Toronto meetup?

April 26, 2008 1:32 AM

So, uh.. Toronto. Booze. Etc. Check one: [ ] YES [ ] NO
posted by dirtynumbangelboy to MetaFilter Gatherings at 1:32 AM (78 comments total)

I'm thinking June 6.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 1:32 AM on April 26, 2008

Oh, and.. I'd love to do something really cool, so an idea of numbers ahead of time would be really awesome. I would love to organize something like a special menu somewhere or something, but we'd need to know definite PAX at least a week in advance, and general numbers 2 weeks..
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 1:34 AM on April 26, 2008

The definite Pax is that I don't live in Toronto and won't be there.
posted by Pax at 6:08 AM on April 26, 2008 [2 favorites]

Hrmm, can't make June 6th, unfortunately, but I'll keep track of the conversation in case you decide on a different weekend.
posted by jacquilynne at 10:33 AM on April 26, 2008

By then, I'll be a Torontonian! Why not?
posted by Schlimmbesserung at 11:03 AM on April 26, 2008

I can make it then, or indeed any time in June except for Father's Day.
posted by orange swan at 12:21 PM on April 26, 2008

Oh, this sounds good -- a meetup without blizzards, deep-freezing or slush! I can make June 6, although the next two weeks aren't terrific. So any time the weekend of June 6, or the weekend before, or the weekend of June 27, are all good for me.
posted by maudlin at 6:09 PM on April 26, 2008

YES. HECK YES.
posted by SassHat at 10:45 PM on April 26, 2008

If there are no blizzards, how am I going to prove I am the ultimate badass by coming up from Hamilton through one?
posted by the dief at 4:56 AM on April 27, 2008

Yep, that's doable.
posted by Hildegarde at 6:03 AM on April 27, 2008

Well, it's been a few years since we've seen a tornado around here, dief. See what you can do.
posted by maudlin at 6:17 AM on April 27, 2008

TORONTO NO.
BOOZE YES.
ETC MAYBE.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:29 AM on April 27, 2008

I can't say yes for sure until the time is closer, but I will keep it in mind.
posted by Melinika at 10:44 PM on April 27, 2008

I work full-time at a bakery/restaurant tues-sat now, so friday is not such a good day for me. I'll check this thread periodically in case the day of the week changes, though.
posted by tehloki at 5:06 PM on April 28, 2008

Maybe? I could use procrastination in my life....
posted by carabiner at 10:23 PM on April 29, 2008

I usually have a hard time planning so far in advance, but it sounds good to me. What were you thinking f?
posted by saucysault at 6:59 AM on April 30, 2008

Count me in as a definite probably, minus any lawyer-type crap that keeps me at the office late (and speaking of which, dirtynumbangelboy - did you ever get that document notarized?)
posted by evadery at 10:59 AM on April 30, 2008

Not along the Bathurst–Gladstone axis, please. It’s a big city.
posted by joeclark at 3:33 PM on April 30, 2008

If the meetup is indeed on friday, is anyone up for a gandhi's run the night after?
posted by tehloki at 10:46 PM on April 30, 2008

I'm a suburbs-of-Torontonian again, so I'm definitely up for this. Is The Communist's Daughter too hipstery?
posted by thisjax at 1:30 AM on May 1, 2008

Good christ man, you and your Gandhi's addiction/obsession...

Anyway, I was thinking Allen's on the Danforth. It's relatively Eastish (as we have been somewhat [DEFINITELY EASTIST] with meetups. Easy TTC access. Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabulous patio. Great selection of beer (and Scotch!), decent food.

Did I mention the faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabulous patio?
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 6:01 AM on May 1, 2008

Sounds fun, I might come. Doesn't matter where to me. Spanks!
posted by pseudostrabismus at 8:21 AM on May 2, 2008

I think i can make it.
posted by captaincrouton at 10:10 AM on May 2, 2008

Can't make it. It's mom's birthday.

And for some reason I thought you'd split, dnab. Who the hell am I thinking of?
posted by dobbs at 4:20 PM on May 2, 2008

Sorry kids, out-of-town wedding. Not mine, but still.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 7:09 PM on May 2, 2008

Eastist bias makes me happy. I live by Coxwell and still lack TTC-fu.
posted by Schlimmbesserung at 9:43 PM on May 2, 2008

Dobbs...shhhh he's back, don't piss him off or he'll leave us again in sadness with the weeping and such.
posted by SassHat at 1:20 AM on May 4, 2008

Also I'd like to point out that I'm [NOT EASTIST] ...(any more).
posted by SassHat at 1:21 AM on May 4, 2008

DJE. if it'll help. I'll marry ya. You're cute and all. Yes, you can have a mistress.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 1:22 AM on May 4, 2008

definitely maybe. i put it on my calendar and will update. exciting!
posted by olya at 8:01 PM on May 4, 2008

Considering it, thinking of making a weekend of the trip from the States. Any more news (or suggestions for out-of-towners)?
posted by ardgedee at 1:44 PM on May 5, 2008

[ ] YES [X] NO

Aww, why when I'm on vacation? Can we have a Paris meet-up instead? I could make it to that!
posted by heatherann at 6:52 AM on May 6, 2008

I don't know what I was thinking specifically.. maybe Allen's (see above re: patio). El Sol can be a shitpile of fun, but not sure whethere it would really be suitable for serious boozing after eating, and there's not a whole lot else in that vicinity.

Suggestions?
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 7:03 AM on May 6, 2008

you had to choose the weekend of Midwest Banjo Camp ... would've gone otherwise, me being east and all.
posted by scruss at 9:49 AM on May 6, 2008

Yes
posted by ivanka at 10:47 AM on May 6, 2008

I'm attending a Luminato event that night with my wife, so unfortunately I won't be able to make it to this one.
posted by The Card Cheat at 3:33 PM on May 21, 2008

Where is maudlin with her handy list-of-people-who-are actually coming when you need her?
posted by tehloki at 8:46 AM on May 22, 2008

Yeah, so as opposed to merely skipping out on the meetup I am skipping town permanently. Everyone go have one at the Local for me.
posted by GuyZero at 10:46 AM on May 22, 2008

tehloki has the power to summon me, even without roti. Awesome!

The handy listy thingy will show up tonight or tomorrow after I get past these deadlines.

/waves goodbye to GuyZero
posted by maudlin at 10:56 AM on May 22, 2008

Oh, oh, a list!! Can I be on it?
posted by Chuckles at 2:45 PM on May 22, 2008

Luminato opening night...sorry can't make another meetup!
posted by typewriter at 4:49 AM on May 23, 2008

First running list. Let me know if I made any mistakes, but otherwise, the first update's some time next week as needed.

Friday June 6, EASTISH
Possibilities:
1. Allen's: 143 Danforth Ave. DNAB:"relatively Eastish (as we have been somewhat [DEFINITELY EASTIST] with meetups. Easy TTC access. Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabulous patio. Great selection of beer (and Scotch!), decent food."
2. El Sol: 1448 Danforth Ave.

DEFINITE
dirtynumbangelboy
Schlimmbesserung
orange swan
maudlin
SassHat
thedief
Hildegarde
saucysault
joeclark
captaincrouton
olya
ivanka
Chuckles

MAYBE
Melinika
carabiner
evadery
pseudostrabismus
ardgedee

OPEN TO DIFFERENT DATE (in case date changes; open to future meetups)
jacquilynne
tehloki
dobbs
DrJohnEvans
heatherann
scruss
The Card Cheat
typewriter

Saturday, June 7 ROTI at Gandhi's
tehloki

(And now I get to run off to MEC and buy stuff!)
posted by maudlin at 3:50 PM on May 23, 2008

I am thinking about attending but I'm a little shy around strangers so I may wuss out. I've never been to Allen's but have wanted to check it out for ages. I have been to El Sol - food is okay, but they are veeeeeeeery slow service-wise.
posted by sevenyearlurk at 10:36 AM on May 30, 2008

Maybe we can ask DaShiv for the pics from the time he was here as a six-month anniversary present.
posted by SassHat at 4:38 PM on June 2, 2008

Second update: hey, maybe we should settle on a final place and time.

Allen's seems to be well-received, so should we say 9 PM there on Friday? I can call ahead for a reservation once we commit. (Sorry, tehloki: you're going to have to browbeat and/or seduce people about Gandhi's.)

Friday June 6, EASTISH
1. Allen's: 143 Danforth Ave. DNAB:"relatively Eastish (as we have been somewhat [DEFINITELY EASTIST] with meetups. Easy TTC access. Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabulous patio. Great selection of beer (and Scotch!), decent food."
2. El Sol: 1448 Danforth Ave. sevenyearlurk: "food is okay, but they are veeeeeeeery slow service-wise."

DEFINITE (14)
dirtynumbangelboy
Schlimmbesserung
orange swan
maudlin
SassHat
thedief
Hildegarde
saucysault
joeclark
captaincrouton
olya
ivanka
Chuckles
NEW! sevenyearlurk

MAYBE (5)
Melinika
carabiner
evadery
pseudostrabismus
ardgedee

OPEN TO DIFFERENT DATE (in case date changes; open to future meetups)
jacquilynne
tehloki
dobbs
DrJohnEvans
heatherann
scruss
The Card Cheat
typewriter

Saturday, June 7 ROTI at Gandhi's
tehloki
posted by maudlin at 5:59 PM on June 2, 2008

I don't know crap about any place to eat in Toronto [DEFINITELY HAMILTON-IST] except Gandhi's, so Allen's works for me. And I could meet up with tehloki for a lunch Gandhi roti if he's up for it; dude, mefimail me or something.
posted by the dief at 7:47 PM on June 2, 2008

I can do Allen's for sure, I will also consider finally meeting y'all for some roti.
posted by SassHat at 8:30 PM on June 2, 2008

I'm missing from maudlin's list twice :(
posted by thisjax at 12:14 AM on June 3, 2008

Third update, now with MORE thisjax!!

Allen's going once; Allens going twice ...

... so should we say 9 PM there on Friday? I can call ahead for a reservation once we commit.

Friday June 6, EASTISH
1. Allen's: 143 Danforth Ave. DNAB:"relatively Eastish (as we have been somewhat [DEFINITELY EASTIST] with meetups. Easy TTC access. Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabulous patio. Great selection of beer (and Scotch!), decent food."
2. El Sol: 1448 Danforth Ave. sevenyearlurk: "food is okay, but they are veeeeeeeery slow service-wise."

DEFINITE (15)
dirtynumbangelboy
Schlimmbesserung
orange swan
maudlin
SassHat
thedief
Hildegarde
saucysault
joeclark
NEW! (kind of) thisjax (Sorry! I missed you next to tehloki the first time.)
captaincrouton
olya
ivanka
Chuckles
sevenyearlurk

MAYBE (5)
Melinika
carabiner
evadery
pseudostrabismus
ardgedee

OPEN TO DIFFERENT DATE (in case date changes; open to future meetups)
jacquilynne
tehloki
dobbs
DrJohnEvans
heatherann
scruss
The Card Cheat
typewriter

Saturday, June 7 ROTI at Gandhi's
tehloki
NEW! thedief
NEW! SassHat (maybe-ish)
posted by maudlin at 3:53 AM on June 3, 2008

Oh, a definite possibility is also Don Valley Girl--she came to the last one and is now a member!
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 6:29 AM on June 3, 2008

Hmm, got room for another at Allen's? 9pm this Friday?
posted by impactorange at 7:48 AM on June 3, 2008

Mini update: impactorange to DEFINITEs and Don Valley Girl to MAYBEs. Or maybe DEFINITES.

I'll call for reservations Thursday night based on those numbers. (Or should I try Wednesday? Allen's is a pretty popular place and we're a large party.)
posted by maudlin at 11:16 AM on June 3, 2008

I would just call today.. they'll either take the rsvtn or they won't..
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 1:05 PM on June 3, 2008

BOOKING ISSUES

OK, I just phoned Allen's. They don't take patio reservations at all, and the inside is completely booked from 6 PM all evening. She said we could just show up, but if we're looking at close to 20 people, this could be iffy.

I've checked with El Sol and they're trying to see if they can fit about 20 people (we have 16 definites and 6 maybes, so that's my best guess). I'll wait to hear from them.

Any other ideas? Go to Allen's and take a risk getting us all seated on the patio? Try for El Sol? Try some place else?
posted by maudlin at 1:29 PM on June 3, 2008

Are they sweet-talkable? I mean.. 20 people is probably nearly $1K in receipts, when all is said and done.

I would (selflessly!!!!) volunteer to show up early, but I have to do a friend's bday drink at 8 first...
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 1:39 PM on June 3, 2008

(I just reallyreallyreally like Allen's.. and it's going to be ugly-hot on Friday, don't want to be stuck inside)
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 1:39 PM on June 3, 2008

We could try for the Allen's patio at 8 instead of 9, but I don't know if that would noticeably improve our chances of getting 20 or so seats. And if they don't take reservations, and only a few people show up at 8 while the rest trickle in later, I don't think we could hold on to that many seats in such a popular spot.

If anyone wants to volunteer to practice their sweet-talking skills on the very nice colleen/maitre d', go for it and let us know how you do. 416-463-3086.
posted by maudlin at 1:55 PM on June 3, 2008

RESERVATIONS UPDATE

Oh, well. El Sol just called: we can't get a reservation for any large group at any time this Friday night.

I think we're a victim of our own success. If this was a small group, we could go almost anywhere. But we're looking at about 20 people, which means reservations (which are hard to get in popular spots on a Friday night) or hoping to get everyone into one place, even at scattered seats.

We managed to get a big group into The Local on Roncesvalles last summer because we started fairly early (7 PM) and the place is a bit off the beaten track. So is there anything like The Local you easteners would recommend if it looks as if Allen's may need to be reconsidered?

DNAB, you suggested The Willow (Tex-Mex) last year when we were discussing east end spots. I was just able to make a 9 PM reservation for 20 for their patio. I can cancel, of course, if people don't want this, but does it sound worth a try? Any other east of Yonge options? I wouldn't mind The Local again, but I know that's pretty far west, and it doesn't have a patio.
posted by maudlin at 4:34 PM on June 3, 2008

It turns out I have to work until 9pm on saturday too, so no roti for me.
posted by tehloki at 6:50 PM on June 3, 2008

I will go wherevs but also recall folks that Luminato starts on Friday so the world will be packed but there may also be some potential for happyfuntimes and/or hijinks.
posted by SassHat at 9:07 PM on June 3, 2008

Willow rocks. WOOHOO MAUDLIN
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 6:00 AM on June 4, 2008

Fluh, well, I probably ought to skip out on the roti too, as I am having a BIg Toronto Day that day, and I don't know if what I'm doing is going to be near Gandhi's anyway.
posted by the dief at 6:52 PM on June 4, 2008

Well, it's Thursday night and people seem OK with what we have, so let's make it official.

FINAL TIME AND DATE: Friday, June 6, 9 PM to whenever.
FINAL LOCATION: The Willow, 193 Danforth Ave. (at Broadview).

We have a reservation for 20 on the patio, so there should be room.

Latest DEFINITEs (17)
dirtynumbangelboy
Schlimmbesserung
orange swan
maudlin
SassHat
thedief
Hildegarde
saucysault
joeclark
thisjax
captaincrouton
olya
ivanka
Chuckles
sevenyearlurk
Don Valley Girl
impactorange

Latest MAYBEs (5)
Melinika
carabiner
evadery
pseudostrabismus
ardgedee

We're going to have to try for a pre- or post-meetup rotifest next time, I guess. *waves forlornly at tehloki*
posted by maudlin at 6:47 PM on June 5, 2008

A-hem, I ran into Don Valley Girl on the subway and she seemed more in the maybe category. Just to ensure that we maintain the integrity of the roll call here.
posted by SassHat at 8:42 PM on June 5, 2008

OK: 16 definites, 6 maybes.
posted by maudlin at 8:54 PM on June 5, 2008

DVG told me this afternoon she has a thing beforehand but will drop by later. I'll kick her ass, otherwise.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 9:02 PM on June 5, 2008

While I know that this is doing nothing to help my [MAYBE EASTIST] reputation, I don't think I'm going to come tonight after all. I'm too tired, too broke. Next time, darlings!
posted by SassHat at 5:35 AM on June 6, 2008

I didn’t know this was going to start at 9:00. I’ll try to swing by later.
posted by joeclark at 9:39 AM on June 6, 2008

Also, for the love of God make sure to tell everyone who looks remotely like a host(ess) or a manager the phrase “MetaFilter meetup.” I have had disastrous experiences spending half an hour searching a small restaurant for a group, half of whom knew me, that remained invisible, in part because they never told the hostess they existed.
posted by joeclark at 9:53 AM on June 6, 2008

Moving myself as a maybe... sorry for last minute update!
posted by impactorange at 11:08 AM on June 6, 2008

Crap on a stick folks -- I gotta skip this one out. A little late for me + car inspection/work permit stuff = the dief no go. yargle bargle. have fun.
posted by the dief at 11:11 AM on June 6, 2008

I'm maybe too. not sure how i got on the definite list.
posted by captaincrouton at 1:28 PM on June 6, 2008

I'm back to "maybe" category. The day wasn't as punishing as I thought it would be, a nap later today may bring me back to full speed. This is what happens when I post in the morning...heh.
posted by SassHat at 1:55 PM on June 6, 2008

I hope you guys are having fun. I can't get my baby off my boob unfortunately.
posted by saucysault at 6:09 PM on June 6, 2008

Aw, crap. How often do these happen? I totally forgot this was on. (I mostly lurk but would've gotten a kick out of this - if any of you hang on I Love Music, I'm Tantrum The Cat there, too...)
posted by tantrumthecat at 8:39 PM on June 6, 2008

Well that was fun.

Smaller than expected :(
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 10:42 PM on June 6, 2008

HOLY SHIT I AM JUDAS. I completely forgot about this. Dammit. Sorry, everybody.
posted by Schlimmbesserung at 11:41 PM on June 6, 2008

Two photos.
posted by joeclark at 12:33 PM on June 11, 2008