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[Prime] Pre-PAX Dinner Thread - [SOLD OUT] - Sign in starts at 5:30pm!
<b>Sign in for the the PPD will start at 5:30. Dinner starts at 6:00!</b>
We will be checking names. If you have purchased a ticket from someone, please PM Saldek or TOGSolid so that we can update the guest list.
<B><U>How do I get to Barca's?</u></b>
Barca's in on 11th, between Pike and Pine. It's an easy 10-15 minute walk from the Convention Center.
Barca Bar and Lounge - Google Maps location
A couple buses also run from the area to within a block of Barca's. Check the google map link for more detailed times and bus numbers.
A couple people were talking about splitting cab fares- check near the end of the thread for more info about that.
Ladies and gentlemen, ready your wallets!
2012's PPD will be at the same Bat Time, same Bat Station as last year:
WHERE - Barca Bar and Lounge - Google Maps location
WHEN - Thursday, August 30th 6:00 - 8:00PM
TICKET PRICE: $24.59 For full buffet access! We inquired about doing the meal pre-order like last year, but the caterer's initial prices were already discounted for full buffet service and we'd only end up saving maybe a dollar or so. That's a lotta extra work for not a whole lot less off so have fun going back for seconds and trying whatever you want!
GIVE US YOUR MONEY: https://www.wepay.com/events/pre-pax-dinner
There are 120 tickets so get yours now!
***SOLD OUT***
THE BUFFET MENU
Prosciutto Stuffed Pork Chops - Boneless pork chops stuffed with Prosciutto and Provolone. Topped with seared mushrooms and Marsala reduction.
Orange and Bourbon Chicken - Fire grilled chicken topped with buttery bourbon whiskey and orange reduction.
Italian Polenta Cakes - Polenta topped with marinara sauce, julienne strips of fire roasted Portobella mushrooms, feta crumbles and blanched spinach.
Honey Balsamic Salad - Fresh garden greens blended with tomatoes, English cucumber, spring onions and feta cheese. Served with Balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
Buttermilk & Garlic Mashed Potatoes - New crop baby red potatoes are mashed with fresh garlic, buttermilk and cream.
Basket o' Bread - It's bread. I guess you can butter it or something.
--Good news for those who have been asking about gluten-free: Both meat dishes are gluten-free!
--There will be a bartender on the mezzanine so we don't have to go downstairs to get drinks! Soda and water will be provided free of charge!
--Also, for those interested, Barca's Happy Hour runs from 5-7pm: $4 wells and $1 off draft beers.
The mezzanine is reserved for us, however there will be seating available on the main level, too.
The food will most likely be set up upstairs; I'll update once Barca's and the caterer have finalized that.
***
A lot of locations were scouted by some awesome PAers and it came down to two selections. I ultimately decided on Barca because the choice was to either make it all ages and have it be pricey, or risk it being 21+ and keeping it affordable with better food choices. Either choice kinda hoses people but since ultimately the dinner tends to attract mostly 21+ people anyway, I figured that keeping it cheap with better food would be the better idea.
The good news for anyone that went to the dinner last year is that Barca has had ventilation installed since we were last there!
We will not be needing volunteers! Just show up, stuff your face, and start drinking!
Does the dinner conflict with the Triwizard Drinking Tournament?
Nope! The dinner is specifically arranged to not conflict with the crawl. It's also setup to happen in the same area as the crawl so that it's just a short walk to your starting bar.
A lot of people who do the Triwizard come to the dinner also so that we can all get a meal in before we all get shit-housed. This is a great time to meet and greet some of your fellow house members while you're still sober! If I remember correctly, Barca was a starting bar last year so some people didn't even have to leave their seats
.
***
There are a few people interested in getting a group together to walk over from the hotels (starting from the Hyatt, I believe). If a meet-up time is decided on, I'll post it here. It's about a 15 minute walk on Pine to 11th.
Don't feel like walking? The #10 and #11 buses will drop you off less than a block from Barca. (schedules will be available closer to the dinner, but both buses run fairly frequently).
***
Thanks to:
@LexiconGrrl
@vespachica
@Saldek
@TheMisanthrope
Also thanks to @Beta_Angel for answering my newbie questions!
- @TOGSolid
We will be checking names. If you have purchased a ticket from someone, please PM Saldek or TOGSolid so that we can update the guest list.
<B><U>How do I get to Barca's?</u></b>
Barca's in on 11th, between Pike and Pine. It's an easy 10-15 minute walk from the Convention Center.
Barca Bar and Lounge - Google Maps location
A couple buses also run from the area to within a block of Barca's. Check the google map link for more detailed times and bus numbers.
A couple people were talking about splitting cab fares- check near the end of the thread for more info about that.
Ladies and gentlemen, ready your wallets!
2012's PPD will be at the same Bat Time, same Bat Station as last year:
WHERE - Barca Bar and Lounge - Google Maps location
WHEN - Thursday, August 30th 6:00 - 8:00PM
TICKET PRICE: $24.59 For full buffet access! We inquired about doing the meal pre-order like last year, but the caterer's initial prices were already discounted for full buffet service and we'd only end up saving maybe a dollar or so. That's a lotta extra work for not a whole lot less off so have fun going back for seconds and trying whatever you want!
GIVE US YOUR MONEY: https://www.wepay.com/events/pre-pax-dinner
There are 120 tickets so get yours now!
***SOLD OUT***
THE BUFFET MENU
Prosciutto Stuffed Pork Chops - Boneless pork chops stuffed with Prosciutto and Provolone. Topped with seared mushrooms and Marsala reduction.
Orange and Bourbon Chicken - Fire grilled chicken topped with buttery bourbon whiskey and orange reduction.
Italian Polenta Cakes - Polenta topped with marinara sauce, julienne strips of fire roasted Portobella mushrooms, feta crumbles and blanched spinach.
Honey Balsamic Salad - Fresh garden greens blended with tomatoes, English cucumber, spring onions and feta cheese. Served with Balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
Buttermilk & Garlic Mashed Potatoes - New crop baby red potatoes are mashed with fresh garlic, buttermilk and cream.
Basket o' Bread - It's bread. I guess you can butter it or something.
--Good news for those who have been asking about gluten-free: Both meat dishes are gluten-free!
--There will be a bartender on the mezzanine so we don't have to go downstairs to get drinks! Soda and water will be provided free of charge!
--Also, for those interested, Barca's Happy Hour runs from 5-7pm: $4 wells and $1 off draft beers.
The mezzanine is reserved for us, however there will be seating available on the main level, too.
The food will most likely be set up upstairs; I'll update once Barca's and the caterer have finalized that.
***
A lot of locations were scouted by some awesome PAers and it came down to two selections. I ultimately decided on Barca because the choice was to either make it all ages and have it be pricey, or risk it being 21+ and keeping it affordable with better food choices. Either choice kinda hoses people but since ultimately the dinner tends to attract mostly 21+ people anyway, I figured that keeping it cheap with better food would be the better idea.
The good news for anyone that went to the dinner last year is that Barca has had ventilation installed since we were last there!
We will not be needing volunteers! Just show up, stuff your face, and start drinking!
Does the dinner conflict with the Triwizard Drinking Tournament?
Nope! The dinner is specifically arranged to not conflict with the crawl. It's also setup to happen in the same area as the crawl so that it's just a short walk to your starting bar.
A lot of people who do the Triwizard come to the dinner also so that we can all get a meal in before we all get shit-housed. This is a great time to meet and greet some of your fellow house members while you're still sober! If I remember correctly, Barca was a starting bar last year so some people didn't even have to leave their seats
.***
There are a few people interested in getting a group together to walk over from the hotels (starting from the Hyatt, I believe). If a meet-up time is decided on, I'll post it here. It's about a 15 minute walk on Pine to 11th.
Don't feel like walking? The #10 and #11 buses will drop you off less than a block from Barca. (schedules will be available closer to the dinner, but both buses run fairly frequently).
***
Thanks to:
@LexiconGrrl
@vespachica
@Saldek
@TheMisanthrope
Also thanks to @Beta_Angel for answering my newbie questions!
- @TOGSolid
https://www.pinnypals.com/pals/Saldek
DS Friend Code - 5300-9697-9935
DS Friend Code - 5300-9697-9935
Moe Fwacky on
0
This discussion has been closed.
Posts
Ok, well, maybe not that last bit.
On to the good stuff! A location has been secured and caterers are being shaken down and intimidated contacted!
2012's PPD will be at the same Bat Time, same Bat Station as last year:
WHERE - Barca Bar and Lounge - Google Maps location
WHEN - Thursday, August 30th 6:00 - 8:00PM
TICKET PRICE: TBD - Will not exceed $30. Tickets will be going on sale next month at the latest. If things with the caterer go smoothly it'll be before this month is out.
A lot of locations were scouted by some awesome PAers and it came down to two selections. I ultimately decided on Barca because the choice was to either make it all ages and have it be pricey, or risk it being 21+ and keeping it affordable with better food choices. Either choice kinda hoses people but since ultimately the dinner tends to attract mostly 21+ people anyway, I figured that keeping it cheap with better food would be the better idea.
The good news for anyone that went to the dinner last year is that Barca has had ventilation installed since we were last there!
Once the menu is secured, I may need some button design ideas for each of the main courses. Just like last year, when you pay for your ticket you'll let us know which main dish you want and when you arrive you will be handed a button that corresponds to your selection so that the server knows what to hand you.
Efforts are being made to ensure that no one has to volunteer to deal with clean up/serving/etc. because I know the majority of us are going to be getting very, very drunk as soon as the dinner is over.
Does the dinner conflict with the Triwizard Drinking Tournament?
Nope! The dinner is specifically arranged to not conflict at all with the crawl. It's also setup to happen in the same area as the crawl so that it's just a short walk to your starting bar.
A lot of people who do the Triwizard come to the dinner also so that we can all get a meal in before we all get shit-housed. This is a great time to meet and greet some of your fellow house members while you're still sober! If I remember correctly, Barca was a starting bar last year so some people didn't even have to leave their seats
Is Barca an international chain as there are a couple not far from me?
I'll help with badges if you like.
For paintings in progress, check out canvas and paints
"The power of the weirdness compels me."
A big thank you to all of you who are working so hard to scout out and secure places/food!
For paintings in progress, check out canvas and paints
"The power of the weirdness compels me."
twitter.com/Menolly07
You're correct on both accounts. It does fill up /fairly/ quickly, and it also does not usually conflict with the triwizard (by design). As far as official sign-ups, I have no clue
We're shooting for tickets to go on sale next month.
A lot of people who do the Triwizard come to this also so that we can all get a meal in before we all get shit-housed. The dinner is specifically setup to not conflict at all with the crawl and to also happen in the same area as the crawl so that it's just a short walk to your starting bar. If I remember correctly, Barca was a starting bar last year so some people didn't even have to leave their seats
I should probably mention this in the OP.
TOGSolid, thanks for getting this going and taking the bull by the bal...horns. Also, talk to gal_friday about buttons. She's a superstar and has done the buttons for the past few years. If she has time, she will make them super-fantastic.
Sly-ther-in! Sly-ther-in! Sly-ther-in! Sly-ther-in!
Anywho! I had an epic time last year and (hopefully) will do so again!
and I'm a shy person at first so I donno if I should join in >.>
/thinks about it in a hidden corner/
Yes, and sign up for every other major PAX event. The people who go to these are super friendly and you'll have a ball.
For paintings in progress, check out canvas and paints
"The power of the weirdness compels me."
The Wife and I fit this description execpt for the "Pax Alone" part. We're planning on signing up for this in part simply to pull us out of our shells (mandatory socializing if you will). Also this because we don't think we can keep up with the TWDT people (although we may camp in/near a bar.)
You'd think caterers would get hype as fuck when you show up and want to throw thousands of dollars at them but no. They gotta act like prissy bitches.
Time to go to the next caterer on the list!
Scott Kurtz, The Morning After, Aug 31 - 2010
I go by myself every year, and I'm very shy too. But I made myself go on the Magical Mystery Tour, the Dinner, the pub crawl, the post party, etc. I still don't have as many friends as many people, but I have some and I talk to them all year long on Twitter now. Just put yourself out there.
Hotel Booked: check!
Sitter for the kids: check!
Excitement level rising: check, check and triple check!
Catering profits work on incredibly small margins. They're in business to make money, not give food away. Unlike a regular kitchen, they have extra licensing, transportation costs, insurance and overhead to cover too. It doesn't matter how many dollars you throw at them if, at the end of the event, they only make $200 in profit to split between a staff of 4 for an all day effort.
Well, it's kind of a moot point. Caterer A was all hemming hawwing and being very non-committal. Caterer B responded with WE WANT YOUR MONEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY. Caterer B and I have been getting along fantastically.
PAX Prime Attendee since 2006, BYOC Attendee 2008-2012, Buttoneer 2010-2014
https://www.pinnypals.com/pals/alegria
Sit tight!