I am ready for it too... I just need to find my way there now that my personal chauffeur (Daughter, T.) is unable to make it. Looking forward to this pre San Diego GTG.

It sure is good this GTG is planned for next week, not this one, which is a total washout! Are you having these rain and wind storms in San Diego, Jane? I don't think I'd want to drive very far in this weather.

- Roz

Yes, terrible rain and wind here. Just came home from Office Depot--needed printer ink--and will stay in the rest of the day. I am sure, sure looking forward to being with ST people next week even if it does rain and howl.

Just checked the 10 day forecast and it is supposed to be partly cloudy, 57 degrees that day, though weather changes daily.

Eden
More than likely, I will be riding Bart or Caltrain up and meeting up with my husband who will work in the city that day. Also, Joan and I talked briefly about going up a little early to do something else before dinner, so maybe we can work something out for you to come up on
Bart or Caltrain also, and then my hub and I could drop you back off at the Burlingame station on the way home.
Ruth

Boy-oh-Boy, Roz are you ever right. I am sure if it is like this next Tues. Rob will reconsider driving up to the City.

On that note, we are really looking forward to this early winter respit with good friends.

In-this-moment, we are in the middle of a major lightening/thunder storm - and we so rarely get this kind of weather system. As-matter-of-fact, Rob was telling his niece- who was supposed to fly in today from Stewart Field, NY - that people here are totally freaked by it, since us Californian's aren't used to such weather patterns. Personnally I am loving the dramatics of it all, as long as we keep our power. We were shut off the grid yesterday so PGE could get the lines up. Thank you PGE, for we had power-back starting at 3:45pm Monday and we still do. Driving around today ... there are so many trees down, it is a wonder we DO have power.

Sorry for the ramble

Hoping to see all of you next week. Travel safe and stay warm.

Power is on at the moment, let's see if I can finish this post!

Reservations are for 6PM.

Here is some information regarding the location of our SF GTG Fringale

Fringale is located on 4th Street, between Bryant and Brannan in SoMA. Drivers, please be aware that 4th Street is one way, running from North to South. Meters stop running at 6PM, there should be ample street parking. Make sure you feed your meter until 6PM. SF is hungry for parking fines these days! Fringale is on the West side of 4th Street, almost mid-block. The easiest and most plentiful street parking is probably on Brannan.

As mentioned previously we will be taking advantage of the "Dine About Town" menu. For $34.95 plus beverages, tax and gratuity we will have a 3 course meal, each course having 3 choices.

Here are the menu choices:

Appetizers

Assiette de charcuterie maison, saucisson sec, pate, Serrano ham and mache

Dungeness crab ravioli, vegetable julienne and lobster bisque

Spicy Monterey calamari "a la plancha" with jalapenos and chorizo (a personal favorite, I have clients wanting me to take them to Fringale just so they can eat this)

Entrees

Coq au vin, mashed potatoes, mushrooms, spinach, pearl onions in red wine

Sauteed petrale sole, squash, English peas, corn, risotto and sorrel beurre blanc

Grass-fed beef filet mignon, pommes frites, mixed greens and red wine shallot sauce

Dessert

Warm chocolate Gourmand

Hazelnut and roasted almond mousse cake (photo on web site)

Creme brulee

Fun!

Oh, it all sounds so yummy -- thanks so much for organizing this Susie! I can't believe that I have lived in the SF Bay Area for what certainly has to be 'forever' and I've never been to Fringale.

I am really looking forward to seeing everyone next week!

Sharon

I've already made my selections--can not wait. Thanks Susie for doing this. Nothing like starting a GTG and then turning it over to someone else. See you all then--even if it does rain. Right?

Suzie
All the food sounds great, and the details are appreciated. You have done a great job, and we thank you. See you soon,
Ruth

"See you all then--even if it does rain. Right?" Right!

And I too want to thank Susie for all the info.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone in a week from today

Susie, you'd better watch out -- you have done such a great job of organizing this gathering that you are likely to be drafted into future such undertakings! Thanks for putting it all together and keeping us all so well informed. (And thanks to Jane, too, for starting the ball rolling.)

The weather report I see says only a 10% chance of rain for next Wed, so let's hope we're all well dried out by then!

- Roz

Thank you for all of the kind words.

I am looking forward to seeing some old ST friends and meeting new ones! Wow, less than a week away!

I posted the following in the group blog and thought I would add it here...

Hi there, we were supposed to come up to the City this afternoon and spend the night, go to La Scala for dinner, go to the top of the Hyatt for drinks and view and then have some Riishtoffle -sp- for lunch at an Indonesian restaurant near Union Sq. we saw this week on "Check Please, Bay Area", but Rob has a huge problem - His Mother!!!

We hope that he is better tomorrow so we can come up for the GTG dinner at Fringale ... But we really won't know for sure til the sun rises again. Some of you know the situation, but you don't know how horrible it has gotten. Today was B A D! ! !

I'll post tomorrow with our outcome. We hope to be up for it, if not please know we will miss all who are going.

Warmly,
Wendy and Rob

Wendy & Rob,

I really hope the situation improves -- not just because I want to see you both, but for your peace of mind even more.

Fingers crossed.

Sharon

Oh, Wendy! Ditto what Sharon said. Sure hope you can pull it off.

Wendy, I hope you and Rob can make it. I responded to your post on the Group Blog. Please take care of yourselves.

Thank you soooo much Susie, I am still ever-hopefull for tomorrow .... I will post when I truly know and I do have Jane's cell number and will call her with the final answer and I will post here.

Wendy--know that I, too, wish you and Rob the best in deciding whether to join us tomorrow night or not...So sorry his mother continues to be so difficult.

Know we are all rooting for you, whatever you decide!

Judy

Thank you all.

Don't know the situation, but feel for you and Rob, and hope things are better soon. I was so looking forward to seeing you two again. I will check the group blog for news.
Ruth

Thank you all for the kind and supporting words and wishes. The sun is finally shining and I know the City has got be gorgeous today, unfortunately though the sun is out Rob's head is still pretty dark and stormy.

We aren't going to be able to make this GTG and are both very sorry for it, but there just isn't anything to be done.

I think I will take Rob on a nice long walk in the sun along Carmel beach and hopefully clear some of those clouds and maybe we will go for a nice lunch.

We will be thinking of all of you at the long table enjoying the great food and friendships.

CinCin everyone, and again thank you for your understanding and kind and loving words.

Wendy and Rob

PS- what about the reservation? There will be two less at the table now.

Wendy & Rob,

It goes without saying that you will certainly be missed. I hope to see you soon.

Huge hugs to both of you.

Sharon

Wendy & Rob.

So sorry. I look forward to our next rendezvous and time together. San Diego, I think.

A walk in the sunshine is a great idea.

Wendy & Rob,
Seriously bummed that we won't see you at dinner tonight, and especially sad about the "clouds" that have gathered over your family.

I'll look forward to seeing you both when the skies have cleared.

Colleen

Not able to make it! So sorry for the last minute notice - not sure if anyone can take advantage of the opening. Will miss seeing all of you I know and meeting folks I don't. Thanks for organizing and let me know if the last minute back-out has any cost repercussions - will be glad to compensate whoever....Hope it is a great time -the menu sounds yummy! Take care, Darci

Like Darci -thought about this earlier myself - if there is any money due because the table wasn't filled by us, please let me know.

We look forward to hearing and seeing all about it. I sure hope there were cameras tonight.

Wendy

Wendy, Rob and Darci,

You were missed! No cost repercussions whatsoever, please do not worry. We had a wonderful time and Roz took some photos, thanks Roz! Jane also provided party favors and I certainly had a good time, I hope everyone else did as well.

It was my husband's first GTG (I have a few under my belt, but that was a number of years ago). He had a great time as well and remarked upon what a warm and welcoming community we have!

And Susie, great job of organizing--food, service, ambiance, and company were all terrific. Jane--grazie! Look forward to seeing many of you again soon in San Diego.

What a lovely evening! Special thanks to Susie and Jane for all your work pulling off another wonderful GTG.

We are certainly wishing we could see you all in San Diego; it is sure to be a blast!

Hope all the upcoming trips are fabulous,
Marcy

Home from another successful GTG with slow travelers!

Thanks to Jane and Ken for the excuse to meet up (like we need one ) and to Jane and Susie for organizing. Delicious food and great company tonight!

Colleen

It was indeed a lovely evening. Nice to meet new Slow Travelers Susie (who isn't really new, but newly back) and Anita,and Ruth's' friend Suzy, and to see other familiar faces. The food was great, as was the company.

Adding my thanks to Susie and Jane for putting this party together.

Judy

Sounds wonderful, thank you for writing. Looking forward to the pictures.

It was a great get-together. Thanks especially to Jane and Susie, and we only wish that it had worked out for Wendy and Rob to be there. I will post my photos later today -- have a bunch of errands to run this morning.

- Roz

I could not have enjoyed myself anymore than I did last night except for having the evening last longer. Thanks to everyone for making this newcomer feel so welcome and TourMama I'm still laughing over the "cockroaches on the pillow" comment! Anyway, each person around the table was more delightful than the person next to them and I look forward to future gatherings with all of you. What say next week? Tomorrow? Any plans for dinner tonight?

We too had a great time. The food and company were great. Thanks to Suzie and Jane for instigating and following through with excellent plans. We now have another great place to eat in the city because of ST friends!
Ruth and David

Anita - We were at the "other" table, so got little time to chat, but did enjoy meeting you at the beginning of the evening. We are glad you came. As you can tell, we are not a shy crowd, so you needn't be with us! Looking forward to getting to know you better at future events.
RuthK

I am so very glad everyone had a great time - no doubt in my mind that you would.

So, I would like to remind all of you that there is going to be a GTG down here in our area mid June - most likely Sunday the 13th - and then possibly a second one after the fourth of July, depending if Marcia and David extend their stay in the Santa Cruz area as mentioned.

I hope all of you will consider making the one to two hour, or so, drive and joining in on what I hope will be a delightful afternoon into evening here.

Again, thank you for all of your support in the past few days, there seems to maybe be light at the end of that tunnel, of course things are only as good as the last conversation. But enough of that. Period! Moving on...

Come to the Monterey area and spend the day or make it a weekend and enjoy what we have to offer.

Cheers to all,
Wendy

We won't forget beautiful Monterey and the invitation to come and enjoy it with our ST friends. I am penciling in June 13 on my calendar right now.
Glad things are sunnier in Monterey for you two now. Enjoy.

OK, I have finally uploaded the photos I took last night to an album. I don't think it ended up in the GTG area (despite my efforts), but the album is here.

- Roz

Thanks Roz--many good memories of a night now gone by. It was such fun to see old friends and meet new ones. Now we can look to March--AND..those of you from last night that aren't coming--change your plans!

Roz, thank you for posting the photos of the evening fun that I missed. Ok, next time ... and see you in SD in March!

Thanks Roz. We all look great. Let's do it again!!

Thanks Roz, what a fun group!

Thank you so much for shooting and posting the pictures, Roz. (I love the caption with your "driver"). Everyone definitely looks like they had a great time.

I look forward to meeting those we have not met in the past and revisiting with those we know.

Cheers

what a great looking crowd. Must have been a fun wonderful evening. Good to see familiar faces and look forward to meeting more new friends at the San Diego GTG. Thank you Roz.

Barb Cabot

Echoing Jane, still not too late SF folks to come on down to San Diego. Looks like you all had a great time at dinner this week.

Looks like everyone had a great time! So sorry we missed it.
Alex and I have been incognito for the past few months, but we're back in the saddle again!

gloria

Gloria, check out the June 13th GTG thread.