Absolutely Susan - the restaurant is on standby for more numbers so that is not a problem at all. Keep us posted!

An elite and excellent group converging .

This is really starting to sound fun. It will be great to put some faces to the names. Perhaps we should be starting off with guessing who is who :) but, then again, may be not.

Hello to all those coming to the GTG.

I am now looking to settle somewhere for drinks before dinner ,if that is what we still want to do ?

Our two previous nominations were Spice Bar at the Grand Hyatt and The Long Room . Both are about 2.5 - 3 block walk to Trunk.If it is wet / cold ( of course it will be cold ) it may be a chore .

If there are just 8 of us it makes it easier to select a venue.

Does anyone have mobility issues / hates stairs - up or down ?

Was looking at Seamstress in Lonsdale Street as a closer option but not been there . Cocktails about $16 .

So let me know what you think please .

John

No mobility issues here, John; at least not pre-drinks ;)

My apologies, but a home/family situation will keep me from making it for early drinks that night. I'm not sure yet about how it will affect me making it down for dinner. I'll keep the group posted.

Clifton nice if you can come along .

Bokhara that is why I asked about stairs up and down - 2 good matinis or some cocktails and a dim bar might be the cause of our demise !Although I like to think it will take more than that to ' down ' me .

Stairs up and down are fine with me. Dim light is also good - it doesn't show up as many of my wrinkles :)

Clifton do try to make it, even if it is only for coffee and chat at the end if you can't get there earlier. We would love to meet you.

No mobility problems here, either.

No problems with stairs here either and completely concur with shandy regarding dim lighting. The dimmer the better!!!!

So we had all better wear something in dayglo / fluoro so we can spot who are the Fodors people in the dim light .

I actually have a skirt with a fluoro feature! I am fine with stairs also.

I am intending to inspect Seamstress tomorrow to make sure it suits us for a pre dinner drink .It reads well on its web site .I expect to make the decision and post all the details over the coming weekend .J

It does look interesting on the website doesn't it? Very funky. Of course, you'll have to try a cocktail to make a proper evaluation, John.

Great minds Bokhara !! Apparently they are excellent ------- and ought to be for $16 -------- although that is pretty standard if not cheap these days .

Okay so we are getting so close now everyone! It's very exciting.

We need to make that decision on pre dinner drinks. John I'm at your mercy so would be very happy if you came back with a time and place. Just make an executive decision and we'll be more than happy with absolutely no complaints!

I'm with Stormbird, you decide John.

I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone!!!

So cross as I just tried to send all the details from my work computer and it failed to send and deleted ! So I will try again .

Sorry for the delay and well appreciate any anxieties as a result .

Whilst I did not get to Seamstress Bar as I intended on Saturday I have spoken with Andrew thereof who was very nice and sounded welcoming , despite my mentioning we are Fodorites .In fact he suggested we ought be in the eponymous Seamstress Bar on the top level ( 4th floor ) on the strength of my best " telephone voice ". Mistake .

I was assured that we will have no difficulty in getting in nor arranging seats etc on Saturday between 6pm and 7.20pm . Friday night is the really busy end of week " let's go for a drink " nights and Saturdays is more likely to attract people later in the evening .

So here are the details :-

AUSSIE GTG PRE- DINNER DRINKS

When - Saturday 22 May

Where - Seamstress Bar , Level 4 , 113 Lonsdale Street Melbourne , telephone 96636363

Time - from 6pm until 7.20pm approximately

Directions/ Location - It is on the southern side of Lonsdale Street abutting Cohen Place and quite close to Exhibition Street .It is a short walk to Trunk for dinner at 7.30pm .

I won't give further directions as I may confuse you and we are most likely all coming from various locales . Google maps can show you easily .

Looking forward to it and meeting everyone . I will likely be dressed in 'Melbourne Black' - for a change .

Great! Thanks for all the good work.

We are flying over to Melbourne on Thursday afternoon to allow a bit of time for shopping and family visits, etc.

Looking forward to meeting you all. I won't wear a sheepskin jacket, Stormbird.

Rob.

Great, John - many thanks. The Seamstress looks quirky & fun from its website. Natural match for us really!

See you on Saturday, everyone. Looking forward to it.