New York meetup

April 26, 2004 7:56 AM

Noo Yawk MeFites! #1 is coming to town. As discussed previously, I think we should welcome him.
posted by Vidiot to MetaFilter Gatherings at 7:56 AM (57 comments total)

So, Matt: What kind of place do you prefer?
posted by Vidiot at 7:57 AM on April 26, 2004

an Icelandic restaurant?
posted by matteo at 8:20 AM on April 26, 2004

How about IHOP?
posted by jonmc at 9:11 AM on April 26, 2004

just beware the chocolate covered bananna products!
posted by th3ph17 at 9:16 AM on April 26, 2004

I've got a million things going on that weekend, so ideally, a couple hours at a bar is probably best. I think I'll be in the grammercy park area for most of the weekend, anything good around there? How about early Saturday night?
posted by mathowie (staff) at 10:01 AM on April 26, 2004

There's a great coffee shop which also serves beer, wine and food on Irving Place.

You want I should hunt up some weird snacks, matt?
posted by jonmc at 10:12 AM on April 26, 2004

Bread Bar.
posted by the fire you left me at 10:19 AM on April 26, 2004

Second the recommendation for 71 Irving Place. Best coffee in the city, though it can get a bit crowded. (Never been to Bread Bar, but I hear it's great.)
posted by Vidiot at 10:24 AM on April 26, 2004

Old Town Bar on 18th can handle people upstairs and down. I'm down where ever we go. Who will bring the monkey?
posted by plemeljr at 10:27 AM on April 26, 2004

I'll be around, though I have no suggestions for a spot. And I'm sure that Jon 'n I have the monkeys covered.
posted by adampsyche at 10:31 AM on April 26, 2004

What about that big place on 23rd? Is that still there? (I forgot the name--it's like bet. 2nd and 3rd i think)
posted by amberglow at 10:51 AM on April 26, 2004

never been to 71 Irving, but it looks pretty snazzy - I'm always up for learning about a new place with good coffee. I'll definitely stop by wherever y'all choose, though, if you're gonna be in the union sq.-ish area.
posted by mdn at 11:03 AM on April 26, 2004

I'm on the upper west side, but will go wherever.
posted by bingo at 5:08 AM on April 27, 2004

I'm in; anywhere's fine with me.
posted by palegirl at 8:50 AM on April 27, 2004

I'm going to touch Matt's pants.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 10:24 AM on April 27, 2004

I'm going to Spirit Foam him.
posted by amberglow at 10:49 AM on April 27, 2004

Be careful, RJ, he's got the Internet in there. (scroll to the middle of the page)
posted by theora55 at 1:17 PM on April 27, 2004

Don't worry, y'all. I have monkey. There will be monkey. Wherever "there" is.

Oh yes.

It'll be a sublime pleasure to finally meet The Man With The Internet In His Pants.
posted by chicobangs at 1:46 PM on April 27, 2004

I may try to make it (but I have to come in from Jersey, and my schedule's up in the air). Be sure to post the time and place here once you get it settled.
posted by Prospero at 4:01 PM on April 27, 2004

Geez, guys, get a grip. Set a bloody date, set a bloody venue, and if our health permits, Ricky and I will be there!
posted by realjanetkagan at 10:16 PM on April 27, 2004

The bar on the roof of the Gramercy Park Hotel may be a bit pricey but it's a very scenic spot for visiting dignitaries, and the weather this weekend is forecast to be copacetic for outdoor boozing.
posted by liam at 9:18 AM on April 28, 2004

I think we may need something less pricey and scenic, liam--although outdoors is good.
posted by amberglow at 9:27 AM on April 28, 2004

pricey bad. the bill, it burnses us.
posted by bingo at 10:42 AM on April 28, 2004

I should be able to make it for this one, I hope I can anyway!
posted by riffola at 11:41 AM on April 28, 2004

So. We gotta meet somewhere.

Just to throw a name out there, is Fuel/Phebe's bad for anyone? There's plenty of room, it's pretty chill, the drinks aren't overpriced and it's easy to find.
posted by chicobangs at 12:18 PM on April 28, 2004

Pete's Tavern is right by Gramercy Park, reasonably priced and the oldest continuously operating bar and restaurant in New York City. It shouldn't be too crowded early saturday evening.
posted by liam at 12:49 PM on April 28, 2004

Pete's Tavern is also not too far distant from the WFMU record fair taking place this weekend, for those who want to indulge in some old-timey record shopping before meeting up.
posted by liam at 1:01 PM on April 28, 2004

Oh yeeeeeah, I forgot about the record fair.
posted by jonmc at 1:19 PM on April 28, 2004

I've never been in Pete's when it wasn't crowded.

It's a great joint, though.

When would we be meeting, then? Matt?
posted by chicobangs at 1:51 PM on April 28, 2004

I fly out tomorrow morn and still am not sure when I'll be free on Saturday. How about I post Friday night with a time? Is that cutting it too short? I've got a brunch thing to do saturday then a thing to do all day. I need to figure out when I'd be back and ready to drink before dinner. I'm guessing that 6pm-ish is going to work, but I won't know until later.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 2:20 PM on April 28, 2004

ok--Pete's bet. 6 and 8? (or we get a 6pack and a boombox and meet in Union or Madison Sq.)
posted by amberglow at 3:54 PM on April 28, 2004

...and a bag of chips and a case of Dr. Pepper for me.

Should we get Matt a deep-fried mars bar as a MeFiNy initiation?
posted by jonmc at 4:02 PM on April 28, 2004

I still haven't had one...maybe after we'll all go?
posted by amberglow at 4:16 PM on April 28, 2004

Well, just look at the effect it had on muckster and prospero, man. I think everyone needs a little of that in their lives, huh?
posted by jonmc at 4:52 PM on April 28, 2004

If you guys can figure out where and when, I'll be there, just so that Matt won't be the only out-of-towner.
posted by fuzz at 5:09 PM on April 28, 2004

we figured, fuzz--Pete's bet. 6 and 8--then deep-fried stuff. : >
posted by amberglow at 5:14 PM on April 28, 2004

Just cuz mathowie isn't showing up til 6 or 8 doesn't mean we can't start drinking at 11am.
posted by bingo at 6:33 PM on April 28, 2004

oh, that's way too early for me, but have fun kids.
posted by palegirl at 11:04 PM on April 28, 2004

palegirl , if you're not coming to the meetup at the end of may i'm ripping my ticket up here and now : )
posted by sgt.serenity at 1:41 AM on April 29, 2004

Well, just look at the effect it had on muckster and prospero, man.

The sad thing is that the next day, after I awoke from the diabetic coma induced by the Deep Fried Mars Bar I'd managed to ingest the night before, I went straight back to A Salt and Battery for lunch and sampled their Deep Fried Toffee Bar. I must say that I found the DFTB to have far more compelling subtleties of flavor than the DFMB, with a satisfying variety of textures and a pleasant lingering aftertaste. While I will concede that the DFMB does have its undeniable low-brow appeal, I feel that the DFTB is the best choice for true connoisseurs of astonishingly unhealthy food products.
posted by Prospero at 7:58 AM on April 29, 2004

OK, so Pete's [129 E. 18th St. @ Irving Pl] on Saturday May 1st, starting at 6pm, with #1 to show up between 6pm & 8pm. [Is he going to crash through a skylight as well?] With some sort of meal [be it dipped items or not] after. Do I have it straight?
posted by plemeljr at 8:04 AM on April 29, 2004

Sounds good to me.
posted by chicobangs at 8:15 AM on April 29, 2004

I salute Prospero's selfless curiosity in the pursuit of unhealthy food products! My stomach is still reeling when I just think about that Deep Fried Abomination.

I have a thing later that night, but I'll try to drop in 6-8ish.
posted by muckster at 11:04 AM on April 29, 2004

Pete's does have meal-type items as well (dipped and non-), for those who don't want to wait till after eight to, uh, score a plate.

FYI, The burgers there are pretty good, if memory serves. I mean, it ain't battered toffee, but y'know, they're made okay and they'll fill yer belly.
posted by chicobangs at 1:04 PM on April 29, 2004

Pete's dinner menu: There's plenty fried and a selection of iced and creamy, but strangely not in the same dish. They must be health nuts.
posted by liam at 1:54 PM on April 29, 2004

Their menu doesn't sound so bad, actually, as far as comfort food goes. I'd be for eating dinner there (assuming that I can make it there in the first place), but I suppose we can play that by ear.
posted by Prospero at 2:36 PM on April 29, 2004

I don't quite know what I'll be up to on Saturday, but, hypthetically speaking, what methods of mass transit would a person coming in by train from New Jersey use to arrive at the desired location?
posted by Karmakaze at 9:33 AM on April 30, 2004

The 14th St. PATH station to the L Union Square stop should do it for most Jerseyites. And it'll be good to see you again, K'kaze.

Barring that, anything that gets you to Union Square, so the N, R, W, Q, 4, 5 or 6 trains are good for anyone else.
posted by chicobangs at 9:52 AM on April 30, 2004

I would use astral projection or my personal hovercraft, karmakaze, but the 4-5-6 line to 14th street should do well for you mere mortals.
posted by jonmc at 9:55 AM on April 30, 2004

Ooh, jon, can I hitch a ride from Queens in your personal hovercraft? (Mine's full of eels again.)
posted by Vidiot at 10:12 AM on April 30, 2004

I don't think I can make it, I have the flu or something, don't what it is, but I feel like crap, and I shouldn't be out and about.

Hope you guys have a blast, take plenty of pictures!

Jon & Sam, I know I can count on you two making sure Matt gets the proper MeFiNYC ritualized initiation. ;)
posted by riffola at 10:32 AM on April 30, 2004

Feel better, riffy.
posted by Vidiot at 10:33 AM on April 30, 2004

I can't make it either -- grandkid due any moment now -- but I'm looking forward to the pictures. (What's up with these provincial MeFites who don't provide pictures, huh?)
posted by languagehat at 1:54 PM on April 30, 2004

I'll be there around 7ish, who should I call if I'm late?
posted by mathowie (staff) at 10:39 AM on May 1, 2004

good question--who has a cell# to email matt? (i don't have one)
posted by amberglow at 11:29 AM on May 1, 2004

Done.
posted by adampsyche at 12:07 PM on May 1, 2004

Feel better, riffy.
Thanks, I hope I do soon too! :)
posted by riffola at 8:18 AM on May 2, 2004