Yes, Nov 2nd.
Looking like Pasadena, I guess. I don’t know those parts at all, so could someone local please suggest a specific location?
Oh! I could make that, then, if I get my husband on board. Woohoo!
I’ll reiterate Buca Di Beppo’s, although if the group is going to be fairly small, I might also suggest Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles. 
I’m at about a 30% chance. I haven’t been to the Norton Simon Museum in probably 25 years, so I wouldn’t mind making a road trip out of it.
Gotta get up before the crack on Saturday the 3rd, so have fun everybody.
I’m leaving the country soon, so I’m definitely up for it.
OK, I’m trying to get an idea of what we’re looking at for this Friday, November 2nd. Here’s what I have so far, in no particular order:
DEFINITELY AVAILABLE
Asimovian
Jakeline
Paladude
POSSIBLES
Queen Bruin
Lucky 13
Antinor01
anu-la1979
Shayna
Spiny Norman
silenus
Rick
Rilchiam
UNLIKELY/CAN’T MAKE IT
scotandrsn
Darryl Lict
Yeticus Rex
Do I have anyone on the wrong list here? And seriously, location suggestions, people!
You can add me to “yes”. I live in town!
Okay, locations-
Please, let’s avoid Cheesecake Factory. That’s all I ask. Because the wait looks miserable every time I walk past that place.
Il Fornaio
Saladang (thai)
Barcelona (I’ve had edible tapas there, though I know some might disagree)
I’ve found anything serving sushi in Old Pas has been pretty miserable, overall.
Barcelona is pretty decent I thought. (Plus about 1 1/2 blocks from my office)
Anything in or by the Paseo Colorado is fine with me, convenient to both work and the gold line.
Keep me on the maybe list for now, I’m not sure what we want/need to do friday yet.
Yeah, Put me on the not gonna make it list. I will be in Vancouver BC on Friday. I’ll go have a beer and think of you guys.
Updated:
DEFINITELY AVAILABLE
Asimovian
Jakeline
Paladude
anu-la1979
POSSIBLES
Queen Bruin
Lucky 13
Antinor01
Shayna
Spiny Norman
silenus
Rilchiam
UNLIKELY/CAN’T MAKE IT
scotandrsn
Darryl Lict
Yeticus Rex
Rick
Rick, that sucks. I mean, I was gonna shower and everything!
Heya!
I’m new around here, but you can put me on the list of ‘yes’. I live in Pasadena, it’s easy for me to make it.
Let’s see…at the Paseoish area…maybe the Teppan grill, Tokyo Wako I think it’s called? Big tables, we can all sit in a circle and look at each other’s faces. Or Bucca Di Beppo is also good for that, but bad for diets. ><
My favorite sushi/Japanese Food place at the moment is Ichima, at the back of the complex at Foothill & Rosemead (past the bowling alley but before the theater). There’s too many of us to sit at the bar, but they have a large seating area and I’ve seen very big parties there before.
I prefer to avoid Olde Town if possible. The parking is horrible and the restaurants tend to be overpriced and/or painfully hip. Bar Celona is good, but I don’t know that they have seating for a large group…
Or, my favorite Mexican restaurant is La Fiesta Grande on Colorado (I forget the cross-street, but it’s right by Zinke’s and Cliff’s used bookstore that’s open till midnight). Really good chicken mole, especially, and knock-you-down strength Margaritas. My husband and I often conclude an evening at La Fiesta by wandering drunkenly into the used bookstore next door. Nothing quite beats browsing classic SF paperbacks whilst tipsy…but I digress.
Welcome, Oni no Maggie! I’ve got you noted! I’ll reprint the list tomorrow.
There are some good suggestions for meeting places out so far. Maybe we can take a vote by Wednesday in case reservations need to be made?
What kind of venue do people want? So far, it sounds like full service dinner – is that cool with everyone? Is anyone on the list a vegetarian? Is it vital to have alcohol available? (Wait, this is the Dope – dumb question.)
Ichima! I used to eat there but Little Tokyo has spoiled me in terms of sushi quality. The last time I was at Ichima the fish did not taste fresh, but I remember liking it plenty of times before.
Oni, if you like Mexican, I’d suggest Tonny’s, at the corner of Lake and Orange Grove. It’s sort of a well-kept secret that’s now out all over Chowhound. Jonathan Gold reviewed it-no liquor license. It’s the neighbourhood awesome Mexican restaurant. Only reason I ever knew about it is because I used to live north of the Freeway 2 minutes walking distance from the place and ate there because of proximity.
If Paseo is okay, we can meet at that bar upstairs right by the movie theatre. They serve food, too. But I think the reason Old Town is popular is someone requested that stuff be near public transport, right? You can take the gold line straight into Old Pas via Del Mar or Memorial Park, making it more convenient for people to exercise that option.
OK, since it’s 11/2 for sure I can definitely be there, unless some sort of catastrophe happens.
Old Town sounds good. Ichima too. Not sure about Roscoe’s, good as that sounds, mostly 'cause I don’t know how to get there by bus.
OK, since it’s 11/2 for sure I can definitely be there, unless some sort of catastrophe happens.
Old Town or Paseo sounds good. Ichima too. Not sure about Roscoe’s, good as that sounds, mostly 'cause I don’t know how to get there by bus.
I’m in the middle of mid-terms so I can’t make it this Friday, but I’ll definitely make it to the next one.
It’s not that far a walk from the Gold Line, actually, but since no one else seemed intrigued by Roscoe’s, I won’t push it (this time). 
I agree with others who mentioned that Old Town is more convenient from the Gold Line than the Paseo. But it is also Friday evening in Pasadena, which means Old Town parking will be even more of a nightmare than usual.
What about the far side of Pasadena? The end of the Gold Line puts you right by Hastings Ranch. There are several restaurants in those shopping centers. I’ve eaten at Islands and the Italian restaurant in that same shopping center. I haven’t tried any of the others.
Hey! I’m brand-spankin’ new to town! I’ll be there as long as we can get specific with addresses and times.