Has anyone grabbed the bull by the nads and started planning or does anyone have some ideas for it? Midpoint location etc?
Printable View
Has anyone grabbed the bull by the nads and started planning or does anyone have some ideas for it? Midpoint location etc?
I'm up for a dinner. It sounds biased, but I think a Queens location would be well-centered for our friends.
Any ideas on an eatery that can accommodate that's accessible by both car and mass transit?
I'd be down for something. Best weekend for me would be the 15 and 16th. Doesn't matter where for me.
Don't matter where for us either.
I'd recommend something in Bayside. Many good eats there and accessible to LIRR and subway.
Further, I'd like to recommend a restaurant with muted tones. Something that won't be so loud that you feel like you're working the clubs.
There are several good spots in Bayside. just let me know which subway goes there and I'm in. :?:
Maybe he means the restaurant Subway? (scratches head)
Actually I meant to say Woodside would be accessible to both. (pardon my euphoric state, just back from the St Johns game)Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil D.
Bayside/Bell blvd could word buti'd guess you could do the 7 to Flushing, then what? LIRR to Bayside?
I love Forest Hills but can't think of suitable restaurants there.
Here's a random thought......just a thought.....
Figs at LGA?
I honestly wish Figs was a little nicer in terms of decor. I don't think it's a great place to have an event.
Getting to Bayside from the 7 would require a 30+minute ride on the Q13/16/28.
Woodside has a lot of Irish bars, but I'm not too familiar with their restaurants. I'm up for whatever, as long as time and wallet allow.
donovan's at bayside :borat:
Def not Figs, even though the food is good and the views are great, you have to pay for parking at LGA and its not an event kind of place.
Could we possibly do it the Week after the 14-15, and i mean the 22-23? Even remotely possible?
The 22-23 weekend does not work for me. :(
Bayside is very accessible by LIRR...trains every half hour from Penn Station, and the fare is only $3 on the weekend. If people know a good place near the LIRR station (41st Ave near Bell Blvd), that's probably a good option.
The only place I can think of in Forest Hills that I'd expect to accomodate a big group is Santa Fe Steakhouse. It's on 70th Rd between Austin St and Queens Blvd. I ate there once; the food wasn't bad. Not terrific, but not bad. Very easy to get to no matter your mode of transportation.
I just think that we should look at places more accessible by subways, considering that most people coming from Long Island will be coming in vehicles, and the people depending on public transportation will likely be closer to subways than LIRR.
Like Phil said, not to be biased, but Astoria really is a very good central location. It's right off the Grand Central/BQE/Queensboro Bridge/Triboro Bridge....so pretty much anyone coming from any direction can get there easily.
I know of several restaurants that can accommodate larger parties and have very good reviews. Once we have a count on approximately how many people and a location, I could start looking into this.
22-23 is not good for me, 15-16 would work. Of course, I'm partial to LI being I live the farthest out, but, depending the day & location, I would be up for the drive.
Just a reminder that we do have people coming from New Jersey as well and Long Island would be very inconvenient for them. I WOULD suggest Manhattan if it weren't such a mess with traffic and parking, so that's why I'm saying Queens would be our best bet. If someone thinks there's a more central location (which is accessible by subway) for people from NJ, Bronx, Manhattan, LI and Brooklyn to meet than Queens, I'm honestly all ears. I don't want anyone to think I'm just saying it because I live there.
Would oceanside be good? I know a Portugese resteraunt there that is FANTASTIC. If you can take the train to Long Beach I could make travel arrangements and my girlfriend would surely help. Now if I coul get her to join the site!
All I'm saying is that even if we DO have a ride, we're trying to consider people who want to come from places like New Jersey, and Oceanside would tack a good amount of time onto a ride for them. :)
Oh, I see. Sorry skim reading again.
I was already thinking of heading up to New York on the weekend of the 15th to visit some friends in Jersey and get some spotting in, so this would work quite nicely. Obviously I don't have any suggestions for eating locations....any place with a good, warm food works for me. :D Keep us updated about final decisions on time/place. Would be great to see everybody again.
Greets,
-Omar S.
I and the better half are both allergic to seafood (How convient) so that is a prefrence for me if we can set a date and I can make it. Tuesday and Wed. Always work best for me and Saturday night after 8 P.M. is always a plus as well.
I have an easier time with parking in the city than in Queens. Plus NJT, LIRR and Subway into Manhattan means no one MUST drive. YMMVQuote:
Originally Posted by Mellyrose
I was going to show the Zagat rated restaurants for Woodside, Bayside and ...Astoria.
But too long a list.
Bayhouse near JFK comes to mind.
There is this nice venue near Union Square that comes to mind, German place really nice for the holidays.... have to look that up.
Maybe we can rent a big Red Bus and have a party on the roof top while driving around NYC.
Those are my thoughts.
gotta jet,
M
Quote:
Originally Posted by mirrodie
Or Phil can come through on his promise of a Tristar rental for the night. ;)
I'm sure we can find a good place, but my opinion is that Manhattan is the worst decision. We had an event there and it was very difficult for many people to get there. Most Manhattan restaurants require booking a "party" for reservations over 10 or 12, which is a whole other issue. :?
Bayhouse is a good one, but still tough for people who use public transportation.
I still think Bayside, Astoria and maybe even parts of Flushing would be good.
They changed hands, while it is still named Donovans there are different owners. They were going through a million dollar renovation. I don't know if they are back open.Quote:
Originally Posted by cloud_grazer
Woodside:
Donovan's
Roosevelt & 58 St (7 train to 61st Street)
Sunnyside:
Sidetracks
Queens Blvd & 45 St (7 train to 46 St)
Astoria
PortoBella
43 St & Ditmars (Q101 down steinway)
Jackson Hole
Astoria & 71 St (??)
Ok this is getting a bit overcomplicated...Zagat rated....allergic to this and that, public transportation... If people want to come they'll come, I don't think any of us with cars have ever said no to someone who needed a ride to an event or get together. Why not simply pick a TGI Friday's kind of place. Its inexpensive, no reservations, ppl can come and go as they please, minor friendly, there's something on the menu for everyone, and there's about a million of them located around the metro area. Why not pick one near JFK or LGA and be done with it.
Agreed, but what dates are you guys looking at?Quote:
Originally Posted by T-Bird76
I say either Dec 14th, 15th or Dec 28th or 29th (still the holiday season.)
Well I only threw out Zagat when Figs was turned down as an option. My line of thought is that anywhere in/near an airport is fine, since most/all of us go to airports to spot anyway. Makes sense. Therefore I seriously doubt anyone will have a problem with a rendezvous at/near/in LGA or JFK.Quote:
Originally Posted by T-Bird76
Having said that, my only wish is we avoid TGIFriday/AppleBee's. They are usually loud venues and I think a cozy atmosphere where we can chat would be nice. Bayhouse does sound fine especially, as Tom said, carpooling won't be an issue.
Too bad mimi doesnt have a Queens outpost. They are a perfect venue regarding ambiance.
(Maybe she has as sister? ;) )
Ok here's another suggestion...Why doesn't someone (one person) take the lead on this, select a place, date, and time.. People like it that's great, people don't like it to bad. By the time people agree it will be the 4th of July at this point. You know generally when these post are started the person who starts them takes the lead...(hint hint....Ryan.....)
Ryan, take the bull by its horns!!!!
And bring your sister this time :mrgreen:
I plan things like this for my job. If you guys trust me, I'm happy to work alongside someone to do this (I think it would be better to have 2 people working on it than one, for collaborative and logistical reasons). I enjoy planning events and since we're not doing Manhattan, we don't have to worry about party spaces (like last year).
What we absolutely DO need (regardless of who is planning) is a date and headcount.
Ok taking the bull by the horns here....the night of Sat Dec 28th. Its still the holidays, far enough out right now if ppl need to request off, Xmas shopping will be done, work Xmas parties will be over, and if the WX is nice people can combine a spotting day into it to.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mellyrose
Ok, December 28th it is. Now, please post yay or nay so I can get a headcount ASAP.
Nay. My flight from FLL on the 28th doesn't arrive until almost midnight.
Yay.
Can't make it on the 28th. Will be away Christmas week, any chance of making it the weekend of the 15th?
Eric
I second the weekend of the 15th.
I'm not getting involved with the date selection, just the planning of the venue, etc - I can do either date though....
Let's see who can do the 28th and who can do the 15th and then we'll pick, ok? I need replies!