National Convention Dinner Trip

[Joe L.]

A few months ago I posted a suggestion that we organize a "repeat performance" of the wonderful dinner that a gang of us had at the 2002 National Convention in Monterey. That dinner at the Sardine Factory in Monterey was just an absolutely wonderful experience that I'm sure all that attended remember well.

My suggestion was that we do it again during this year's convention in San Jose. It would involve a road trip of about 80 miles, or so, from San Jose to Monterey. I suggested that we do it on Tuesday evening since that seems to be the evening which would least interfere with folks attending other convention events.

Well, it's now just 2 weeks before the convention and I'd like to confirm who is interested in attending the event. I need to see if there's enough interest to go ahead with this and, if so, I need to make reservations at the Sardine Factory. If we have enough folks I think I 'll try to make reservations for one of the private dining rooms like we had the last time. So, I need to have somewhat firm commitments from folks who wish to be part of this. If you know folks who don't frequent this board but will be attending this year's convention, please pass this info on to them.

As I mentioned previously for those folks who were not there the last time, the Sardine Factory is a 5 star restaurant and it comes with "5 star prices". So, for folks who want to "economize" on their dining costs, this is not the place for you. But, for folks that want to have a great experience with friends at one of the best restaurants in California, this one is for you.

Please let me know.

[Terry M.]

Re: National Convention Dinner Trip

I am up for the dinner Joe, but my Corvette will be locked in the Convention Center and my daughter has crutches. If anyone has a large car, we have a handicapped hangtag.

[John H.]

Re: National Convention Dinner Trip

Joe -

Count me in! I won't have wheels either.

[Steven N.]

Re: National Convention Dinner Trip

Sounds good ! I will need a ride though.

[Harmon C.]

Re: National Convention Dinner Trip

I need a ride for Linda and I also.

[Terry M.]

Re: National Convention Dinner Trip

As I mentioned previously for those folks who were not there the last time, the Sardine Factory is a 5 star restaurant and it comes with "5 star prices". So, for folks who want to "economize" on their dining costs, this is not the place for you. But, for folks that want to have a great experience with friends at one of the best restaurants in California, this one is for you.

Please let me know.

It sounds like transportation will be an issue for all of us. What say y'all to renting a limo and doing this in style?

[Ridge K.]

Re: National Convention Dinner Trip

A few months ago I posted a suggestion that we organize a "repeat performance" of the wonderful dinner that a gang of us had at the 2002 National Convention in Monterey. That dinner at the Sardine Factory in Monterey was just an absolutely wonderful experience that I'm sure all that attended remember well.

My suggestion was that we do it again during this year's convention in San Jose. It would involve a road trip of about 80 miles, or so, from San Jose to Monterey. I suggested that we do it on Tuesday evening since that seems to be the evening which would least interfere with folks attending other convention events.

Well, it's now just 2 weeks before the convention and I'd like to confirm who is interested in attending the event. I need to see if there's enough interest to go ahead with this and, if so, I need to make reservations at the Sardine Factory. If we have enough folks I think I 'll try to make reservations for one of the private dining rooms like we had the last time. So, I need to have somewhat firm commitments from folks who wish to be part of this. If you know folks who don't frequent this board but will be attending this year's convention, please pass this info on to them.

As I mentioned previously for those folks who were not there the last time, the Sardine Factory is a 5 star restaurant and it comes with "5 star prices". So, for folks who want to "economize" on their dining costs, this is not the place for you. But, for folks that want to have a great experience with friends at one of the best restaurants in California, this one is for you.

Please let me know.

Joe, you obviously will not have room for everyone who would like to attend this fine dinner, so you might pass on that I will attempt to arrange a dinner for us fellow "newbies" at the closest San Jose McDonalds, for filet-of-fish sandwiches.
You would be wise to exclude me from the Sardine Factory dinner, because me sitting down at the table with your expertise, as well as a couple of Corvette Hall of Fame members, would have been similar to the scene where Cousin Eddie, sat down at Wayne Newton's table in the movie Vegas Vacation....!
Enjoy a great dinner, and hope to meet you guys at the convention.
Ridge.

[Gerard F.]

Re: National Convention Dinner Trip

Joe,

Would love to go, but I'm signed up for the Winchester Tour/Santana Row trip Tuesday night.

Maybe we could do it again Wednesday night, when only the Bay Cruise interferes. Maybe a place in San Jose that serves spaghetti and clams, and canolis

[Patrick H.]

Re: National Convention Dinner Trip

Joe, you obviously will not have room for everyone who would like to attend this fine dinner, so you might pass on that I will attempt to arrange a dinner for us fellow "newbies" at the closest San Jose McDonalds, for filet-of-fish sandwiches.
You would be wise to exclude me from the Sardine Factory dinner, because me sitting down at the table with your expertise, as well as a couple of Corvette Hall of Fame members, would have been similar to the scene where Cousin Eddie, sat down at Wayne Newton's table in the movie Vegas Vacation....!
Enjoy a great dinner, and hope to meet you guys at the convention.
Ridge.

Ridge,

the Sardine Factory has a very large Conservatory as well as other rooms that they open for larger parties. Take a look:

http://www.sardinefactory.com

You would be wise to attend the dinner as you will never forget it.
I was at the one in 2002 and I still remember it well.
I went there with Joe on a later date, and he and I are planning another visit in the future.

This will be one of those "must do" events. It is worth it for the cameraderie and the stories. Don't miss it because you don't think you "know enough" to be there. Most of those at the 2002 dinner were just "Average Joes."

Patrick


2002 attendees: (clockwise, starting front and center)

Howard & Margaret Hoover
Scott & Kay Sinclair
John Morawski
Richard Dunham
Me
Duke Williams
Tom Phares
Mick Rak
Scott Kohn
John Hinckley
Joe Lucia
George Jerome
Mikey

[Clem Z.]

Re: National Convention Dinner Trip

OK who paid for dukes dinner?

[Jean C.]

Re: National Convention Dinner Trip

Joe,
Jean and I would like to attend the dinner in Monterey if you have not already closed the invitation.

Appears that Terry's idea of handling the tranportation issue may be the way to go.

Best regards
Charlie and Jean Cadenhead

[Ridge K.]

Re: National Convention Dinner Trip

Ridge,

the Sardine Factory has a very large Conservatory as well as other rooms that they open for larger parties. Take a look:

http://www.sardinefactory.com

You would be wise to attend the dinner as you will never forget it.
I was at the one in 2002 and I still remember it well.
I went there with Joe on a later date, and he and I are planning another visit in the future.

This will be one of those "must do" events. It is worth it for the cameraderie and the stories. Don't miss it because you don't think you "know enough" to be there. Most of those at the 2002 dinner were just "Average Joes."

Patrick


2002 attendees: (clockwise, starting front and center)

Howard & Margaret Hoover
Scott & Kay Sinclair
John Morawski
Richard Dunham
Me
Duke Williams
Tom Phares
Mick Rak
Scott Kohn
John Hinckley
Joe Lucia
George Jerome
Mikey

Patrick, I really appreciate your kind thoughts on the matter. My comments were only in jest, as no one of this board respects Joe more than I do. Anyone who has close to 21,500 posts, the overwhelming majority of which, are helping other fellow members, is a guy I would love to enjoy their company over dinner. That's the "best of the best".
I also appreciate you providing that list of names, with that photo. I've seen that photo posted before, but hadn't had the pleasure of meeting any of those members, other than thru a few TDB post exchanges. It was hard to put names, with faces.
Hope you possibly had a change of heart, and will attend the national yourself. If not,..... hope to see you at a regional, as soon as I complete my car, and get to see how she is judged.
Thanks,
Ridge

[Dick W.]

Re: National Convention Dinner Trip

Ridge, you should invest and make that trip. While I have not had the pleasure of breaking bread with Joe and his esteemed friends, I ate there in '87 or '88 when the Corvette was the featured marque at the classic races. Food to kill for.

[Terry M.]

Re: National Convention Dinner Trip

I ate there in '87 or '88 when the Corvette was the featured marque at the classic races. Food to kill for.

I thought the expression was food to die for. Or maybe that is not the way to put it either.

I am making some transportation inquiries. If we can get a head-count (so to speak), I can get a cost estimate for the round trip, and post it up here. I would suppose the more people the lower the cost per person.

[Patrick H.]

Re: National Convention Dinner Trip

I thought the expression was food to die for. Or maybe that is not the way to put it either.

I am making some transportation inquiries. If we can get a head-count (so to speak), I can get a cost estimate for the round trip, and post it up here. I would suppose the more people the lower the cost per person.

Renting a 12 or 15 person van or two is likely the cheapest.

Else checking with a bus company on a "short bus" ( ) may be reasonable, but since the drivers charge for their "sit time" too you'll pay the whole time you're at dinner.