A couple additional thoughts. These are both in Old Town Alexandria

Gadsby's Tavern
http://www.gadsbystavernrestaurant.com/

I haven't eaten here in a while but it was always nice.

Ireland's Own
http://www.pattroysirishpub.com/

A fun place where our group would definitely fit in. The entertainment here is the best in the area.

If in DC, I depend on the local experts as I try not to cross the river. All of Tom's suggestions look good.

Hi Marc,

How far, by cab, from D.C. to Old Town Alexandria? Alan and I won't be renting a car.

I would metro to King Street and then cab over from there. Alexandrians, in their shortsightedness, didn't want a metro stop in Old Town. I know Georgetown regrets that they made the same decision; I don't know about Alexandria.

By the way, here is Ireland's Own Group menu.

http://www.pattroysirishpub.com/html/menus/05groupdinner.htm

Thanks for your suggestions, Marc. Once we get some further input, we can put it to a vote.

So looking forward to seeing you and Arlene again!

Sounds like a great time, wish I could join you! I will be going to DC this Friday, for a conference, thanks for the restaurant tips!!!

Denise. We probably could get a set menu but we also might be able to get separate checks to make it easier for everyone.

Old Towne is very charming and close to where I live but it would not be the most convenient place for you to get to without a car. If we decide to eat in Virginia I could pick you up and take you since I expect to be working that day and I work in downtown DC not far from the Willard.

If we eat in Alexandria, there's a nice restaurant called Clyde's (same owners as Old Ebbitt Grill) that has its own free parking lot. It's very comfortable and suitable for a group. Prices are reasonable.

http://www.clydes.com/main/RestaurantsDetail.cfm?Restaurant=Clydes_at_Mark_Center&Section=Main

For those of us with cars the location for dinner really doesn't matter that much. We'll have to see who is coming from where and how many people don't have cars. Tom.

Unfortunately Gil and I won't know till a few weeks before the get together. I'm supposed to be in NH Mon.-Fri. of that week to teach a workshop. If the class is a go, I think it would just be too difficult for us. If you need to know before then, I certainly understand.

Well, any place is fine for us. Tom seems to know a lot more about it and has some good suggestions. I would agree with him though, that going to Alexandria would not be easy for you guys Denise, really might be better to try and stick with some place nearer to your hotel. I thought his original three suggestions sounded good - you know other than noisy, Old Ebbitts might be the best bet, same food as Clyde's, reasonable, and if they put us out in the atrium, it will probably be fine for a group. But I also liked either of the other two suggestions he had.

Looking forward to it.

Miriam,

Sorry you'll be unable to join us. If you try any of Tom's recommendations, please post and let us know. Enjoy your trip to D.C.!

Tom and JoAnn,

For convenience sake, I agree that sticking with one of Tom's suggestions might be easier, if the rest of the group agrees. Tom, we do appreciate your offer to drive us. However, let's wait a while and see who will be where before reaching a decision on location.

I like the menu selections offered at all 3 of Tom's choices. If a restaurant is agreeable to separate checks, that would be perfect.

Let's hear from some of the others who are attending.

Thanks, Tom and JoAnn!

Arlene, let us know once your plans are firm.

Thanks, Denise! Leonard has made reservations at the Occidental and 701. Will give you our 2 cents upon return.
Have fun!

Editing to say:

We had dinner at Georgia Brown's on Friday, per the recommendations. It was yummy and it will play havoc with any dieting plans........(fried chicken, pork chops, fried green tomatoes, catfish, etc. ) Due to the layout, don't think it would be a good place for a large group.

In Denise's honor, went to the Willard's Intercontinental hotel. Raised our glasses and toasted Denise & Alan. Cheers!

When we were in DC last year with my business group, we ate at Georgia Browns, but they separated us into small groups and wouldn't do separate checks. Old Ebbitts put us in the Artium in tables of 10 - one check per table, but it worked out easily. Conversation was no problem and we loved the food, especially the Maryland Crab Cakes.

Hi Miriam,

Hope you and Leonard are having a terrific time in D.C.! Thanks for doing some investigative dining for us (like the "research" Dena and I did for MIMOSA!). In light of what you've said, Alan and I will save Georgia Brown's for another evening.

I appreciate the toast at the Willard! Are you staying there? I've heard so many wonderful comments about the Willard. Can't wait to see for ourselves.

Thanks, Kathy. Old Ebbitts is on our list. Will put it to a group vote sometime soon. Tom and Marc offered some very nice choices, as well. We're in good hands with all the suggestions.

I vote for Ebbitt Grill!! It has something for everyone--nothing too fancy, but think the menu is varied---can have as much or as little as you want---and right across from the Willard. There is also plenty of parking in the block and they will validate for Ebbitt.

I have an office in the same building and this is my favorite place to have lunch and cocktails--I don't usually stay in town for dinner, but used to eat dinner at EG all the time. It is a Washington institution.

The JW Marriott a block away usually has good weekend rates.

The Red Sage, as mentioned previously, is good for drinks, but the menu may not appeal to everyone and is $$$$.

Look forward to seeing everyone. Once we determine how many people are coming, a reservation is a must.

carole

Hi Carole,

So good to hear from you. Jan mentioned that you would be posting soon.

Thanks for your input and suggestions. We'll get a vote going soon and everyone can voice their choice.

We have a great group forming for this get-together! Looking forward to meeting you, Jan and Barbara.

Denise, Carole, et al: Do you know any Hilton (i.e., Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, or Hampton Inn) properties that would be close to Willard and close to metro?

thanks,

Marc,
We are staying at the Hilton Garden Inn (across from a Metro location). It is close to the Willard (3 blocks or so). Denise, the Willard looks great, I am sure you will enjoy your stay.

Ate at the Occidental this evening. Yummy! They have private dining rooms and good food. Might be a good location for your get together (next to the Willard). We had "she crab soup", spring salad, halibut, lump crab cakes.... (no room for dessert - drats!)

They said they would be closing in July for a few weeks for renovations. (This is something to keep in mind)

Marc, here is a Hilton I located on the Hilton site. Looks like it is very close to Willard

Hilton Capital

Thanks for another super investigative report, Miriam. The dinner you had sounds really great. We've got some really good restaurants to choose from. I appreciate you testing two of them out for us!

Being a Maryland girl, you can't beat the crab cakes. They are out of this world and one of my favoritest things to eat. Anyplace with good seafood gets my vote.

Double post deleted.

Good seafood has got our vote, as well, Beth. We really miss good East Coast seafood! From looking at the various menus, it seems all of the restaurants suggested have crab cakes. I can hardly wait!

Hi Denise, I am looking forward to meeting (in person) more of my LCT friends. :chicken:

Marc & Arlene:

Do you still have plans to do the Washington, DC get-together?

Japan Whoa!

Cheers! Ray

Yes!!!!!

We will be making air arrangements this weekend to come to DC.

Marc & Arlene:

Holy sake, great news. See you there.

Cheers! Ray & Penny

YAY! So glad you and Arlene will be there. Let me know what time you're arriving. Maybe we can share a cab. We get in about 4:00PM on Friday, Sept. 29.

Great that you and Penny will be there, too, Ray!

We'll get a vote going soon on the place to meet.

WOW this is turning into a great group.

Excited to meet all of you that we haven't, and get together for some fun.

A great group, for sure, JoAnn!

Here's the updated RSVP list:

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

???? -
Tony/Joanna
Gil/Arlene
Doug/Andi
Sheri


How about those ???? people? Shall we add your names to our "for sure" list? Anyone else want to join in? Should be a great time in D.C.!

Wish you could add us to the list. We'll be away that weekend cruising the Nile and drinking a toast to all of you.

Cheers, Anne

You can change us from a ???? to a not going :(
But, as a consolation prize, I now get to meet Marc and Arlene on MUSH (maybe!)

So sorry that you won't be able to be with us, Anne and Karen! :( :( Really had hopes of finally meeting you both! Some other time, for sure.

Anne, Cruising the Nile will be spectacular!

Please give me dates (I know on an old thread I am old) and where are you all staying??? We have not been back to DC in many many yrs - would be fun long weekend!!! Joanna

I found the dates - workable -

Joanna, How great that the dates are workable for you and Tony!

We will be at The Willard.

Denise, we get into Reagan at 4:11pm on Friday. Still don't know about hotel; I will try to talk my normal Crystal City hotel into a cheap rate. If that doesn't work, I will try to find a cheap one on points.

Glad Joanna and Tony, as well as Marc and Arlene are joining us for sure!! Whoohooo!!

:mecry: :mecry: Karen and Anne!!

Fantastic to hear that your flight is booked, Marc and Arlene. We get into DCA around 4:00PM, so if you want to share a taxi, let us know. We're flying United.

No word yet from Joanna as to whether or not she and Tony will be joining us. She told me she was waiting to hear of plans for her granddaughter's 12th birthday celebration.

Come on, Joanna and the others who said they are interested! You know you want to be there if you possibly can!!

Whoops! Must have misread Joanna's post, thought she said it was doable, meaning they were on.

It was doable JoAnn but in my enthusiasm I forgot it was a granddaughter's 12th b'day 9/29 - the one who lives less than 2 hrs from us - but I will wait and see what they have planned - I checked Hotwire for hotels there seem to be deals there - the catch is fares are $$$ and we could only go for 2 nights Fri and Sat so I wanted to find direct flights from Jax into DC - United has great schedules but, of course, not cheap - I don't want to use any pts as hoping to use them for Fjords - we love DC and weather should be so nice then - don't rule us out yet - we'd love to visit DC and be part of your "gathering" although, JoAnn, you may be sick of us after Mush - Joanna

We'll be surprise guests...

Doubt that Joanna!!! Understand about your Granddaughter's birthday - those family things are the most important.

But....will keep fingers crossed that maybe it all just comes together.

Yay Sedona!! See you then.