Avec = Dec. 5

Well, yeah, I'm interested.

Looking at my calender, October 7 seems like a good date for me and the Condiment Queen. Is that doable for others?

I'd prefer a weekend than a weeknight.

Rob

Vital Information wrote:I'd prefer a weekend than a weeknight.

I have always found the service and the atmosphere to be much more pleasant on weeknights. Weekend evenings are chaotic. The wait for a table can well exceed an hour. And, without the warm weather option of waiting outdoors with a drink in hand, I'm not nearly so enthused.

E.M.

Erik, sorry you are not interested on a weeknight, but my wife cannot go during the week. She's keen on trying Avec too.

As it turns out, I (or my wife) cannot make it on October 7th, so I have proposed a date of October 14th.

Erik M. wrote:

Vital Information wrote:I'd prefer a weekend than a weeknight.

I have always found the service and the atmosphere to be much more pleasant on weeknights. Weekend evenings are chaotic. The wait for a table can well exceed an hour.

I'll take this feeling one step further and say that I avoid Avec on weekends at all costs.

Same here. I suggest organizing your event for this day.

Eh. A list of places that aren't crowded on Saturday nights is a list of places not worth going to.

I can do the 14th. If it's early enough the crowd can be worked around. If it's still crowded anyway, it's worth it.

I would be interested for the 14th. Please count me in.

Oh yes--I'm so all over that dinner!

I've wanted to try Avec, never had. I'll plan to join on the 14th.

I'll wait until Monday, but right now, I am thinking of making a reservation for 8 on the 14th; I'm thinking that we should go on the early side given the issues raised in this thread. Is 6:30 too early?

If there is more interest in this, please let me now soon.

Rob

They don't take reservations. That's why everyone has been saying it'd be so hard to squeeze a large party in there. It's not a sitdown restaurant, it's a skinny little bar with great food that gets really packed.

I'm not saying there isn't a way to make this happen, but as you say, it probably involves going early and being patient (but vigilant) for a table.

Let us find out when they open for dinner, and arrive ten minutes before that time (5:20?)

Mike G wrote:I'm not saying there isn't a way to make this happen, but as you say, it probably involves going early and being patient (but vigilant) for a table.

Going late also tends to work, although perhaps not so well on weekends. But since they don't close until, what, midnight?, if people are up for a late dinner, a 9:30 or 10pm arrival would probably be doable, too.

But really, the weekends are a mess. Go on a wednesday.

This is starting to sound like "Nobody goes there -- it's too crowded."

Kinda surprised no one's mentioned that their Web site has useful information. Of course, they're hip and stylish so it's a JPEG and not text, but here it is; note the General Info and Hours sections:



So the kitchen is open when they're open, which is 3:30 p.m. every day of the week. And they seat in the order of party arrival and completion, which means there is an advantage to the first person in the group being early and the last person in the group being prompt.

Avec has many (10 or so) communal tables that seat 8 as well as bar seating. The larger our group, the trickier the wait for a table, though in my experience if they know a group is coming, they will try to accommodate by filling gaps at other tables. While they don't take reservations, they aren't jerks about it either.

I can do 6:30 or, really, any time that day.

Look, how many times do I have to say it? You don't want to go to Avec. You don't want to think about Avec. You want to go home to your safe little world and pretend you never even heard of a place called Avec, okay? Because if you mess with Avec, Avec will hurt you, real bad.

Seriously, Bob S. has the practical advice about making it easy, that's what I, and others, were getting at.

Definitely the group should be prompt in order to get seated. But this might do better as a smaller group thing, since it's not terribly likely that there will be 8 together in prime time.

We have gotten there with 4 people on a winter night (before dark, so maybe 6 pm) and not had to wait. And if you send some early people as an advance to sit at the bar and put their name in (saying we will have 6 or and wait, having a glass, by the time all the people show up it might work.

leek wrote:Definitely the group should be prompt in order to get seated. But this might do better as a smaller group thing, since it's not terribly likely that there will be 8 together in prime time.

We have gotten there with 4 people on a winter night (before dark, so maybe 6 pm) and not had to wait. And if you send some early people as an advance to sit at the bar and put their name in (saying we will have 6 or and wait, having a glass, by the time all the people show up it might work.

I think that sounds like a good idea. I am agree that the earlier in the evening that we can get there, the better, so is 5 too early (the better to fit in a second meal, no?)

Also, while I certainly heed all the advice so far, I'm gonna call Avec and see if I can work something out, maybe mention I used to be the Mayor or something like that. You never know.

Doesn't Avec have a chef's table?

HI,

I was just updating LTHforum's google calendar, which has the AVEC event posted. Is this event still happening as planned on October 14th?

Regards,

Well, put it this way. I want to go to Avec...Now, I was checking my calender tonight (as well), and I noticed I am reffing girls soccer until 4 PM on that Saturday. I did not put soccer and early dinner together until tonight.

This means that the earliest I can make it to Avec is 5:30. I'm still game, and I think it's doable at that time, even if we have to wait a bit.

Are others willing to wait until 5:30?

Rob

Oh, I went ahead and got tickets for a film fest movie that night so I won't be able to make it. I can on the 21st though if there is any flexibility there.

I can't do it on the 14th or the 21st How about the 15th or 22nd?

I'm still in for the 14th--even if we have to brave through the crowds.

great restaurant. i go there all the time after the main crowd push, as they serve until midnite and it's not far from my house. simple, clean food w/interesting pairings done very well and consistant. knowledgeable staff w/"fluffy" being my favorite waiter in town.

bin 36 cafe on milwaukee and volo are close in quality, but avec wins. got a james beard award for design as well. best sauna that serves food or something like that.

Can I get a final count here (either post here or via PM)--Epoisse, I assume you are in, you do not need to re-post.

My wife and I will be at Avec at 5:30 on Saturday. It's a delayed birthday meal for meal, so we are going regardless. Still, we hope to be able to try more stuff with the partcipation of other LTHers.

Rob

Well, is anyone surprised

Turns out I have to get my daughter to Costco for new glasses, and between soccer games and Farmer Vicki's farm party on Sunday and other committments, I really have little choice.

I'll post a date on the new outing soon, but my plan now is November 2nd, that's a Thursday or all those who were weekend adverse.

Again, sorry 'bout the short notice

Anyone who is still interested, and wants to accompany me--let me know. I was SO looking forward to their flatbread with white truffle oil. I may sit at the bar with a double order and a nice glass of wine (or two) and call it a perfect night.

Well, so much for regardless, but November 2 is fine by me. Hopefully a little later than 5:30.

Vital Information wrote:Well, is anyone surprised

Turns out I have to get my daughter to Costco for new glasses, and between soccer games and Farmer Vicki's farm party on Sunday and other committments, I really have little choice.

I'll post a date on the new outing soon, but my plan now is November 2nd, that's a Thursday or all those who were weekend adverse.

Again, sorry 'bout the short notice

OK, I've been on the road for the last week or so, and I have not really even, well remembered what I said here until I got a PM last night.

In the meantime, my wife made her own plans for the 2nd. Therefore, I need to switch the date again. I'd like to throw out 11/9. Epoisses, Gary, Erik, can you all chip in on some games that work for you. All Wednesdays are out for me.

Rob

November 9th is a no-go for me, but November 16th is fine, as is the 14th or 15th.