bbinchi
Jun 18, 01, 11:04 pm
This evening I had the distinct pleasure of having drinks and, later, dinner with four other FlyerTalkers: always_delayed (and her friend, Heather, who was an honorary FTer tonight), Mikey Likes It and bibbityboo. Always_delayed had initiated the get together that was originally planned to be just for drinks. Ah, yes...but then the food at the Hudson Club beckoned and who could resist? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
I happened to be the first to arrive just before 7:00 p.m. and Mikey Likes It was not far behind. As we stood there in a VERY crowded bar area (thanks largely to the NeoCon World's Trade Fair attendees), it occurred to us that neither of us had a clue as to how we would connect with the other FTers in the near chaos that surrounded us.
Well, Mikey Likes It has the good sense to boldly (and proudly, I might add) display his FlyerTalk luggage tag on the outside of his briefcase, which he placed atop a table just inside the entrance and opposite the hostess stand.
Before long, always-delayed and Heather arrived, looked right at the luggage tag and broke out into a broad smile - instant recognition. Way to go Mike!
Shortly thereafter, bibbityboo arrived and, with all five of us gathered, we set to work ordering our libations. Mike was a beer boy tonight, always_delayed and Heather were into Mango Martinis while bibbityboo and I had a glass of wine. Time flew over good drinks and good conversation.
Before we knew it, the time for always_delayed's table reservation was upon her. She and Heather graciously invited the rest of us to join them for dinner and the Hudson Club's hostesses cheerfully accommodated us despite having had no notice that the party of two had become a party of five.
First came the delicious bread and plenty of butter along with water and the other beverages we ordered. And about 15 minutes after we placed our food orders, our main courses arrived:
always_delayed - grilled salmon atop hash browns with eggplant and caramelized onions
Heather - grilled vegetable plate
Mikey Likes It - grilled steak salad
bibbityboo - seared Ahi Tuna
bbinchi - grilled pork tenderloin with spaetzle and sautéed red peppers with brussels sprouts
Everyone reported their meal to be very satisfying...great tasting and portions generous enough to be filling without making us uncomfortable. Plus, our server was pleasant, efficient and competent and was kind enough to indulge our various forms of payment in paying the one check.
Despite Mikey Likes It's best efforts to get us to join him for after-dinner drinks at another location, we all decided it was best to go our separate ways and call it a night.
While not a marathon FlyerTalker get together 'til the wee hours, we all enjoyed each other's company while sharing stories about our travels (mileage runs were a popular topic!) and our approach to the various mileage and points programs to which we belong.
My thanks go to always_delayed for suggesting the get together and to Heather, Mikey Likes It and bibbityboo for being available to join us. I look forward to seeing Mikey Likes It and bibbityboo next Monday, June 25, at our "FlyerTalker Steak Night - Chicago Style" at the Capital Grille. Perhaps, with a little arm twisting (and some Web Specials) we just might see always_delayed and Heather there too?
Cheers!
Bill
p.s. AnnaS and ElmhurstNick ...sorry you could not join us but we will see you next Monday night. Stimpy, thanks for thinking of us; hope you had an enjoyable flight home.
(edited to add post script)
[This message has been edited by bbinchi (edited 06-18-2001).]
I happened to be the first to arrive just before 7:00 p.m. and Mikey Likes It was not far behind. As we stood there in a VERY crowded bar area (thanks largely to the NeoCon World's Trade Fair attendees), it occurred to us that neither of us had a clue as to how we would connect with the other FTers in the near chaos that surrounded us.
Well, Mikey Likes It has the good sense to boldly (and proudly, I might add) display his FlyerTalk luggage tag on the outside of his briefcase, which he placed atop a table just inside the entrance and opposite the hostess stand.
Before long, always-delayed and Heather arrived, looked right at the luggage tag and broke out into a broad smile - instant recognition. Way to go Mike!
Shortly thereafter, bibbityboo arrived and, with all five of us gathered, we set to work ordering our libations. Mike was a beer boy tonight, always_delayed and Heather were into Mango Martinis while bibbityboo and I had a glass of wine. Time flew over good drinks and good conversation.
Before we knew it, the time for always_delayed's table reservation was upon her. She and Heather graciously invited the rest of us to join them for dinner and the Hudson Club's hostesses cheerfully accommodated us despite having had no notice that the party of two had become a party of five.
First came the delicious bread and plenty of butter along with water and the other beverages we ordered. And about 15 minutes after we placed our food orders, our main courses arrived:
always_delayed - grilled salmon atop hash browns with eggplant and caramelized onions
Heather - grilled vegetable plate
Mikey Likes It - grilled steak salad
bibbityboo - seared Ahi Tuna
bbinchi - grilled pork tenderloin with spaetzle and sautéed red peppers with brussels sprouts
Everyone reported their meal to be very satisfying...great tasting and portions generous enough to be filling without making us uncomfortable. Plus, our server was pleasant, efficient and competent and was kind enough to indulge our various forms of payment in paying the one check.
Despite Mikey Likes It's best efforts to get us to join him for after-dinner drinks at another location, we all decided it was best to go our separate ways and call it a night.
While not a marathon FlyerTalker get together 'til the wee hours, we all enjoyed each other's company while sharing stories about our travels (mileage runs were a popular topic!) and our approach to the various mileage and points programs to which we belong.
My thanks go to always_delayed for suggesting the get together and to Heather, Mikey Likes It and bibbityboo for being available to join us. I look forward to seeing Mikey Likes It and bibbityboo next Monday, June 25, at our "FlyerTalker Steak Night - Chicago Style" at the Capital Grille. Perhaps, with a little arm twisting (and some Web Specials) we just might see always_delayed and Heather there too?
Cheers!
Bill
p.s. AnnaS and ElmhurstNick ...sorry you could not join us but we will see you next Monday night. Stimpy, thanks for thinking of us; hope you had an enjoyable flight home.
(edited to add post script)
[This message has been edited by bbinchi (edited 06-18-2001).]