Okay, the public has spoken. Many people were clearly unhappy about the location and price of the meet-up this weekend. Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can really do about the price. If it’s cheap enough, 30 people will show up, but then I need a reservation to ensure there is space. The catch is most restaurants want a minimum guarantee, so it becomes expensive, too many people drop out to meet that minimum.
The only real alternative is to have 30 people show up en masse at a bar for drinks, but that’s a bad idea on St. Patrick’s Day. For various reasons, we’re not changing the date.
I was fortunate to get Maggiano’s to waive the deposit so I am no longer responsible for a minimum guarantee, but we will order from the regular menu and sit in the main dining room — which means we might get split up if it’s busy and there’s less opportunity to get up and mingle. That’s life.
All other details remain the same. We will still be meeting at Maggiano’s in Bellevue for a dinner reservation at 7 PM.
You no longer have to commit with your credit card, and you can order less if you want to pay less. I have made a reservation large enough to include those who have sent me payment. You will get your money back at the event, and I will refund any processing fees for those who used PayPal. If you are no longer able to make it, send an email to scottrick@hackmytrip.com and I will work out a way to return your money some other way.
If anyone else wants to come you still have until Friday at noon to let me know by email. Clearly comments are too unreliable. I will update the reservation at that time. Please bring cash because I think it is very likely we will need to pay with one check.
About Scott Mackenzie
