Hey Ya'll
So far it looks like the Embassy Suites, right across the street from the Convention Center, is giving the best run at facilitating our Dinner this year. I have some choices to make....The one choice that is made is it will be on Thursday evening, July 31st. I hear we might have a sponsor again and I might make up the difference with the dreaded banner ad money. No promises on those yet and if there isn't a sponsor there could be a small cost....we'll see. I have said all along that it's not about the food but about the friends that come to it and the venue. One choice I see me having to make is the entree. I am trying to keep the costs down a little (more for drinking )....

I am choosing between another fajita and taco bar (with bigger plates AND the side accompaniments...what a thought!!).....OR a Pasta bar.....You all know about a fajita bar and the Pasta bar would be choice of pastas and chicken, shrimp, spinich, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, onions and garlic bread....I am sure we will have some hors d'oeuvres too......OR a stir fry station with Teriyaki beef, chicken, or shrimp....and assorted vegetables....

So...for anyone that is going to attend which of the 3 entrees would you prefer or does it even matter? I will make a choice but I would prefer to make it the popular one ...I will eat anything except liver and onions!! (which we will NOT be having)

1. Fajita and taco bar
2. Pasta bar w/meat etc...
3. Stir Fry station.....


thanks again
leon aka moderator dude

edited for a little clarification

At this point I am planning to attend....my vote is for the pasta bar.

I am looking forward to the dinner and to meeting some of the other N54ers.


I, like you, will eat anything.

I am planning on attending this year as well.

My vote is Pasta, but I could really care less. It won't make or break the trip.

.

Fajita Bar w/ Margaritas!

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MY COLLECTION: http://www.rustywilly.com/MYCOLLECTION.htm

Leon:

Thanks for offering again. I would like to attend and would prefer the pasta bar too.

either is OK

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Agree that the food is secondary, I'm fine with whatever (except liver and onions and Taco Bell takeout).

Leon- i'm officially "trying" to go to the Nat'l. i have some work obligations i need to rearrange...i'll keep you posted for the head count...

i'm italian, pasta for me.

Hey Leon,

Is dinner/food provided or cooked by the hotel, or are you catering in?

Here's one suggestion if you can cater in. Portillo's is soooooo delicious!

http://www.portillos.com/catering/


Regards,
Kyle

I am going to try and make it this year - If I can get there I prefer PASTA!

Hi Kyle,
You are making me hungry.... I would love to have a couple of Portillo's Italian Beef sandwiches with extra juice please... Be well Brian

Leon, I’m going to my first national. So I’m up for whatever…however I’d be lying if I didn’t say for some odd reason I’m craving chicken & pasta.

If chicken won’t work…Mike and I both like Panda, although Lichtman & Sloate swear by deep fried Tiger.

Hey Brian - they've got the best hotdogs I've ever had! Too bad there is only one located in Chicago - all the rest are in the burbs!

I think we should have a Net54 wiffleball game before dinner too.

Hi Kyle,
I spend most of my time in the burbs.... and it seems like there's one around every corner. My brother lives about a mile from one and there's another just around the corner from Medinah....Where is the one in town???
I agree the Dogs or great, but so is everything else.... ribs....

I can't wait... Be well Brian

Hey Brian,

The one in the city is downtown, River North (Ontario and Clark). It's not too far away, but when you live 1 mile west of Wrigley, there are many other options. But nothing compares to a Portillos hotdog. They've got delicious burgers too. Is it dinner time yet?

-Kyle

PS - hope this doesn't qualify as a hijack.

Planning on attending - Anything for the meal is fine, first pick would be the pasta.

Thanks for planning this - RC

I sure hope to make it this year. No strong food preference -- would probably lean toward the fajitas. Mark

Liver and onions sounds great! Oh, no good? :-)OK, I vote for the pasta bar.
tbob

I'll take door number 2

Portillos! No we're talkin'

Brian,

That portillos by Medinah is a few blocks from where I grew up.

For fast food, it's GOOD~!

So good I still have it delievered....to Seattle.

But for the best Beef Sandwiches, I'd go with Al's in Chicago.

Rob


PS: Leon, pasta bar would work great imo

I am planning on being there. No real preference on food options. Thanks for organizing this.
JimB

No preference as far as food goes. . . if I can get ahold of a few drink tickets I will be a happy camper. Thanks again for having the dinner,

Andrew

I'm planning on going. Thanks for organizing this, Leon. I haven't been to a National in Chicago. Is there a preferred hotel among collectors?

My wife, who worked in Chicago, tells me that the hotels by there are not great; that the nice hotels are downtown -- but the traffic is a bitch. Any thoughts on a nice hotel that is not too far away from the National? I'll have the wife and kids with me....

I'll be there and the food is not a real concern but if a
vote is requested I take the pasta.

The convention center is across the street from several hotels, from Hyatt and Embassy to Sofitel. All are more than adequate for a card show attendee, Really how much time are you going to spend in the room. AND, the time you do will be after one of the many social events in the evening in which they usually provide enough alcohol the room will seem like the Waldorf-Astoria anyway.

Also the convention center is about 1/2 mile from O'Hare, so it's an easy cab ride or check with the hotel you are staying as they all have shuttles

Scott


On the food, aren't we about done with the fajita route, lets all carb up on some pasta and BEER!

I have quotes from all 3 hotels that are literally across the street from where the National will be. The Sofitel, the Hyatt, and the Embassy Suites.....Scott B and I like to stay at the Embassy Suites for the free breakfast (we're pigs). No hotel will let you bring food into it...This thread wasn't about RSVP's as it's way too early for that. If I don't plan it now though they might not have a ballroom big enough as we get closer. Most likely I will be going with the Embassy Suites.....and so far it looks like Pasta is winning the caucus......I have no stock in any hotel but from experience it's sure nice to stay in the one where the Dinner is at.....makes it very convenient.....take care

Scott, if it were just me I could care less. With the wife and kids I have little choice on the matter! Bruce and I will be staying at the Four Seasons; Leon and Scott, if you put pants on you are invited over for a drink.

I'm going to try for it Leon. Thanks much for setting it up. I'd say pasta, I guess.

J

(And hey. BACK OFF the liver and onions! That's good stuff there. hee)

I am getting some pushback questioning your continued membership in the "Armpits of America" collectors club with remarks like that last one. You need to come to the ghetto(usually one of the hotel bars)with us at least for a night or so....I am sure we'll talk many times before then...

IF i make it out there (which it looks like i can)...we'll paint the town red, and show them how New Yorkers take care of business...


how late are the bars open in Chicago, anyway? i've partied there before, but don't remember much

i'll be hitting Buddy Guy's Legends one night, anyone else in on that plan?

I vote for the Stir Fry station (since you asked). But, hell, it's really about meeting other Net54 members. I can't wait !!! Who's joining me for a concert in Chicago ?

Where is the info on the national? Hotels, etc.

Giardanos pizza please.....yummy or maybe the original Unos

Leon,

I'm planning on attending again this year and am down with any of the choices that you've listed above.

You can boil a fricking noodle at home.....WHere's the beef?

Jeff- The MArriot Ohare was good last time. WIth your cabbage the Hilton or Hyatt downtown is probably your gig. Great room service food.

You can stay downtown and take the blue line train directly to the conference center. I plan on doing so and can meet people downtown if you're worried about getting lost.

Leon, I'd lean towards the stir fry bar. If you need any help with anything let me know. I'm a short drive away.

stir fry

I think I am with you on the stir fry.....as we get closer I will try to use my influence to sway the popular vote....we might have to go to a delegate system......

From the left coast...

Tofu, ****ake mushrooms and bok choy

Hey Ya'll,
I hate to pop this back up to the top but want to make sure everyone knows that a definite decision has NOT been made on where the Dinner will be. I have to look over each of the 3 proposals and make a selection next week. I am still leaning towards the Embassy Suites but I got the 3rd proposal I didn't think I was going to get, yesterday, and haven't had a chance to go through them. So for those that are emailing me or wondering where it will be. I don't know yet. The answer will be next week.....regards

If I am there, I will eat what is served and use more than my fair share of drink tickets.

Please serve only the following:
Pizza
beer
Hotdogs
beer
Italian Beef
beer
Ribs
maybe just get Portillo's or Carsons to cater/bring it all in?

I am actually hoping to get there this year, and if I can attend, I will eat whatever is there, assuming 1) it's not seafood, and 2) it's not already on someone else's plate (I do have some manners)

Mike- I stayed at the Sofitel last year and I thought it was fine. A little more expensive than some of the others nearby but not much and it has that elevated, covered walkway to the show. I'll be there again this year.
tbob

I thought it was a nice place and the bar was enjoyable at night. Plus, you can't beat that covered walkway, esp. if we don't luck out and it rains.

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