Sharon:

As we get closer to the date I'm beginning to think there's a good chance we won't be able to make it-- so I'd rather give up our two spots now than have to cancel last minute.

we'll check it out on our own sometime soon and report back.

We are still in, though the Bride has been quietly weaseling (she says, "what if I am too busy with work?" - imagine the misguided priorities of the woman!). Anyway, we are at least one, probably two - unfortunately she will not know for sure until Monday of that week.

As to the menu, the joy of an LTH meal is that if I am not in charge, I can trust others to make good choices and just enjoy. So I support whatever decision you make. You could also just say - "we are happy to pay $50, make whatever you think would most amuse us."

And I would let them know this is an LTH dinner. Given our history with Moto, no need to hide (assuming Homaro has not already been reading this thread). If I were to sum up the LTH ethical stand on this, it is safe to say that we are not paid reviewers, thus not obliged to remain anonymous. On the other hand, we insist on paying for our meals. There is a certain urban refuge in anonymity, though, for some of us.

Anyway, if we choose to post a review on the meal, and I am sure we will, it will be clear that this was an LTH event and not what the normal diner might encounter with their party of 4.

Hopefully I have this right, but if not I trust a friendly mod will revise as needed.

I'm happy with the $45 menu, but also dicksond has a point - letting the kitchen take charge couldn't be a bad thing and considering the LTH history I'm sure they could accomodate us.

My hope would be that we could order family style, and so get everything on the menu, and then split as we wish. The value of these dinners is to try as many dishes as possible.

I would not have a problem with either dinner menu. The passed appetizers is not appealing.

Gary

We are open to whatever, but I'll make you all this offer- if you negotiate for a no corkage we will bring 4 different bottles for you all to sample from our cellar- some newer more unique stuff, some bubbly, some pinot noir, and something else that I'll figure out.

I'm still up for this and $50 I can swing.

I like Gary's suggestion of a family style diner so we can essentially try everyything on the menu.

Jyoti

jygach wrote:I like Gary's suggestion of a family style diner so we can essentially try everything on the menu.

Jyoti

And, as I said in addition to the other things I said, I am happy to let the rest of you decide.

But I am certainly looking forward to sampling as many things as possible.

The latest update:

I contacted Kathryn yesterday about the possibility of a family-style dinner that would showcase as many items from the menu as possible. It sounds like Chef is willing to do it, but we've got to change the date because he's getting married! Here is the note from Kathryn:

I just got out of my meeting with our executive chef Daryl Nash and the
owner. Chef requests we postpone the LTH event. He's getting married on
August 18 and will not return from his honeymoon until the end of the
following week!

LTH has been such a friend to moto and we all agree that inviting the group
in during Chef's absence would not do the occassion justice. He really wants
to play an integral role in the preparation and presentation of the
"family-style" meal. Will you consider postponing the event a week or two?
Obviously, this is not a request I would make of a "normal private diner."
But, we take our friendship with LTHForum very seriously and want to make
the group's first visit a completely enjoyable experience.

Please consider this and accept my apologies for the impromptu request. I
look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Thank you....
--Kathryn

If everyone can just hang on for a week or two more... Maybe we'll even get more takers. What are folks' thoughts on Wednesday, August 29 or Wednesday September 5 as the new date for the dinner? (I just added a poll at the top of the thread.) Thank you all for your patience and feedback. When this dinner finally happens, it sounds like the Otom team will have something special for us!

Yeah, I'm the first vote so I'm 100%! I don't know if we'll be able to do the 29th, but I'm even more excited after reading the note and with the offer of wine from jpschust's cellar. Hope more people want to go on 9/5.

8/29 works for me.
Unfortunately, 10/05 does not.

Jyoti

I voted for 8/29 and we prefer it, but could do either. I note on the above replies that people are saying they cannot make 10/5, while the suggested date is 9/5. Not sure what that means, just noticed it.

I can wait. Either date works for me.

I was going to be out of town on the 22nd but have to start working again evenings the week of the 5th. If we had the dinner on the 29th then I would love to join in, if possible!

Sharona

Darn! I was ready to sign up for this and then the date got changed. I'll be out of town for the new dates mentioned. I'll look forward to the reports...and pictures! Have a great dinner and I'll join you next time.

Jean

Any room for an LTH event newbie? I'll be able to go August 29.

I'm also interested in the 29 and will continue to look for updates.

The 29th is better, but not 100 percent. The 5th is definitely not do-able.

I can't figure out how to register my vote in the poll...I'm slow.

kanin wrote:Any room for an LTH event newbie? I'll be able to go August 29.

Always room for newbies.

Hey happy_s, when will you decide on the date?

dicksond wrote:Hey happy_s, when will you decide on the date?

I've chosen 8/29 since it got the most votes, and I wanted to get back to the Otom team sooner rather than later. I'm in the process of finalizing the plans with Kathryn.

If there still is room, I would like to join; it would be me +1.

Thanks!

Hi,

I voted for August 29th, just in case it wasn't known.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

I voted for August 29th, just in case it wasn't known.

Regards,

As did I.

Hi all,

OK. We're set for Otom on Wednesday, August 29 at 6:30pm. They are offering us a family style meal, as requested, at $55 a
guest (without beverages, tax & gratuity). I think I need to take a head count again now that the details are set. I promised Kathryn a close-to-final number by this Saturday.

With the final date, I have so far:

myself
kanin
Sharona
Santander
GAF
GreenFish
crrush (?)


Anyone else interested in joining us is welcome too. Just let me know!

can you ask them about corkage when you finalize?

I'm a definite. My wife will join us at the picnic in September but is out for this one.

jpschust wrote:can you ask them about corkage when you finalize?

Hi jpschust,

Sorry--I didn't mean to overlook your generous wine offer. I just asked Kathryn about corkage. Here's the reply:

We generally charge a $25 fee like moto. Kirk (our GM) said he would make an
exception and waive the fee for your group, providing that it is only 1 or 2
special bottles.

happy_stomach wrote:

jpschust wrote:can you ask them about corkage when you finalize?

Hi jpschust,

Sorry--I didn't mean to overlook your generous wine offer. I just asked Kathryn about corkage. Here's the reply:

We generally charge a $25 fee like moto. Kirk (our GM) said he would make an
exception and waive the fee for your group, providing that it is only 1 or 2
special bottles.

OK- someone else had offered to bring a bottle, and we'll bring a bottle of something special that we're aging right now. We're aging a 2005 Patricia Green Pinot Noir- we actually have been rolling around to different locations in Chicago buying them out of it at the best prices we have found in the US. If we don't bring that we will bring a bottle of vintage Corison. We have a thing for female winemakers.

I would be interested in attending this dinner.