-Marie, who was one of the original employees of Fringale now is the owner. He is from Normandy. When I had mentioned to him how much I enjoyed Normandy when my father and I re-traced his WWII footsteps, Jean-Marie insisted I bring him in for lunch. What a warm welcome my father received and yet another unfailingly delicious meal.
Okay, so maybe I liked being kissed on my cheeks by handsome Frenchmen, but the food is great and we would be treated wonderfully.
One more suggestion which is near and dear to my heart is Fringale.
Oh, Susie - what timing! I was trying to remember the name of this restaurant - a friend took me there for a birthday dinner a few years ago, and I've been wanting to go back.
It's been a while, but I remember a delicious dinner, elegant atmosphere, and outstanding service.
(Sorry I missed eating at Bong Su - sounds like a great find.)
I'm up for any of the restaurants posted so far! Including Kokkari, Absinthe, and Chez Papa Resto - which I adore. I've attended a couple of GTGs there that were super.
Posts: 16049 | Location: The Beautiful San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 06 August 2001
Don't worry about Ken--we like food of all vintages. I think I would like to try Kokkari if we can get in. For some reason I could not get the menu to show on Fringale. If Kokkari doesn't work, let's try there. Susie, do you have the time to see what we can do since you know these places. If not, I have time and can do it.
How many do we have? Us-2; Roz-2; Judy-2?; Eden-?; Suzie-?; Debra-?; Colleen-?; Sharon-?
So that gives at least 11 unless some of the ?'s are 2. Any maybe more will join in.
If someone isn't coming, let us know so we can count up.
Hi All - Of course I haven't been watching so thanks to Colleen for sending me the update. I know the thread has moved away from Crustacean, but wondering why? I am game for anywhere though, so please count me in! Darci
Can we jump in too? I would love to pre-meet some of you before the SD GTG, as well as meet up with Bay Area STers! Count us two for 1/27 or whatever day it turns out to be. Thanks,
Posts: 135 | Location: Menlo Park, CA | Registered: 30 March 2004
Darci and Ruth--welcome to the GTG--can't wait to meet you. It seems like our numbers are growing--maybe we can book the whole restaurnant.
I guess it moved from Crustaceans because...oops, don't know why. Maybe because Ken and I have reservations there on the 26th but we can change that. I do like the idea of Greek for a change though.
Susie, if you would call that would be good as you know the interiors of these places and so will know what is being offered. I would be clueless.
Let's do dinner say around 7 pm? Does that sound good to everyone? Of course, we can do the Greek way and make it 10
Will they give a fixed price so that taking care of the bill is easy? Or is everyone comfortable with dividing equally? The way I arranged it at Dino's in D.C. was that he agreed to do separate checks but many restaurants don't like doing that. I have found that it is really good to have this question settled before going so that we are all on the same page. My preference is the divide evenly option but I know that many people don't like that method so if either of the other two options would be better. Think?
Yes, Gloria and ? (forget her husband's name) would be great.
If you have a time problem doing this, let me know and I'll take over as I do have the time.
I would feel really, really uncomfortable asking for separate checks. GTGs I have attended in the past, the bill was just split evenly. I'm glad you brought it up!
Susie, I am so glad to see you back here, and am really looking forward to talking with you on the 27th. Are you also going to S.D. in March?
CindyRuth, it will be really nice to meet you and get to know you a bit before the Big GTG.
And, we get to find out all about that event from one of the committee heads. Enjoy your stay in the City, and what a great gift, Jane. It is too bad Shannon won't be there.
It will be great to see everyone. A late holiday present to ourselves.
Gloria's husbands' name is Alex.
Posts: 3855 | Location: Monterey Peninsula, California, USA | Registered: 07 September 2003
Marcy, of course. At this point, I think Susie and I are the coordinators of this grand event. Susie--is this right? I need to make a list of people. Will do so this afternoon.
Jane - confirming you are right - there will be 2 of us - Bill & me - and we are also in the "split the bill evenly" camp. And we will be happy with any of those restaurants.
Thank Ken for giving us the opportunity to visit with old friends and meet new ones (Susie, for me!)
Judy
Posts: 3915 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
Susie, thanks for doing this. It's hard to say about the cost. If it is 17 it's about $117 a person. If 20 people about $100 a person. This is fine with us but it may not be so with everyone. How do others feel. You indicate this includes beverage but I doubt that means wine so that would add to the total--unless we have a wineless night--rather or highly or absolutely not likely!
What is special about the chef's table?
Would Fringle be about the same or more or less?
Grazie Mille for your follow through on this thing that I started!! What wine do you like?
Wow -- that's pretty high for our beer budget! Wonder if we could manage less expensively at either Crustacean or Fringale. From the Fringale website (and Jane, the menus loaded for me this afternoon)
quote:
Fringale is available for groups and complete buy-outs for your special events. With either an à la carte or prix fixe menu, we can delight 60 of your guests with our dedicated service. We also have a semi-private area which can accommodate up to 20 guests with no additional charge.
Judy
Posts: 3915 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
I am also thinking of Kuleto for Italian. Tomorrow I'll call them. Any other ideas for less expensive places? Italian is always good or Chinese. Let's try to bring the cost down.
I just spoke with Jean-Marie at Fringale. Here is what he can do:
In January, some SF restaurants participate in "Dine About Town". This started in response to economic downturns (which one I can't remember) to try and encourage people to eat out. Fringale is one of these restaurants.
For $34.95, you get an appetizer, entree and dessert. Each of these three courses has three choices. I think this is nice because some people want vegetarian, some fish, some meat. What I also like is with the number of people that want to come, most places would limit our choices anyway.
We would not be able to start at 7PM however, because that is when they get slammed. He could take us at 6PM or 8PM. Again, it would be the semi-private alcove, seats up to 20, no additional charge for that space.
Beverages, tax and gratuity additional. He has some reasonably priced wines on his list.
What do you think? He is so very nice, I know we would receive a warm welcome.
I miss it so.
