This is still on. If anyone else wants to attend, it's not too late.

Please add me and The Wife to the list.

Hammond

I'm interested in attending tomorrow.

--
edc

Oops, just realized I hadn't confirmed yet. Am I too late?

Can you remove me from the list of attendees. Unfortunately my client moved the dates of our meeting and I cannot come. I hope you guys have a great time as the menu sounds very exciting.

i'm afraid i, too, wont be able to attend the dinner tonight. have fun. justjoan

Unfortuneately I wont be able to attend either. Working late tonight. Was looking forward to trying Uru-Swati.
Next time.

Hi, just wanted to confirm that I will be there, but Victor won't make it (he's out of town). See you later!
Deb

Fleurdesel,

Since you seem to be getting a few last minute cancellations, can you accomodate two more, myself and Ellen?

Enjoy,
Gary

I just joined this morning and saw the event. I love Indian food and meeting new people. My friend and I would love to join you!!!

I will not be able to attend as well. Schoolwork has gotten a bit heavy lately.

Have fun guys!

anachee wrote:I just joined this morning and saw the event. I love Indian food and meeting new people. My friend and I would love to join you!!!

It's very good that people are voluteering to fill in for last-minute drops (which are, truth be told, a little disconcerting).

Vishal and I just spoke, and the final count is 20.

See you all there!

Based on past experience at LTH events, I think cash is the way to go, but the restaurant does accept credit cards.

fleurdesel wrote:Vishal and I just spoke, and the final count is 20.

See you all there!

Based on past experience at LTH events, I think cash is the way to go, but the restaurant does accept credit cards.

Looking forward to it! Thank you very much for all of the effort in organizing this dinner.

fleurdesel wrote:Vishal and I just spoke, and the final count is 20.

Based on the cancellations, I'm hoping the total includes me?

Yes, it does.

It's very good that people are voluteering to fill in for last-minute drops (which are, truth be told, a little disconcerting).

i'm sorry to cancel, but most of us signed up weeks ago and sometimes life/work interfere with fun. of course, if this had been an event where we had to committ and pay up, i would certainly do so even if i couldnt attend. justjoan

justjoan wrote:i'm sorry to cancel, but most of us signed up weeks ago and sometimes life/work interfere with fun.

Understood, but I would encourage those who feel they cannot attend an event to let the organizer know sooner, if possible, than the actual day of the event.

justjoan wrote:of course, if this had been an event where we had to committ and pay up, i would certainly do so even if i couldnt attend. justjoan

I would be happy to do so as well if it was a problem.

Obviously the more notice one has, the better.

In this case, however, the restaurateur was extremely laid-back, requiring a count only on the day of the event. Vishal has been flexible all along, and I plan to thank him for it this evening. It probably doesn't hurt that it's a Wednesday night.

He says that they're used to catering weddings of 100+ people. I would add that much of the food there is probably not being cooked a la minute.

I had to reschedule an appointment for tonight. I don't know if I can make it to the event afterall.

I am very sad about this.

Living only a few blocks from Uru-Swati, I was probably the first to waddle home (thanks to a ride in Gary's very clean car). So I wanted to be among the first to say thanks to Fleurdesel for organizing tonight's dinner. I'm embarrassed that I don't remember exactly what we ate all evening as there were so many dishes placed in front of us and I was also distracted by the good conversation and good company. It was a terrific meal all around but I think the dosas were a highlight for me as well as the potato and cauliflower dish. Thanks again to Fleurdesel for putting it all together, to our host Vishal for a fantastic meal, and to the always engaging LTH company.

Fleurdesel,

Thank you for organizing tonight's dinner - actually, feast is probably a more accurate, descriptor for tonight's delicious meal. As always, the company of LTHers enhanced every component of the meal.

Thanks again!

Jyoti

Fleurdesel,

Wonderful evening, a delicious compelling vegetarian feast with terrific conversation and company. Thank you for organizing and the Chhabrias for being such gracious hosts.

Vishal K Chhabria (L) Fleudesel (R)


Mr. and Mrs. Chhabria (Owners, Uru-Swati), Mr. Barolo far right





Additional pictures may be found here (scroll to 10.24.07).

Enjoy,
Gary

Uru-Swati
2629 W Devon
Chicago, IL 60659
773-262-5280

I want to thank everyone who attended for helping creating such a warm atmosphere. Organizing the event was a pleasure, and I'd encourage anyone who's thinking of planning an event to do so.

Vishal and his mom were gracious hosts, refusing to count what we paid and offering us all a 10% discount on another meal.

I hope to dine with you again very soon.

fleurdesel,

Thank you for all of your work in planning the dinner. It was a very pleasant evening.

Sharon

fleurde sel-- Thank you for your initiative in introducing us to "healing through food". In sum, there was something healing about it, though it's hard to say if it's the company of LTH-er's that provides the secret ingredient.

I found the spicing really interesting and complex, without lots of heat. I especially liked the samosas with the mint-coriander chutney. I also found the coconut chutney and the vegetable stew served with the dosas to be spiced more interestingly than those at Mysore Woodlands, my previous standard. The staff were very gracious in answering questions and kept the water and lassi glasses filled and tableware repleninshed quite efficiently. The saffron gulab jamin were also an unexpected pleasure.

Finally, the "taste of paan"-- basically, shredded betel leaf and sweet paan ingredients like coconut, and, yes, supari, in a tiny little cup. Thanks to jygach, I had something to compare it to. I have to say that I prefer the texture of whole-leaf paan such as the ones at Hyderabad House. But then, I am new to the Wonderful World of Paan. Somehow, that thought it gives me the same kind of delight I once felt on Sunday evenings waiting for "The Wonderful World of Disney."

Yes, thank you again, fleurdesel! Everything was wonderful. I just wish I hadn't had to run out before the paan appeared.

I still can't get over the cilantro thing

Just wanted to add my thanks to fleurdesel for planning and to all for a terrific evening. Great feast, great conversation. And a great place to return to. Tastiest fritters I've had in some time.

Deb

fleurdesel,

Thanks for arranging the dinner -- what a great evening. I thouroughly enjoyed the company and the food. Of the eats, I thought the meal got off to a tremendous start with the bhel puri and a perfect finish with the gulab jamun -- yes, the saffron was such a nice touch, too often left out I suppose because of cost concerns.

And the Chhabrias were the perfect hosts. It's always a pleasure to dine in a restaurant where the hosts treat you like house guests. I can't wait to return.