I’m sorry, that’s $200 every 2 weeks. So $25 for a plate of French toast, without even including a diet Pepsi, sounds ridiculous to me.
I understand, I really do – but after spending an hour on the phone this morning, looking for a place that a) is reasonably convenient for the large number of people using public transportation, b) will accept reservations, and c) can handle a group of 20, this is what I came up with.
Maybe the rest of us could each kick in an extra buck to partially subsidize you, as the guest of honor.
twicks, who’s coming up on the first anniversary of losing her job
I have no problems kicking in the extra buck or two.
I’m not trying to be a bitch or nothing, and I don’t want y’all paying for my meal, I just don’t understand the base price per head dining option. Especially as, like I said, it looks like we’ll be spending $25 on something I could cook in my kitchen for $5, and drinks aren’t even included. There’s gotta be someplace in Philly that can accommodate 15+ people for brunch. I don’t care about fine dining, I’ll be as happy in a Denny’s as in a ‘nice restaurant’.
There is no Denny’s in Center City. Most chains of that ilk – TGIF, Chili’s, etc. – are found in the suburbs, and thus are not convenient for people coming via public transportation – a group that includes me, if no one else.
There are numerous inexpensive places, but they aren’t large enough to accommodate a group of 20 and/or they don’t take reservations. I am personally not willing to just show up and take my chances on a place being able to seat a group that size in any kind of timely manner.
There is a food court at the Gallery (shopping mall adjacent to Market East), where we could presumably cobble together a table large enough to seat us all, but frankly that doesn’t seem amenable to a relaxed, friendly gathering.
I’m sorry, I understand why you’re pissed, but this is what I have come up with. We have reached the limits of my willingness to devote time to arranging logistics. As I said when I gave the restaurant info, if someone else would like to find an alternative, my hat is off to you.
AnitaVacation had a good suggestion – we do this as a two-part fest.
Part I: Walking tour around the historic district. We meet up about noon and wander around and look at the Liberty Bell, Franklin’s grave, Betsy Ross House, etc.
Part II: Brunch at an over-priced restaurant.
People could sign up for one or both parts of this excursion as they see fit.
How’s that?
In the meantime, I need to get a sense of who’s in for the brunch at the overpriced restaurant, so please keep responses to that coming.
I’m an unemployed travel agent, so the unemployed part of me wants to find something less spendy, but the agent in me knows that Brunch prices in city center can seem ridiculous until you do the research. I believe that $25-30 is actually on the low side of average.
I’m in for both parts. I like menu #3 but will go with #2 if that’s the majority selection.
I sure ain’t rich, but I’m still employed, and I’m OK with the Continental deal. I’m very OK with the historical tour. Sign me up for both parts. I prefer menu 2 but I’m OK with menu 3.
And as someone who has a hella time organizing my own life, I also want to say a word of thanks to twickster for organizing this. It really IS hard to find places that make space for large groups and don’t cost the earth. Here in West Philadelphia the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society has the same problem after every monthly meeting; at Chili’s we can’t sit together at a table (it’s mostly booths), at Marathon Grill we can’t talk (too noisy at night), and every other place is too small/won’t take reservations/costs a fortune. So we always end up at Philly Diner. Which has no counterpart that I know of in Center City.
I like the idea of meeting up first for a walking tour, then those who want brunch can go to the restaurant. I’m chill with that.
I need to call the woman soon to confirm the reservation – I’m gathering that enough people will be in for brunch that I should go ahead assume we’ll have 12-15, at least. I can give her firm numbers and pick the menu late next week – this is just to dibs the space.
Anita Vacation – tour yes; brunch yes
Cleophus – tour ?; brunch yes
DaphneBlack – ? and ?
DocCathode – ? and ?
**Geobabe **and **UncleBill **(*avec *young uns?) – ? and ?
Hal Briston, kittenlm, and the littlest Briston – ? and ?
Little Nemo – tour ?; brunch yes
Meros – ? and ?
Mississippienne – tour yes; brunch no
MsRobyn and sprog – tour ?; brunch yes
**olivesmarch4th **and husband – tour ?; brunch yes
ryobserver – tour yes, brunch yes
twickster – tour yes, brunch yes
ultrafilter – ? and maybe
WomanofScorn – ? and ?
If you’re in contact with anyone who isn’t on the Boards regularly, could you ask him or her to swing by and indicate preferences?
And of course, anyone who hasn’t signed up yet is still welcome to do so – indicate whether you want to do the (informal) walking tour of the historic district, brunch (indicate preferred menu), or both.
Thus far I have the following votes for menu options:
Menu 1 Menu 2 Menu 3
Anita Vacation 1 1
Cleophus 1
Little Nemo 1 1 1
MsRobyn 1 1
ryobserver 1 1
twickster 1 1
ultrafilter 1 1
That makes a total of two votes for menu one, seven votes for menu two and three votes for menu three.
Put me down as a yes for the tour. I’ll even bring a cellphone this time.
And, twickster, let me add my thanks for the work you’ve done in organizing this.
Let’s go with “maybe” on the tour, “yes” on brunch, and food option #2 or #3.
Also, it’s going to be just me, no kittenlm or Littlest Briston.
Put me down for a yes on the tour and a no on the brunch.
Anita Vacation – tour yes; brunch yes
Cleophus – tour ?; brunch yes
DaphneBlack – ? and ?
DocCathode – tour yes; brunch no
**Geobabe **and **UncleBill **(*avec *young uns?) – ? and ?
**Hal Briston – tour maybe; brunch yes (sorry you’re coming stag, but that would be a lot of fuss and bother for the young 'un, so I understand)
Little Nemo – tour yes; brunch yes
Meros – ? and ?
Mississippienne – tour yes; brunch no
MsRobyn and sprog – tour ?; brunch yes (2)
**olivesmarch4th **and husband – tour ?; brunch yes (2)
ryobserver – tour yes, brunch yes
twickster – tour yes, brunch yes
ultrafilter – ? and maybe
WomanofScorn – ? and ?
With 10 people definite for brunch, and 6 answers pending, I’m going to go ahead and confirm the date with the restaurant, with the intention of giving her a firm count soon.
Thanks for your responses, all (and I’m a little surprised there are so many “yeses” on the tour!) – this is going to be a fun afternoon.
Okay, here’s the deal:
They need a signed agreement and a $200 deposit, which I’m willing to take care of.
They need a choice on the menu by this Thursday, meaning tomorrow – since everyone has voted yes on #2, even if they prefer another, I’m thinking we’ll go with #2.
The cost of that is $25/person ($12.50/child), + 20% (of which 15% goes to server and 5% is "facility fee), so that would be $30, plus tax, plus whatever you drank other than water, coffee, tea.
They need the final count by next Thursday.
So – if you think you’re coming, but aren’t sure, let me know that now that you’re a “maybe” and then let me know by Thursday of next week what your final decision is.
I think that’s it.
(And yes, I’ll be happy to let someone else do logistics next time.)
We’ll be there for the tour too.
ETA: Thanks for your hard work, twix.
I’m very much a maybe for both, but if I can make either I’m definitely in for the food.
Menu #1 is my vote, but #2 is cool, too, and I realize that even if it isn’t it better be.
I’m really only posting to say in response to
that 1. the food is I’m pretty sure going to be exceptional – especially if that turkey bacon and sausage is the stuff from Reading Terminal that I think it is, but that 2. I think it would be a shame if a gathering inspired by yourself culminated in an extremely nice brunch at an incredibly nice place and you couldn’t make it. This is all a philosophical plea entirely aside from the sort of practical reality that it’s the tourist center of a big city on a Sunday afternoon, and twickster’s not kidding that this was probably a pain in the ass to set up in a mutually accommodating way, and all that.
Anyway, what I’m saying is if I can make it I’ll buy your brunch, or go half, or whatever, not because it’s a trivial cost and I can’t imagine your hesitance or because I’m so rich or generous, but because I find myself really valuing having an over-the-top meal out every now and then, and I prioritize it, so I want everybody else to enjoy it too and to not worry about it. And I’m not a foodie or an indulgent type by any stretch; it wasn’t very long ago that I wouldn’t even consider spending that much for pretty much any single meal – I’m the guy who asks his girlfriend how much every new purchase cost and is astonished every time (and how does $40 underwear even exist? – but I’ve changed my tune when it comes to the right meal once or twice a month. It will be a great meal at a really nice restaurant in a totally non-stuffy and relaxed context (provided that none of these internet weirdos are horrible monsters…:dubious:) and, I don’t know, I feel like it’s a shame to let the price of a tank of gas prevent anybody from being able to share in it. I’d consider it $25 for the whole day, which I think is reasonable, not $25 for some fistfuls of complex proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, which clearly isn’t. Maybe think about it, anyway.
UncleBill, Geobabe, and the younguns vote for tour before and menu option #2.
I’m about to be the party pooper and have to bow out of this gathering. I just enrolled in school and am jobless, so my funds are currently beyond poor.
You guys better take lots of pictures.