Let me be the first to suggest The Defectors Weld.
16th 17th or 21st all work for me in the evenings. I've got a talk in Cambridge on the afternoon of 21st.
Hammersmith Hospital appears to be convenient for Wormwood Scrubs and very few other places. Perhaps we should be thinking of somewhere more central to meet.
Yeah, that entire area of London is a bit of a desert. I've heard good things about Paradise by way of Kensal Green.
But I think it's more of a restaurant than a bar.
I can suggest some places around St. Paul's/Bank, on the grounds that they're close to my work and also on the Central line and hence relatively accessible from HH.
For myself, I can't do the Sunday, but could do the following Saturday. During the week I'm fairly free in the evenings, though probably wouldn't be able to get anywhere before 7/7.30 depending on location.
Or, as suggested in the other thread, I have recommendations for around the South Ken museums.
Didn't we meet Berry Freud in a pleasant pub by the museums?
You did indeed. The Queen's Arms I think it was.
Berry Freud
Sometimes, a cereal mascot is just a cereal mascot.
That would have been one of my recommendations.
The wise brand manager always localizes his mascots, however outlandish the results.
I'll probably be around. Limitations around when I can make it out imposed by childcare (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, generally better), otherwise, I'm pretty flexible. Saturdays and Thursdays tend to be impossible.
It's difficult for me to make it to an evening meet up and stay for any length of time, so I'd say to just plan without me because I think my constraints will be the most annoying!
Wow, thanks! (Sorry for the lag in reply - I work in what is basically a bunker.) I think it seems like either the 16th or the 21st are the best for locals, then? Either is good for me. I expect my work days to finish about 4 pm or so, so any extra transit will be fine. Really, the majority of my plans involve solo dinners and answering emails in my hotel room, so I'm thrilled to have a nudge to get out.
Google shows two Queen's Arms. The one in Kensington, right? Barry, good vegetarian options, I suppose, if you are endorsing?
Parenthetical, would love to meet you, too, even if the date and time for the meetup don't quite work - maybe lunch or something? I'll message you elsewhere.
14 Hi ydnew, yes there were vegetarian options, I think I ordered from the sandwich menu, with some sides. I went there twice when I was in town (Unfogged and B&T meetups, with quite a bit of crossover) and would go again.
If in search of vegetarianism, we could always do something Chinese /dim summish in Soho. (Ume and I were delighted to find something billed as "vegetarian tonkotsu ramen" in a Japanese place the other day. Tonkotsu meaning, literally, pork broth).
But otherwise, the Queen's Arms is fine. I'm reluctant to do GY's end of the central line, though it's also closer to my work, simply because almost everywhere there will be crammed in the early evening, and it would be good to have somewhere I could hear people talk. As pubs have shut, the ones which remain have got more and more crowded and noisier. </grandpa simpson>
But otherwise, the Queen's Arms is fine. I'm reluctant to do GY's end of the central line, though it's also closer to my work, simply because almost everywhere there will be crammed in the early evening, and it would be good to have somewhere I could hear people talk.
That's certainly true at the end of the week, but if it's earlier in the week I know some places that should be quiet enough. And it's not like the West End is going to be any less busy. But I'm happy to go elsewhere to find a cosier place.
If in search of vegetarianism, we could always do something Chinese /dim summish in Soho. (Ume and I were delighted to find something billed as "vegetarian tonkotsu ramen" in a Japanese place the other day. Tonkotsu meaning, literally, pork broth).
Ooh, can I suggest Xu? It's been getting rave reviews. Plenty of veggie dishes too. Might need to book in advance though.
The Canal Cafe in Little Venice is a decent pub with reasonable food and never seems to be terribly busy. Might be convenient-ish for someone staying in Wormwood Scrubs; it's just a few stops along the line.
Are any places outside Wormwood Scrubs convenient for someone staying there?
Xu looks delicious. There is no hope of getting good Chinese in my current location. Would that be OK with folks? A bit harder to coordinate than a pub where folks can drop in and out, but I can put in a reservation if I have a head count and folks agree. Vegetarian isn't a requirement, just a preference, and I knew Barry is, so figured it was worth asking whether he found stuff he enjoyed.
To 18/19: it looks like most of the places suggested are about 40 min travel time, which is fine, unless Google Maps terribly underestimates how long it will actually take.
Which day is better?
19: no. I believe that's the idea with prisons.
20: 40 minutes' travel time is entirely realistic, I'd have said. Hell, it's about 40 minutes on a bicycle to central London from out there. [yesterday 35 minutes very slow pedalling from the science museum to Kings Cross]
Xu looks expensive but delicious. Noisy? Anyone know?
Everywhere in London, more or less, is 40 minutes away from everywhere else. (In Edinburgh: 20 minutes. In Los Angeles: 90 minutes.)
Xu looks expensive but delicious. Noisy? Anyone know?
I've yet to go, part of why I suggested it. It's by the people behind Bao, which is noisy, but it's more formal, so maybe less so.
I don't know anything about Xu, but have a (possibly irrational) prejudice against new, fashionable Asian places after some disappointing experiences compared with the reviews (e.g. Tonkotsu and Bone Daddies). I'll go with what the majority decide, though.
25: It's those fries and slaw n'at, they turn your brain into jimmies.
Bone Daddies is alright (questionable toilet wallpaper aside). It's just absurdly overpriced. Tonkotsu seems OK for MOR Japanese, but definitely not somewhere to seek out.
I quite like their chicken karaage.
Depending on what's decided, I might be able to do the 21st - if not the full meet up, perhaps something a bit earlier in the day!
If we're discussing Japanese, could I put in a vote for Cocoro, near the British Museum: nice, imaginative food reasonably priced and quiet. There is another branch in Marylebone, but I have not tried it.
Tonkotsu seems OK for MOR Japanese
It's spelled MOAR.
my orthografic standarz
let me show u them
OK, not seeing any strong preference for a date . . . I suspect the 16th would be best for crowd and noise, but the 21st easier for Parenthetical . . . Help?
And looks like we are at options of Cocoro or Queens Arms, as Ume votes against Xu (which I now will probably just go to solo because it looks good)?
Compromise on the date and go on the 18.5th?
Go for the 16th for a regular meet up, and I'll come in during the day on the 21st for a mini meet up! :-)
I also vote against cu, for what it's worth. I don't want to spend a lot of money on an evening when I can't hear anyone.
Am completely neutral about the other places suggested
Oh Damn. Turns out I can't make 16 at all because I have to be in Cambridge until 7. Sorry. Ignore all I earlier said. Can do 21 late.
ydnew, why not meet up at Xu with those who'd like to one evening during the week when ttaM can make it, then at the Queen's Arms with me and NW and anyone else who's around on the evening of the 21st? I could come in early and meet you and Parenthetical to go round a museum or something.
That would be great, Ume! I'm currently planning on a day trip on the 21st.
That is a lovely offer, thank you, Ume! Check at the other place for a friend request?
Resolved, then: meetup at Xu, on the 16th, let's say 7 pm? If I need to reserve a table, could I get a headcount? If not, I'm fine just walking in and asking who wants to sex Mutumbo in my most American accent possible.
Then, Queen's Arms on Saturday the 21st, at maybe 6?
I'm up for the 16th. Turns out I have to do family stuff next weekend, so I'm afraid I'll have to pass on that one.
No problem. Having two solves trying to get a date that works for everyone problem beautifully. I think if it's just the two of us, I won't bother reserving - OK for you? Will try to reserve if more pipe up.
Headed to Xu now. Wearing a brown leather jacket and black slacks and carrying a neon orange backpack that I ran out of time to drop at my room.
It's probably deer season in London anyway.
About to head over shortly. Apparently we have an inverted colour scheme going on, as I'm wearing brownish cords and a black jacket. With a brown messenger bag to offset the neon.
Bad news! It's impossible to see color in London now -- all is sepia. How will you recognize each other???
Probably will need to resort to "Who wants to sex Mutombo?"
BTW, if you want some inspiration for food selection, there's a very thorough review here.
Have you arrived? Standing outside the door. Don't want to push in unless necessary.
Found and installed in in tiny nook.
gah, sorry I couldn't make it. I missed the final resolution (although ydneW kindly messaged me).
In my defence I'd just flown back from Toronto and was very jet lagged. Hope a good time was had by all.
Pittsburgh meetup thread, please?
55: Did you message heebie to tell her what a great writer she is and how cool her tattoo idea is? I mean, just sayin'.
I guess I have heebie's "electronic" "mail" "address" somewhere. I seem to remember her saying there was a problem with emailing the unfogged one.
Try geemail? Or maybe contact neb? Or LB?
Update to update: the less cultured among us will be at vinopolis by kings cross in about half an hour. The more cultured are still some near Tate modern
I am unfortunately down in Cold Comfort Farm, helping get the harvest in. But hope it goes well.
Oooh, Vinopolis! I can tell I missed out by not being able to stay later......hope you're having fun!!