LTH book group--Wednesday April 4th--Quartino

We have a date and time to discuss Heat and food and whatever else we choose. But you have to help us come up with the location.

Date: Wednesday April 4, 2007
Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Seems to make sense that it should be someplace Italian. And since it's on a weeknight probably something fairly easy to reach in rush hour. But other than that, we're open for suggestions. In the meantime, save the date.

Hi Ann,

Has a location been decided on? If the group is open to new members, I'd like to join you on April 4, depending on the location given the CTA slowdowns.

Thanks,
Sharon

Ann Fisher wrote:We have a date and time to discuss Heat and food and whatever else we choose. But you have to help us come up with the location.

Date: Wednesday April 4, 2007
Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Seems to make sense that it should be someplace Italian. And since it's on a weeknight probably something fairly easy to reach in rush hour. But other than that, we're open for suggestions. In the meantime, save the date.

In a fit of vested self-interest, I might suggest Quartino, or perhaps Osteria Via Stato... Both are a stone's throw from the Grand and State red line stop. I've never been to either, but Quartino, particularly, seems to have garnered positive feedback from folks on the board.

We were just deciding to cancel when suddenly we have these great suggestions. So for now it's on, and I'm voting for Quartino.

Ann Fisher wrote:We were just deciding to cancel when suddenly we have these great suggestions. So for now it's on, and I'm voting for Quartino.

Well, I had hesitated to jump in because I finished Heat rather a while before it came up here for discussion. I don't know how sharp my discussion of it will be, but hey, lets see if I can bluff you guys... I'm only in it for the salumi. (well, really, I did read the book. I just haven't re-read it.)

The first rule of book groups is that you don't have to have actually read the book to come. You're supposed to be slightly apologetic about that, but it definitely shouldn't keep anyone away. And if you haven't read the book, but have read some reviews of it, you're an active participant! As for having read, but not re-read, the book--me too.

That being said, it's always nice if people are prepared to discuss a favorite chapter or even a particularly delicious sentence. It's also always nice to have people with somewhat discordant views of the book. So if you read it but regret having done so--or ended up hating the author or Batali--then by all means come and contribute to the discussion.

I don't know Quartino. Are we likely to need a reservation?

After some out-of-thread consulation with Ann, I went ahead and made us a reservation for 8 pm next Wednesday (7 pm). Although Open Table didn't have the time available I called Quartino and they didn't didn't sound like it was likely to be jammed, so should more folks be interested, we could probably bump it a couple.

If you've already finished the book, you may wish to review the thread with the most prior discussion of Quartino. There are some great photos too.

Quartino
626 N State St, Chicago, IL
(312) 698-5000

If you're planning to join us, please sign in here so we'll have some sense of how big the group will actually be.
Thanks.

So far we have Ann Fisher
Messycook (arriving late)
Germuska

To clarify Joe's post, we have a reservation at 7 p.m. for eight people but can expand or contract as necessary.

I'll be at Quartino's at 7pm on Wednesday.

I don't think I can make it to this get-together on the 4th, but I have been reading and enjoying my local library's copy of Heat. I'll see if I can get it down by next Wednesday and post my comments and read everyone else's.

I just checked with Quartino and they're ok with leaving our reservation at 8 even though we don't have 8 confirmations -- but when they seat us, we'll probably give up the extra seats if they like, so please do reply to this thread or PM me if you think you'll join us. For now I'm counting

me
Ann
happy_stomach
messycook (late)

As Joe indicates, you can still join this party. To whet your appetite, here are some photos shamelessly stolen from LAZ and Mike G








For their posts, and more, see here and here.

Please join us.