London Meet Up - 29 November - Who's In? [Title edited by MNHQ at OP's request]

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

A few degenerates seem to have the idea that some of us would for some reason once again want to get together for some drink and inane chatter somewhere in London sometime around Christmas.....

So with that in mind the date of 29 November is being paddled around.

and and much fun to be had!

EVERYONE welcome.

I've cocked up. Sorry. I always knew I would, but it's not the end of the world. I hope.

When I went in today to confirm roughly 15 people I learned that for such a big table, we can't order everything we want. My mistake; I misunderstood.

We can have a set menu - not appealing, especially because it's three courses, fish heavy and not particularly veggie-friendly.

So I've negotiated a choice of 5 starters, 5 mains and 5 puddings from the a la carte. You can do a pick and mix from that and we can all ask for separate bills. It might be possible for the veggies to choose a selection of starters. I will check this when I call back after 7pm.

So:

Starters

Padron peppers - tiny green peppers fried and sprinkled with salt
King Prawns - garlic, chilli and spring onion
Chicken liver pate and toast
Piquillo peppers - stuffed with wild mushrooms and goat cheese
Baked goat cheese - coated with roasted almonds and honey

Mains

Spring vegetable risotto - wild mushrooms, peppers, aubergine, parmesan, basil pesto
Crab linguine - crab meat, garlic, chilli
Cod loin - spring onion mash, seasonal veg, vinaigrette
Lamb shank - braised in Moorish spiced coconut sauce, baby roast potatoes, grilled vegetables
Rib eye steak - chips, grilled vegetables, Bearnaise sauce.

Puddings

Fondant - Chocolate sponge with melted chocolate in middle with vanilla ice cream
Santiago Tart - not a woman but a cake made with almonds and served with vanilla ice cream
Creme Brulee - because I like custard and The League of Gentlemen.
Apple and Blackberry Crumble - with custard or ice cream
Sweet pancakes - berries, honey, anis and Chantilly cream. Whatever that is.

I've chosen from the lower price end of the menu (thought the menu will be priced) and I will make sure that people can order what they want from that rather than getting stuck with everything and can have separate bills.

I'm very sorry for fucking it up. And it was all going so well...

Next time I'm going with a bag of plain crisps and a lemonade on the wall outside the offy.

PS regarding the Spring Vegetable Risotto. I realise that the vegetables aren't very springy and it's only spring in the southern hemisphere atm and that would be a bit too far to travel, especially for the people who are understandably a bit apprehensive about negotiating fierce commuters.

Anyway, that's the best I can do.

I'm sure it'll be great

Look forward to seeing you.

limited, you haven't fucked up at all - in fact your organisation has been superb. I'm sure it will all work out in the end anyway. I'm a drinky and small snacky person, IYSWIM? It will be fine - really. You have been fab with this

limited you havnt fucked up at all :)

Looks lovely. I'm happy to spilt the bill -normally do that with friends - rather then hassle of lots of bills - but whatever everyone wants to do

Looks good :)

Is that from the menu I looked at ? Did a link somewhere down the thread? Thought it was good value tbh

Looking forward to it all :)

Fb timehop shows status from 3yrs ago mn xmas meet - one where I got wankered on cheap wine and got lost and was sooooooooooooo ill the following day

At the very last moment I couldn't come last year to Borough and I was so looking forward to it.

At some point on Saturday afternoon I will regale you drunkenly with my personal tragedy.

No really, I will. It's no problem

Woop woooooooop! So looking forward to this! Blondes, Hearts, see you both by WHS. Oh and Limited, you didn't fuck up at all, it all sounds delish.

Limited if anyone dares to intimate that you have fucked up in any way at all, with all the work you have put in basically single-handedly organising the thing, they will have some Very Strong Words from me. Ask Fru, I have a potty mouth (see my other thread).

You are wonderful and Saturday is gonna be awesome.

Hearts I was joking. I'm sure no one will. But thanks.

I hate organising stuff.

But I'm glad I did and I'm really looking forward to seeing the few people I've met and all the others I haven't. I wish it was bigger.

Ask for the Mumsnet/Gillian table

Don't worry limited it looks fab, absolutely not a fuck up. Thank you for organising and co-ordinating.

Have no fear we will charm Issy and Jose, they will give us what we want, and love every minute of it FX!

Menu looks great, I might just have 2 starters and 2 puddings

Really looking forward to it.

Hi everyone, really sorry but I don't think I'll be able to make it as my dad has been taken ill - not sure if it's a stroke or a brain haemorrhage but he's in hospital and I need to go home. I hope you all have a lovely time. Maybe next year? Sorry again x

We'll miss you andywarhol.

That's what happened to me last year.

I really hope your dad makes it.

Thinking of you. Take care.

Thanks limited xx

andY :( hope your dad is ok and same for you limited

sbj and hearts see you at whs at cx then we shall wizz to victoria and meet at that cx and onwards to the bar :)

Menu sounds lovely :)

Hi hi hi!!!! So sorry lost thread and bring a stupid plum didn't "search" correctly can I still come, is it still tomorrow, at Abiout Thyme? Am I too late??? Xx

Andy I hope your Dad does ok.

That looks like a lovely menu limited. Well chosen! Anyway it's much easier if you don't have a choice of 50 gazillion different dishes.

I don't mind bill wise with the food - happy to either split the bill or pay for our own. Drinks wise it might be better to pay for our own as there probably will be a large variation in capacity

"Large variation in capacity" ??? Aren't we all Mumsnetters & will drink the joint dry of gin?

Limited - I'm not coming for the food, but for the company.

Andy - I hope your Dad is OK, what an anxious time for you.

Plum, I'm not Limited obviously but I can't see that there would be an issue.

Magi!

Thanks Kitten, Huge relief - mops brow!!!

Limited - Food looks great - thanks lots for the organisational powers of excellence!!

Coming for the company, food, gin etc etc!!

Andy - thoughts and hugs - can't do flowers icon - but please take care!!!

plumstone I'll count the numbers later on today and then I'll tell them. I'm sure if even if someone turns up tomorrow they'll be able to pull up a chair. They said there was room for more than 20 people in the space.

Yay :) can't believe that it's nearly tomorrow, iyswim.

Thanks Limited - I can also loiter outside with some pork scratchings and a port 'n' lemon - if I have too!!!!! :)

Also please can I join the pre meet up meet up at whs at Victoria, I can bring a variety of root veg and will look for Magi - no idea what I will be wearing but will smile in a non stalkerish creepy way to all carrying root veg!!!