Calling all Chicago fodorites
 

I'm collecting the Chicagoland denizens from the longer post and putting them here. Looks like a good start to a gathering. I'm waiting to hear from "Richard of Hickory Hills" though....... wouldn't be complete without him! <BR> <BR>I'm happy to plan and I'm sure downtown will be the most convenient for most of us. Next will be the 'whenandwhere'! <BR> <BR>s.fowler [looking for a French cafe in the loop and falling into the Billygoat Tavern!]

Oooooops here are the posts so far:) <BR>-------------- <BR>Author: s.fowler ([email protected]) <BR>Date: 10/23/2000, 12:22 pm ET <BR> <BR>Message: Calling those in Chicagoland..... time for us to get together. Maybe at Harry Cary's, Ed Debevic's or ?? <BR> <BR>Author: Heather ([email protected]) <BR>Date: 10/23/2000, 2:13 pm ET <BR> <BR>Message: Here's another Chicagoan, and I've been dying to find a travel group that has meetings in the city. Count me in. Feel free to drop me an email at the above address. I'll be more than happy to help organize if you wish (any place in the city is fine with me ... I'm a bit lost when it comes to the suburbs, tho). <BR> <BR>Author: Jeanie ([email protected]) <BR>Date: 10/23/2000, 5:49 pm ET <BR> <BR>Message: Count me in if there's a Chicago meeting! <BR> <BR>Author: Debbie ([email protected]) <BR>Date: 10/24/2000, 10:59 am ET <BR> <BR>Message: If anyone wants to do the Chicago get together-count me in ! I will be happy to help with anything. If downtown Chicago doesn't work out-maybe Schaumburg or near the airport for closer connections? Thanks,Debbie <BR>

I'm in Kenosha, Wisconsin but would like to get together with the Chicago group as well.

Count me in. How can I pass up the Billy goat?

I'm a bit further than Anna - I am in the Milwaukee suburbs, but if you had a get together on a weekend it would be great to meet.

We are also Chicagoites and would love to get together and swap travel stories. Keep me posted.

Did I start something here. After I retire I may just have to do some more traveling in US to attend regional Fodorite get togethers. <BR>Good luck yall. Looks like our So Cal is really coming together and we'll have about 18 folks on Nov 12th. <BR>What we've decided to do is a potluck with everyone bringing a dish, bottle of wine and a photo album to share. I'll have my slide projector running in one part of the house and my vidios showing on my big screen. It will truly be a travel day. <BR>

AL, be sure to take photos to post here, never mind the big photo album to show to you CA folks. <BR>kk in TX

Hey you "guys" - get back to your *own* thread:) <BR> <BR>I'm waiting for Richard-of-Hickory-Hills then we can start picking a day and date. Weekend is fine with me.... can do most "after-work" times also. And can folks start thinking of a place where we can meet for a cuppa or a glassa that will tolerate this cafe_sitting crowd?

Thought I'd pitch in a couple of other suggestions that are centrally located (Downtown) that don't rush the customers off and offer libations ... Fado's, Hudson Club.

Let me know when and where. I'd love to meet some fellow traveling Chicagoans!!

Topping for the morning crowd [in Chicago, that is:)] <BR> <BR>Would someone like to start throwing out some dates as suggestions?

Count me in too, I'd love to meet some fellow travelers! Suburbs or city fine with me

Do we want to meet just for drinks or are we planning on having dinner too? If it's dinner, then I suggest Maggiano's. It's not French, but the food is wonderful. I've done some searching and there aren't many French restaurants here in the city. My sister recommend one, but it is up near Wrigley Field, on Sheffield. The name is Le Leu. She says its quite small and nothing fancy, but it has great food. <BR> <BR>As far as dates go, how about November 11th? Its a Saturday and well before the pre-Thanksgiving rush. <BR> <BR>I'm really looking forward to meeting so many of the people whose names I see here on Fodors. <BR> <BR>Beth

Calling all Chicagoans!! Let's hear from everyone interested in a get together here in the Windy City. Give us some ideas for where and when to meet. <BR> <BR>Should we meet on a weekday or a weekend? City or suburbs? What kind of food and drinks? French? Italian? Chinese? <BR> <BR>Let's hear it!

I would think a weekend would be better so we can include some of our Wisconsin friends that said they were interested. My husband and I would probably be more interested in grabbing a drink or two, dinner can be tough to get everyone to agree on. However, if someone is wiling to pick a time and a place, people could meet for dinner at 6:00 and drinks at 8:00 or something like that. <BR>I agree that Nov 11 would be a good day, since it is before the holiday season kicks into full gear. Whoever suggested Fado had a good idea, it is a really cute and homey Irish bar, and it's really easy to get to.

Good afternoon <BR>Richard of Hickory Hills is no more, his <BR>PC has been silenced forever. <BR> <BR>Have moved and now the new monicker is <BR>Richard of La Grange Park, IL. <BR> <BR>Would suggest the Como Inn, as they have <BR>a number of little rooms, where you could have a good dinner and etc and <BR>be able to have enough time to become <BR>aquainted with each other. The Como <BR>is in the 500 block of Milwaukee Ave., <BR> <BR>Richard of La Grange Park, Il.. <BR>

November 11th should be fine for me. [I'm waiting on some information to set a trip to Syracuse, NY, but let's assume the 11th is fine:)] <BR> <BR>For both questions of agreement AND economics, a place that wouldn't freak out at a table of 6-10 fodorites where we could have a late afternoon drink/cup of tea sounds appropriate. Then people could either toddle home safely in the early evening or stay downtown to have dinner with friends or attend the theater. <BR> <BR>So far we have suggestions of Mangianos [sp.], Fados, Hudson Club and Como Inn. I'm cool with about any choice -- parking and ease of finding might be factors to consider. Please pipe up with responses to these ideas. <BR> <BR>Oh. Is there anyplace at Navy Pier that would fit? [I've only eaten lunch there.] Another place I like is Reza's on West Ontario. It's cavernous and has a big bar area as well as wonderful middle eastern food for noshing. Just looked at the Hudson Club on the web. sounds great, but also sounds noisy. Are there any other wine bar type places in or near the loop? <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Hello everyone, <BR>I would prefer meeting at a bar or cafe as well. I have been to Fado's and it is nice. Also it shouldn't be too crowded in the late afternoon or early evening. In terms of restaurant meeting places, Maggiano's is not very good. It is overpriced and overrated and the food is not very authentic and most of us know what good authentic Italian food tastes like. <BR>Hope to see you all there, <BR>Brian <BR> <BR>

November 11 would work for me too. I like the idea of a late afternoon get together. Somewhere that is relatively easy to find with convenient parking would be great!

The 11th is good for us, preferable afternoon or evening. You in Chicago decide where would be a good location.

Como Inn is a great idea, I have always wanted to go there. Plus it is located right off of I-94.

I'm tentatively marking my calendar for Nov. 11. Fado's is a nice casual place for drinks and munchies but I'm up for just about any place. This is sounding like fun!

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I'm just adding my two cents! For those of us in the burbs/Wisconsin-a Sunday afternoon might be a better time with traffic/work/family,etc. Also, that weekend is a 3 day weekend for quite a few of us who have kids(Veterans Day) and as you can guess-we will be traveling!!!!!Another date perhaps?

Good morning to all. <BR>Sorry the 11th if no good for me as we do not return from IT and CH until the <BR>13th. Will be thinking of you. <BR>Richard of La Grange Park, Il...

Hi all- although I won't be in town for your gathering, may I offer a suggestion for a location? How about Cafe Iberico on LaSalle? Its a tapas restaurant, downtown, fun place, never felt rushed there. Its great for large groups- big tables, tapas (easy to share) and SANGRIA. We often get big groups together for the office and go on Friday for happy hour. <BR>One thing- don't get there after about 6:30 on the weekends--- you'll wait for a table. <BR>Have fun wherever you go! <BR>

I won't be in town on the weekend of the 11th either, but I also want to give you a suggestion for a great french restaurant, Le Creperie. It's across from the Century mall on Clark near Diversey. That place really makes you feel like you're in France. It's a smallish place though, so you might want to call with a reservation. <BR> I also like Jen's idea though too, Cafe Iberico is wonderful. Great food! Reza's is delicious too. <BR> The Como Inn is a nice place, but not very good food unfortunately (unless there is a new chef or something, haven't been there in about 5 yrs). <BR> Well, have fun!

Sounds like quite a few people can't make it to the November 11th 'get together'. Should we try for another date? Perhaps the 18th?

Hi Sally and Everyone - count me in either date, I will be coming from Milwaukee! <BR> <BR>Teri

The 11th doesn't work for me either, going out to LA to visit Grandma, the 18th or 19th would be great. Cafe Iberico is a great idea, it looks like you can get reservations Sunday-Thurs but not Sat or Fri, but you might be able to reserve for a large group on the weekend if you do it for a private party, depending on how many people end up going.

11th or 18th work for us. I do prefer a Saturday over Sunday - coming from Milwaukee gives us the option to stay for the night an don't have to contend with football on Sunday. Tapas would be great.

It's sounding like many folks can't make the 11th. For those of you who responded with a yes for the 11th, how does the 18th work? <BR> <BR>I also like Cafe Iberico. The food and sangria are very good. I go with friends and coworkers all the time. I've never been on a weekend though. I would imagine the earlier we meet the better. I know on week nights it gets pretty crowded after 7:00pm. <BR> <BR>So, I'll throw out a suggestion. How does November 18th at 5:00pm sound at Cafe Iberico? <BR> <BR>Beth

Great job Beth. Good for us. Will need an address, so I can map it.

Cafe Iberico is at 739 N. LaSalle.

Details: <BR> <BR>739 N. LaSalle - just south of Chicago Ave. on the East side of LaSalle <BR> <BR>They do have valet parking and there is metered parking on LaSalle <BR> <BR>We need to hear from more of the above posters. Does November 18th work for you? Any additional thoughts on the location? <BR> <BR>Beth

Nope, the 18th doesn't work for my husband and I, so we're out. Sorry.

I can do the 18th at Cafe Iberico (5:00 pm). Count me in!

Here's where we stand right now. <BR> <BR>Ten people have definitely responded. <BR>Of those ten: <BR>1 person can only make it on the 11th <BR>1 person can only make it on the 18th <BR>4 people can make either the 11th or 18th <BR>2 people said yes to the 11th, but have not responded to the 18th (S Fowler & Anna) <BR>2 people (Debbie and Richard) said no to the 11th but haven't responded to the 18th <BR> <BR>It looks like we're kind of split. My suggestion is that we set a date and on that date I'll tally up the numbers. The date with the most possible attendees will win. This is definitely a democracy! How about November 3rd as the last day to vote? <BR> <BR>Maybe what we should do is set another date for early 2001 for a second get together. Given the advanced notice maybe more folks will be able to attend. <BR> <BR>Comments? <BR> <BR>Beth

I can come either weekend.