Minneapolis dinner group?

Hey, I never thought it was possible, but it looks like with me, sheba, and lindab, we may have the makings of a Minneapolis dinner get-together. Is anyone else interested? And sheba and lindab, do either of you have possible restaurant suggestions? I know El Meson on Lyndale (or is it Nicollet?) and La Bodega near Lyndale and Lake...are there other options? Maybe late this summer (sheba, you're going soon, right? How long will you be in Spain?)...and we could share photos and travel stories from our recent adventures!

thanks taravb but when i get back it's work, work, work and school, school, school. i'll be working one full-time job, one part-time job and going to school full-time, so i will have very little personal time.

but thank you so much for the invite.

You mind-reader you! I just posted the idea as an afterthought on another thread. I'll be back in Mpls. in August (18-26). Can you guys "postpone" dinner plans until then? I have a wedding on that Thurs/Fri but would love to get together some other night for dinner and getting acquainted. Keep me posted if this is possible...

Hey, CaliBasco, I think that would be great fun (and perhaps we can convince sheba to join in if at all possible!). End-of-summer is a pretty good time for me, though "work, work, work" and "school, school, school" tend to dominate most of my free time! (I'm collecting dissertation data and also teaching, but not until September--and the data collection is agonizingly slow during the summer anyway--more so today, when I had three research participants scheduled and came to the lab, only to find an infestation of FLYING ANTS!! Ugh...but that's another story altogether!!).

So let's pick a date and see if we can get it onto people's calendars--hey, MM, want to join in? Ohio's just a few states away!
Tara

Hi--
It looks like Brien, josie, CaliBasco, and I may be up for a dinner meeting in Minneapolis in late August...any other possible attendees? lindab? sheba?

Let's pick a date and a location!
Tara

How about we let CaliBasco tell us when would work out...since the rest of us are here in the lovely Twin Cities all the time. In general, weekday evenings are better for me, though weekends will work if they are better for everyone else.

Now I have to get working on my photo album, so that I am not boring people with a stack of disorganized photos and brochures!

See you in August...sometime! CaliBasco, what works for you?

I'd love to get together to share a meal as well as photos, stories and memories. My schedule is pretty flexible, just let me know the date. I'm only 40 min. away from Mpls. (Hopefully by then my photos will be organized too!) josie

Hey everyone,

This sounds like it really is going to materialize. I just wanted to let you all know that i am going to vegas from august 17-21...if you could do it sometime after that, that would be great. If none of those days work, then i guess i will have to miss it and participate another time. It sounds like a lot of fun so i would really like to go.

Hasta luego

Brien

How about the night of Wednesday, August 22? That would be after Brien gets back and before the wedding CaliBasco is attending.

Tara

Let's plan on the 22nd. I'd love to do it. I'll check and make sure I don't have anything silly conflicting like a rehearsal dinner, etc. Thanks for being so accomodating to my schedule!!! I've forgotten what courtesy is since moving to California!!! :p

Hi--
josie just got back to me, and the 22nd works for her too. so far, it's CaliBasco, me, and josie, though LindaB expressed interest too. Brien, will the 22nd work out for you?

Does anyone need directions to La Bodega?

MM, want to join in?

Wow. I'd LOVE to attend, but Minnesota is about as far from me here in Ohio as New York City. Yes. Yes. I know we're both in the midwest, but it would be a heck of a drive. Please! SOMEONE! Take photos!!!

Your dinner at La Bodega sounds like a good choice. Have fun!!

Saludos, MadridMan

Yeah, MM, I was just kidding--distances here in the lovely Midwest are pretty long--not like out East, where you can be in one state for drinks and another for dinner.

Thanks for posting the review of La Bodega--my experiences there were right along the same lines. Nothing earth-shattering, but some of the familiar tastes and smells of Spain. The wine selection disappointed me too, and there isn't a single Spanish beer on the menu. I wonder why that is? I think I have only been to ONE restaurant in this country with Spanish beer available. Anyway, the sangría is nice! It will be lots of fun to get together and share stories, and I will be sure to bring my camera along and send you the photos.

Other comments on La Bodega: http://vidanow.com/magazine/00/09/vidacuisine.htm http://www.mspmag.com/feature.asp?featureID=2152

It looks like we may have some live music, if we're lucky! Fun!

[ 07-08-2001: Message edited by: taravb ]

Hola taravb and co.!
I have hesitated to join in on this as I am not certain of my late summer plans. Some years, here in the Dakotas, school has already begun by the 22nd of August. I grew up in Minneapolis (my mother still lives not far from La Bodega, so I may be making my annual visit/school shopping trip to the Twin Cities around then. The motive for my post is to ask you to please continue to post the plans/changes/updates on MM as I may be in the area and would love to come. I have just recently returned from 3 weeks in Spain and am battling the 'I'd rather be in Spain blues'; your planned La Bodega might be just what I need!

Hi, perfecta-
It would be great to have you join in. Right now it looks like the 22nd, time still to be determined. So plan your shopping trip and bring Spain photos! I'll be sure to include updates here as they happen.
Tara

Hi, folks--
LindaB says she won't be able to join in; she has to work late. She also e-mailed me the following comments about La Bodega:

"Unfortunately I work late on Wednesday evenings, but please don't try
to
accommodate me. If you meet at La Bodega be sure to write & tell me
your
opinion. Take a camera & post a photo on the web to send to MM...that
would
be fun.

Paul & I were at La Bodega last Friday night & ordered Patatas Bravas &
Chorizo Tortilla, our 2 favorite tapas while in Spain. La Bodegas'
offerings
looked the same...taste & texture were another story. There were other
delightful sounding items on the menu, but since this small order, 1
beer &
1 wine totaled 24.00 + tip we moved on to Giorgios tapas bar. We knew
Giorgios would also be pricey at that hour of the day but we know the
menu &
quality would be worth it.

Are you aware of Giorgios tapas bar 2 blocks West of Hennipen on Lake?
Going there during happy hour makes all the sense in the world."

I am not familiar with Giorgios, but it might be another option. I was pretty happy with La Bodega on previous visits, but I tend to order pretty boring things! So it might be worth entertaining some other options, or perhaps reading up on other places (note the reviews of La Bodega listed as links in earlier posts in this thread). I'm willing to go anywhere, just to have a fun chat about Spain.

Hasta luego--
Tara

Droool....drooooooool.....DROOOOOOOOOOOOLLL!!!! See you all on the 22nd!!!

I'm going to try to make this shindig on the 22nd of August. Sounds like fun. Since it would bring CaliBasco and I together under the same roof, chances are we could be escorted out in the end by the cops ... But that's okay, as long as we have fun, and carry on like a bunch of kids playing hooky from school, who cares?

You'll be able to recognize me easily. I'll be the one scratching fleas behind his ear.

Wolf (Does anyone know a good bail bondsman in the TC area for us to use?)

[ 07-25-2001: Message edited by: Wolfgang81 ]

Wolf -

Try Paul Bunyon Bail Bonds, 1-800-555-Babe (the blue ox).

Pookita (lame, I know)

Pooky,

I like it... You can join Asterault, Cali, Anchovy, and myself in our private corner where the bad boys and girls have to stand.

Hey! That's where we keep the beer on tap.

Wolf (Hauling his 36 oz. mug to the corner, polishing it on his sleeve enroute. It's 5:00 PM, time to party!!!!!)

Okay...who's making the reservations? Are we still planning on "La Bodega" or are we meeting at "El Mesón"?

Also, since I'm on vacation, I have a skewed perception of how late is okay...are we planning on dinner on Spain time (after 9:30)? Whenever we've gotten together out here in LA, it's been after 9:00. That's fine for a weekend, but I'm flexible.

Also, my sister said she recommend El Mesón, but in all honesty, she's never been to La Bodega. Personally, I'm just looking forward to meeting a few of you, and having an engaging evening.

Please post or e-mail me the particulars! Thanks, and ¡hasta el 22!

I'm happy with either place.

I was thinking about 7 p.m. or so, but can do it later if that works better for the rest of you. Depends on whether it's for dinner or for after-dinner drinks, snacks, and chat.

Who's still planning on meeting?

Tara

I'm planning to be there! 7 pm works for me as a starting point, as I have at least an hours drive up from Northfield. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone! josie

Okay, given the lukewarm feedback on La Bodega and the recommendation by several people (including my neighbor, who loves it)for El Mesón, how's this:

El Mesón, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday August 22.

The address is 3450 Lyndale Avenue South. The phone number is 822-8062.

I just called and made a reservation for 6-8 people. I didn't know about smoking preferences. Could you let me know about that as I told them I would call back tomorrow with a more definite number and smoking details.

So who's coming?

Saludos,
Tara

I'm planning to attend, Tara, and I prefer non-smoking. See you tomorrow! josie