Connecticut Meetup

November 15, 2005 12:20 PM

Calling all Nutmegger MeFites! [in the inside is the more]
posted by Dr. Wu to MetaFilter Gatherings at 12:20 PM (38 comments total)

So I moved (back) to Middletown, CT, a few weeks ago, and have yet to develop any sort of social life: the few friends I have here in town are married perfessers, and are thus really busy with teaching, families, etc. Anyone interested in getting together for drinks or coffee or whatever? I was thinking the week after Thanksgiving, anywhere between New Haven and Hartford. (Please suggest a good place - I don't know any yet.) Whatcha say?
posted by Dr. Wu at 12:21 PM on November 15, 2005

OMFG I was waiting for this. I'm totally there. CT 4eva.
posted by Plutor at 12:22 PM on November 15, 2005

Right on, Plutor.
Where you at? And do you know anyplace interesting for drinks and/or foods?

And whaddya think about Fri., Dec. 2 or Sat., Dec. 3? (Safely between Thanksgiving and Xmas.)
posted by Dr. Wu at 12:26 PM on November 15, 2005

I live in Middletown and go to school in Hartford. I could recommend a few places for drinks.

There's also a beautiful hiking area in Middletown. It's about a 15-20 minute hike that leads to a beautiful view of New Britain.

Either way, this sounds like a great idea. Sat. the 3rd would work for me.
posted by null terminated at 1:00 PM on November 15, 2005

If this were Monday after Thanksgiving, I'd be all over it. I lived in CT for 5 years before moving here and still cruise back through to visit friends & hang out. If it's a date I can make, I'll do my level best.

You can't beat the Margaritas just out of town at Coyote Blue.
posted by Miko at 1:08 PM on November 15, 2005

[sorry, embedded coyote howl in that link].
posted by Miko at 1:08 PM on November 15, 2005

Ah, crapburgers. I'm going to be in DC that weekend. Thanksgiving weekend would be better for me, although that's probably not true for everyone else. I'm in Naugatuck. Not a lot down here worth going to.
posted by Plutor at 1:12 PM on November 15, 2005

Miko: "[sorry, embedded coyote howl in that link]."

Ow, my freakin' ears!
posted by Plutor at 1:13 PM on November 15, 2005

The worst part: it's not even a real coyote howl, it's a guy making a pretend coyote howl.
posted by Miko at 1:15 PM on November 15, 2005

Huh, I never really thought about megnut's handle before. Cool.
posted by If I Had An Anus at 1:43 PM on November 15, 2005

null terminated: it might be a bit nippy in early December for hiking, but I'm up for it, anyway, since I have the awesomest winter hat ever (10 winters in MN/WI taught me something). We could have a pre-dinner hike or something.

I definitely couldn't make it on Thanksgiving weekend itself, but the Monday or Tuesday right afterward (Nov 28/29) would probably work.

Miko: When I went to Wesleyan (where I'm now teaching - weird), I used to love to go to Coyote Blue, so I'm totally down with that. It would be great to actually meet up with you this time, so I hope it works.

So, how's about this, kids:
Monday, Nov. 28 or Tuesday, Nov. 29
Coyote Blue, 1960 Saybrook Rd, Middletown, CT
7 pm drinks 'n' dinner

If not, please suggest other times/places!
posted by Dr. Wu at 2:24 PM on November 15, 2005

Either of those days works for me, Dr. Wu, although Monday would be better. And if Miko vouches for the weirdo coyote place, I'm in.
posted by Plutor at 3:00 PM on November 15, 2005

It's a plan.
posted by Miko at 3:06 PM on November 15, 2005

Monday works for me. I'll be looking forward to it. The hike would be better in the summer time, when it's both warm and light out. I'll be looking forward to it.
posted by null terminated at 3:47 PM on November 15, 2005

Oops, meant to say that once :-)
posted by null terminated at 3:48 PM on November 15, 2005

Wu yr teaching at Wesleyan? Dang, two of America's most important living composers are there: Alvin Lucier and Anthony Braxton. On tour once, my old trio sat in on a Braxton large ensemble class, in the back, and he was gracious enough to offer us scores to follow along (which we were unable to do, but hey). Also, there's a new Lucier release that is absolutely ferocious. In Braxton's class, I got the impression that few, if any, of his students were even aware of his importance and reputation. There was a whole section of what looked like football players playing kazoos!
posted by Joseph Gurl at 5:38 PM on November 15, 2005

Have fun, Dr. Wu!
posted by interrobang at 7:04 PM on November 15, 2005

Joseph Gurl: I took a class with Braxton back in the day. Nice guy, very intelligent, but couldn't make heads or tails of the class. You try reading the Tri-Axiom Writings some day.

There's an ongoing series of Braxton events and concerts to celebrate his 60th birthday; I'll be going to the ones on Dec 9 & 10, minimally.

So, re: meetup: Looks like the plan suggested above (Mon, Nov 28, 7pm, Coyote Blue) is good for everyone! Huzzah! See y'all there! Bring friends!

Hi, interrobang!
posted by Dr. Wu at 10:00 PM on November 15, 2005

I know some of the NYC members will pass on this one (Connetticut? You know how much that is in cab fare?), but I might brave the highway to say hello.
posted by Smart Dalek at 4:19 AM on November 16, 2005

HOLLA ATCHU DR WU!!!
posted by rocketman at 7:43 AM on November 16, 2005

We're the nutmeg state? Huh. How about that.

Anyways, I should be able to make it.
posted by smackfu at 8:00 AM on November 16, 2005

Oh NO! Glad I looked. Coyote Blue is closed Mondays. Back to the drawing board.

If we want to stay with the Mexican theme, there's La Boca. I've been to a few other places in Middletown, but none that really pops to mind right now. I'll leave the call to someone more local...are you with me, Dr. Wu? (couldn't resist).

Or, another night could be nominated. If my schedule works out I'll try to make it.
posted by Miko at 10:20 AM on November 16, 2005

rocketman, I'd holler back, but I ain't no hollaback Wu.

Smart Dalek, if you were to brave the highway, I would personally buy you a plate of nachos.
posted by Dr. Wu at 10:21 AM on November 16, 2005

I was so distracted by the horrible man-wolf howl and animated GIFs that I didn't even see any text on the page. Maybe that was the intent.

I'm not especially wedded to Mexican. Anywhere's good as long as there's food, booze, and Mefites.
posted by Plutor at 10:41 AM on November 16, 2005

Hm. Too bad about the Coyote Blue.

I did just discover a vegetarian Indian restaurant, also on Saybrook Road in Middletown: Udupi Bhavan. It was terrific, and I'm eager to go back. It's at 749 Saybrook Road. How does this sound? (I'll can call to see if they're open Mondays, and if they serve alcohol - not sure about that.)

If this is no good, there's pretty decent Thai food in Middletown, as well, and a couple large brewpub-type places with lousy food but a great number of beers.

I'm also totally game for going to, say, a nice place in Hartford's Little Italy, but I'd need suggestions on that one.

Indian food? Something else? What say y'all?
posted by Dr. Wu at 10:49 AM on November 16, 2005

I love Indian, but anything else is good too if that doesn't appeal. I'm flexible.
posted by Miko at 11:11 AM on November 16, 2005

Jeez, MetaTalk is busy these days. I made this post but 26 hours ago, and it's already off the front page. Sheesh.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaanyway, I called the Indian place, and it, too, is closed on Mondays. ("Monday: The New Sunday!") Not only that, but it does not serve alkeehol.
So we'll need either another restaurant or we could do this whole thing on Tuesday at either of the abovementioned restaurants. If we stick to Monday, we need some restaurant suggestions. Anyone have any, anywhere between New Haven and Hartford? There must be SOMEthing...
posted by Dr. Wu at 11:47 AM on November 16, 2005

Udupi is the shiznit, but I don't know if it's really conducive to meeting up. Especially if there's no alcohol. And my wife might decapitate me if I go there without her. And by "might", I mean "has threatened to".
posted by Plutor at 12:25 PM on November 16, 2005

Plutor: bring yer wife, by all means, even if we don't go to Udupi Bhavan. We wouldn't want you decapitated.

Know any good restaurants around these parts? I sure don't.
posted by Dr. Wu at 12:30 PM on November 16, 2005

Well, farther afield --- there is Monday night at the Gris in Essex, complete with sea chanties. Great bar, fun night, but rather expensive food. In Chester, there's the Pattaconk pub, standard hometown bar, nice, laid back, with pub grub and many good beers on tap.

On toward Hartford, there's that Black Eyed Sally's place -- they have down home food and blues, if I remember rightly (though prob. no blues on Monday, strangely enough).

There's a really good Indian place in Branford, CT, that I can't remember the name of but could look up.

All the way out in Mystic, there's the fantastic Daniel Packer Inne Tavern, home of the best old-time session in New England - and it's on a Monday night, to boot. I sit in with them whenever I get a chance to visit on Monday. It starts at 10 PM, runs til 1 AM, and the slogan there is "Monday is the new Saturday." But Mystic might be a bit out of the way for you Route 9 folks.

I'd love to find an alternate place, because I know I can't make Tuesday.
posted by Miko at 2:37 PM on November 16, 2005

Here's the Black-Eyed Sally's website - I love me some BBQ, so this looks great to me. The vegetarians among us (are there any?) might object, though. Perhaps then we could try the Indian place in Branford.

Well, hell, someone has to make the call, so I will, unless there are further objections:
Black-Eyed Sally's, 350 Asylum St, Hartford, CT
Mon., Nov. 28 (no live music that night)
7pm til the BBQ sauce is all gone

Whaddya think?
posted by Dr. Wu at 4:04 PM on November 16, 2005

Wow, all the ways up there, huh? Okay, I'm game.
posted by Plutor at 4:45 AM on November 17, 2005

I'm driving back through the state that night, so I'll go anywhere - makes not much difference. Sally's is fine.
posted by Miko at 5:45 AM on November 17, 2005

But wait -- Plutor, where are you? Naugatuck? Maybe meeting in the New Haven area makes the more sense if all those planning to come are in Middletown, or west or south of Middletown.

Here's that Indian place in Branford I metnioned earlier, Darbar India.

Description, Menu

I am, perhaps, overthinking this. I'll do whatever others are willing to do. Once we're agreed for sure I'd vote for another MeTa post, for certainty's sake.
posted by Miko at 8:16 AM on November 17, 2005

Oh, God, it's so confusing. Branford would certainly be more convenient for me, geographically. (I work in Norwalk.)
posted by Plutor at 9:33 AM on November 17, 2005

Well, let's do the Indian place in Branford, then. Looks tasty and affordable. It's all good to me.

Everyone OK with that?
posted by Dr. Wu at 9:50 AM on November 17, 2005

OK!
posted by Miko at 10:04 AM on November 17, 2005

I will post a reminder MeTa post at some point next week.

This her post is fast fading into the Metatalk netherworld, so if you have any questions or whatever, just email me (address in profile).

I'm looking forward to meeting all of you!
posted by Dr. Wu at 10:37 AM on November 17, 2005