PDA

View Full Version : SFO Meeting - Restaurants


Studley
June 27, 2002, 07:06 PM
Here are the restaurants I've received information on. To jetstewus, nwacrew, FlyBoy UAL 777, and juice no ice, I want to say thanks for taking the time to give me this information! images/icons/smile.gif

In no particular order....

"Il Fornio" - An Italian restaurant that has separate rooms for parties. However, it’s kind of out of the way and kind of expensive. The location of the restaurant was not included in its description.

"Houston’s" - A steakhouse near the wharf.

"Bubba Gump’s" - Supposedly right on the wharf and has seafood.

"Chevy's on Van Ness" - A very reasonable Mexican restaurant chain with a location on Van Ness, not too far from the water. Close to stores, hotels, bars, etc. This would probably be easiest for everyone. Plus if groups decide to split up in different directions, it's kind of central.

"Firewood." - On 18th Street near Castro. It has a classy, cozy atmosphere. You walk up and order what you want from the menu. On the menu: Pasta, chicken, salads, appetizers, sides, etc. Then you take a number and they bring it to whatever table you sit at. That way people could order as much or as little as they want and there would be no bill to split or tips to worry about. They usually have several tables lined up next to each other for "family style" seating. It is also right on the subway line.

"Lulu" - 816 Folsom Street (near 4th Street) – A restaurant with a warehouse-style interior, which features a dramatic open kitchen with a large, roaring rotisserie. On the menu: Family-style portions of lusty French-Mediterranean food, such as rosemary-scented roasted chicken and steak for two. The atmosphere can be loud and it is very popular. Reservations essential.

"Moose’s" - 1652 Stockton Street (Union/Filbert) - The restaurant has large front windows that look out on Washington Square. On the menu: Wood-fired gourmet pizzas, simple pastas, grilled salmon, and pork chops. It has lively energy, and is always jammed with a see-and-be-seen crowd. Reservations recommended.

"Chow" - 215 Church Street (at Market) - Bargain-priced, great-food restaurant that embraces Asian, American and Italian cooking. It bustles with an energetic, diverse (read "gay") crowd. Reservations recommended, and there may be a wait even with reservations.

"Mangiafuoco" - 1001 Guerrero (at 22nd Street) - A dreamy, carnivalesque-style Italian eatery. The atmosphere was described in the information as being convivial. Home to some of San Francisco's most sublime food. Fairly expensive, but worth it.

"Home" - 100 Market Street (at Church Street) – A restaurant formerly called "John Frank". Newly re-opened with less stratospheric prices, which therefore causes it to be jammed nightly with gays and model-types that couldn't afford the previous tariffs. (Sounds like lots of eye candy for both sexes will be at the adjoining tables, and who's to say that we won't be eye candy for them? images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/wink.gif images/icons/wink.gif )

The following information was also sent in, and can be used as other options for the group.

"Elephant Bar" - Near the airport. The food is okay and it's a large place with a view of the bay and the runways. It's quite a hike to/from the city, but it could be used as a place for people to meet up before they leave.

A suggestion sent in was for a picnic on Half Moon Bay on the beach.

More information sent in suggested this: There are some decent places not far from Union Square that can be advised of large groups a day in advance, and there are a number of moderately priced bistros available.

One of the layover hotels could be used as a meeting place and someone could ask for some tables to be set aside for a particular time. This could be done off of Union Square or near the Financial District. Then everyone could head off to local hot spots south of Market, or in the Castro or Union Street areas after dinner.

To jetstewus, nwacrew, FlyBoy UAL 777, and juice no ice: Here's where I need your help and guidance. Below, I have listed some questions I need answers to before I can post a poll for the members coming to the meeting.

- Exactly which of the restaurants take groups? And can they handle a large group? At this point, we have 24 listed as "Definite" and 10 listed as "Maybe". My guess is that we could possibly get that total number up to as many as 50 or more by the time we get there.

- I need a doublecheck of the restaurants needing reservations. According to the information, Lulu, Moose's, and Chow require them.

- What's the waiting time before being seated (On average for Friday or Saturday)? In my opinion, it's a very critical item with as large of a group as we're going to be.

- Cost of dining there: What kind of price range are we looking at in each restaurant? We may be able to work something out, if the restaurant is made aware of the potential size of the group.

Also, with a group this size, is or will payment be required in advance, or can they handle separate checks?

- Dresscode: What is the dresscode, if any? Are jackets required at any of the restaurants?

- Are there any other places in mind?

Whatever you can find out for me, I would appreciate very much! images/icons/smile.gif

To the group: The restaurants are listed for your review. Once I get the answers to the questions I need, I'll post the list again, with the revised information. After that, there will be a poll posted that you can vote on. images/icons/smile.gif

June 28, 2002, 04:07 AM
Houston's, is an awesome place. They have the best garlic mashed potatoes on the planet! My vote is for Houston's!

Delayed
June 28, 2002, 04:31 AM
Originally posted by Proud_2B_AA:
Houston's, is an awesome place. They have the best garlic mashed potatoes on the planet! My vote is for Houston's!<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana ">Yum! However, my vote is for Cheveys.

Studley
June 28, 2002, 09:01 AM
Guys,

Let's hold off on voting until I can get the answers I need, and repost the list with complete information.

Then I'll post a poll that you can vote on. images/icons/smile.gif

Delayed, would you be able to assist in tracking down some of the answers to those questions for me?

skygoddess51
June 28, 2002, 02:22 PM
If the "young at heart" are welcome, I would love to make it to the SFO meeting. Will do my best to get the time off or perhaps get an SFO layover.

Studley
June 28, 2002, 03:17 PM
The only requirement is that you tell me to put you on the list. I think we can count your post as your having done that. images/icons/smile.gif

jetstewus
June 30, 2002, 06:09 PM
I had lunch at Chow a couple of weeks ago. The max they can probably take at once is 25. I was told they don't really take reservations and that it would be something we would have to call for that day and they could only do it on a weekday. Not too promising, I'm afraid.

Chevys usually has a wait on weekends of 10-30 minutes, but maybe not if we arrived early. Entrees are probably around $7-12. I would imagine they could take a large group but I will try to call them when I'm in SFO in the next week or so.

Il Fornio will certainly be able to accomodate a group but I imagine everything would have to be paid in advance. It's pretty fancy. I'd reckon dinner would be at least $20 each. It's between the embarcadero and fishermans wharf, kind of near Levi's Plaza.

Sorry I can't be more helpful...I'm in the process of relocating...YUK! I'll see what else I can find out when I'm there. images/icons/wink.gif

[ 06-30-2002, 07:18 PM: Message edited by: jetstewus ]

SFOFlyboy
July 1, 2002, 03:19 PM
Hey Studs...

I can check out Firewood and Home for you and possibly Moose's

... will have something back to you this week or next.

graemlins/windsock_smilie.gif

Studley
July 1, 2002, 03:36 PM
Thanks, SFOFlyboy! images/icons/smile.gif

Studley
July 1, 2002, 11:55 PM
jetstewus, thanks! If you are unable to look into it while you're there, I understand totally. Take care of what you need to do. images/icons/smile.gif

Would someone else be able to check into Firewood, Moose's, and Home in the next two weeks or so? I'm kind of curious as to information concerning those places.

Please remember the questions I asked earlier, and use them as your guide.

FlyBoy_UAL_777
July 10, 2002, 10:09 PM
ok I checked the Elephant bar and they said depending on the crowd that night, better to call first and they would divide the group on different tables but in the same section so basically one section of the place would be ours. They prefer advance notice. It overlooks the water and it is nice. You can see planes land and take off. Kinda nice. As far as accomodation, I reinforce the fact that you should give priceline.com a try. I needed a crash pad for 2 days and I was able to get Hyatt Regency for 45USD a night on priceline. It depends on luck so give that a try. I will look out for more places. I am just working my butt off so I am a lil slow getting replies on here but please bare with me. Thanx images/icons/tongue.gif images/icons/tongue.gif

Studley
July 10, 2002, 10:23 PM
I appreciate you getting the information! images/icons/smile.gif

We're okay on time so far, so that's not an issue right now.

traveler
July 11, 2002, 09:13 AM
I have to say that - Ryanair's - suggestion (in the crew tips forum) looks very good to me !

http://www.johnnyfoleys.com

Check out their 'menu' and 'look around'.
There is a map provided too, very conveniently located next to union Square.
Affordable and we can stay till late.
Well done Ryanair !

Studley
July 11, 2002, 09:15 AM
Thanks for posting the link here, trav! I will dig a bit deeper into this possibility, because we can get a separate dining room there. images/icons/smile.gif

SFOFlyboy
July 15, 2002, 04:34 PM
Studley... this is what I have found out...

Firewood: As mentioned, on 18th Street in the Castro, about a 4 block walk from the Castro MUNI station. They can accomodate UP TO 50 and with a group that size they will require a reservation. Entrees run between $7 and $10 (not including some side dishes). They will not require an advance pay however they will offer to serve the food in one of two ways. Their normal fashion is a line at the front and each person pays individually as they order (take a number to the table for server to find you) OR to decide as a group at about $20 each, sodas included, beer/wine separate, on three entrees to chose from to expedite service and make it easier on the cooks to crank out a large batch for the group. They have a back room which will seat up to 50 and someone would have to arrive there somewhere between 3 and 6:45 to ensure that the back room remains closed off (they get REAL busy and people will open up the closed space on their own.) Once in the room we can keep it pretty much as long as we want tho. Unable to locate website for Firewood.

Moose's: Near Washington Square and North Beach area. Can accomodate up to 50 and they will require a reservation. However they do it more of a banquet style of a set amount per head ($46, $50 or $56), the starter dish is chosen in advance for the group, the entree is a choice of two items (sound familiar gang?) and the dessert is chosen in advance for the group. Wine offered but charged based on how much is consumed (approx $23 per bottle). The rub is that the group would have to guarantee a number of seats prior to the gathering. They would require a $700 deposit to hold the room with the balance paid that evening. I was given the figure of approximately $85 per person wine inclusive based on average consumption. They're e-mailing me more specific information so let me know if you need more. Send me a PM and I'll forward the information package I received. Website: www.mooses.com (http://www.mooses.com)

Home: Am awaiting a call back from a specific employee to discuss particulars. Information to follow.

Hope that helps!

[ 07-15-2002, 05:52 PM: Message edited by: SFOFlyboy ]

Studley
July 15, 2002, 05:50 PM
SFOFlyboy....Well done! On target!

I'll wait on the information for "Home" from you. images/icons/smile.gif

SFOFlyboy
July 15, 2002, 06:28 PM
Lastly, Home: Discussion was very similar to that with Moose's. They can accomodate the group in the outdoor heated patio area. They will also require reservations as well as a deposit of $500 (could be done as a credit card number) to hold the space. Also, they would limit the group to 2.5 hours and for that time frame the food would run approx $30/head (food only). Drinks of the alcoholic variety would be handled by each respective server. They would offer choices of two appetizers, three entrees and two desserts. They would also require a guarantee of number of attendees to be set 48 hours prior to dinner. IF the group dropped to 30 or less then the entire area would not be restricted just to our group.

I think that covers it. As before, let me know if you need further information and I'll go dig it up for you!

OH! http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/bangin.gif I forgot to post that none of the places has a specific dress code... pretty casual. Definitely very cas for Firewood. Home can get a bit dressier but nothing more than dockers I would say. I think Moose's said they were casual as well but can confirm if needed.

images/icons/wink.gif

[ 07-15-2002, 07:40 PM: Message edited by: SFOFlyboy ]

SFOFlyboy
July 23, 2002, 04:32 PM
Studley... information re Johnny Foley's as follows:

They can accomodate 40 comfortably and a max of 48 people in "The Parlor". It's a matter of space limitations and no other reasons.... They will require reservations. No advance pay required although there will be a $250 room charge on top of the food/drink charges. Dinner would run $30 per person plus tax plus gratuity. Drinks can be done either as a group or by each person individually.

They have a 30 day cancellation policy and if a cancellation occurs less than 30 days out then the $250 room charge will be put on the credit card used to hold the room reservation. No dress code... well, yes there is a dress code... she said you need to wear clothes... so I think JetBoy in his thong should be OK... images/icons/wink.gif

sorry, I couldn't resist that one... images/icons/smile.gif

Let me know if there are any other places you need checked out.

images/icons/grin.gif

FlyBoy_UAL_777
July 23, 2002, 11:44 PM
Well Hello there mates. I am finally on days off after 16 days of non-stop flying. I dedicated a day to information hunting. I tried to get restaurant information for places we did not mention much about. So Fasten your seat belts. Here we go.......

1. II Fornio
Dress Code- Casual/Formal (eg Jeans w/ polo)
Offers Private rooms/Banquet Style
-Piatza Room Open Air with Heated Lamps Glass
walls by Water Fall.
Average cost up to 60 per person depending on
-menu
-alcohol
I was e-mailed the Menu so if you want to take
a look, I can e-mail it to you guys.
(415) 986-0100 Lisa Crawford Coordinator
2. Houstons
Told no wait around 5 to 6pm on Fri/Sat
Casual attire
No reservation required
average 20 USD per person
Patio can seat up to 60 but they can't reserve
(415) 392-9280 Sydney
3. Bubba Gumps
Dress-Casual
Cost-average 20 to 30
space seats up to 300 but split tabels
menu and reservation info will be sent to me in
a day or so.
Contact Dave Trumbetta 1800-916-3792
They do require a credit card deposit to hold
group.
4. Elephant Bar
No reservations
Casual Dress
Average 20 to 30 per person
Wait of 1 hour to 1 1/12 if we go as group
Seating faster in groups of 4. No dedicated
section for groups. Basically split
Contact (650) 259-9585 Kioni
5. Chow's
Waiting for contact from manager
6. Lulu's
will e-mail me all the infor tomorrow.

If you guys have any other places that I can look into for you, Please let me know. As far as beach goes, It is pretty cold here as we speak so September would be chilly as well. Please bring a light sweater/Coat. Half Moon Bay is Kinda pretty to go and visit. I hope this infor kinda helps in trying to figure price range and what we are looking at as far as reservations and the group Dinner. If you have any questions in regards to Accomodation, I may have some suggestions. Please E-mail me at Flyboyual777@aol.com Please Put "AIRLINECREW.NET" as the subject of the e-mail as I delete other stuff as junk. If I can be of help, please ask. Cheers. Again if you want to look at the menu for II FORNIO, please let me know. Safe Landings graemlins/plane_smilie.gif graemlins/plane_smilie.gif

FlyBoy_UAL_777
July 24, 2002, 12:48 AM
Hey Studley

I just received a Fax from Houstons. Looks like a good menu. Not too bad. Average price would be 20 to 25 per/person. If you can give me a fax number I can Fax this menu to you and maybe somehow you can arrange to post it online. I am not much of a computer whiz so no clue how to do that. Let me know. Cheers Mate

Studley
July 26, 2002, 08:55 PM
Hi FlyBoy,

Great research! Also right on the money! images/icons/smile.gif

I apologize, but I got kind of busy during this past week.

I just sent you a PM for the menu.

I will hopefully get the information completed by this weekend, and let everyone see what we have so far.

Studley
August 4, 2002, 10:51 PM
I'm waiting on information from one more restaurant, then I'll post the final list.

I will also include my personal recommendations, based on menu, group accommodations, and payment.

There are 2-3 great choices here, and I want to thank everyone who submitted their ideas.

I want to give special thanks to SFO Flyboy and FlyBoy UAL 777 for their efforts in researching the restaurants for me. Let's hear it for the home team! images/icons/smile.gif

That said, we have to resolve several issues:

1. How many people will attend the dinner. This includes any guests you intend to bring with you.

I need those replies to the E-Mail sent out via crewstart ASAP. Most of the restaurants require some firm idea of how many people to expect, and this also affects the size of the room we will need for the group.

You can also PM me with this information, if you have not yet responded to the E-Mail.

2. Payment, which will depend on our choice of restaurant, and this can be discussed after we choose the restaurant.

Studley
August 7, 2002, 05:45 PM
I'm going to close this thread, to avoid confusion with the revised restaurant list.