A Europe A2K Gathering in May 2005

I am conscious of the fact that some visitors to London may wish to do the tourist thing and see as much as possible of the city, rather than meet on two days.

And I apologise for cocking it up, for I think it was me what done it: suggesting Saturday afternoon for a first meet I mean.

Since we are meeting on Saturday evening for a meal, and some can make the pub on Sunday, would it be more sensible to meet later on the Saturday, for drinks for a couple of hours before the meal, say?

Just wondering, I'm still available for all dates & times.
And, none of the foregoing precludes smaller groups meeting up as and when!

McTag

Anyone for Friday evening?

I could meet you Friday evening, Francis, if I arrange to get to London early enough.
I am driving down that day, from the North. I could maybe arrange to meet you at c.i.'s hotel?

A meeting point near the Piccadilly Line would suit me. Let's have a think about that. I'll check the geography, and other matters. PM me if you like.

McT

Perhaps, but only for a "nighty night - sip" at Stansted airport when I arrive :wink:

Well, only because this has been the first and accepted idea - I'd made different plans for (partly) Saturday.

(Wouldn't be that difficult to change "my Saturday" to Sunday, though.)

Okay, where are we up to with all this today?

I have arranged to meet Francis in Piccadilly on Friday evening, so if anyone else is around then, you'd be welcome.
Don't know where we're going yet....some small bar nearby I guess. (I'm not a native Londoner, as you know)

The Quadrato has our booking, and has sent the following set menus. I understand that those of us with smaller appetites or wallets may choose 2-course alternatives. I guarantee they'll treat us well, a few little extras thrown in, which is all they can do for staff's guests!

They would like us to preorder, which is a bit of a bore, but I suppose understandable from the numbers point of view. If you think you know what you want, let me know asap and I'll add it to our list.

Welcome to Quadrato

Riverside set menu £34.00

green asparagus minestrone with potato gnocchi
***
selection of crispy organic vegetables with balsamic reduction
***
*lemon balm crème brûlée with pumpkin seed biscuit and lemon sorbet
***
selection of european blend coffee, herbal infusions and petits fours

Westferry set menu £36.00

*buffalo mozzarella and tomato, marinated aubergine and pesto sauce
***
roasted corn fed chicken with sweet peppers and mint
***
*tiramisù with chocolate sauce and orange tuile
***
selection of european blend coffee, herbal infusions and petits fours

Canary Wharf set menu £38.00

lettuce, dandelion, wild rocket and raspberry salad, balsamic dressing
***
pan roasted prime aged sirloin tagliata with cannellini beans
potatoes, lardons and brunello sauce
***
chocolate and mascarpone flan with lavender infused cherries
***
selection of european blend coffee, herbal infusions and petits fours

Quadrato set menu £40.00

tuscan bread salad with tomato, cucumber, peppers and red onions
***
mixed grill of fish and vegetables with fresh tomato, basil and caper sauce
***
roasted peach melba with raspberry "granita" and chocolate sorbet
***
selection of european blend coffee, herbal infusions and petits fours

please send doggy bag!
I'll have the Quadrato menu

I'll have the chocolate and mascarpone flan with cherries, if they'll mail it...l

Wish I could send you all bits of it!

I am going to ask for the a la carte menu too, as these seem very pricy to me. Even if they give us free aperitives and sorbets etc, which I believe they can do at the restaurant manager's discretion, they can't actually change the prices for us it seems. But it is exceptionally good food and service!

Clary -- all your menues sound delicious. If I should die of overeating after desert, it will be for a worthy cause. Thanks for arranging this!

Hey !! The riverside menu looks great to me !!!

Clary, for Four Seasons I think the price is pretty reasonable !!!!!!!

Everything sounds nice (and is 'London-priced').

I tend to take either the Canary Wharf set menu or the Quadrato set menu - hopefully, there isn't (notable) alcohool in it :wink:

This afternoon, I've taking some photos around our house resp. the Jonathan hotel - will post them the day after tomorrow (you know, they were taken the old-fashioned way :wink: ), so everyone can see what she/he misses here

I just printed copy of McTag's ticket as well, so he will stay here from Fiday night until Monday as well :wink:

Me and the missus are tending toward one "Westferry" and one "Quadrato"

You can see a sample a-la-carte menu on this website if anyone wants to look.

http://www.toptable.co.uk/popup_menu.cfm?rid=341

Thank you, Clary, for organising this for us.

A pleasure, mct

SO - numbers. If everyone's happy with the set menus, I'll say so. They want to put us on 2 tables (because I thought it might be more than 12) so I'd like to know DEFINITES for Saturday evening at 8 at the Quadrato. So if I've left anyone out, please LET ME KNOW!!!

At the moment I have:
MR AND MRS MCTAG
DIANE AND DYSLEXIA
WALTER
FRANCIS
THOMAS
ME

Only 8. If this is the final number, I'll give the preorder in at close of play tomorrow afternoon.

A pleasure, mct

SO - numbers. If everyone's happy with the set menus, I'll say so. They want to put us on 2 tables (because I thought it might be more than 12) so I'd like to know DEFINITES for Saturday evening at 8 at the Quadrato. So if I've left anyone out, please LET ME KNOW!!!

At the moment I have:
MR AND MRS MCTAG
DIANE AND DYSLEXIA
WALTER
FRANCIS
THOMAS
ME

Only 8. If this is the final number, I'll give the preorder in at close of play tomorrow afternoon.

I'd also like to confirm your preorders!
IF anyone wants to see the full a la carte menu, just pm me with your email address and I'll send it to you.

I confirm.

Clary - CI had confirmed he'll be with us but as he is in Malta, he cannot post...

Thomas, which menu do you like MOST?

Thanks for that Francis, is it c i alone or with a Mrs?