Otom Dinner Redux April 16th

All, I've been in some e-mail contact with Kathryn Simpson at OTOM and in our discussions it came out that it might be fun to do another LTH dinner here now that they've got their feet under them. The menu has come a long way since they opened. I'm throwing the date out as April 16 as a suggestion, but we could move it around a little bit. I think it's easier for them to do on a weeknight rather than a weekend.

We'd also have the option of doing it family style like last time or in doing a prix fix set up.

Edit to add: Otom is reserving some space for us, just so we're on the books. For now we have space for 25, but that can go up and down as we get a little closer. I won't need to put together a final count probably until a few days before. I will edit this post to add in the attendees

As of 4/14/08:
jpschust + 1
Dansch
GP + 1
jesteinf + 1

I'd like to get all the responses in by April 12th if possible, to give the restaurant enough notice.

I enjoyed the last LTH dinner at Otom, and would love to join you for this one as well.

Do you know about how much this would be?

I don't- it would depend on if we wanted to do prix fix or more of a free for all.

I'm in. April 16 works really well for me.

I just spoke with Kathryn at some length about doing this- the last event was held at $55.00 a head excluding alcohol. I'd like to keep it around that mark if people are ok with that.

We got a LOT for our 55 bucks last time, so keeping it around that mark sounds to me like a good idea.

Kennyz wrote:We got a LOT for our 55 bucks last time, so keeping it around that mark sounds to me like a good idea.

And they've indicated it would be similar this time in terms of quantity and quality, but they're rolling out a lot of new preps, a lot of new dishes, and a bit more of an inclusion of molecular gastronomy into their food.

jpschust wrote:

Kennyz wrote:We got a LOT for our 55 bucks last time, so keeping it around that mark sounds to me like a good idea.

And they've indicated it would be similar this time in terms of quantity and quality, but they're rolling out a lot of new preps, a lot of new dishes, and a bit more of an inclusion of molecular gastronomy into their food.

Thanks for the tip. I thought the things they did best were simple, braised meat dishes; so I greet this new-sounding approach with much interest, but also a degree of skepticism.

Links for the last group meal there:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... 1&start=60

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... 42&start=0

We tipped generously (the service was fantastic), so I recall the $55 start point turning in to more like $80 for those of us that even had just one beer or nonalcoholic drink, which I still thought worthy for that level of good company and variety of dishes (no complaints). I just wanted to provide a heads-up for those attending an event like this for the first time.

Never done an LTH dinner before (and have been to Moto, but not Otom) and this sounds like a good way to start. Count me in for 1

Cheers,
-Dan

I'm just bumping this up so it doesn't get lost- I know this is a ways off, but as it sinks past events that have finished I think it will fall into the cavernous depths of lth

Put me down for +1 for now.

Mr. X and I would like to be part of this dinner. Count us in!

-The GP

My vote is for family style, which is the way we set up the first Otom dinner. Also, I agree that $55 for food (sans drinks and tip) got us a lot.

Maybe if Chef and Kathryn could set the menu for our meal, and if it was posted here, more folks might be enticed to sign up?

happy_stomach wrote:My vote is for family style, which is the way we set up the first Otom dinner. Also, I agree that $55 for food (sans drinks and tip) got us a lot.

Maybe if Chef and Kathryn could set the menu for our meal, and if it was posted here, more folks might be enticed to sign up?

Part of the delay in signing up is that we're about a month out still. The menu isn't going to be released until early April, so I don't think even THEY know what's going to be on it yet

Have you guys decided to switch to the April 30th event?

If so, I would like to attend, plus two. Does anyone know anything about the pricing of this?

bnowell724 wrote:Have you guys decided to switch to the April 30th event?

If so, I would like to attend, plus two. Does anyone know anything about the pricing of this?

The event on the 30th is a separate event. I think that might need its own thread. That event won't be exclusively LTH, but chef Cantu wanted to extend the invitation to all here.

I'm afraid I won't be able to make it to the dinner on April 16th. A conflict just arose. I look forward to hearing about the dinner.

Between the above-noted move toward molecular gastronomy, and the annoyingly cryptic April 30th event being touted by Homaro, Otom appears to be moving further and further away from my kind of place. I've decided to pass on this event, and will look forward to reading the reports.

A little bird told me that there's some cool stuff planned for this. This is going to be a great way to experience or re-experience Otom- it's changed a lot since they opened their doors!

Me- I'm still gunning for them to put an Aviation on the drink menu, but that's just me

updated

Any idea what time of night we'd be looking at? Early (5:30) or late (9) would work awesome for me. I've got tickets to the Cubs game at 7 and am trying to figure out how to hit both... In a pinch I'll sell off the Cubs tickets of course...

-Dan

Hi,

The 4/1 updated list still has my name on it. Per my post a little ways up, I am passing on this event. Have fun!

Kenny

I wanted to see if we were still on track for the Otom dinner next week. For fun, I checked out the last LTH Otom dinner thread and the general Otom thread. I hope others consider joining our group next Wednesday.

I'm still in +1. It doesn't look like I'm on the list.

I'd like to think about looking to an 8:00 dinner, but we can adjust with the staff. I'll update the list later today. Tell your friends! We've got plenty of space as of right now.

because the migration caused me to lose the post here- I've extended the rsvp deadline to noon today (Monday). Thanks, J

All- we have an 8:00 reservation at Otom tomorrow. I can adjust that a bit forward or back if you want. We laso have some extra room if you all would like to bring others, just let me know.

Hope all is well!

Jonny

Mr. X and I are looking forward to this dinner. 8:00 PM works for us. Can you give me an idea of how we're doing this? Family style? Chef's choice? Do we have a target cost per person?

Thanks.

-Mary