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London Dinner - Details

[Update: I’ve selected a restaurant – It’s nicely located, but if the location poses a problem for you, then please let me know as soon as possible.]

I’ve taken the feedback from the original London dinner post and come up with a date/time that I hope will work for everybody (except for anonymouse, Tom from Australia, and Lipat Bahay in SE Asia (rest assured – if I ever do make it to Australia or SE Asia, you’ll both know about it :) )).

So, here are the details…

What: London dinner – Be you geek or otherwise, you’re invited

When: Friday, July 15th (2005, of course) – Around 6:30 PM? Is that too early? Too late?

Where: ASK – It’s an Italian joint, and one of the few that’s easily inspectable from where I am now (‘cause they have one of those new web site things) – The address is 197 Baker Street, London, NW1 6UY – Tel: 0207 4866027 – Tube: Central/Baker Street

Why: Because it would be a pleasure, and also because it’s the exact opposite of what those bloody scumbag terrorist bastards would want us to do

Hope to see you there.

Published Friday, July 08, 2005 10:17 PM by Rory

Filed Under: ,

Comments

 

anon said:

I suggest people vote cuisine style, then pick the venue
July 8, 2005 10:25 PM
 

Ian Smith said:

6.30pm is pretty good if there's a bar - especially for those working near the area.

I'm not familiar with what there is around that part of town but will ask around and try and come up with some recommendations in the next day or two.

July 8, 2005 10:38 PM
 

Rory said:

Ian -

Although I'm staying around Holland Park, I wouldn't have a problem moving around to other districts.

If there's a restaurant or something that someone prefers, and if it isn't, you know, like, in France or something, then I'd be happy to go :)
July 8, 2005 11:00 PM
 

David said:

I was born in Holland Park, but since we moved three months later, I cannot offer recommendations for the vicinity. I know several great places in the West End, but would love to find somewhere new; so am happy to take suggestions from others who know the Holland Park area.
If no one else offers a suggestion, then Kettners with its Champagne bar combined with Pizza and Burger food or The Texas Embassy are both good central locations.
July 8, 2005 11:40 PM
 

anonymouse said:

Texas Embassy is alright, but the quality of service can be variable. Steaks, Tex Mex are the order of the day.
July 9, 2005 12:51 PM
 

Glover said:

Sadly I wont be able to do a full meal on Friday, however if there were a couple of drinks occuring before the meal, I could make it to those.

What do people say to pre-dinner drinks?
July 9, 2005 1:24 PM
 

Glover said:

Re-arranged my travel plans... I can now make dinner :) Can't wait!
July 10, 2005 4:51 PM
 

Iain Lennox said:

What about a trip up north (Sunny Scotland)!
iain.lennox at whyami.me.uk
July 10, 2005 11:02 PM
 

Toby said:

Friday is good, and around the West End / Soho area would be great. I'm easy with the food part.
July 11, 2005 11:54 AM
 

Biscuit said:

Dang! Can't make it to that dinner (moving house this weekend so all booked up), would be cool to meet the guy who writes some of my favourite posts.

Welcome to London and hope you have a great time!

In terms of not doing what those scumbag terrorists want, check out this letter (in the London Review): http://www.lnreview.co.uk/news/005167.php
July 12, 2005 4:08 PM
 

Dourn said:

ASK is fine - it's a fairly classy pizza/pasta joint. Not sure if the Baker St one has a bar in it, but they do have a waiting are where they'll serve you drinks..

Would be worth one of us booking a table as they might be fairly busy on a Friday...

Rory, how long do you reckon you'll be there for?
'Cause I'd like to come along, but can't make it till after 18:30
(hmm, I can see the need for some sort of GPS-location app that would tell me, via my phone and MapPoint(R), exactly where you all are at any given time...!).
Am assuming you'll be at ASK from 18:30 till at least 21:30 (assuming you have no more blindness episodes!)...

Cheers,
Dourn
July 12, 2005 4:42 PM
 

Ian Smith said:

Look forward to meeting you Rory. I'll likely be a little late as I have a dental appointment way across the other side of town at 4.30pm, but I will be there.

I would advise booking the table as Fridays can be hellish without a reservation. Any idea how many you're expecting? I'd be happy to give them a call and book if you can't do it online.
July 12, 2005 7:07 PM
 

Mark Allanson said:

Just a warning, I went to ASK in Leicester last Friday and was terribly sick during the night. The pasta was of questionable quality though the pizza's looked nice.
July 12, 2005 11:24 PM
 

Rory said:

Ian -

If you called ahead to get us a table, that'd be great.

Probably be easiest to book it under "Rory" or "Rory Blyth."

Thanks :)
July 13, 2005 1:10 PM
 

Ian Smith said:

Can you give me a rough idea of numbers 5, 10, 20? - it's hard to get a table at a London restaurant without giving a rough idea of numbers :-( I would suggest arranging dinner for 7.30pm with an hour at the bar (or a pub in the vicinity) beforehand to give people time to come and so that those who only want to drink get a chance to socialise too.

If you can give me a rough idea within 24 hours of this post that will help tremendously.

Cheers,
Ian
July 13, 2005 6:40 PM
 

Rory said:

Hey, Ian -

I'd say to make it for about ten. Judging from the response, that seems like a safe +/-1 quantity.

Thanks again.

I'm excited - and about to board (commenting from the Smartphone) :)
July 13, 2005 8:24 PM
 

Ian Smith said:

Table for 10 booked in the name of Rory :-)

They don't have a bar but they have agreed we can drink at the table so the table is booked for 6.30pm with meal order at 7.30pm. I hope that's OK.

My cell phone is 07710 160457 for anyone trying to find their way to wherever we're gathered. And this is the number they'll call if nobody shows up and they lose custom as a result :-(

But remember I'm at the dentist until about 6 so may not be useful as a contact until AFTER the planned 6.30pm meet.
July 13, 2005 8:57 PM
 

Matthew David White said:

I've just gotten back into London, and therefore have only now caught up with my blogs.

Count me in for the dinner.

Rory, I'm waiting to see how strong your accent is - it's the one thing that doesn't come across from your comics (Weird freakiness, yes. Accent, no).

And Ian, I'll be grabbing that number as I'm notorious for wandering around London going "Where the hell is that place?"
July 13, 2005 9:13 PM
 

Steve Lamb said:

Hi Rory,

Any chance you could extend the booking to include me too - I'm a Geek & proud of it.

Cheers

Steve
July 14, 2005 8:59 AM
 

Rory said:

Steve -

It would be great to have you there :)

Open to everybody.
July 14, 2005 9:50 AM
 

James Simmonds said:

Hey Rory,

Got two more for the dinner on Friday, myself and fellow geek Howard (http://blogs.conchango.com/howardvanrooijen/)

See you Friday!

James


July 14, 2005 10:55 AM
 

TrackBack said:

Location chosen for London dinner
July 12, 2005 6:54 AM
 

TrackBack said:

Reminder: London dinner is tonight
July 15, 2005 2:17 PM
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