nyc meetup fever

May 23, 2005 12:53 PM

IMPROMPTU NYC MEET-UP FEVER:

We must fête in recognition of our wandering Odysseus, who will be holding down 212 later this week.

THIS WEEK, please choose either: Thursday, May 26 *or* Friday, May 27, 2005. Who's in for what?
posted by naxosaxur to MetaFilter Gatherings at 12:53 PM (57 comments total)

I'd like to nominate somewhere spacious and atmospheric like a hotel/large bar...(I know there are a lot of Hudson Hotel haters up in here), but I think we should do something within these means; an extraordinary guest predicates an extraordinary venue...
posted by naxosaxur at 12:53 PM on May 23, 2005

I will be out of the city for the whole of memorial day weekend, so I'm going to have to sit this one out. However, the reason I'll be missing it is because I'll be at my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary in Vermont. However, they're from roughly the same part of Italy as matteo, so it'll seem like I'm there anyway.

Have fun.
posted by jonmc at 12:59 PM on May 23, 2005

which makes it even more interesting, jon, because my grandparents are originally from Vermont
posted by matteo at 1:32 PM on May 23, 2005

are you pulling my leg? what town?
posted by jonmc at 1:33 PM on May 23, 2005

Curses! I'm not making a NYC pilgrimage for at least a couple of months. LA demands adequate shoutouts!
posted by scody at 1:42 PM on May 23, 2005

I was kidding jon -- hug them and tell them buon anniversario, vi voglio bene

scody: I already have a t-shirt and a sharpie
posted by matteo at 1:50 PM on May 23, 2005

I was kidding jon --

It was worth asking. the town they immigrated to is a quarry town so it's got a lot of Italians for a small Green Mountain hamlet. But will do.

I just recieved an e-mail from mom that for the family portrait we're giving them as a present, I have to purchase a "pastel colored dress shirt." The indignities I suffer for family.
posted by jonmc at 1:58 PM on May 23, 2005

This had better not pre-empt the one we were just talking about a couple days ago, because I'm going to be out of town this weekend, damnit!
posted by UKnowForKids at 2:09 PM on May 23, 2005

If it's Thursday night, this Minnesotan is in! I'll be in town and my training will have ended.... Sadly, Friday night I'll be on an airplane back home.
posted by clever sheep at 2:24 PM on May 23, 2005

Oh, if only the dot com bubble hadn't popped, and I could have afforded a quick jet to NYC. Matteo is one of my fave Mefites.

That said, have you guys considered Candela as a gathering spot? I adore the place. It's entirely lit by candles, the food is extraordinary, the service is top notch but not snooty, prices are reasonable to awe-inspiring, depending on your tastes.

Mmmm...Candela...how I miss you and your extraordinary white chocolate martinis....
posted by dejah420 at 2:27 PM on May 23, 2005

I have to purchase a "pastel colored dress shirt." The indignities I suffer for family.

at least you don't have to wear it

one of my fave Mefites.

*hungrily checks out timetable for planes to dejahland*
posted by matteo at 2:34 PM on May 23, 2005

No me either. I'm going to be gone two days this week, and they are Thursday and Friday. Very disappointed. And I have to tell you matteo, without jonmc and I, the two half-Italian MeFite New Yorkers, it won't be a real meetup at all.
posted by dame at 3:27 PM on May 23, 2005

what??? you're coming???
posted by amberglow at 3:46 PM on May 23, 2005

matteo was the very special guest star earlier, for anyone who wondered.

so cool! yay! you stronzo! : >
posted by amberglow at 3:48 PM on May 23, 2005

Thursday night?
posted by amberglow at 3:49 PM on May 23, 2005

well, matteo, where are you staying? we can plan from there.
posted by amberglow at 3:55 PM on May 23, 2005

I'll be there - either night, but Thursday is better.
posted by lilboo at 4:06 PM on May 23, 2005

without jonmc and I, the two half-Italian MeFite New Yorkers, it won't be a real meetup at all.

I'll think of him over nonna's Risotto Milanese and gnocchi. Or after I've dipped into the grappa.
posted by jonmc at 4:35 PM on May 23, 2005

unbeknownst to you all, I'm half italian, but I also can't make it this weekend. meh.
posted by shmegegge at 5:42 PM on May 23, 2005

I'm seeing some small indie movie that's playing at the Ziegfield on Thursday night...if it ends up being on Friday I may drop by :)
posted by cyrusdogstar at 5:46 PM on May 23, 2005

I'm actually going to be in New York during this time period, and will be staying within a block of Candela. Unfortunately, I have absolutely no idea if I'll have any free time to meet some NY MeFites.
posted by mosch at 7:29 PM on May 23, 2005

I think I'm free both nights.
posted by muckster at 7:58 PM on May 23, 2005

...two half-Italian MeFite New Yorkers

hey, I'm half-Italian too.


Well, I'm out of town on Friday and I have to work thursday nights. Great. I miss another one. :(
posted by Stynxno at 8:54 PM on May 23, 2005

Taxis are expensive. I'll take the subway.

Oh, wait. You said "Italian", not "medallion". My bad.

I'll try for either Thursday or Friday, double sawbuck in tow.
posted by Smart Dalek at 5:14 AM on May 24, 2005

... have to purchase a "pastel colored dress shirt."
They make flannel in pastel colours now?
posted by dg at 5:47 AM on May 24, 2005

Actually, I was specifically told "no flannel," by mom. She'll probably ask why I didn't get a haircut and bitch about my sideburns, too, just like my grandparents bitched at my sisters wedding.

Anyways, after trooping down to Spring and Broadway and spending $40 on a blue button-down, I arrived home to my girlfriend telling me I already had one. So now, i gotta return it.

Also, after stopping for a quick take-out bite on the way home, I learned that kentucky Fried Chicken has a very loose interpretation of the number "18."
posted by jonmc at 7:09 AM on May 24, 2005

Final arrangements :

Thursday, May 26, 2005 at 6:30 pm

Candela Restaurant
116 East 16th Street
Cross Street: Between Park Avenue and Irving Place
New York, NY 10003
Telephone: [phone]
Hours: Mon-Sat 5:30 pm-11:30 pm

DO YOU GUYS WANT ME TO RESERVE A TABLE OR WHAT? Are we eating there, or just hanging at the bar to meet and then moving on? Is this an eating function? Let me know, because I'm sure I'd need to give a CC# to reserve a group of about 10.
posted by naxosaxur at 9:17 AM on May 24, 2005

I'm in, and I vote for a table and food. Tho' I will happily give way if the group votes otherwise, and settle for simply hoisting a white chocolate martini in honor of Dejah.
posted by clever sheep at 10:04 AM on May 24, 2005

Unfortunately, I won't know if I'm able to make it until the last minute. If I can, I'm down for whatever.
posted by safetyfork at 10:11 AM on May 24, 2005

okay, i'll wait for a few more voices and then make the reservation tomorrow morning at the latest.

TABLE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE? WHAT WHAT?
posted by naxosaxur at 10:21 AM on May 24, 2005

I expect ass shoutouts
posted by mr.marx at 2:41 PM on May 24, 2005

it's going to be rainy and cool. inside?

(i'll be there for drinks, probably sometime after 7)
posted by amberglow at 4:42 PM on May 24, 2005

Dammit, I'd really, really like to be there for this one. Somebody buy matteo a drink for me.
posted by languagehat at 5:14 PM on May 24, 2005

Can't do it, work Friday.
posted by Eideteker at 5:47 PM on May 24, 2005

Maybe we should go somewhere more regular--to give him a regular meetup experience? (altho without jon...)

we all have to work Fri, Eide
posted by amberglow at 6:01 PM on May 24, 2005

I'll definately be there, and I'm waiting for responses from Plutor and Nomad.

scody you should totally come, I'm sure it's worth the $300 round trip ticket.

Wow, I was at the LA meetup last Wednesday, and now the NYC meetup this week, I'm so bicoastal.
posted by splatta at 6:05 PM on May 24, 2005

I'll do what I can. One never knows.
posted by bingo at 7:03 PM on May 24, 2005

The Island is too far away for a school, er, work night. Plus I'm on post-E3 house arrest. No dice on this meetup, maybe the next one.
posted by Plutor at 4:27 AM on May 25, 2005

**UPDATE AND FINALIZATION**

So it is set. We will meet:

Thursday, May 26, 2005
-meet at the bar at 6:30 pm (dinner reservation is for 7:00 pm)

Candela Restaurant
116 East 16th Street
Cross Street: Between Park Avenue and Irving Place
New York, NY 10003
Telephone: [phone]
Hours: Mon-Sat 5:30 pm-11:30 pm

The reservation was made for 15 people at 7:00 pm, under the name of "NAXOS".

See you all there, bitches!

(languagehat, we will toast in your absence, and share stories of your valiance!)
posted by naxosaxur at 8:16 AM on May 25, 2005

Anyone thinking of going earlier than 6:30? I'm considering coming out, depending on the wife's reaction, and depending on if my attendance would scare people away.

I wouldn't want to scare anyone away. I haven't been to a MeFi meetup since that place down on Bowery I think.
posted by rich at 10:47 AM on May 25, 2005

scody you should totally come, I'm sure it's worth the $300 round trip ticket.

I cannot tell you how tempting this is.... though I doubt I could get round-trip for $300 at this late a date, even on jetblue. Hmmm....
posted by scody at 12:40 PM on May 25, 2005

Sadly Thursday is no good. I don't leave work until 5:30, and it takes a while to get into the city...
posted by Karmakaze at 2:02 PM on May 25, 2005

why would you scare anyone away, rich?
posted by amberglow at 5:36 AM on May 26, 2005

amberglow: Aside from being a jonmc clone?

Just kidding! Though tonight is looking rather unlikely.. I'll have to keep better tabs on this place for the next time everyone is going out.
posted by rich at 8:27 AM on May 26, 2005

Booo! I'm going to the Yankees game. Have fun everyone!
posted by plemeljr at 11:48 AM on May 26, 2005

aw...c'mon guys. it's rainy anyway.
posted by amberglow at 12:19 PM on May 26, 2005

Not going to be able to make it. arghh.
posted by safetyfork at 2:48 PM on May 26, 2005

What, no pictures?
posted by nobody at 10:58 AM on May 27, 2005

naxo and smart dalek took digital pics--i guess they'll be posted later?
posted by amberglow at 11:29 AM on May 27, 2005

I wish I could have made it. I got confused about plans to go see Christine Jorgensen's life story enacted by puppets.
posted by nobody at 11:40 AM on May 27, 2005

no way! really?

email me. : >
posted by amberglow at 1:34 PM on May 27, 2005

I'm actually going tonight -- with a terribly large group of people. Someone bought tickets in advance.

It's at St Ann's Warehouse and I think it's part of a larger collection of puppet one-acts.

A children's book illustrator who lives upstairs from some dear friends of mine has created the Christine Jorgensen puppet show. I think he's done other puppet things in the past, but this one will be special. At first when I was told about it I thought it was going to be held in their Christine Jorgensen Memorial Bathroom, which is quite a sight.

I don't know how long it's running for, but I'll let you know how very good it turns out to be. Perhaps I'll make a FPP out of it.
posted by nobody at 2:10 PM on May 27, 2005

Here's my pics from Candela. Enjoy!
posted by Smart Dalek at 3:08 PM on May 27, 2005

HER R MINE GUYS.

Thank you all for playing. It was really a fabulous time. You are all super chill and super cool, and it's just wonderful that you all could make it.
posted by naxosaxur at 3:10 PM on May 27, 2005

Mine won't be ready until I develop the film (oh so old school) and scan the photos.
posted by splatta at 3:49 PM on May 27, 2005

best pic ever of me : >
posted by amberglow at 10:22 PM on May 27, 2005

let me know, nobody.
posted by amberglow at 10:23 PM on May 27, 2005