s.fowler

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!]

s.fowler

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>

Anna

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

Marija

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

Diane

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.

Amy

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

Art

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>

kk

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

s.fowler

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?

Heather

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.

Deena

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

s.fowler

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

Kristi

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

Beth

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

topper

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!

Jeanie

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.

richard j vicek

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>

s.fowler

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>

brian

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>

Anna

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!