Chicago Dinner Thu 8/23
Aug 15, 2001 | 12:48 pm
#1
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Chicago Dinner Thu 8/23
In celebration of the fact that mjm (Mike) is coming back to Chicago from Tokyo for another 10-day stretch (which was the impetus for our last get-together), I've taken the lead for organizing another FT Chicago Dinner in the River North area for the evening of Thursday 8/23. The last event (organized by bbinchi) was a rousing success so I have a high standard to meet.
There are still sub-$90 airfares floating around to get to Chicago from various points (DTW, PIT, IND, OMA, STL, MCI)...
Current attendees are:
mjm
ElmhurstNick
bbinchi
Comicwoman
It's an open discussion as to type of food, although since we went to a very nice steakhouse (Capital Grille) last time, I'm suggesting that we do something different cuisine-wise. We should probably stay in the River North area, as several of us will be taking Metra or CTA to attend.
I'd like to get a rough head-count and cuisine preferences and aversions (no raw fish or Thai/Vietnamese for me) soon so I can make some inquiries on Saturday.
There are still sub-$90 airfares floating around to get to Chicago from various points (DTW, PIT, IND, OMA, STL, MCI)...
Current attendees are:
mjm
ElmhurstNick
bbinchi
Comicwoman
It's an open discussion as to type of food, although since we went to a very nice steakhouse (Capital Grille) last time, I'm suggesting that we do something different cuisine-wise. We should probably stay in the River North area, as several of us will be taking Metra or CTA to attend.
I'd like to get a rough head-count and cuisine preferences and aversions (no raw fish or Thai/Vietnamese for me) soon so I can make some inquiries on Saturday.
Aug 15, 2001 | 9:20 pm
#3
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 18,093
Gees, I would love to attend this, since I have never been to one and I live blocks away from the River North area. Is there a secret handshake that I am going to have to learn (j/k).
Aug 16, 2001 | 6:27 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA PLT->GLD|HH Gold|SPG PLT->GOLD|HGP Gold|MR Silver
Posts: 1,985
Depending on the time, I may be able to go - I'll be at the Cubs game that afternoon so it won't be too far. Certainly no food aversions here! (Well, okay... I must have an aversion to health food!) 
Aug 16, 2001 | 6:43 am
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,982
Okay so I will be the one with the dropped jaw and blown mind at this thing. Talk about great folks. Wow!!!! Nick, a big thank you for heading this up.
Any kind of food and drink will be very okay by me. Looking forward to it and will be reachable at the Sheraton Towers if you find yourself bored and in the mood for a cold one in the evening. The nights that football is on TV I will be found in the downstairs hotel bar (the one with the big screen). Certainly the first round will go on my tab.
iluv2fly and dmfriedman hope to hook up with you for the first time also. Come on out and join us. Most of us will be doing the Hi how are you thing for the first time with at least half the people attending anyway. That is the fun part.
Anyway have to go pack for my flight tomorrow to ORD.
See you all soon,
Mike
------------------
a FlyerTalk tradition continues in November 2001 in Cannes, France......
Check the PiP 2001 Website or the FT Topic for details and news.
Any kind of food and drink will be very okay by me. Looking forward to it and will be reachable at the Sheraton Towers if you find yourself bored and in the mood for a cold one in the evening. The nights that football is on TV I will be found in the downstairs hotel bar (the one with the big screen). Certainly the first round will go on my tab.
iluv2fly and dmfriedman hope to hook up with you for the first time also. Come on out and join us. Most of us will be doing the Hi how are you thing for the first time with at least half the people attending anyway. That is the fun part.
Anyway have to go pack for my flight tomorrow to ORD.
See you all soon,
Mike
------------------
a FlyerTalk tradition continues in November 2001 in Cannes, France......
Check the PiP 2001 Website or the FT Topic for details and news.
Aug 16, 2001 | 10:34 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 1,093
Nick:
Thanks for taking the lead here and for the kind words about our steak night. However, much more credit goes to everyone who attended, for their flexibility and trust, and to the Capital Grille, for having been so accommodating. For this next event, no special needs/requests/concerns from me - I am confident you will make a great choice. I'll be there unless I'm lucky enough to have a prospective employer call me out of town for an interview!
iluv2fly and dmfriedman:
Hope you can make it! We will probably be pretty easy to spot; just look for the group having the most fun!
Thanks for taking the lead here and for the kind words about our steak night. However, much more credit goes to everyone who attended, for their flexibility and trust, and to the Capital Grille, for having been so accommodating. For this next event, no special needs/requests/concerns from me - I am confident you will make a great choice. I'll be there unless I'm lucky enough to have a prospective employer call me out of town for an interview!
iluv2fly and dmfriedman:
Hope you can make it! We will probably be pretty easy to spot; just look for the group having the most fun!
Aug 16, 2001 | 4:15 pm
#8
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iluv2fly and dmfriedman - please come!
Ok, here are three general ethnic choices, all a little on the informal side:
Mexican: If we get at least 6, Frontera Grill will probably take a reservation. Otherwise, it's way too long of a wait.
Tapas: Gives us an opportunity to do some table-hopping if there are more than a half dozen of us. Cafe Iberico and Emilio's are the likely choices here.
Pizza: Well, it's sort of ethnic! Due or Giordano's anyone?
These are not the only three choices, just suggestions! I am likely to be offline until Friday night late. Keep talking amongst yourselves... I will also try emailing some of the participants from the last event once I get home on Friday.
I am shooting for between 7:00 to 7:30, depending on when we can get a table.
Ok, here are three general ethnic choices, all a little on the informal side:
Mexican: If we get at least 6, Frontera Grill will probably take a reservation. Otherwise, it's way too long of a wait.
Tapas: Gives us an opportunity to do some table-hopping if there are more than a half dozen of us. Cafe Iberico and Emilio's are the likely choices here.
Pizza: Well, it's sort of ethnic! Due or Giordano's anyone?
These are not the only three choices, just suggestions! I am likely to be offline until Friday night late. Keep talking amongst yourselves... I will also try emailing some of the participants from the last event once I get home on Friday.
I am shooting for between 7:00 to 7:30, depending on when we can get a table.
Aug 17, 2001 | 5:29 pm
#9
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,982
Just checked in, and am in room 3422 at the Sheraton (464-1000).
Catch you all soon unless we grab a beer sooner.
All the best,
Mike
------------------
a FlyerTalk tradition continues in November 2001 in Cannes, France......
Check the PiP 2001 Website or the FT Topic for details and news.
Catch you all soon unless we grab a beer sooner.
All the best,
Mike
------------------
a FlyerTalk tradition continues in November 2001 in Cannes, France......
Check the PiP 2001 Website or the FT Topic for details and news.
Aug 18, 2001 | 2:12 pm
#10
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, Breezy 2
Posts: 12,608
Ok, here's the update:
I tried making reservations at Frontera Grill, but the eariest time that they had was 8:30pm
. So, I've gone to my second choice and made reservations for eight people (and it looks like it could easily be bumped up if needed) at the following:
7pm
Emilio's Tapas Sol y Nieve
215 E. Ohio Street (east of Michigan)
312-467-7177
Current attendees are:
mjm
ElmhurstNick
bbinchi
Comicwoman
iluv2fly
dmfriedman
In addition, we may have an out-of-town FT guest, but I won't know for sure if she can attend for another couple of days. I booked the eighth seat because a table of 7 or 8 is the same table, so why not think positive!
I tried making reservations at Frontera Grill, but the eariest time that they had was 8:30pm
. So, I've gone to my second choice and made reservations for eight people (and it looks like it could easily be bumped up if needed) at the following:7pm
Emilio's Tapas Sol y Nieve
215 E. Ohio Street (east of Michigan)
312-467-7177
Current attendees are:
mjm
ElmhurstNick
bbinchi
Comicwoman
iluv2fly
dmfriedman
In addition, we may have an out-of-town FT guest, but I won't know for sure if she can attend for another couple of days. I booked the eighth seat because a table of 7 or 8 is the same table, so why not think positive!
Aug 18, 2001 | 5:55 pm
#11
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,982
Sounds great! I wonder if they have the Pesquera Rioja?
See you all there.
Mike
------------------
a FlyerTalk tradition continues in November 2001 in Cannes, France......
Check the PiP 2001 Website or the FT Topic for details and news.
See you all there.
Mike
------------------
a FlyerTalk tradition continues in November 2001 in Cannes, France......
Check the PiP 2001 Website or the FT Topic for details and news.
Aug 21, 2001 | 11:21 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA PLT->GLD|HH Gold|SPG PLT->GOLD|HGP Gold|MR Silver
Posts: 1,985
Unfortunately I won't be able to make it -- I've been wanting to finally meet other FTers for a while now, and darned if this time just isn't going to work. (I've even worn my FT pin on every business trip for the last two months, and the only person who even took notice was an RCC agent in MSP).
Have fun, all, and hopefully I can join in on the next one!
Have fun, all, and hopefully I can join in on the next one!
Aug 22, 2001 | 8:03 am
#14
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
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Update: I got an email from bibbityboo who is going to be able to join us. Still waiting on one more person who is going to be in sports jargon "a game-time decision"
Current list is:
mjm
ElmhurstNick
bbinchi
Comicwoman
iluv2fly
bibbityboo
There is still room for others!
I have not been to this particular version of Emilio's, but I would suggest that we meet in the bar area. I am going to be driving in from O'Hare - I will email everybody my cellphone number tonight when I get back to the hotel here in Detroit.
nick
Current list is:
mjm
ElmhurstNick
bbinchi
Comicwoman
iluv2fly
bibbityboo
There is still room for others!
I have not been to this particular version of Emilio's, but I would suggest that we meet in the bar area. I am going to be driving in from O'Hare - I will email everybody my cellphone number tonight when I get back to the hotel here in Detroit.
nick
Aug 22, 2001 | 7:16 pm
#15
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 18,093
Well, as luck would have it, I probably will not be able to attend tomorrow night. I need to fly to LAS tomorrow night as opposed to Friday, and I think my friend has reserved me the last AA flight out (in First, no less) which leaves at 8:45ish. It's a shame both UA and AA dropped their 10:30ish flights. Since I live only 6 blocks away, I would have loved to have met you all. Well, if my flight cancels or something should change, I will be there. Otherwise, I shall attend the next one. Sorry and thank you all for being so cool.