Hi Everyone,
I wanted to make a new post to make sure it gets everyone's attention.
In lieu of instruction/suggestion by most of the group, I have secured a dinner reservation for us at "Your Place Grill and Restaurant" here in Mechanicsburg for Saturday July 12th.
I spoke at length with the manager of this restaurant yesterday evening - I explained our group and what we were looking to do. I explained to her our less-than-satisfactory experience last year, and she didn't seem too surprised.
We have an outside patio area reserved - it is at the back of the building and remote so we won't be disturbed. Of course if weather is bad, the inside is plenty large enough for our party. She assured me that they would take good care of us, and would ensure having enough staff and stock to handle our needs. She was very very pleasant, and I think we're all going to have a very good time. She even said that we can turn off the jukebox music which is piped out to the patio area if we want to.
The ONLY thing we need to decide ahead of time is if we all want to order from their standard menu, or if we would like a buffet (of a few varieties) prepared for us before our arrival.
With the buffet we have three options, the most ranging up to $9.50 a person. It would include Pizza (two one-topping, our choices) strombolis, salad, soup-de-jour (our choice) and sub-sandwiches. We can remove options (sandwiches first, salad next) for $1-a-person intervals. The advantages to us are A) set ammount per person (excluding drinks of course) and B) Food will already be served, hot, and ready when we start showing up. Also, food stays out all night, until we leave. If we're there for 4 hours, they'll feed us for four hours. She did explain that if we decide to order from the menu individually, that was fine, but that they'll probably have to do large lump bills because it's too difficult to keep 20+ tabs organized (much like GG's did last year.) I remember how much of a fiasco that was.
She asked that I let her know at least a week in advance (I'd like to give more notice if possible) so that she can be well prepared - she's going to order extra food stocks to handle our party and wants to know what to focus on - buffet or menu.
We of course do not need to decide this now, but be thinking about it. I'll start a poll in the next few months.
I was quite proud to be representing this organization, and feel very confident that we will all have a very enjoyable time. I look forward to Carlisle 2008!!
See you there!!
Jeff