STEWART COPELAND

Sorry to create yet another La Jolla thread, but thought we should have a poll of the great places resident restaurant finder Nancy found. I have the four places in the other thread that seem to have interest.

While this is a poll of restaurants, a key issue is whether we commit to have a big meal before the show. Some would prefer to have a nice relaxing post-show dinner while others would prefer to eat before the show. (I would prefer the meal to be before the show since I will still be on Eastern time and have a 6:15 flight Saturday morning.)

I have not included the Italian place Piatti (http://www.piatti.com/index2.html) since it is about 2 miles from the venue. I can add it if there is interest.

Obviously, please only vote if you are planning on attending. Team Italia may well prefer the Italian place but we should let those attending have the say.

Here are websites and more info on the places:

1. George’s at the Cove Terrace. Great view. Minimum $12.50 in food. Presumably would be able to sit together
http://www.georgesatthecove.com/ocean-terrace/menu.php

2. George’s at the Cove bar. May not be able to get a reservation, so may not be able to sit together but no minimum and better for those who want the bid meal after the show.
http://www.georgesatthecove.com/georges-bar/

3. Trattoria Acqua. Nice Italian. Not cheap. No indication of having an ocean view, but presumably would be able to sit together.
http://www.trattoriaacqua.com/flash/

4. Roppongiusa – Asian Tapa place and sushi bar. Not cheap. No indication of having an ocean view, but presumably would be able to sit together.
http://www.roppongiusa.com/home.html

These all look great! Thank you to everyone who did the research; I'm very grateful. I voted based on which place seemed most likely to get us out on time. That said, I'm going to be happy with any of them. Perhaps when making the reservation, a discussion with the chosen establishment of our timing constraints will be key.

Thanks, Nick, for organizing the data here.

Since we're staying on Prospect St., I have a strong preference for the Ocean Terrace. The menu looks great (with healthy options for vegetarians), and, hey, since we're all coming in from out of town and making this a mini-vacation of sorts, why not opt for al fresco dining with a view?

That said, I'll be happy to call and make arrangements for our sizable group as soon as the votes are in. Let's try to know within the next few days so we don't run into trouble securing a reservation.

Well, so far we're 3 for 3 for the Terrace. I don't really mind paying a little extra for the meal, and would love the view. Also just thinking about the parking sitch...

4 for 4!

I just want some cocktails and something very light to eat before the show and I'd love to be outside or with a view.

Thanks again for doing the research

5 - I know where it is!

Baaaaaaa

Happy to follow the hordes.

COUNT ME IN!!!!
YIPPPPEEE! I'm with Nancy about having a view!

Bumping because there is a less than 50% response rate.

We now have a majority of known attendees voting and all for the same place. So I think the ocmmunity has spoken on a place.

Bump.

So we have a majority in favor of this place. What time hsoudl we gather for the 7:30 show. The venue is about 5 blocks away.

5:30 maybe?

5 would be safer (they're kinda slow)

Laurie and I will show up whenever everyone else does, but we could a poll.


Down Sarcasma!!! Seriously, if they're slow, let's go for 5. I hate to feel rushed.

Ok, listen up, folks!! Since the majority of those voting have expressed a clear preference for George's Ocean Terrace, we will be meeting Friday night pre-show at...wait for it...ROPPONGI!!!

Yes, it's true...and here's why: several calls and useless pleading with the management at George's produced nothing better than an offer to drink/dine at their establishment as a "booked event" from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. at a cost of $150 per person. Before tax and gratuity. Oh, and NOT on the Terrace, but in the deck area off the bar. The only other way they could accommodate our group is if we break up into smaller groups, and they could give no guarantee that our tables would be situated near one another ("in fact, they almost certainly WON'T be.").

Screw that!

The lovely manager at Roppongi, on the other hand, returned my call on her day off, and was kind enough to place a reservation for 20 on their outdoor patio (complete with fire pit...looks elegant and casual at the same time!) As an extra added bonus, our reservation is for 5:00 p.m., which is part of their Happy Hour (3:00 - 6:00), during which time all tapas and sushi rolls are half-price. Their menu looks terrific, they get great reviews...check out the link if you like:

http://www.roppongiusa.com/home.html

Roppongi is located at 875 Prospect, tel. # is 858-551-5252.

(I'll be sending this in an email to all attending, just to be sure everyone is notified.)

See you all sooooooon!!!