DSOL Conference Blog

Orchestrating a No-Host Dinner

There are a number of things to consider when putting together a no-host dinner event:

• how much money do you want to spend?

• what kind of food are you interested in?

• do you want an environment that promotes sharing?

• can you get there easily?

• does the restaurant take credit cards?

• can the restaurant split the bill?

• does the restaurant take/require reservations?

• what time does the restaurant close?

There are a number of websites out there that will help you figure out the answers to these questions:

The DC/Baltimore Chowhound Board

DC Yelp

The Washington Post's Restaurant Guide

The New York Times' DC Restaurant Guide

DC MenuPages

Once you've picked a place, a time to eat, and a desired group size, get the word out!  Tell other Solos in person at conference events, tweet with #dsol, send a message to the listserv, or reply to this blog posting.  Pick a very specific place to meet up beforehand, and consider how long it will take you to get from that spot to the restaurant.  If you have reservations, try to get there 10 minutes before your reservation time.  At the very worst, you'll be forced to hang out and have a drink before your table is ready. :)

Let the group know if you discover something great!

--Julie

Food? "Capitol" idea!

Please pardon the pun, accept alliteration, and start thinking of restaurants that you might like to go to for Division no-host dinners.  Yes, I know that it's early, but it has been suggested that starting now may lead to more participation (thanks, Jacie!).

While I won't guarantee that I'll be able to go each night, I would be happy to maintain a list of options.  For places that require reservations, even though it will remain officially "no host," I would like to have one person designated as the Keeper of The Reservation for each restaurant.  The "Keeper" can be decided upon later, as well as where exactly the group will meet up beforehand.

I'll start the ball rolling with Jaleo - http://www.jaleo.com/downtown.htm
480 7th St. NW
Tapas

Please post suggestions to the blog, or send them to me at snyder <underscore> julie <at> shure <dot> com.

--Julie

You look tired. You should eat something.

Conferences are for learning, networking, and meeting new people. What better way to do that than by joining your colleagues for a meal? Not to slight the conference sessions, of course, but you're never going to absorb any information if you're distracted by a grumbling stomach.

A big thank you to Carol Simon for organizing the Solo Division No-Host Dinner schedule. For those of you who may have missed it on the listserv, here's the info:

Hi All,

I have made reservations at the following restaurants:

1. The Pink Door - Italian American Max 12

2. Etta's Seafood - Seafood Max 10

3. Wild Ginger - Chinese/Indian fusion Max 12

4. Tap House Grille - Beer, burgers etc. Max 10--12

Dates and Times

1. 6/14 @ 5:30pm

6/16 @ 7:30pm

6/17 @ 5:30pm

2. 6/14 @ 5:30pm

6/16 @ 7:30pm

6/17 @ 5:30pm

3. 6/14 @ 5pm

6/16 @ 6pm

6/17 @ 6pm

4. 6/14 @ 5:30pm

6/16 @ 7:30pm

6/17 @ 5:30pm

Yes, I do know that we do not have a No Host scheduled for Saturday night. I just figured if folks are around, I would make reservations. So, I did.

A couple of other things about the restaurants. For groups, they add an 18% service charge to the bill. As this is a group, they will provide a single bill and will provide multiple copies for those folks on expense accounts. The only restaurant that will provide individual bills is Etta's Seafood. The restaurants are all located within walking distance of the Convention Center. They are all very specific about group sizes.

Prices etc. Check each website. Dress codes: none.

Rather than a sign-up sheet at the Convention Center, let's do this online. Please email me back with your choice by day and the number of people. I will keep a spreadsheet and keep track of it. I believe this should work.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Seattle just a few weeks away.

Carol Simon

Please contact Carol at csimon10 AT gmail.com if you would like to attend any of these events.

Beyond the no-hosts, Seattle offers a wide variety of dining options for those who eat to live, as well as for those who live to eat. Check out these resources -

The Seattle Times Food and Wine Section -- Solid local coverage of a wide variety of places.

LTHForum, specifically their Seattle thread, located at http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=9535. -- I live in Chicago, and this is one of my favorite websites ever. While a majority of the content on the site is Chicago-based, its posters travel frequently, and they have a nice thread on Seattle dining.

Pacific Northwest Chowhound -- Chowhound has its detractors, I know. But it's still a great resource.

Anyone else have any sources to add to this list?

--Julie