2013 National, who's going?

Bosox Blair wrote:Sad to report that I cannot go this year...seems like a great crowd going though! Have fun and have a beer for me .

Blair - I'm sorry to hear that you can't make it. I enjoyed meeting you last time at the Chicago dinner.

Jewish-collector wrote:

Bosox Blair wrote:Sad to report that I cannot go this year...seems like a great crowd going though! Have fun and have a beer for me .

Blair - I'm sorry to hear that you can't make it. I enjoyed meeting you last time at the Chicago dinner.

Hi Alan! Me too - it was fun to meet the people behind these posts! Really sorry to miss this...sounds like you guys will be doing it up in style!!!

I was also hoping to meet you Blair, it looks like there will be a few I have wanted to meet like Ben and Jamie, and I am sure there is more.

Lee

sabrjay wrote:There are places close by, but nothing very good. At least I don't think so.

Hi Jay,

I didn't really branch out too much for cuisine, but want to pass on to attendees one good tip - Gibsons Steakhouse for lunch.

It is right directly across the street from where the Nat is held. If you don't mind spending $15-20 on a nice sit-down lunch, they had some great selections a couple years ago, including a platter with 3 filet mignon sliders on it and fries for about $13. Also had a lunch-sized hanger steak one day that was delicious. And here's the bonus - free wi-fi for customers. So I'd have my lunch there and get out my laptop and check prices I noted from the morning of walking the floor. I thought this was just great. (Mind you a mere couple years later - today - maybe people don't think free wi-fi is such a big deal...I'm low-tech so I don't know?) I remember in 2011 someone told me that if you wanted a "hot spot" inside the National, you had to pay $15 a day...I was happier getting internet free with my lunch!

Was just getting nostalgic reading my daily posts from 2011: https://vbbc.forumotion.com/t4145-expectations-from-the-upcoming-national-in-chi-town?highlight=2011+national

Cheers,
Blair

The very first dinner gathering at the Nationals was at Gibsons, decided to splurge and get prime rib, they char broiled it. i was so pissed, $29 for a burnt piece of meat. Who char broils prime rib? I don't think I have every paid over $20 for a meal before or since and all you got was the meat for $29.

My rant is over, the Nationals is going to be fun.

Lee

bowlingshoeguy wrote:The very first dinner gathering at the Nationals was at Gibsons, decided to splurge and get prime rib, they char broiled it. i was so pissed, $29 for a burnt piece of meat. Who char broils prime rib? I don't think I have every paid over $20 for a meal before or since and all you got was the meat for $29.

My rant is over, the Nationals is going to be fun.

Lee

Hi Lee,

Sorry we won't get to meet this time - I'm sure we will in the years to come!

Strange about the prime rib...odd way to prepare/ruin nice meat! FWIW, I thought the lunch there overdelivered on my expectations. If they deliver the same quality sliders they served me, I think anyone would be impressed.

jbonie wrote:

Bosox Blair wrote:

sabrjay wrote:Blair, you will be missed. I really enjoyed are late night chat at the alst Chicago how.

Hi Jay,

Yes - I really enjoyed our chat in the lounge there! I'm sorry to have to miss this.

I have another trip abroad this year that was pre-paid, and I thought I could do the National on top of that one, but it turns out I can't take that much vacation time.

Bummer!

Hi Jamie,

You are another guy I wanted to meet...I'm having a self-pity party here...waaaaaaaaaaah!

Bummer blair...I also was hoping to meet you...some other time!!!!

Bosox Blair wrote:

Hi Jamie,

You are another guy I wanted to meet...I'm having a self-pity party here...waaaaaaaaaaah!

Blair, thanks for the sentiments. Some other time, my friend. Or, if you find yourself in Boston, let me know. It's now possible to get tickets to Bosox games again now that the team is stinkin'. Hallelujah!

sabrjay wrote:Since we will only be there one day the only time we can do any sort of get together is a dinner Saturday night. If anyone has a suggestion for good dinner place, speak up. We did Giordano's last time. Would like to do something different. I've heard good things about Smoque BBQ and am always up trying a good Q joint. It's not to far away but not sure if the aloft shuttle will go there or not. Guess I'll give them a call and find out. They more than happy to shuttle all of us to Giordano's last time.

This is a good question. Gibsons is pricey. There are a bunch of new restaurants that just opened in 2012 behind the parking garages (across the street from the convention center), so everyone could walk there. I don't know, however, which restaurants are good and which ones aren't.

http://www.rosemont.com/the_park_at_rosemont.php

Alan, checked it out. The Park Tavern looks like a winner. Would love to see that beer tap at the table set up.

Park Tavern restaurant

The Haufbrauhaus looks pretty good too.

Haufbrauhaus

plane ticket secured...it's official!!!!

did you get your rates on the hotel changed so you get the 2 drinks? Still haven't booked flight, what was the damage?

Lee

Cash advance on the Lowdy, Pete?

chris...funny...actually I donated plasma!!!!! lee...I haven't addressed the drink situation yet...flight was 250 delta...southwwest was a little cheaper but flies into midway...and times werent as good.

so where's everybody at now? going, not going?

Hotel booked, just deciding yet whether to drive or fly.

Lee

I think most of us are that are going are staying at the Aloft. I stayed there last time and it was a great hotel with in room safe and shuttles to lots of places. Plus walking distance to the convention center if you don't want to wait for a shuttle

I wish I could be there, but the next best thing! Some of my cards will be there in the Love of the Game booth! I will have to live vicariously through them.

Well, I got some good news concerning my mother's health, so after speaking it over she felt it was silly for me to sit home and miss the National on her account.

As much as I'd like to see you guys, I'd like to see those sausages Jay teased up above even more.

We doing anything this year?

So... you are more interested in Jay's sausage than any vintage NY cabinets?  

At least Jay's sausage will be at the show.

The same cannot be said for vintage NY cabinets!

If it's my choice, I saw we go to the Hofbrauhaus. Can't go wrong with great German beer and food. And most likely a polka band to boot. If there are enough of us I'll see about getting a group rate. AS an added bonus they are having a stein holding contest that Saturday night.

Pretty cool!  I didn't know the Hofbrauhaus had any branches here in the states.  I've only been to the one in Munich, Germany.

guys--sorry i suffered a setback.  my wife suddenly got pregnant 3mos ago with our 2nd so i'm not going to test the understanding of a hormonal woman.  been busy and a lil crazy with everything lately, but in GOOD way .

have fun in chi.  i'm kinda sad i'll be missing chris' anecdotes about living with his mom clashing with his single lifestyle.