The place is great for groups. I have been there for Birthday parties with a dozen people. They bring the Tsing Toa's by the six pack to the table. I have seen groups larger then the one's I have described. They have screens that they can use to divide the room (or at least they used to).

I have never seen anyone "rushed" through a meal, especially any group. I always got the impression that they think like...the longer you are there, the more money you will spend. :)

They will cook dishes to the desired "hotness" requested. There are more non-hot dishes on the menu then hot dishes. This is the USA after all. But if YOU want it HOT, they will oblige you. :)

This is not what I would consider "fine dining" or pretentious cuisine. I is good old fashioned family style Chinese.

I can't answer the questions about separate checks. I have never asked for one.

I am not one to quibble about dining bills. I don't drink though and if there were heavy drinking going on I would expect those who drink the most...to pony up the most. But that is just me.

I do believe that this resto provides good value for the food. Often when you go to the standard resto, for many, the portions are too large and end up paying for food they can't finish. At a family style, you eat what you want, no more/no less. And if you need more food...they bring it.

Mostly, they have large round tables, seating ten or so. Two of those should easily do it. Easy to get up from, I have had that problem...getting stuck at a long table. See last year's GTG thread for stories on that one. :)

thereyet

I agree, the purpose is to get together. However, on the spicy note, I cannot eat spicy. I'm sure there will be others in the same position so we just need to make sure to order some dishes without hot peppers.

Looking forward to meeting you all!

Yes:
Cat and Mr Cat
Faina
Linda
Patrick and Lee
Paula
Ronda
Stu Dudley
Tom TRSW
Trvl Maven

Maybe:
DMlove
JanisJ
Lucie
Shanghainese
ThereYet

Ronda, I cannot eat spicy, but I can't recall a single place where you order a "hot" dish asking to prepare it "mild" and they refuse? Never!

Well I like the idea of putting up the screen and having a somewhat private area. But we will have to get everyone's vote because I know spicy can be an issue for people. I am in for anything. It's the company that counts!!

Whoa. So how many don't like spicy food? I seem to be hearing that a lot. Sure, a place can do something different, but honestly if a majority or even half don't like spicy, would we really pick a place that is FAMOUS for spicy food? If we order half our dishes prepared NOT in the usual way, does it make sense to go there? If half the group is vegetarian would we pick a steak house because they will prepare them something they can eat?

From Wikpedia: "Hunan cuisine is one of the eight regional cuisines of China and is well known for its hot spicy flavor, fresh aroma and deep color."

I'm not trying to be difficult here, just asking -- how many of those who are definitely going would prefer NOT to go to a place that features spicy foods?

I am in the "maybe's" and I can't eat spicy food, but don't let that stop everyone else, I come to GTGs to enjoy the company, I can survive on rice mixed with hot tea.

For non-spicy chinese food, I'd recommend R&G Lounge on Kearny Street.

Patrick, I don't mind to go to a spicy place, but I'll have to ask one plate to be mild, that's all. I don't see a reason not to go. After all, the main reason is to meet in person. Food is secondary.

So we've agreed on Henry's Hunan. Now, WHICH ONE? The website lists 4 locations:
924 Sansome
110 Natoma
674 Sacramento
1016 Bryant

Can we exclude Natoma and Bryant? Creepy locations in the evening, if I'm not mistaken. Sacramento opened till 5 pm only.

WE HAVE A WINNER!!

924 Sansome Street (between Broadway & Vallejo)
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 956-7727
Monday - Sunday 11:30 a.m. — 9:30 p.m. Open Daily

R&G lounge is even better! Right by my work :))

http://www.rnglounge.com/menu.pdf

Seriously, check out the menu and dare to tell me you are not hungry yet!

Parking... don't even want to go there :)

So... R&G? Let's vote! We need 200 posts to satisfy Iamq ;)

Henry's Hunan

ty

Looks like 11 to 17 people. Someone want to call -- maybe both places --and see about a couple tables together for that many? Maybe check out what Henry's says about ordering for a group if up to half don't like spicy? Clearly Henry's seems a lot cheaper if that makes a difference to anyone.

I love the idea of doing family style -- sharing wherever we go -- love the variety idea. These "dinner for __ people" deals are always so great at Asian restaurants if they have them, where you share a lot of dishes.

What time are we meeting? I have to plan it into our "busy" schedule -- LOL -- nothing at all planned that day, but I know some of you DO have to work!

Just looked at R&G's menu...hey it looks really good but I still prefer a little more down to earth rather then "fine dining".

Seriously, there are lots of non spicy dishes on the menu at Henry's. It is the kind of place where you can mingle and is perfect for "parties".

Just saying...

thereyet

I typically get off work a 7:00 so could be there by 7:30. Of course I could always leave a little early. ;)

thereyet

Is Henry's a bigger place? Easier to "take over" an area than R&G? The only picture I saw of R&G looks kind of smaller and more "intimate"?

I'm leaning toward Henry's personally. I nominate thereyet to handle making the reservation. Everybody who can't eat spicy and gets stuck with it can throw an egg roll at thereyet. :D

Just called Henry's...

No problem with this sized party. The Round tables seat 8-12 people, they agreed that two of these tables next to one another with about 8 at each would be best. They agreed that if even half wanted non-spicy it would be no problem. Hey, you could have a spicy table and a non-spicy table! :)

What do you think?

thereyet

I like the idea of a spicy table and a non spicy table -- does that relate to the food or the people? I want the spicy table in either case!

I'll try to make it. We're flying up there that day so the next day we can see our Bruins get smashed by the Bears.

Henry's has a large dinning room, not huge, but just right IMO. Also it is not right on Broadway so it doesn't get a lot of walking by curiosity attention. So it tends to be patronized by those who know about it.

I have never seen it rowdy packed with people. I think they get crowded at lunch time mostly for the business lunch bunch.

Oh, and Neo, I would rather get hit with a Diana's special meat pie, then an egg roll any day. See appetizer menu. ;)

And make that WITH peanut sauce, thank you.

thereyet

"I have never seen it rowdy packed with people.

So we should try to make it a first for them? :D

No problem, NP. :D

thereyet