How about an offline? Or two?

[Robin Garr]

Hey, boys and girls? As I get back up to full steam, I'm hongry for good food and good pals. Anyone interested in trying to organize a couple of forum "offlines," those real-world gatherings where a group of us get together in real time and space?

I'm not taking away from Bill's excellent Second Tuesday dinners, which I think are great, but sometimes it just seems like fun to plan something special.

Two thoughts come to my mind:

1. Lunch at Maido. We went over for their brunch one day last week and I was just blown away by the quality of the food and service, the price and ... well, heck, I just love Maido, but still. It's a small place, so a group outing would probably have to be coordinated with management and perhaps held to a size limit, but in principle, what do you think?

2. Lunch or dinner at BJ's Tap Room at Oxmoor. We had a long and tangled thread about this recently, and amid all the dispute it struck me that nothing could be more fair than to give it a fair chance. It's a huge place, plenty of room for a crowd, probably more crowded and noisy at night than lunch time. In fairness, given the history, if we go here in a big group we ought to let them know we're there rather than try to make it an "anonymou review." But I'd be eager to give it a try.

If any of you like either or both of these ideas, or have alternatives to propose, let's start a discussion here, and then we can move the topic over to "Offlines" forum if it develops legs.

I like the BJ's idea.

I'd be open to either depending on my brewing schedule.

[Robin Garr]

I'd be open to either depending on my brewing schedule.

Hey, off topic, but I shot you an Email to your kind of Dutch-sounding Email addy the other day and never heard back. Do you still use that one? Or could you hit me with a PM or Email to rgarr@louisvillehotbytes.com ?

I'd prefer Maido but BJ's would be fine........heck let's do both.

I agree with the "heads up" for BJ's.

I'd be open to either depending on my brewing schedule.

Hey, off topic, but I shot you an Email to your kind of Dutch-sounding Email addy the other day and never heard back. Do you still use that one? Or could you hit me with a PM or Email to rgarr@louisvillehotbytes.com ?

That would be Flemish-sounding actually. It's my spam address. I religiously check it every week or five.

I'd love to join in for lunch. I'm sure Toki would put on qutie a spread for us if we decided on Maido- a heads up would definately be in order. And then, of course, there is her Karaoke room. Just putting it out there.

I have a bit of bonus money burning a hole in my pocket. I'd be up for either.

Hey, boys and girls? As I get back up to full steam, I'm hongry for good food and good pals. Anyone interested in trying to organize a couple of forum "offlines," those real-world gatherings where a group of us get together in real time and space?

1. Lunch at Maido.
2. Lunch or dinner at BJ's Tap Room at Oxmoor.

If any of you like either or both of these ideas, or have alternatives to propose, let's start a discussion here, and then we can move the topic over to "Offlines" forum if it develops legs.

(1) I am in for lunch at Maido. Depending on the wishes of others, a suggestion would a late lunch if we had a fairly large group, say 1:30, to stay away from the regular crowd, and ease the pressure on the restaurant.

2. I would be in for lunch at BJ's. Also dinner with Sandy if schedules worked.

I'd be interested in a lunch get together (if I'm in town on the given day)

Given my schedule restraints, I can only commit to any Monday gathering ....

However, I could make it on any other day with ample notice ....I would like to check out BJ's as well(Beer and the Mall!!!! what a concept!! I can suck down a couple of pints and find my wife a birthday present in the same trip).... but I feel that Maido's is more my speed.

For me, Mondays or Tuesdays are best for lunches - I have classes to teach a lot of Wednesdays, Thurdays and Fridays. I LOVE Maido! I am more than willing to try any place with good company. For hubby, it depends on his schedule at his job.

1. Lunch at Maido.
2. Lunch or dinner at BJ's Tap Room at Oxmoor.

1.I've been bugging hubby for sushi so I'm game for Maido... I really need expand my California Roll, Fried Shrimp Roll horizon and this sort of gathering would help me with that. I just hope I can make it when/if you plan this one.

2. BJ's Tap Room doesn't sound super compelling. However, given my schedule and such, I might crash that party.

Depending on my schedule, the BJ's visit would be fine. We should extend the invitation to the Velocity reviewer, eh?

[Robin Garr]

We should extend the invitation to the Velocity reviewer, eh?

If he's willing, I think that would be outstanding. No better way to get to know folks than over a tasty libation.