Christmas Eve, Dec 24, 2012 - Lao Hunan

HI all -

If you are interested, please post name and number of attendees. This first post will get updated as people decide to attend or drop out.


Dec 24th
6 pm
Lao Hunan, we have a reservation for 15 people under the name DAVID
http://www.laohunanonline.com
2230 South Wentworth Avenue Chicago
(312) 842-7888

Attendees so far (12 - 3 more spaces)
Leek
Mr Leek
BR
siun
Andreas
Andreas' Sister
Susan13 +4
Fropones

Wait list -

Frequently asked questions about the Jewish X-Mas Eve dinner, cribbed from previous years' FAQs:

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

It's not kosher, is it? It's just not Chinese for Christmas in my book unless there's lots of tasty trayf
No, it's 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 Michael, who founded it was spending Christmas night celebrating Chanukah with his family. He moved the Chinese food dinner a night earlier that year and we've all come to like the idea. And now it is tradition, and we must do it.

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 [Leek] was brought up Jewish, but while I still have strong family and cultural ties, I have no more religious leanings than, say, my dogs.

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

Are children welcome?
Of course.

I'm in for 1 - Jade Tofu!!!!!

I am interested, and am tentatively in. Just have to figure out how to blow off my in-laws without creating family drama.

I'm hoping to join as well - one thing to clear up here but looks like a yes please.

Hi,

I have loved this Christmas Eve meal over the years.

I will be spending it this year with the Mom's, though I will be thinking of you all.

Regards,

We have a reservation, 6pm for 10 people at Lao Hunan. Note: one of the guests understands some English, but really only speaks German. It is possible that part of the table may be conversing primarily in German (she understands that the majority of people will be conversing in English, and will try her best).

leek wrote:We have a reservation, 6pm for 10 people at Lao Hunan. Note: one of the guests understands some English, but really only speaks German. It is possible that part of the table may be conversing primarily in German (she understands that the majority of people will be conversing in English, and will try her best).

In fairness, most of the guests will be salivating and may not be coming up for air . . . looking forward to it! Thanks for organizing.

This pops up on the interwebs each year at this time. Cute. http://www.happyplace.com/13009/chinese-restaurant-note-thanks-jews-for-eating-chinese-on-christmas

If there is room and as longas my kids are not sick, we would love to join. 2 adults and 3 kids under 5

Right now we have 2 spaces, so I'll have to call and see if we can add another table. Last year at Sun Wah, we had too many people for one table, but not enough for 2 tables and conversation was kind of awkward, with 2 sets of 6 people seated at tables for 10. That's why, given that we weren't running huge numbers, I thought we'd limit it to 10.

My guess life will get crazy and we will not make it. If there our last minute cancelations, I will check again, but I do not want to make things more complicated.

I called, and we are now a reservation for 15. They only have a few big tables (the tables seat 10) so I guess they will seat us differently.

I'd like to join if there's still room.

Last call - we still have space

Looking forward to spicy Hunan food and seeing you all

I do not think we will make it. Kids are too tired to go out again today. Ugh.

Thanks again Leek for organizing. It was a very nice group and Lao Hunan was really on its game (even if a little too salty). A perfect Jewish Christmas Eve!

So sorry an emergency made me have to drop out - I really appreciate the organizing and hope to join next year!

Happy Spicy New Year!

Thank you leek for setting this up. A fantastic meal, as usual.

Thanks to all who came and helped increase the ordering power!

Happy Christmas to those who are celebrating today!