After telling Mrs. Roadhouse about the 10 person limit, she decided to give up her seat for someone on the wait list. Since Santiago's is so close to home, and we've already been there multiple times and can easily return whenever we wish, I'm prepared to make the same sacrifice if necessary.

Leave me on the list as a single for now. If there's still a clamor for my spot as of Sunday,
September 11th, I'll happily drop out and make room for a newbie.

Buddy

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:Leave me on the list as a single for now. If there's still a clamor for my spot as of Sunday,
September 11th, I'll happily drop out and make room for a newbie.

Buddy

ok Buddy, will do, mighty nice of you! (insert thumbs up icon here)

ok all attendees, the price including cost of food, tax & tip is $20 for

The idea is a greatest hits of Santiago's, with everyone getting to sample all of the following:
Tostones
Bacalaito
Pastelilo (meat pie)
Morcilla
Rellano Papa
Pollo Guisado
Mofongo w/lechon
Cuban sandwich
El Jibarito sandwich
Rice & Beans
Bread Pudding

This cost is based on 10 people attending, if you are unable to attend, let this thread know ASAP.

If something comes up last minute and you are unable to make the dinner, I would hope that you'll still contribute the $20 as it isn't fair to the rest of the group who does show to make up the difference.

Willie,

Thanks for making the arrangements. This sounds like an awesome dinner. I can't wait.

Sweet Willie wrote:If something comes up last minute and you are unable to make the dinner, I would hope that you'll still contribute the $20 as it isn't fair to the rest of the group who does show to make up the difference.

I completely agree on this, because last minute cancelations do impact remaining attendees.

Regards,
Cathy2

Related to this same concern; with openings for ten people, and only eight confirmed attendees listed, shouldn't the first two standbys be added to the list?

Buddy

That sounds great, Willie. Thanks for all your efforts in organizing this.

It was great to see we were taken off the waiting list and invited. Unfortunately, that's the same day the Evanston Lunch Group™ is meeting at Cupitol (that date was moved to the 13th recently), and two big meals in one day is a bit much. So, Moetchandon and I will have to decline, but at least that opens up space for others on the waiting list.

SueF will have to drop out, but I'm still in.

JoelF wrote:SueF will have to drop out, but I'm still in.

SweetWillie,

IF I read this correctly, Giovanna and I are now in. BuddyRoadHouse's wife could return to the rolls for an even 10 people.

Crossing my fingers!

Regards,
CAthy2

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:Related to this same concern; with openings for ten people, and only eight confirmed attendees listed, shouldn't the first two standbys be added to the list?

done.

There is a spot for your wife, please let the thread know.

I think Mrs. Roadhouse is going to sit this one out. Perhaps there's a casual reader of this thread who has been thinking about attending the event...Now's your chance!

Buddy

Hi,

My friend Helen will attend.

Thanks!

Regards,
CAthy2

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

My friend Helen will attend.

Thanks!

Regards,
CAthy2

very good

Have we set a start time for this shindig? I've just gone through the thread top to bottom, and unless I'm blind or just dumb (entirely possible) there doesn't seem to be one.

Buddy

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:Have we set a start time for this shindig?

6:30PM

Thanks. See you then.

Buddy

Santiago's appears to be closed, I just called their phone number and received the message that they are closed today Sept 13 but will be reopening Wed Sept 14th.

Message sounds short/not professional, my guess is personal reasons.

So sorry to say, dinner is off for tonight. I'll message everyone.

Sweet Willie wrote:Santiago's appears to be closed, I just called their phone number and received the message that they are closed today Sept 13 but will be reopening Wed Sept 14th.

Message sounds short/not professional, my guess is personal reasons.

So sorry to say, dinner is off for tonight. I'll message everyone.

Is it possible that they're closed in preparation for tonight's event?

=R=

You know, I stopped by there once for lunch and the place was closed up tight [at a day/time they were billed to be open] with no explanation offered on the door.

Hope things are OK with the family.

Giovanna

Maybe someone who lives nearby could speculatively knock on the door?

Regards,
CAthy2

Hi,

I just talked to JoelF. He is not quite close enough to do a quick drive by.

We did put our heads together on a suitable plan B: If this place is indeed closed, why not go over to Boston Fish Market?

We would be there before their closing time, get our order in and eat some great fish.

What do you think?

Regards,
Cathy2

I'm leaving work now, I'll drive by and see, should know in ~30mins

And yet another very nearby option that preserves the theme of tonight's dinner...
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=513011

Obviously, no prix fixe menu or pricing, but we should come out pretty close to that $20 per head figure.

Buddy

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:And yet another very nearby option that preserves the theme of tonight's dinner...
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=513011

Obviously, no prix fixe menu or pricing, but we should come out pretty close to that $20 per head figure.

Buddy

Great! From my point of view, this is quite acceptable plan B, too!

Santiago's is definitely closed, no lights, nobody inside.

As I took off work early to verify, I am unable to join for dinner tonight as I have work to do.

Sweet Willie wrote:Santiago's is definitely closed, no lights, nobody inside.

As I took off work early to verify, I am unable to join for dinner tonight as I have work to do.

Thank you for your efforts. I'm sorry this did not work out, though I hope this family is ok.

I did put aside this evening, so who would like to go to plan B (Fish or Puerto Rican)?

Regards,
Cathy2

I am going to have to pass--not a fan of Boston Seafood these days and the other PR spot didn't sound as appealing to me, considering I'd have to fight significant traffic to get there. Next time!! Thanks to Willie for all of his efforts--and hope the rest of the gang enjoys wherever you end up!

I'm still in for "Plan B". All other interested parties, please respond to the thread and I'll try to make a reservation for 6:30 tonight.

As for El Bistro Latino not sounding as appealing as Santiago's, your entitled to your opinion. I can tell you as someone who has eaten at both places multiple times, EBL is as good or better, in some areas, as Santiago's. The main difference is in ambiance and full table service.

Both restaurants are family owned and operated. Both serve a solid selection of Puerto Rican comfort foods. Both are very reasonably priced, even though EBL has a bigger nut to crack with a larger space and more elaborate decor.

Buddy

Hi,

My friend Helen and I are in for plan B.

Regards,
Cathy2