4th Annual Jewish Xmas Eve in Chinatown - >Past Event<

Back on Track
JoelF and Cathy2 and Stagger will be organizing this.

The attendee list is near the end now -- I'll keep it up to date at the top of the current last page. Please sign up now so I can give Tony at LSC a size warning by Sunday.
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So... Michael (eatchicago) and Jill have new dependents, keeping them very, very busy, and those little ones probably won't eat much Chinese food anyway. Somebody has to step forward. And I just might be that somebody.

Get ready for another Jewish Xmas Eve in Chinatown.

When: December 24 (duh) -- That's a Wednesday. Probably about 6:00, but we'll figure that out later.
Where: Don't know yet. I've got a warm spot in my chest for Lao Sze Chuan, and it's not acid reflux, but I can be convinced to go somewhere else.
RSVP: In this thread, by PM, or by email before the evening of Monday, 12/15. I will be calling the following day to make our reservation. (a little earlier than previous years, but I've been told it's getting harder to get reservations on Xmas eve).

Cathy2 has suggested Happy Chef, with their free crab or lobster with two entrees ordered, and said that Double Li or (Little) Three Happiness may be able to accomodate us. Ed's Potsticker House isn't in Chinatown, but is another possibility

Frequently asked questions about the Jewish X-Mas Eve dinner, cribbed from last year's FAQ

Why is it labeled "Jewish"?
Because many Jews in the US traditionally go out for Chinese food on Christmas night.

It's not kosher, is it? It's just not Chinese for Christmas is my book unless there's lots of tasty trayf
No, they're not Kosher, but not to worry -- it's per-table ordering, and anyone who wants dishes sans meat and shellfish can order as they wish.

So, why is this dinner on Christmas Eve?
The year that we started this, Chanukah and Christmas were synchronized so I [Michael] was spending Christmas night celebrating Chanukah with my family. We moved the Chinese food dinner a night earlier that year and I've come to like the idea.

Do I have to be Jewish to attend?
No, but you should be comfortable sitting next to someone who is Jewish. (Frankly, that's good advice for any LTHForum event)
Full disclosure: I [JoelF] was brought up Jewish, but while I still have strong family and cultural ties, I have no more religious leanings than, say, my dog.

How is ordering handled?
We usually break up into ad-hoc tables of 10-12. Each table is responsible for its own ordering and its own bill.

How successful were the past three events?
Read for yourself:
2005
2006
2007

Are children welcome?
Of course.

Is LSC BYO-friendly?
No, they serve alcohol. If we're not going to LSC, we'll let you know if BYO is OK.

What about parking?
Street parking is often available and many Chinatown restaurants provide a $2 coupon for the Chinatown lot at Archer and Wentworth.

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Please list the number of attendees, and whether you have a preference for some place other than Lao Sze Chuan.

Hi,

Since I suggested you might want to do this, I will definitely sign on and will happily go wherever you desire. I'd do it myself, but I am not Jewish.

Thank you for rescuing me with a solid excuse from attending another event with my family.

Regards,

I had just an absolutely marvelous time at last year's Xmas Eve dinner at Lao Sze Chuan (and so I guess I'm partial to returning there--but I'm open to whatever the group decides). Sign me up!

A question - we might have my mom, who is in a wheelchair. I know the downstairs LSC is fine, is the upstairs accessible? Or any other place in the running, it would be good to know so we can see if we can come.

leek wrote:A question - we might have my mom, who is in a wheelchair. I know the downstairs LSC is fine, is the upstairs accessible? Or any other place in the running, it would be good to know so we can see if we can come.

If you ask about an elevator, then they say there is one. I have never seen it, though it may be at the other end of the building's section and not in LSC's restaurant. I will check with Tony.

The other places Joel mentioned are ground level without any question of wheel chair accessibility.

Regards,

Joel,

Thanks for taking the reins this year. I don't think we'll be able to attend, but I'm sure you'll all have a great time.

leek wrote:A question - we might have my mom, who is in a wheelchair. I know the downstairs LSC is fine, is the upstairs accessible? Or any other place in the running, it would be good to know so we can see if we can come.

There is an elevator near the center of the Chinatown mall which would give you access to the 2nd floor of LSC.

Best,
Michael

eatchicago,

Is this elevator visible or is it inside somewhere?

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:eatchicago,

Is this elevator visible or is it inside somewhere?

Regards,

It is visible, outdoors, just slightly west of the center of the mall.

Lechaim!

This dinner is one of my favorite parts of the culinary year!

Once again, the 'spouse is working on Christmas Eve...however, I think Sparky will have more fun if other kids are going; so count us in (probably for 3, I'm guessing my brother will be in town again) with the caveat that we'll ditch if it becomes adults-only.

At this point, we have no plans for Christmas and will probably be in town during the holidays. Please sign me up for two.

You can count one more Jew in to the mix.

Just to make sure, we're not talking kosher, are we? It's just not Chinese for Christmas is my book unless there's lots of tasty treyf. Now, this is LTH so I assume there'll be plenty Jews Who Love Pork, but I just want to make sure.

-Dan

dansch wrote:Just to make sure, we're not talking kosher, are we? It's just not Chinese for Christmas is my book unless there's lots of tasty treyf. Now, this is LTH so I assume there'll be plenty Jews Who Love Pork, but I just want to make sure.
-Dan

Not to worry.

I don't think that any Chinatown shops advertise themselves as Kosher. My future daughter-in-law keeps kashrut and came along last year, ordering some fish and veggie dishes (pretending that no trayf touched the same woks and that there's no meat broth present). I'm not certain she'll be along this year (the spices in the Ma Po turned her bright red for the rest of the night), but you're welcome to join our table if you need something without fleisch.

leek wrote:A question - we might have my mom, who is in a wheelchair. I know the downstairs LSC is fine, is the upstairs accessible? Or any other place in the running, it would be good to know so we can see if we can come.

Last year a fellow LTHer had a very difficult time accessing the room upstairs at LSC. There did not appear to be any elevator.

Jyoti

jygach wrote:

leek wrote:A question - we might have my mom, who is in a wheelchair. I know the downstairs LSC is fine, is the upstairs accessible? Or any other place in the running, it would be good to know so we can see if we can come.

Last year a fellow LTHer had a very difficult time accessing the room upstairs at LSC. There did not appear to be any elevator.
Jyoti

I thought we'd gone through this once.

If someone is in the Chinatown area, a short pictorial of how to find the elevator and get to the upstairs of LSC would be greatly appreciated. I'll post it in the FAQ at the top of the thread, just PM me with locations of pictures, if you can.

I do understand, though, that that upstairs room itself may be hard to maneuver in. I think we had to sort of half-climb over a couch last year.
That part of the reason I'm going to call for the rez a couple days earlier -- to make sure we have room.

Hi,

You have the option of reserving at LSC the rear room that I think realistically seats 30 people (3 tables of 10 or is it 12)? Otherwise reserve several adjoining round tables in the main upstairs room. Nobody really can talk to more than their tablemates. No presentation is planned where ambient noise could be a problem. I suggest either seating situation could be acceptable.

Regards,

Count us in for 2 -- maybe 4 if my son & d-in-law join us. We're always up for Ed's, but do they have room for a big group?
>>Brent

I reserved the front room (by the window) for a post-concert birthday in April. We had 40, and they seated us at four round tables. One of the others was unoccupied, and there was another party of four at the last. There was no fee since we didn't completely take over the room (and often Tony will waive any fee for either room for his friends or LTHers).

If your numbers approach 40, which starts to get uncomfortable in the small room, you might consider reserving the big room in the front, and Tony might even block off the other tables to make it private for you (for the right fee or check size); it's worth asking just for the accessibility. I wish you all such happiness for the event; I always have gigs and family parties at which to hop and sing, but am there in spirit.

I strongly suspect we'll be there. 5. UPDATE: 4.

Thanks for stepping forward and coordinating, Joel.

I plan on continuing my unbroken string of attendance, but don't yet know whether my daughter will be able to participate, too. I'll have to update as I learn more.

--Matt

My family's holiday schedule isn't firmed up yet, but I'm planning to be in attendance this year!

Giovanna

This is awesome! Wish I could go but I'm actually going out of town for Xmas (even though I am Jewish ).

Maybe next year! Keep it up!

TROUBLE ALERT
My family has decided to celebrate Hanukkah on Xmas Eve -- it looks likely (not definite yet) that my clan will have to drop out

Is there anyone else that might be interested in setting this up? It's mostly a matter of keeping track of the attendees and calling the restaurant for the rez -- something we need to do any day now. I can continue to assist, and Cathy has said she'd assist too, but I won't be able to be there, sadly

Hi,

I am not Jewish. I will do my best to aid those who desire company and a fine meal for their Jewish Christmas Eve.

I stopped by Chinatown Mall to locate the elevator:



This elevator is located on west set of buildings on the south side between BBQ King House and Pacific Global Bank. When I arrived today, the door was stuck half-open. I pushed it open, which seemed to reset itself and go back into working order. It was suggested we alert the restaurant that we will need it for our party..

I have reserved the private room on the second floor at Lao Sze Chuan. The room accomodates three tables of 12 for 36 people total. If we grow beyond this, then we will move to round tables in the larger room.

Responders as of 11/13
Cathy2 (1)
tarte tatin (1)
leek (guessing 3 with "we" before "mother")
Stagger (1)
Mhays (3)
jlawrence01 (2)
dansch (1)
brotine (2-4)
MikeG (4)
mhl (1-2)
Giovanna (1)
einberliner (2)
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Total Estimated 21-23

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:I am not Jewish. I will do my best to aid those who desire company and a fine meal for their Jewish Christmas Eve.

. . . and it was written (or posted, anyway) that Cathy2 should lead our people, the LTH people, to their Christmas Eve nourishment . . .

Thanks, Cathy, so much for taking this on. I so wish we could join in but even though I am Jewish, through the dynamic of mixed marriage, I will be occupied with family and step-family on Christmas Eve.

=R=

Add us, myself and my husband to the fest please. We will be there!

Hwa

Cathy2,

I will not be able to attend as we decided to travel over the Christmas holidays to the great Basque region of Nevada/Utah.

jlawrence01

jlawrence01 wrote:Cathy2,

I will not be able to attend as we decided to travel over the Christmas holidays to the great Basque region of Nevada/Utah.

jlawrence01

I look forward to the trip report.

Regards,

I'm Baaaaaaaack!

Family party fell through, I'll be back for Xmas eve, and I'm willing to take up the mantle again if needed. Count us in for 5.

Barcelona was wonderful, by the way... more posts later.

Joel, every time your name pops up now I think about ham. I'm hungry.