***Friday night convention dinner-March 30th

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 5:08 pm

I organized a Friday event at Dino, local Italian restaurant, last time that seemed to be well received. Is there interest in doing this again? Alternatively, smaller dinners could be organized. What say the BWE faithful?

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 5:52 pm

Sounds great to me Jay. Thank you for offering to get this off the ground.

Dino's did a great job last time. My recollection was that it was a bit crowded, but it was still a ton of fun and the food was great. There may be a limit to how many people they can seat in a single room, so it would be a good idea to see how many want to do this. I've heard Rhones (Northern? Southern?) and Italians suggested as possible themes. So some input on theme from those who want to join would also be useful. If we don't all fit, or some want to pursue a different theme, one or two smaller dinners might develop as well.

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 10:23 pm

It was a good venue, although, as David said, it was rather crowded. Lucie & I are in for it. Thanks for setting it up, Mr. Vino.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 10:52 pm

Thanks Mr. Vino, I'm good with whatever you decide.

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:42 pm

If we don't get that many, I can always book us a smaller table for whomever is interested.

sdr · Post by **sdr** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:17 pm

I'm in for two if Chef Dino can include one item that is not made with pig fat. (He made a nice fish platter last time.)

Italian wine would be the obvious accompaniment.

Stuart

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 2:14 pm

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 10:19 pm

Count me for 1 on Friday, Jay.

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Thu Jan 12, 2012 1:30 am

We'll be there, Jay. Dean's menu is always a natural for the vini d'Italia, but he always seems to have dishes that would go well with Rhone's. If we want to try both themes, we could split up into themed tables...

Winona Chief · Post by **Winona Chief** » Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:26 am

I am fine with Italian or Rhone (Northern and/or Southern) or both. In any case, Marjorie and me will both be there.

Chris Bublitz

tim · Post by **tim** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 12:03 pm

I'm in +1 preferably for italian...

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:01 pm

if I'm counting correctly (probably not) with Tim and guest we're at 14. I'll be checking with Dean to see what our options are. Italind and Rhones (north and south) seem to be a theme. Dean has an outstanding Italian list if anyone needs to source. Wines can also be purchased from local stores i.e MacArthurs and Calvert Woodley that offer online sales.

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 1:49 pm

Hello Jay.

Please add me for the Friday dinner at Dino's.

Nic

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 2:45 pm

Jay Winton wrote:if I'm counting correctly (probably not) with Tim and guest we're at 14. I'll be checking with Dean to see what our options are. Italind and Rhones (north and south) seem to be a theme. Dean has an outstanding Italian list if anyone needs to source. Wines can also be purchased from local stores i.e MacArthurs and Calvert Woodley that offer online sales.

15 now and I think we should cap at no more than 18 as it was a bit crowded last time. Dean lists an $800 minimum plus tax and tip for the private room which I prefer. I left a message and will update this week.
From the Dino website:

Friday - All Evening

20 people maximum: minimum billing
$1500.00 plus tax and 20% gratuity.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 8:26 pm

Sounds very reasonable Jay. Well done!

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 8:48 pm

sorry folks, copied and pasted the wrong rate-weekends are higher. I'll see if Dean will give us a break, he is a BWE member after all!

Daytonnc · Post by **Daytonnc** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 2:33 pm

Rob and I would like to go if there is still room!!!!!!

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:16 pm

ok with 2 Daytons we're at 17. Maybe one more but that's it so we aren't too crowded.

sdr · Post by **sdr** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 7:30 pm

Thanks, Jay. I think I can round up an Italian wine or two.

Stuart

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 12:57 pm

Now that there's no more spaces, we know our plan: Please put us on the waiting list as we would like to join you at Dinos.

Thanks.

Michael-P

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 1:04 pm

I'm sure Mr. Vino can fit you guys in.
Nobody should ever be excluded from a BWE event, especially when they come from the other side of the world.

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 2:50 pm

JimHow wrote:I'm sure Mr. Vino can fit you guys in.
Nobody should ever be excluded from a BWE event, especially when they come from the other side of the world.

as mrs vino is doubtful for this event, Michael P and guest are in but I really think that's it as the room is only so big. We could take over the top floor of the restuarant but that''s a significantly larger guarantee. I think we're at 19 now.

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:45 pm

I spoke with Dean (owner of Dino) and the deal is if we keep it at our present cap of 20 our minimum will be $1950 all in and in the private room upstairs. This is how it was for our last dinner there-a bit crowded but I think we all know each other pretty well at this point. We also could take over a table in the adjoining alcove next to the room which would increase our seating area and allow 24 guests but will result in a significantly higher guarantee-$2925 all in.

Dean promises a culinary feast which will be the next step once we decide on a pricing option.

I'd like to hear from everyone before we make a decision.

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:38 am

Wonderful! We are in for 2.

Tell me where to send the check. Thanks!

Michael-P

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 10:05 pm

Jay, do we need to send you money ahead for that dinner? I kinda missed that one.

Nic

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Wed Feb 08, 2012 3:25 am

just back from a great week in Curacao. Stand by for more details.

RDD · Post by **RDD** » Wed Feb 08, 2012 12:29 pm

Hi Jay:
Hopefully you are nice an tanned an not Smurf blue from the liquor.

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 4:38 pm

After discussion, we both felt that going over the 20 person limit was not worth the siginificant extra cost per person. This will also allow us to have a private room which I strongly prefer. Our list is now:

Jay Winton X 2
Dayton X 2
Nic
MichaelP X 2
Jim How
DavidG
sdr X 2
tim X 2
Bublitz X 2
stefan X 2
Tomin DC X 2

If you are NOT planning to attend, speak now or forever hold your peace.

I will PM everyone with information on the cost and where to send the check and I can take Paypal if you add the appropriate fee (up to you to determine as it varies). I will also need to know food allergies and dislikes. Dean serves family style for these events and I will do my best to incorporate special needs. I will probably post possible menus here

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 2:23 pm

I've had a request for 4 more seats so that would bring us to 23. So, I'm now giving strong consideration to taking over additional space (up to 30 people) which would increase the pp cost but allow us to have more folks attend. This would mean we would be semi private but I don't want to turn anyone away and we could take a few more last minute folks if needed. The new all in guarantee would be $2925 so:

23 people would be $127pp and less if we add more attendees I need to begin collecting payments so let me know here or via PM if you object.

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 3:41 pm

I understand that Dino's pricing is whatever they want it to be, but the last three people into the room add 30% to the cost for the first twenty!!!???

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:06 pm

Tom In DC wrote:I understand that Dino's pricing is whatever they want it to be, but the last three people into the room add 30% to the cost for the first twenty!!!???

The cost increase is due to the fact that we move from a private room to a private room and outside tables with more than 20 guests. So, I'm between a rock and hard place here. I do want to keep the price down but I don't want to exclude anyone. 2 of the wait list are long time BWEs. 2 are friends of long time BWEs and some of my guests for Saturday may want to attend. If anyone else has another location they wish to recommend, please do so but I need to get this costed so I can begin to receive payments. Dean is also letting me pay the entire bill on the 30th which is convenient for moi! Let me speak with Dean and I will get back with the group.

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:18 pm

Dean is registered here so he will log on and propose some sample menus. I think we agreed that the wine theme would revolve around the Rhone and Italy but of course be flexible. Stay tuned once again!

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:19 pm

price will be all in. Private room is where we were all last time. Let's see what Dean has to say

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 12:03 am

I deleted my nasty last post but any word yet from the guy whole wants to charge us MORE per person because we are giving him MORE money to attend his restaurant <rolls eyes>?

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:04 am

What happened to:

After discussion, we both felt that going over the 20 person limit was not worth the siginificant extra cost per person.

and

15 now and I think we should cap at no more than 18 as it was a bit crowded last time.

We sat at the outside table last time, and it did seem a bit "some animals are more equal than others."

Think about the pricing this way: Would the 21st person at the party pay the $1000 uptick? I think we all can do the math, but the first 19 to sign up expected to cover the $1950 bill. While a 20th person reduces the cost slightly for everyone, the 21st person both increases everyone's bill by almost 50% and makes the venue less interesting to anyone who has been "outside the room".

I love what Dean and Kay are doing at the restaurant, but I can't see paying $125+ for the privilege. If it comes down to letting a couple of long-time BWE'ers in, we'll make room under the original cap and sit this one out.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:07 am

I think this guy is screwing BWE.
Is it too late to go someplace else?
This guy is a friend of yours, Jay?
With friends like this, who needs enemies?

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:03 am

NIce literary allusion, Tom!

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:33 pm

ok folks, I hereby resign. Someone else can plan something for Friday.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:54 pm

I can't do it, Jay, but I would if I could.
You need to be less sensitive.
Sorry if we are daring to express our concerns.
Surely you can see how this seems like an unreasonable deal.
But if you want us to be sheep and be quiet about our concerns, we will.
I'll agree to not go to the Friday night dinner if that gets us under 20 and saves us $1,000.
If two or three other BWEers would like to join me, let's see if we can get another restaurant.
If not, I'll just order room service and not dare to express my opinions about anything ever again, lest it upsets you.

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:44 pm

Jay,

Why don't we just stick with what we thought was planned - up to twenty folks in the private room? We hadn't had a request to join the dinner for over a month.

If you're set on adding folks, we'll sit it out to make room for two more before the price kicker.

Tom