JoelF wrote: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.

It's all yours! ... and thanks!

Regards,

Is it too late to sign up? It looks like I'm going to be a Christmas Eve orphan because of family members in the medical field who have to work that night.

happy_stomach wrote:Is it too late to sign up? It looks like I'm going to be a Christmas Eve orphan because of family members in the medical field who have to work that night.

Not at all!

We've currently got a reservation for up to 36... it's about time I take a count. Looks like we're at 30-35. I'll make a check with Tony around Sunday before xmas, but it would probably be best to freeze the count around them.

Responders as of 12/20
JoelF (4-5)
Cathy2 (1)
tarte tatin (1)
leek (3)
Stagger (1)
Mhays (3)
dansch (1)
brotine (2-4)
MikeG (5)
mhl (1-2)
Giovanna (1)
einberliner (2)
happystomach (1)
jimswside (4)
newrules (1-2)
-----------
Total Estimated 30-35

JoelF wrote:leek (guessing 3 with "we" before "mother")

Yes, that's 3 with mother

We would like to attend... it will be myself, my wife, our 2 year old daughter, and my wifes cousin from the Philippines.

jimswside + 3

Hi - Tentatively RSVPing for 1-2 folks, thanks - NewRules + 1

I'm back up to 5 now, by the way.

I think I have everyone listed now on the post a few spots up... if I've missed you, or if you have a change in numbers, please post here or PM me. We're up to a potential 36 now -- that is supposed to be the limit of the room.

I'll verify the status of the elevator when I call on Sunday.

Thanks for the elevator help.

If it isn't working, despite your efforts, we'll just eat downstairs somewhere. We'll be sad not to be with the group, but if there's nothing to be done, so be it!

If another 2 spots open up, please let me know.

Thanks

My brother is flying in from NYC via ORD early that afternoon...we are in for three if all goes well, but we have no way of knowing until the last minute whether a flight delay will change our plans (it would need to be a significant delay to be a problem.)

If it does, I will post here immediately with an update (could be just me and Sparky at dinner - but if he arrives right at 6:30, could be we all go to the airport instead.)

Latest counts... I will call this in in the next hour (7:37PM right now)
mhl confirmed 2 via pm, I confirmed 5... brotine and newrules are still a little fuzzy, and Mhays isn't sure every- or anyone will make it.

Responders as of 12/21
JoelF (5)
Cathy2 (1)
tarte tatin (1)
leek (3)
Stagger (1)
Mhays (0-3)
dansch (1)
brotine (2-4)
MikeG (5)
mhl (2)
Giovanna (1)
einberliner (2)
happystomach (1)
jimswside (4)
newrules (1-2)
d4v3 (2)
-----------
Total Estimated 31-37
I'll reserve for 38, giving us a little leeway.

(later)
Reservation is confirmed -- if you're not on the list, please leave a note here for waitlist.
The person who took the call didn't know about the elevator -- given that it supposedly is frequently vandalized, checking later in the week might be wise -- I'll keep this topic up to date.

I'm fairly sure we'll all be there. The flight is supposed to be in at 2 - that's quite a long cushion, even with bad weather. But on the off chance that those waiting on the list have given up by early afternoon Wednesday, I thought I'd mention the possibility.

1 - do we have a confirmed time?
2 - that room was very cramped last time, is that capacity at the tables or including people sitting on the sofa?

We are confirmed for 6PM.

I believe it is that back room again.
The note I have from Cathy2 when she made the initial early warning reservation was that 36 would fit at the tables without using the couch, and if we exceeded 36 we would use the big round tables outside of the room. I'll double check with LSC on Wednesday early to make sure we have space.

Is there a waiting list for this event? At the moment, I'm still planning to come, but coping with the weather has delayed completion of some of my pre-holiday tasks, and if the weather is still bad tomorrow . . .

And if I feel like I can't make it, when would be the last good "it'd sure nice to have a firm head count" time be?

Yours in tiredness with winter [already !].

Giovanna

Giovanna wrote:Is there a waiting list for this event? At the moment, I'm still planning to come, but coping with the weather has delayed completion of some of my pre-holiday tasks, and if the weather is still bad tomorrow . . .

And if I feel like I can't make it, when would be the last good "it'd sure nice to have a firm head count" time be?

Yours in tiredness with winter [already !].

Giovanna

Giovanna,
Right now, you're the wait list.
I haven't heard from anyone saying they're dropping out. I'll keep this up to date through tomorrow afternoon, but if you don't get a PM from me by say 3, don't count on space. You're welcome to gate crash, but if we're elbow to elbow, the worst case scenario is we'll ask you to get your own table. The likeliest folks to drop out of our room are the ones who need the elevator -- I should know its status by noon tomorrow.

Best of luck and stay warm,
JoelF

[edited] I misread and thought Giovanna wanted to waitlist, she was warning she might not make it. No, nobody else has asked to get in; in fact we do have an opening (see next post)

I got mhl's count wrong, there's an opening for one:

Responders as of 12/21
JoelF (5)
Cathy2 (1)
tarte tatin (1)
leek (3)
Stagger (1)
Mhays (0-3)
dansch (1)
brotine (2-4)
MikeG (5)
mhl (1)
Giovanna (1)
einberliner (2)
happystomach (1)
jimswside (4)
newrules (1-2)
d4v3 (2)
-----------
Total Estimated 30-36

Normally my family logistics are much less complex than other peoples', my relatives mostly living all over the place, but this year is turning into the exception and so I think the logical thing here is to bail out on this year's JXEIC dinner. So that just opened up five spots, if anyone is interested. My apologies for the back and forth which is usually not the situation with me, and any other inconvenience I have just caused.

Hi,

I am making name tags at JoelF's request. If someone wants to provide names for their guests, then send me a PM by noon or so. Otherwise they will be known as 'Guest of ...'

Regards,

We're droppin' fast, down to 28 -- anybody wanna come?

Responders as of 12/24
JoelF (5)
Cathy2 (1)
tarte tatin (1)
leek (3)
Stagger (1)
Mhays (0-3)
dansch (1)
brotine (2)
mhl (1)
einberliner (2)
happystomach (1)
jimswside (4)
newrules (1-2)
d4v3 (2)
-----------
Total Estimated 24-28

Been looking for ward to this all week. Is there a name the reservation is under?

jimswside wrote:Been looking for ward to this all week. Is there a name the reservation is under?

The "LTHForum Party"

I'll be there early (we have to leave early), so I would hope there's no problem.
By midafternoon, I'll re-re-re-confirm the reservation, and ask on the elevator condition.

JoelF wrote:

jimswside wrote:Been looking for ward to this all week. Is there a name the reservation is under?

The "LTHForum Party"

I'll be there early (we have to leave early), so I would hope there's no problem.
By midafternoon, I'll re-re-re-confirm the reservation, and ask on the elevator condition.

thanks,

we are heading down from the Western Burbs around 3:30 or maybe a little later based on any traffic reports I hear around that time.

see y'all there.

I just double checked with LSC, and they think the elevator is working outside.
Worst case scenario, I have a couple of strapping teenage sons who we could convince to haul someone bodily up the stairs.

My sincere regrets, but it looks like last-minute transportation problems mean that I will not be able to join you this evening.

Joel--Sorry for the late notice.... I just talked to MHays a little while ago--she is still planning to be there after she picks up her brother from O'Hare--and told her it looked like I was not going to make it.

Have a great time, everyone!

Since you seem to have room at the inn, I will be attending.

I am downtown with my 4-wheel drive jeep and heading back to Andersonville afterward if anyone needs a ride.


Harrison Ford, not a Jew... but you know who is... all three Stooges!
Chanucha Song
Adam Sandler

pd

Sparky decided to celebrate Hanukah with the neighbors, but my brother's safely in, going to get him right now...see you there!

I'm on my way, but will likely be a little late. Fingers crossed for the CTA!

-Dan

Anther X-mas eve... another full, fat, and happy Stagger. Great meal tonight with wonderful company.

I was helping my land lord/neighbor out with a last min run to Costco so I found myself at the train early.


Folks began arriving after a fashion...




Mmmmmm Spicy Pickled Cabbage. Gratis with every LSC meal


Ever popular Shredded Beef and Maw Szechaun style:


Continuing with the cold app selections is the Cold Rabbit on the Bone with Szechuan Vinaigrette (both before and after decimation):




Crispy Shrimp in Mayonnaise Sauce (aka light citrus glaze):


Pork with Pot-Herb:


Pork Peking Style (normally "pork candy" but light on the "candy" tonight - just good pork)


Tony's recomended sub for jimswside's blue-crab dish not in stock -
Lobster Home-style [similar to mapo dufu but the lobster is hacked and fried first] Very Good IMHO


Ever popular Prawns Fried with chilli in a Dry Wok:


Steamed Whole Carp with Custard Dufu and House Sauce [very good, not spectacular]


Scenes of damage and destruction! [cue up Black Sabbath ]



A comically satiated pdaane:


Very reasonably bill (does not show the 22% tip we left) for everything shown plus a few dishes not photographed. I love LSC



It was great to see everyone and I hope the rest of your holidays are as enjoyable as mine have been through this dinner. I couldn't ask for a better group to spend X-mas eve eating wonderful Szechan cuisine.