# SF Bay Area DopeFest **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 14, 2004, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009 "2004-07-14T02:40:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/41 "2004-07-15T00:52:12Z")
Saturday is better than Friday for me, since I’ll probably be working Friday and I’m about as far on BART (Fremont) as you can get. As for restaurants, I used to live in Cajun country so I’ll eat any damn thing. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/42 "2004-07-15T01:26:33Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > I’m probably in. **Bucca Di Beppo** sounds good to me, although given that I’ll be coming up from the Peninsula, I’m out of luck, BART-wise. Dood. Take CalTrain, get on the MUNI right there at the CalTrain station (4th street & King) and take it to the Powell street station. (Or Civic Center if we end up at the Buzz-9 dealie.) Friday is best for me as I’m sure I’d be able to make it. Saturday is more iffy, but like I said we don’t have anything planned for sure yet, vacation-wise. Just curious (bad joke coming!!) do you have to bring your own food to an Ethiopian restaurant? ::rimshot:: thank you! **Kyla** , fly into either SFO or ORD and take BART downtown. Don’t tell your mom where you are! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/43 "2004-07-15T03:35:02Z")
> [@Obsidian](#): > > Now what am I supposed to do with that? > > Sorry. My obsession with both Indian and Ethiopian food drives my friends to drink. Not that I’m going to suggest indian food. I’ve learned curry+ lotsa beer=laying on the bathroom floor wishing I was dead. My problems with Ethiopian food: 1. Eating with your hands. I’m a firm believer that your hands should always be eaten separately. 2. That weird sour bread. It doesn’t taste that good in the first place, but you have to eat it because of the whole eating with your hands thing. And then it slowly expands in your stomach, causing great discomfort. Your mileage may vary. I’m pretty easy-going about most food, just can’t take the Ethiopian. If y’all decide to go there, then I can always get something else beforehand. I’m okay. Don’t mind me. I’ll be fine. You do whatever you want. Sigh. > [@Obsidian](#): > > Also, maybe I _should_ stay away from the Haight. The last time I was there I ended up standing on the sidewalk flapping a shawl around and anouncing to the world I was batman. Amateur. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/44 "2004-07-15T04:45:04Z")
\*\*Rhiannon8404 \*\* and I should be able to make it down either night, assuming we can find someone to watch our son for the evening. Saturday is probably best, as I’d rather not make the drive down from Sacramento after work on Friday. But then again, it’s a good excuse to skip out early. ---
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/45 "2004-07-15T05:13:07Z")
I’ve talked with Buzz9 when we were considering it for a previous get together and they said they could make most of their dishes veggie if people wanted. Also, for JJ, they have cheeseburgers. 😉 I think it’s a great idea for a bar and restaurant. As always, we can’t please everyone, so there’s always the option of eating beforehand and hooking up at the bar (where the real fun begins) after. Likewise, if the Buzz9 bar gets boring, we can head out on an adventure to find other bars. As far as dates, I think Saturday would be best, that way we can eat early and get to the drinking early. 😉 Friday a lot of people will be rushing in after work. That said, psy and I would be more than happy to hook up with people on Friday for drinks, since we’ll be getting into town that afternoon. Every 'fest I’ve gone to, I’ve always really enjoyed hanging out with people on the Friday night prior. It’s usually a nice, mellow time to reaquaint or get to know new people. Maybe our master planners can schedule a Friday night “Getting to Know You” (bwahahaha) happy hour. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/46 "2004-07-15T06:26:39Z")
> [@SolGrundy](#): > > My problems with Ethiopian food: > > 1. Eating with your hands. I’m a firm believer that your hands should always be eaten separately. > 2. That weird sour bread. It doesn’t taste that good in the first place, but you have to eat it because of the whole eating with your hands thing. And then it slowly expands in your stomach, causing great discomfort. You should try the Blue Nile in Berkeley. They use non-sour bread and the spices are perhaps a bit more palatable to us Americans. You gotta get over the hand thing though. I mean, have you never had a messy burrito and picked up the meat chunks that fell out? Also, is some sort of picnic/potluck thing a possibility, or are you all set on the restaurant idea? ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/47 "2004-07-15T06:47:53Z")
I’m somewhat interested, but my current schedule being what it is, really only Friday of the days mentioned comes close to working for me ( I work weekends, ten hour shifts, and swing shift to boot ). And even then I can’t quite commit yet. Planning that far in advance for anything gives me hives. Just an idle thought, but large crowds ( 10+ in this context = large, IMHO ) in restaurant + bar sounds _potentially_ tedious too me. Tends to limit the ability to circulate and artificially channels conversation to your nearest two or four neighbors ( either that of everybody tries to shout down the table/bar above everybody else ). Given my druthers I’d much prefer a picnic/barbeque in a park/on a beach where we can drink beer in the great outdoors as the deity of your choice intended :). However as I was mentioning to someone else the other day, I am nothing if not flexible. I’m comfortable with any majority decision and if it turns out I can make it, I’m willing to give anything a shot. And I have no particular cuisine preferences/requirements. - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/48 "2004-07-15T06:50:08Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > I’m somewhat interested, but my current schedule being what it is, really only Friday of the days mentioned comes close to working for me ( I work weekends, ten hour shifts, and swing shift to boot.) I also work holidays, Labor Day included. Which kind of sucks, sometimes :). - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/49 "2004-07-15T16:29:53Z")
I’d rather stick to a restaurant for dinner myself. I’d rather not brave SF winds, bugs, or what have you. I’ve never found having dinner at a dopefest to be much trouble, even at dinners of 40+. Most folks sort of play musical chairs once they’ve eaten. And at a bar, you’re free to move around and mingle with whoever you like. Bocce Cafe looks interesting, and Buca is another great option. Buzz 9 as a restaurant, is not very large, We’d either not all fit, or we’d take up the entire place. The lounge is larger than the restaurant. Since \*\*Demo \*\*and I will be in the city on Friday, having a smaller dinner at Buzz 9, or anyplace, really, sounds like a great idea to me. ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/50 "2004-07-15T16:42:07Z")
I’m in. Sounds like Saturday September 4th at Buzz9 in SF. Now all we need is a time to meet… ---
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/51 "2004-07-15T17:31:57Z")
**psy** is right about Buzz9. It probably is too small for a large party. And it looks like this is turning into a large party. 😉 So my second vote goes to Buca for Saturday’s dinner. And for a time I’m just going to throw out…6 pm? Is that too early? Just suggestions to keep the ball rolling. ---
**Author:** ![PucksRaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecd19e/32.png) [@PucksRaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PucksRaven)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/52 "2004-07-15T18:47:50Z")
Okay, time for a tally of interested parties. These are people who have popped in and shown interest. If I missed you I apologize, feel free to add thyself. SolGrundy Vougevixen Demo Nametag psy + husband Ghanima Bippy Troy Stuffy I Love Me Obsidian Miller Sturm Max Kevia Puck Voyager Suburban Rhiannon Tummer That’s 21 people. Which isn’t that big a crowd, I don’t think. Especially because some people are only free one day. It seems like Saturday is the majority favorite, though. Certainly is for me. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/53 "2004-07-15T19:01:32Z")
OK, I’m going to cast my vote for **Buca di Beppo** as the restaurant. It’s 2 blocks from the Powell St. BART station, it’s about 3/4 mile from Buzz 9. They have food that just about everyone can eat,and it’s pretty darn good IMHO. 😉 I know they can hold a crowd, we had our rehearsal dinner at one in Vegas and it went off without a hitch. It’s a fun atmosphere, and it’s relatively inexpensive. And 6 PM sounds like a perfect time to me. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/54 "2004-07-15T19:05:27Z")
> [@PucksRaven](#): > > Okay, time for a tally of interested parties. These are people who have popped in and shown interest. If I missed you I apologize, feel free to add thyself. > > … > psy + husband > … Woohoo! Thanks **PucksRaven**! There are a few BAD’s that haven’t chimed in at all in this thread. I don’t know if they frequent the board all that much, but I wouldn’t count them out entirely, so I’d pad your number by 10 or so. And \*\*Demo \*\*is my husband, so you can subtract one. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/55 "2004-07-15T19:18:56Z")
Add one for my wife, **available light**. ---
**Author:** ![PucksRaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecd19e/32.png) [@PucksRaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PucksRaven)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/56 "2004-07-15T20:04:13Z")
OKay. Taking away Demo and adding available light is still 21. Taking into account those that have not chimed in sounds like we should be planning for 30-35 people. 6pm Sat at BUca works. BART riders or Penninsula dwellers I remind you I am willing to pick up/carpool. ---
**Author:** ![ageless6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@ageless6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ageless6)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/57 "2004-07-15T20:31:06Z")
You can put me and my SO,Barbara down as possibles. I’m agoraphobic,though not ravingly,so I’ll be the one filled with valium,grinnng mindlessly at the rest of you. I have a bunch of problems,some stemming from my bouts with cirrhosis,but I would really like to see what a roomful of very intelligent lunatics looks and sounds like.(Mommy,I’m scared!) I hope we can make it.I haven’t been in SFO for a long time,ever since Barb worked as wig-mistress for Beach Blanket Babylon,and I used to go with her to the Fugazi,where I helped her with the giant hats,got drunk and high and sang on stage at 3:00 AM…but I digress,as is my wont. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/58 "2004-07-15T21:12:04Z")
> [@PucksRaven](#): > > I’m excited, my **fist** Dope. Well, only if things go exceptionally well for you 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![PucksRaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecd19e/32.png) [@PucksRaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PucksRaven)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/59 "2004-07-15T21:18:16Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > Well, only if things go exceptionally well for you 🙂 You know, I should learn to preview. But typos are so _funny_ sometimes. I’d hate to miss out. Ageless + wife is 23. Does anyone know how to get in touch with SF Dopers they may not be as active? Or shall we just wait for them to wander in? ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009/60 "2004-07-15T21:31:27Z")
They’re on Livejournal, I’m sure they are at least aware of the plans being made. Don’t know anyone’s intentions, but for now, I’d just as well count on at least a few of them making it. Probably a little too far in advance to commit to anything for most, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-bay-area-dopefest/255009.md?page=4)