Studley
August 7, 2002, 06:37 PM
At the moment, there are approximately 30 people attending the dinner on 9/7. This total is made up of both members and their guests.
A reminder: If you haven't already let me know how many guests you are planning to bring to the dinner via PM or E-Mail to the address I sent to you through crewstart, please do so ASAP.
With a month to go before the big event, here (finally!) is the revised restaurant list. images/icons/smile.gif
I've narrowed the list down to the seven best restaurants that are affordable to the group, have a good selection of menu items, and most importantly, can handle a group of our size.
The restaurants are listed in no particular order. I originally planned to rank and list them in order of preference (mine), and include additional comments on each one, but decided against it, since I had already narrowed the list down to what I felt were the seven best for our group's needs, out of the original list of 12 restaurants.
A specific dress code was not mentioned at any of these restaurants. Information on that is included in each description, however.
"Firewood" - On 18th Street in the Castro, about a four-block walk from the Castro MUNI station. They can accommodate up to 50 in a back room, and with a group of this size, require a reservation. We can keep the room as long as we want, but we would need to have some people there a bit early to ensure the space is closed off. It seems that some folks like going in there even though they’re not allowed. (Anyone trying to do this with us won’t know who they’re dealing with!) Entrees run between $7-10/person, not including some side dishes. 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. Another option would be to decide, as a group, on three entrees to choose from, so the staff could prepare a large batch for us. The cost on this is approximately $20/person, sodas included, alcohol separate. They usually have several tables lined up next to each other for "family style" seating. Dress Code: Casual.
"Bubba Gump Shrimp Company" – Located on Pier 39. Yes, it’s named for the company in “Forrest Gump”, right down to the logo! Cost is $30.95/person, plus tax and tip added. This gets you "Forrest and Bubba’s Best". In that package you get a salad, two appetizers, a choice of one of five entrees, and a choice of dessert. Three of the entrees are seafood dishes, one is a baby back rib plate (1 pound of them), and one is a charbroiled chicken breast dinner. Dessert is a choice of either Authentic Key Lime Pie or a Greenbow County Old Fashioned Ice Cream Sundae. Dress Code: Casual.
There are 5 options for the bar items, based on time and choice of beverages, subject to tax and tip. For example, if we wanted the "Beer, Wine, Never Ending Margaritas, and Soft Drinks" option, and were there three hours, the per person cost would be $24 for that option.
There are no provisions for group rooms, but the restaurant seats up to 300, split tables, and groups with reservations get priority for the window/view seating, with a sweeping view of the waterfront. There is also no waiting and space is guaranteed for us when we book reservations as a group. The restaurant advertises an energetic and fun atmosphere. (Something tells me that some of the staff may be dressed up as characters from the movie.) They would need a credit card deposit to hold the reservation, with payment in full due at the end of the meal.
"Chevy's" - A very reasonable Mexican restaurant chain, and this location is on Van Ness, not too far from the water. It’s close to stores, hotels, bars, etc., and this would probably be easiest for everyone. Plus if groups decide to split up in different directions, it would be a central location to do so.
They can take up to 50 people and the 9/7 evening is available. The group would be at separate tables in one area. Reservations are required. Menu options are limited to three that cost $16, $18 or $22 per person, so we would need to pick a price for the entire group if this restaurant is chosen. The price includes food, sodas and tea but does NOT include tax or a 15% gratuity. The food would be charged as one check for the group, paid on a major credit card. Advance pay is not required. Alcohol is not covered in the cost, although it could be done on a "per table" basis (one check per table). Dress Code: Casual. When asked about a dress code, "Well, if you want to wear a dress, go ahead", was the response from the contact person. images/icons/grin.gif
"Il Fornaio" - 1265 Battery Street, between the Embarcadero and Fisherman’s Wharf, in Levi’s Plaza. An Italian restaurant that has separate rooms of varying sizes for parties. Two of the rooms can handle our group with no problems. The Private Dining Room seats up to 50 and the Main Dining Room seats 70 or more. Dinner cost is estimated to be $35-45/person, based on the four menus available. Adding alcohol pushes this cost up to an average of up to $60/person. There are also appetizer platters available, each one serving 10-12 people. All food and beverage are subject to an 18% service charge and 8.5% sales tax, added to the final bill. Payment is due at the conclusion of the event, applied to one account, with a single form of payment. A guaranteed head count is due four days prior to the event, with charges assessed to the greater of the guaranteed count or the actual number served. If the number drops below the minimum to have the event in an exclusive area, the group may be moved to a less exclusive area of the restaurant. Dress Code: Casual/Formal (e.g. Jeans w/Polo).
"Houston’s" – Embarcadero at Bay Street, across from Pier 33. There is a patio that seats 60, but it can’t be reserved. We would probably have to get there in a large group in order to to cover it. You can get tables with no waiting between 5-6 P.M. on Fri./Sat. Entrees run from $15-26, Salads from $8-15, wine by the glass from $7-9, and beer at $4. Dress Code: Casual.
"Johnny Foley’s" – 243 O’Farrell Street, between Mason and Powell Streets. Conveniently located next to Union Square, they can accommodate 40 comfortably and a maximum of 48 people in "The Parlor". Reservations are required, but we would have the room for the entire night. There is a separate $250 room charge in addition to the food/drink charges. The room charge has a minimum 30-day cancellation, meaning that inside that window, the charge is billed if the room is cancelled. Cost of dinner is approximately $30/person plus tax and gratuity. Drinks can be done either individually or as a group. Dress Code: Casual. When asked about a dress code, the contact person replied, "Well, yes, there is a dress code. You need to wear clothes." images/icons/grin.gif (Website: www.johnnyfoleys.com.) (http://www.johnnyfoleys.com.))
"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. For groups, there is a wait of 1 to 1.5 hours. We could get a section of the restaurant, although there would be separate tables in the section. Average cost is $20-30/person. Dress Code: Casual.
That's it! Please take a few days to think about the choices. images/icons/smile.gif
We won't be voting on the restaurants via the poll feature. I'll E-Mail you through crewstart or post here when it's time to vote for your choice, as well as how to send your vote to me. images/icons/smile.gif
At present, I anticipate opening the floor for voting on this Saturday evening, August 10.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or need any other information on the restaurants listed here, please let me know! images/icons/smile.gif
A reminder: If you haven't already let me know how many guests you are planning to bring to the dinner via PM or E-Mail to the address I sent to you through crewstart, please do so ASAP.
With a month to go before the big event, here (finally!) is the revised restaurant list. images/icons/smile.gif
I've narrowed the list down to the seven best restaurants that are affordable to the group, have a good selection of menu items, and most importantly, can handle a group of our size.
The restaurants are listed in no particular order. I originally planned to rank and list them in order of preference (mine), and include additional comments on each one, but decided against it, since I had already narrowed the list down to what I felt were the seven best for our group's needs, out of the original list of 12 restaurants.
A specific dress code was not mentioned at any of these restaurants. Information on that is included in each description, however.
"Firewood" - On 18th Street in the Castro, about a four-block walk from the Castro MUNI station. They can accommodate up to 50 in a back room, and with a group of this size, require a reservation. We can keep the room as long as we want, but we would need to have some people there a bit early to ensure the space is closed off. It seems that some folks like going in there even though they’re not allowed. (Anyone trying to do this with us won’t know who they’re dealing with!) Entrees run between $7-10/person, not including some side dishes. 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. Another option would be to decide, as a group, on three entrees to choose from, so the staff could prepare a large batch for us. The cost on this is approximately $20/person, sodas included, alcohol separate. They usually have several tables lined up next to each other for "family style" seating. Dress Code: Casual.
"Bubba Gump Shrimp Company" – Located on Pier 39. Yes, it’s named for the company in “Forrest Gump”, right down to the logo! Cost is $30.95/person, plus tax and tip added. This gets you "Forrest and Bubba’s Best". In that package you get a salad, two appetizers, a choice of one of five entrees, and a choice of dessert. Three of the entrees are seafood dishes, one is a baby back rib plate (1 pound of them), and one is a charbroiled chicken breast dinner. Dessert is a choice of either Authentic Key Lime Pie or a Greenbow County Old Fashioned Ice Cream Sundae. Dress Code: Casual.
There are 5 options for the bar items, based on time and choice of beverages, subject to tax and tip. For example, if we wanted the "Beer, Wine, Never Ending Margaritas, and Soft Drinks" option, and were there three hours, the per person cost would be $24 for that option.
There are no provisions for group rooms, but the restaurant seats up to 300, split tables, and groups with reservations get priority for the window/view seating, with a sweeping view of the waterfront. There is also no waiting and space is guaranteed for us when we book reservations as a group. The restaurant advertises an energetic and fun atmosphere. (Something tells me that some of the staff may be dressed up as characters from the movie.) They would need a credit card deposit to hold the reservation, with payment in full due at the end of the meal.
"Chevy's" - A very reasonable Mexican restaurant chain, and this location is on Van Ness, not too far from the water. It’s close to stores, hotels, bars, etc., and this would probably be easiest for everyone. Plus if groups decide to split up in different directions, it would be a central location to do so.
They can take up to 50 people and the 9/7 evening is available. The group would be at separate tables in one area. Reservations are required. Menu options are limited to three that cost $16, $18 or $22 per person, so we would need to pick a price for the entire group if this restaurant is chosen. The price includes food, sodas and tea but does NOT include tax or a 15% gratuity. The food would be charged as one check for the group, paid on a major credit card. Advance pay is not required. Alcohol is not covered in the cost, although it could be done on a "per table" basis (one check per table). Dress Code: Casual. When asked about a dress code, "Well, if you want to wear a dress, go ahead", was the response from the contact person. images/icons/grin.gif
"Il Fornaio" - 1265 Battery Street, between the Embarcadero and Fisherman’s Wharf, in Levi’s Plaza. An Italian restaurant that has separate rooms of varying sizes for parties. Two of the rooms can handle our group with no problems. The Private Dining Room seats up to 50 and the Main Dining Room seats 70 or more. Dinner cost is estimated to be $35-45/person, based on the four menus available. Adding alcohol pushes this cost up to an average of up to $60/person. There are also appetizer platters available, each one serving 10-12 people. All food and beverage are subject to an 18% service charge and 8.5% sales tax, added to the final bill. Payment is due at the conclusion of the event, applied to one account, with a single form of payment. A guaranteed head count is due four days prior to the event, with charges assessed to the greater of the guaranteed count or the actual number served. If the number drops below the minimum to have the event in an exclusive area, the group may be moved to a less exclusive area of the restaurant. Dress Code: Casual/Formal (e.g. Jeans w/Polo).
"Houston’s" – Embarcadero at Bay Street, across from Pier 33. There is a patio that seats 60, but it can’t be reserved. We would probably have to get there in a large group in order to to cover it. You can get tables with no waiting between 5-6 P.M. on Fri./Sat. Entrees run from $15-26, Salads from $8-15, wine by the glass from $7-9, and beer at $4. Dress Code: Casual.
"Johnny Foley’s" – 243 O’Farrell Street, between Mason and Powell Streets. Conveniently located next to Union Square, they can accommodate 40 comfortably and a maximum of 48 people in "The Parlor". Reservations are required, but we would have the room for the entire night. There is a separate $250 room charge in addition to the food/drink charges. The room charge has a minimum 30-day cancellation, meaning that inside that window, the charge is billed if the room is cancelled. Cost of dinner is approximately $30/person plus tax and gratuity. Drinks can be done either individually or as a group. Dress Code: Casual. When asked about a dress code, the contact person replied, "Well, yes, there is a dress code. You need to wear clothes." images/icons/grin.gif (Website: www.johnnyfoleys.com.) (http://www.johnnyfoleys.com.))
"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. For groups, there is a wait of 1 to 1.5 hours. We could get a section of the restaurant, although there would be separate tables in the section. Average cost is $20-30/person. Dress Code: Casual.
That's it! Please take a few days to think about the choices. images/icons/smile.gif
We won't be voting on the restaurants via the poll feature. I'll E-Mail you through crewstart or post here when it's time to vote for your choice, as well as how to send your vote to me. images/icons/smile.gif
At present, I anticipate opening the floor for voting on this Saturday evening, August 10.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or need any other information on the restaurants listed here, please let me know! images/icons/smile.gif