SoCal Fodorite get-together, Saturday, February 28
 

Please RSVP to this thread, even if you already did to the other one. Specify how many will be coming (spouse, etc). We're not sure of the restaurant yet--depends on how many people there are--but it will likely be somewhere in the Del Mar/Encinitas area. If you know of a good place that will accomodate at least 30, please pipe in with your suggestion.

Two Please.

One, thank you.

One for sure, maybe two.
I am glad you chose the Del Mar/Encinitas area!

One but if Alan does not have to work, we'll make it two. I'll know for sure the week before.

Restaurants:

I called Le Passage (French) and they can accomodate up to around 45 on their outdoor patio. Very friendly and helpful on the phone.

Sbicca (American): according to their website, their wine room can accomodate 16, and their private dining room holds 50.

Il Fornaio (Italian): according to their website, they have an outdoor covered patio that seats 40. Calamari has a personal connection there.

Le Passage is in Carlsbad and the other two are in Del Mar. It seems like any of those will work, but we'll need to decide soon so we can make arrangements with the restaurant. If you have a strong opinion one way or the other please voice it here ASAP; we're driving Budman crazy.

Gary and I please.... just a thought ..to throw out there.we live by UCSD in La Jolla,I would be happy to host the get together there.We could all bring a favorite dish and bottle of wine. This way there would be plenty of room to move about and chat,rather than being stuck in one spot at a table. Our house is NOT one of the multimillion dollar view homes!! But very nice and we have a large house. ,,,anyway..just a thought.. Karen

They all sound fine. There'll be two of us.
Joy

Karen, are you sure??? I love that idea; it would be so much more relaxed, and we can all show our creativity by bringing fun dishes! Would your house be easy for Art to tool around?

We're in there for two.

Karen, a very generous offer. Should you host, I will donate a couple of my special Black Russian Cakes (no smoking near the cakes, please) as one of the desserts
((H))

maitai,

No way! Black Russian cake is MY specialty! The bundt cake with the yellow cake mix, chocolate pudding, and requisite vodka and kahlua? It IS a hit at parties...you sure two's enough? :)

I sure would prefer to meet at someone's house. I'll bring food, wine and volunteer to help clean up afterwards. I live very close to UCSD.

Would you people stop it!! Now not only I'm missing you by just one week, you're teasing me with this detailed description of chocolates and wines!! THIS IS NOT FAIR!! Oh, well, I'll be in Palm Springs area without a car, so I wouldn't make it anyway :( I need a friendly shoulder to cry on :(

absolutley,then we dont have to worry about how many are really coming etc..heres my email [email protected] there,let me know whos coming, and Ill send details. Im thinking heavy appetizers and desserts..and cocktails,wine of course! An international theme..

It will be fine for Art,one step up the front..

Ok thats it!!! Feb 28th 6:30pm Karens house,La Jolla..rsvp at email above please..

Yea, Karen! Thank you so much--I am so looking forward to it.

"No way! Black Russian cake is MY specialty!"

Ok Jocelyn, just make sure you double the alcohol the recipe calls for and it will have the proper effect. Tracy does make the greatest bread pudding I've ever tasted, and we can bring an appetizer.

Oh yeah, and some mai tai ingredients to go with the wine.
((H))

Maitai, I'm just having some fun; you bring the Black Russian Cake. I'm going to bring a hot appetizer since I'm not that far away. BTW, do you REALLY double the alcohol? I usually make extra glaze but that's it.

"BTW, do you REALLY double the alcohol?"

Jocelyn, Pretty much. It makes the cake quite, ahem, moist. Actually, I think I'm going to talk Tracy into the bread pudding. It is amazing and feeds the masses (funny how all our desserts have alcohol in them).

And Karen, thanks so much for putting this extravaganza on. It is beyond the call of duty.
((H))

Karen -
You are too kind inviting virtual friends and total strangers into your lovely home. Heartfelt appreciation. I can bring a delicious lasanga with porcini mushrooms for about 20 ppl. and some fresh loaves of Italian bread. The lasagna would need to heat up in the oven for about 30 -40 minutes though. Anyone like Tirra Mi Su? It might be a great idea if we take some pressure off of our kind hostess and have someone bring paper plates and the plastic cups/cutlery.

Faina-
Not to worry. If this dinner goes well, I will host a luncheon at my house in the spring/early summer. Since so many of us are in SD we will have other opportunities to get together.

Topping. I love it when a plan comes together!!! ((b))

Dang! This sounds great. I had always hoped I could make one of these, by pairing it with a trip to visit our daughter at USC. Oh well, gonna have to get motivated to try drumming up interest for anothr try at an Ohio Valley GTG (I am near Louisville).

In any event, raise an absentee glass to Art and all others for me...

Best wishes,

Rex

tt

Who else is going to join us???

ttt

Hi,so far we have about 14..I have heard from everyone I believe except Budman and Treesa,which is just from remembering their post..So..in case anyone has missed...Sat Night Feb 28th 6:30 pm Karens House in la Jolla,email an rsvp at [email protected] details..

Hi, I'd like to go. I live in Del Mar and am new to the Fodorite forums. My wife and I love to travel; we are planning a trip to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary, don't know where just yet.

I make a very good eggplant parmesan; any interest?

connbear,

Make sures to email Karen about what dish to bring; I'd surely have a bite or two of the eggplant parmasean! My husband and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary next spring in northern Italy--let's talk.

Karen, I believe Budman lives on the East Coast--he was just giving us a hard time. :)

Jocelyn, I wasn't giving you a hard time. You are my hero, you took the ball and ran with it. 0:)

Karen, you guys are going to have a wonderful time. It was so nice of you to host the event. Wish I could be there, but Mrs. Budman and I have other plans. Going to New Orleans in February.

((b))

message.connbear..please be sure to email me at [email protected] for details..were going to Italy this June with 7 friends,were all doing research,some might come that evening..would love to know what everyone else has found out!! Karen

Karen,

I have e-mailed you and look forward to the 28th.
((H))

This sounds like so much fun! My mouth is watering just thinking about the Black Russian Cake. Maitaitom is so funny. I wish I could quit work and run to California for some sun and fun. Thanks for the afternoon daydream and chuckle.

carnie ((D))

topping for the weekenders.

As Peggy Lee would sing (if she were still alive),
"Is That All There Is?"
((H))

Message Jocelyn:where are you staying in Verona? or does anyone have a suggestion for Verona and ??? and maybe Lucca? on the way to Tuscany...in June..oh 180 E. a night around there.,spending 'the wad' in Venice...would like something like a B&b nothing big. thanks!!

ttt

Peggy Lee? Now that is a blast from the past!

Karen, is your house wheelchair accessable. In other words, Do you have any steps to get in or around it. I would like to attend but stairs would cause a problem.

Art, if I remember correctly from the other thread re: the GTG, Karen's house just has one step up into the entry. Make sure to email Karen to let her know you're coming: [email protected]
Although I'm new to fodors, I've heard people speak about you with great respect and I look forward to meeting you!

Jocelyn

Nice to hear y'all are having a get together. I'd love to make it but am not sure about my business travel schedule yet. I'll just keep an eye out on this thread and RSVP as soon as I know. I just got back from three weeks in Australia and my life is in a bit of disarray!!

It would be great to see Natalia, Art and Joy again! I missed the one this past spring at Art's because of my stint in Europe. :(