Andi, I think your surprise is out of the bag! I take your post as a "we'll be there." Good news! Will add you and Doug to the list!

Joanna, no one would ever tire of you!

Alan/Denise
Marc/Arlene
Tom/Mona
Frank/JoAnn
Beth/Randy
Jan/Carole/Barb
Crystal
Ray/Penny
Doug/Andi

???? -
Tony/Joanna
Gil/Arlene

Back on the subject of places for dinner, a few more suggestions. For those who always think the best items on the restaurant are the appetizers, Jaleo's (a funky little tapas restaurant) and Zaytinia (a funky large mezzes restaurant) are great. Both are near the Gallery Place metro, and I've been to both with large groups.

If you like Asian fusion, Ten Penh (at 10th and Pennsylvania) is outstanding, as is Asia Nora (at 23d and M). Indebleu (also near the Gallery Place metro) is a little pricey but out of this world.

Hi Crystal,

Thanks for the added recommendations! Where is Gallery Place Metro area?

Let's give it a little while longer and then we'll post a vote, with all the recommendations.

Sound OK to all the attendees?

Denise, we just changed to an earlier flight; decided to use miles instead of cash. We still don't know about hotel but will undoubtedly use metro if hotel is in dc.

Thanks, Marc. Looking forward to seeing you and Arlene. It's been way too long since VOF!

Ooohh - our daughter Laura has been recommending Jaleo's to us for a couple of years now!!! Tapa's could be fun! We are up for whatever works best for everyone.

Jaleo\'s

TenPenh

Zaytinya

AsiaNora

IndeBleu

These are in addition to the others all ready suggested. Gonna be a tough decision.

I do think we should take any dietary and budget concerns into consideration in reaching a decision that suits all.

They also have a location in Crystal City. I walk by it almost every day but have never been in. Anything will be good for us.

Deleted

I got an e-mail from Joanna last night asking if I was going...alas, I am unable! :(
I am trying to rein in the spending so that I can afford to do all this cruising and safari-ing that I have planned!
Sorry that I will miss out!! :mecry:

So sorry to hear that, Sheri! It's been ages since we saw you last. Hopefully, some other time.

To those who have RSVP'd - My suggestion is to wait until Beth returns from her Alaska cruise and then we can post a poll to determine which restaurant we'd prefer. All in agreement?

Denise:

Okay with us.

Andrea & Doug. We can't wait to be surpised Ray

Yep us too - love surprise's!!! :app: :app:

Denise:
I've been to Jaleo's (actually, folks from work took us there when I finished my MA) and Ten Penh (for a farewell luncheon for a couple of folks) -- liked both. These were at lunchtime, which is a bit more affordable, but even then, Ten Penh was a bit higher cost than I expected. I should look at the websites and check menus, which probably are on line. Haven't been to the others, though, of course, know some by reputation.
Are we on your ??? list??? Still don't know what's up that weekend, given other events around it, but if we're in town, it would be great to meet everyone.
Going to a local Indian place for my niece's birthday this weekend. Her choice. In fact, we were there this past Saturday also with a friend. Lovely atmosphere. Great food. This crowd might fill the entire dining room! (OK, so it's in Fairfax, not DC, so it's not on the list. :rolleyes: Bombay Garden for those in the neighborhood. Yes, they have a website: www.bombaygardenrestaurant.com and yes there's a menu there. I had the shrimp vindaloo -- great dinner!)

Hi Susan,

So sorry to have not added you and Jonathan to the ??? list. Wasn't sure if you wanted me to post that. However, consider yourself added! I do hope you both will be able to make it. After so many emails back and forth I feel as if I know you both. Would love to actually meet!

Your restaurant suggestions are wonderful and sound very tasty. We love Indian and Asian cuisine. However, I have had some dietary concerns addressed to me, privately, and really don't want anyone to feel that they can't attend because the restaurant selection offers little options for them. I appreciate those who have taken the time to offer up some great restaurants, but I do hope, in light of these requests, that we will choose something that can work for all.

Alan/Denise
Marc/Arlene
Tom/Mona
Frank/JoAnn
Beth/Randy
Jan/Carole/Barb
Crystal
Ray/Penny
Doug/Andi

???? -
Tony/Joanna
Susan/Jonathan
Gil/Arlene

It's sounding like Old Ebbits is shaping up as our best bet. Their menu has something for everyone.

Denise, Ebbits Grill sounds good to us too. BTW, we are going to stay in Crystal City; the hotel gave me a good rate.

Good to hear your hotel and good rate are in place, Marc.

Rather than post a poll, do we all agree on Old Ebbits? Sounds good to me. Whatever we decide, I will need to enlist someone who lives in the area to make the arrangements, if possible.

If we are indeed agreed, I'd be happy to make the arrangements.

Thanks, Crystal. Your help is really appreciated. Let's see who else chimes in.

The Old Ebbitt Grill would be fine with me too. They offer complementary valet parking after 6pm so that should take care of any parking issues.

Did we ever discuss a time? I have to work that day and while I might be able to leave a little early, I would still have to go home and pick up Mona which would take about 45 minutes. Tom.

Old Ebbitt Grill works for us too - sounds good.

Looks like Old Ebbitt is the place to meet.

Tom, why don't you let us know what time is best for you and Mona, since you're working that day and then need to pick her up and come back.

Anyone else, who has RSVP'd, want to voice their "yes" or "no" for Old Ebbitt? Time preference?

Ebbitt's sounds just fine to us and we'll be ready at whatever time is decided upon.

Tom: Thanks for the link: http://www.ebbitt.com/main/home.cfm?Section=Main&Category=Menus

We're looking forward to meeting those of you that we have not previously met as well as renewing friendships with those we have.

Cheers! Ray & Penny

Ebbitt's sounds just fine to us and we'll be ready at whatever time is decided upon.

Tom: Thanks for the link: http://www.ebbitt.com/main/home.cfm?Section=Main&Category=Menus

We're looking forward to meeting those of you that we have not previously met as well as renewing friendships with those we have.

Cheers! Ray & Penny

We're good with the Old Ebbitt Grill, too. Randy and I are looking forward to meeting everyone!! <img border="0" alt="[beer]" title="" src="graemlins/beer.gif" />

I received a message from Tom, indicating that 7:00PM is a good time for them. Sounds fine for us. Does this work for everyone?

Works great for us!! See you there - guess we just need to know who's name the party is under.

Fine with us!!! When does the bar open???

We just need to make sure to get on the last train to Virginia.

Sounds good. Meet y'all at the bar!! :pass:

Marc, we can drop you off in Crystal City on the way home. Tom.

Tom, thanks!!!!!

My wife thanks you too!!! Prior to the inauguration in 2001, we came back to Crystal City from the Black Tie and Boots Ball via metro. Unfortunately, neither of us had a coat (beyond my tux coat) and it was a couple block walk with light sleet. We were cold drowned rats that night. Although we don't anticipate weather problems in September we still very much appreciate the ride.

We'll see you guys at the bar, too!

Crystal or Tom, could you kindly arrange a reservation for approx. 16 people who have firmed their RSVP, with several extra place settings, in the event others are able to attend? I really appreciate your assistance with this!

Alan/Denise
Marc/Arlene
Tom/Mona
Frank/JoAnn
Beth/Randy
Jan/Carole/Barb
Crystal
Ray/Penny

Surprise? -
Doug/Andi

???? -
Tony/Joanna
Susan/Jonathan
Gil/Arlene

Shall see you all at the BAR!! And maybe some secret service agents?? It is right around the corner from the White House. We will get there early they might have 2-1 and the bar is a great place.

Need to find a hotel for us now. We shall come down to the city in the morning and do some sightseeing and then come on over.

Denise- you have done a great job of arranging this. Thanks.
Carole, Jan and Barb

Ah, 2-1 at the bar! We're there!

Just want to make sure that someone will be taking care of the reservation - Crystal, Tom or Carole?

A pleasure to get this started, Jan; however, everyone pitched in, so a very big thank you to all!

I'll make the reservations. Saturday, 9/30 at 7:00, for 16 people plus wiggle room for more, right?

Jan, Old Ebbitts is indeed a White House hangout. Not so much the marquee names, but a lot of the toilers in the field.

Yes and thanks, Crystal! Wiggle room for about 8-10 more people, please.

We'll have a toast to all the "toilers in the field" everywhere!

Anyone else want to join in? Please let us know!

Sounds great. Crystal, if you need me to go in person just let me know. It's not far from where I work. I'm sure we'll have a more accurate count as we get closer to the date. Tom.

I think Tonya & I will be in town that weekend. If we are, we'd love to join everyone. We like to have a nice excuse to Metro into the city every now and then. Count us as wiggle roomers!

It will be nice to see Marc & Arlene again. We met them on PIP.

Thanks, Crystal and Tom!!!

John, Hoping you and Tonya can join in this terrific LCT gathering! Consider yourselves added to the Wigglers!

Alan/Denise
Marc/Arlene
Tom/Mona
Frank/JoAnn
Beth/Randy
Jan/Carole/Barb
Crystal
Ray/Penny

Wigglers:
Doug/Andi
Tony/Joanna
Susan/Jonathan
John/Tonya
Gil/Arlene