Dinner after OH event on May 3rd

OK folks, here is what I could work out for 30. $23.00 PER PERSON Otani Japanese Steak House Next to Conference Site 44630 Waxman Rd Ashburn, VA 703-729-8897 Japanese Chicken Noodle Soup Salad with Ginger Dressing Habatchi Veggies (zucchini/onion/carrots/mushrooms) White or Fried Rice Choice of 1 (Salmon/Shrimp/Scallops/Steak/Chicken) Hot or Iced Tea I understand that this soup and rice are not something most of us eat, but this was the only place that would take a group our size on a Saturday night. I have to pay the resturant by noon on Saturday so I will need your payment in cash by 11am on May 3rd.  After 11am, I will release any unpaid for reservations to the waiting list.   I will be at the hotel from early Friday afternoon so I'll be easy to find. I am out of town until right before the conference so I am not able to deal with checks in the mail.  Prissy has the list and will forward it to me.

Cathy Im sorry this isnt going to work for me and I have spoke w/ a few others this is not going to work for the price and some cant eat this kind of food. I think we might have to work and check with Jackie as to see if the resteraunt at the hotel might work w/ us as a group and maybe we can split meals since we are all going to be there and it can be a little more cost effeiciant for those of us that are going to be on a budget. But those who want to go to the japanese place please feel free to contact Cathy by this lint, but Im sorry to say Im not finacially able to particpate in this restaurant. Thanks for  checking into this Cathy.

I have also discussed this with Cathy and there are a couple of alternatives (as I see it) which I will throw out for your consideration. Let's not give up as the object of this is for us all to get together and have a fun time afterwards..... 1.      We may be able to eat at the hotel but Cathy says she talked with the manager and they will only accomodate 16 at one time in their restaurant. They would do a room however for about $150 plus food -  that sounds a lot but between 40 of us but that would only be about  $3 or $4 a head extra.... plus whaever menu we coulld set up with the hotel. Now I don't know at this late date if we could do that or not..... Cathy has already discussed this wih them so she really has all the details. If there is interest we could persue this   - Please advise....... 2.  We could just turn up at some Chinese buffet and ask to all be seated together ............. don't know where but we could find somewhere but if we take that option we can decide.  Food may not be that wonderful but we could all surely find something we can eat. at an affordable price..... 3. Anyone have a house nearby that wants to open it up and we could all get takeaway like we did before when Anne organized the last one?  This is a long shot but thought I would throw it out ther e there could be as many as 40 of us in the end so not many people would be willing to do that - I would but I live in Fredericksburg... ;-) Anyone have any other ideas? Jackie

I just got a couple of notes from folks that this is too much $.  Not a problem, I'll cancel at Otani's.   I think the cost was why folks ended up in a home the last time.  Restaurants are not willing to give up dinner business for half as many appetizer plates. The Hotel restaurant seats 16 people so if anyone else has an idea, I'm game to check it out. 

Cathy- Thanks for trying....it is difficult to get accomodations on a Saturday night. How many people had expressed interest??  C

Christine, The last count was 32+ and rising....... Jackie

Hmmm...well, I think that's too many for my condo in Reston otherwise I would have offered.  

Hi, Cathy:  Just wanted to say thanks for trying to set something up for everyone.  Saturday night is a tough night for such a big group -- but it was certainly worth a shot!  :)

Lots of good ideas.  Wish I had a cheaper solution.   As Jackie mentioned, she and I talked and the only cheaper restaurant solution is a buffet place if anyone knows of one in that area.

The Otani doesn't work for me because I can't get cash to Cathy by 11 am on the 3rd. The hotel restaurant only seats 16???? or only seats 16 TOGETHER?? We could reserve under different groups (3 groups of 12 for example)  or perhaps we can do separate seatings of 4s, 6s, 8s, etc.  After all, with 32 people you're NOT going to sit next to and talk with everyone.  We could still mingle. Alternatively, a buffet is a much less expensive alternative and again those places can be flexible with seating at the last minute. This is a fine alternative with me.