701 works for us, Tom.

We have a McCormick and Schmicks in SOCAL and it is inconsistent insofar as food and service.

One more time - Thank you!!!

I checked with Iricchi. The good news is we would not have to pay extra to eat in the wine room. The bad news is that for a party of our size we would have to use the banquet menu which would be a minimum $80 a person (including tax and tip) without drinks or dessert.

I have eaten at all the restaurants we have been discussing. I agree that McCormick and Schmick's is a chain restaurant that is good but nothing special. There are a lot of very good and popular restaurants that are noisy and crowded, especially on Saturdqy nights, and while the food may be good I don't think they are suited to the type of dinner we want to have where we can talk to each other.

I think 701 is the best bet to meet everyone's concerns. Tom.

701 sounds great to us. Agree with the above comments about McCormick and Schmick's, good, but nothing special for a DC dining experience.

Thanks Tom for all your hard work. Keep us posted on the final plan.

I trust in your choice, Tom. Let's see who else concurs.

Thank you! Your efforts are greatly appreciated!

We are A-OK with 701. Agree that M&S works fine but is not special for DC. The 701 menu looks good and about in line with DC (or any other big city) prices.

Count us 95% in. Waiting on some family obligations to work themselves out!

John & Tonya

John and Tonya, Hope that 95% changes to 100%.

Bumping up the RSVP list

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

? -
John/Tonya
Jonathan/Susan
Tony/Joanna
Gil/Arlene
Doug/Andi

701 looks ok to us.

OK everyone, we're set for 7 pm Saturday, September 30, 2006 at 701 Pennsylvania Ave.

We will sit together, order from the regular menu, and get separate checks with a 20% gratuity added.

The restaurant has valet parking and for those taking the Metro it is at the Archives/Navy Memorial stop. There is a bar for those who arrive early. See you there. Tom.

We're good! We'll see you on MUSH first though, but then see you there.

Great job Tom, thanks so much for all that work, it sounds great.

We are good also. Joann- we were in Alaska last year the same time you are doing it this year.

Thanks Tom.
Jan, Carole, Barb

Jan how was the weather? I hate to take too many heavy things, because then I won't have room for all the shoes lol <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> and realize I will need some long pants, warmup suits, etc, so I am in a real quandry. Last time we went to Alaska was July and it was much warmer than I anticipate it to be in Sept.

Great job, Tom. We look forward to the get-together.

Do we need a name now???

JoAnn, Mona and I took an Alaska cruise about six years ago at the same time of year, the first week in September. It was 70 when we began the trip in Anchorage. But then it got a lot colder. During the glacier cruising it was so cold on deck you could only stay out for a few minutes before your face would freeze.

Temperatures in the towns were in the 50's. It also rains about 50% of the time. However, it's hit or miss. Some people have sailed in September and have had great weather. But I think you certainly have to be prepared for cool weather. Tom.

Tom,

THANK YOU! We are so looking forward to this much anticipated get-together.

I think a name would be a wonderful idea. Let the creative juices flow.

Here are two names I've been playing with:

EAST - Enjoying Astute Sea Travelers

EATS - Enjoying Astute Travelers of the Seas

JoAnn,
We started in Seattle- had perfect weather- low 80's sunny. no humidity. Loved Seattle. Was able to run around in shorts!! Could move there- it was similar to Baltimore but had a european theme to the city.

As soon as we reached Alaska- RAIN... We had LLBean pants (cotton) and had the shirts that are short sleeved- mock turtlenecks. All LLBean. We had purchased jackets on the Mariner and they are water proof and that is all we took with us. Towards the end- we saw the sun- and was able to take off the jackets and run around in short sleeve clothes.

Carole took her gloves for the glacier trip and walked on them. It was high 50's- low 60's. We did one laundry load since going out 3 days ahead.

As they say- do it in layers. And take it off as the day goes on.

As we were cruising in the glacier bay area- we sat out on the balcony for a few hours- aft and had on our layers.

One thing that I noticed from cruising late in the year and noy in May- was that they had more snow covering on the mountains than we did.

Jan

My offering

701@7

Beth,
East is a great code name. That works for me.
Jan

sorry to have hijacked this thread - thanks Jan for the info - lets get back to the DC get together.

I like any of those names - they all fit perfectly.

Joann- you didn't hijack the thread. Hey- you all are going on MUSH before EAST occurs. Can't wait to see the photos.
Jan

Tom, thanks for pulling it together. Let me know if there's anything you need me to do.

Crystal,

Thanks to Tom and you for helping make this a soon-to-be reality.

It's going to be a great get together!!

I am so looking forward to it, JoAnn.

We just booked into the Mandarin Oriental by the Jefferson Memorial between 12-14 street on Maryland Ave. We used up our Walt Disney Points that we had to use before the end of November.

We shall just have to take a cab to 701 now.

We are all set. :)
Jan

Great Jan - can't wait to meet you and all the others, other than those we know of course!!

Wow, Jan. I work within walking distance of the Mandarin Oriental and have eaten lunch there in the cafe twice (once as a guest -- someone was saying thank you -- both times it was great). The hotel is lovely and the level of service outstanding. Haven't eaten in the dinner restaurant or seen the rooms (except on the video tour). There are always plenty of cabs at the door, so no problem with that for you.

Great news that you're set, Jan.

OK, Susan, any word on you and Jonathan joining us? Would really love to meet you both after corresponding with you for so long.

Our D.C. dinner will be here before we know it. I am so ready.

We are down to 29 days till we have dinner in DC. Glad it wasn't this weekend- RAIN!!

Jan

Getting into countdown mode!

WOOOOO~EEEEE, I'm getting ready too. <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

Just as exciting as TUSH, Beth!!!

Welcome back! Hope you enjoyed your time away! See you and Randy soon!

Just thought I'd bump this thread up to the top. Three weeks until we get together in D.C. I'm excited about meeting everyone and seeing my good cruise buddy, Crystal, again. :hyper:

Hi Beth,

Alan and I were just saying that we are 3 weeks away from our D.C. trip! Very excited. Seems like we've been planning forever for this one.

Anyone else getting into town Friday evening?

For those who live in the area - Our plane is expected to arrive at about 5:00PM. How long a taxi ride should we expect to get from DCA to the Willard? I would imagine traffic is horrid. We're not sure if we want to take Super Shuttle or taxi. Any idea as to how much a taxi will cost?

Denise - maybe 25-30? I'm not sure, but you are right you are arriving at a horrible traffic time. Since cab's don't use flat rates and the meter just keeps going while you sit in traffic, you might want to consider Super Shuttle, or possible get a car service, which would give you a flat rate. I've used Olgivie and they seem pretty reasonable. You might try that possibility.

See you in three!!!

Thanks, JoAnn. A car service may be the way for us to go. Will check out your recommendation.

Denise, Willard is only two blocks from metro center. If you only have rolling suitcases, I would just take Metro (blue line) from airport getting off at metro center. Otherwise, I would just take a taxi. It is not that far. Either one will be relatively fast to a Californian.

See you in a few weeks..........

Thanks, Marc. Looking forward to seeing you both again! Sent out inquiries for some shuttle servcies just to get some info. After a long flight, would prefer either taxi or shuttle service, rather than schlep on metro.

Another question, please. We will be going to Silver Spring, MD to visit my cousins. Easy to do with the the Metro? How close is Silver Spring to D.C. area? We will be speaking with them this weekend, and would like to figure out a game plan to get to them.

You can hop on red line at Metro Center and take all the way to Silver Spring....no changing of trains. Never having been there, I don't know how long the metro ride is; your cousins will know.

Thanks, again. I just checked out a D.C. metro map and saw the red line you are referring to.