Post-PAX Two Mod Meetup
posted March 11, 2013 6:20 PM   RSS | iCal | +googleCal

Sun March 24 at 6:00 PM, Peach Farm
4 Tyler Street, Boston, MA, USA (Map & Directions)
There's a fun looking daytime meetup on the 23rd. We're looking at have an evening meetup on the 24th to meet PAXers and locals.
But neither of us are really familiar with the area. I'll be coming in from MBTA south and restless_nomad will be scooting around before coming over to my place. Suggestions for venues that won't be mobbed where we could have a beer and a burger or something tasty?
posted by jessamyn to Meetup (83 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite

Does your place have an approximate area? Alternatively is anywhere T accessible acceptable?

(I don't know where the alliteration came from, but once I started I couldn't stop.)
posted by maryr at 6:52 PM on March 11, 2013


Proximate to PAX is preferable, I guess? I'll be coming from the South, so between it and south of it.
posted by jessamyn at 6:59 PM on March 11, 2013


Do you live in Boston now? Anyway I am probably in for this but no suggestions as to venue.
posted by grobstein at 7:22 PM on March 11, 2013


I'll be in Westport MA. r_n will be at PAX East which is at the BCEC so anyplace near the Broadway or S Station T stops or that area would be just fine.
posted by jessamyn at 7:30 PM on March 11, 2013


I work in the area- there's a high end mexican place there (Rosa Mexicanas) and a legal seafod right on the waterfront. Less tony spots include the Whiskey Priest- Irishish food, a good spot for beers but not so much food and Jerry Remy's, which is your basic sports bar.

These are all right near the world trade center, which is about a block from BCEac.
posted by jenkinsEar at 3:39 AM on March 12, 2013


I'll be there, purely as arm candy. If anyone speaks to me, I'll just giggle and say, "You're such a hoot!"
posted by not_on_display at 5:08 AM on March 12, 2013


I'm definitely interested! I don't know any places in the area that won't be mobbed, however. PAX winds down around 7 on Sunday so places might be even more crowded, but that's just my guess.
posted by Metroid Baby at 5:10 AM on March 12, 2013


Let's see, things in that area...

-Drink, which would be good if people want cocktails. They don't really serve food or much else, though.
-Amrhein's is on Broadway and was perfectly decent when we were there last. They're supposed to be the oldest something or other. Family restaurant.
-Franklin Southie is also close by and was very good.
-Walking back over the channel, Peach Farm is in Chinatown and is excellent seafood. BYOB. Shouldn't be a problem getting a large table on a Sunday night.
posted by backseatpilot at 5:28 AM on March 12, 2013


Gah! Meetup conflict. I was planning on heading to the Hartford meetup that day. I guess I'll put myself down for a maybe on this one.
posted by bondcliff at 5:58 AM on March 12, 2013


I'd be tempted to call it for Peach Farm if people don't have an issue with Chinese food (this will need to be food + drinks otherwise Drink looks great). A little further away from BCEC, easy to get to for folks not at PAX. Do they take reservations?
posted by jessamyn at 6:26 AM on March 12, 2013


Hey, I live around there! There's a couple of new restaurants in the neighborhood (that I haven't tried yet)...

Ming Tsai's Blue Dragon, which bills itself as an Asian gastropub with a "tapas-style menu".

Tavern Road on Congress Street looks interesting. It is right across the street from Drink (if anyone wanted to do cocktails then food).

And there is always Lucky's. It has surprisingly good food, takes reservations and Sunday is "Sinatra night" (lounge singer).
posted by maryrussell at 6:28 AM on March 12, 2013 [1 favorite]


There's also Papagayo on Summer Street, just across the bridge from South Station. The tableside guacamole is great.
posted by Kosh at 6:42 AM on March 12, 2013


I believe Peach Farm takes reservations - we were there for someone's birthday a couple weeks ago on a Sunday and they had a table for ten waiting for us, so I think someone at least called them.

I would be interested in Tavern Road or Lucky's, as I have not been to either and Sinatra night has to be better than the piano player at Jacob Wirth.
posted by backseatpilot at 7:15 AM on March 12, 2013


Tavern Road says "high energy" which to me means "loud as hell." Lucky's looks great to me.
posted by jessamyn at 7:20 AM on March 12, 2013


Down for a 'maybe'. I remember going to Lucky's for an after-hours networking type thing during Drupalcon in 2008 and it's a cool place, good food (OMG the meatloaf and mashed potatoes), but when it was packed to the gills with conventioneers it was (IMO) prohibitively loud for any real socializing.
posted by usonian at 7:46 AM on March 12, 2013


The places maryrussell listed sound good - I've been wanting to try Drink.

I'm a big fan of Peach Farm, haven't been there in forever. Looks totally dive-y on the outside, just to warn - like, more so than usual for Chinatown since it's in a basement. It is good for big groups in terms of large tables and lazy susans, less so in terms of being able to talk to everyone at the big round table, but we can switch seats now and then.
posted by maryr at 8:22 AM on March 12, 2013


PS: They are known for seafood, but Peach Farm as the best cashew chicken ever.
posted by maryr at 8:22 AM on March 12, 2013


Possibly helpful for folks at PAX: Arisia was at the hotel next to the BCEC and they published a restaurant guide, and one of the attendees made a google map with all the restaurants on it.
posted by rmd1023 at 8:32 AM on March 12, 2013


Oh! Another Chinatown option (if Malaysian food were agreeable with everyone) would be Penang, which would also probably be pretty quiet on a Sunday night. Reaaaaaally good food - I have a friend who grew up in Malaysia and gives them an enthusiastic thumbs-up. His comfort-food binges are a sight to behold!
posted by usonian at 8:37 AM on March 12, 2013


I can absolutely guarantee that Sinatra night is better than the Jacob Wirth piano player. (altho TBH that is a very low bar).
posted by maryrussell at 8:38 AM on March 12, 2013 [1 favorite]


Good chance I can be there. w00t!
posted by theora55 at 9:20 AM on March 12, 2013


I would kill for good Chinese food - there is none to speak of in Austin. (Good Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Indian - but no frigging Chinese. Drives me mad.)
posted by restless_nomad at 10:41 AM on March 12, 2013


Oh man, a weekend evening when I can potentially get off of tot duty! I'm a solid maybe!
posted by sonika at 11:23 AM on March 12, 2013


If we're looking Asian, Pho Pasteur is the favorite among the residents of Sonika Manor, but it will likely be busy as fuck on a Saturday night.

I'm also pro anything in Chinatown as the orange line is easiest for me.
posted by sonika at 11:25 AM on March 12, 2013


sonika, I hate to potentially burst your bubble, but this is for Sunday night... (24th. There is also a potential meetup on Saturday night but I think that's looking like it will happen Sat. afternoon at PAX at this point...)
posted by maryr at 4:26 PM on March 12, 2013


I'm not necessarily so awesome at Knowing What Day It Is. I imagine Chinatown on a Sunday to be marginally less busy, but it's been so long since I was Out With the Humans that I really have no idea.
posted by sonika at 4:31 PM on March 12, 2013


Early evening would be best for me, since I'm not sure I will stay in Boston Sunday night.
posted by grobstein at 12:48 PM on March 13, 2013


We are definitely not staying in Boston Sunday night. So PAX is over at 7. Does 7 work or should we make it earlier and PAXers can meet us a little later? I would love Chinese or Malaysian sounds delicious. What say folks?
posted by jessamyn at 3:21 PM on March 13, 2013


There's nothing pressing for me Sunday afternoon - I can break out whenever. I'm probably going to sleep in, walk through the trade show and dispense good-bye hugs, and be done.
posted by restless_nomad at 3:28 PM on March 13, 2013


Does anyone have a big problem with 5:30 or 6?
posted by jessamyn at 3:34 PM on March 13, 2013


7 is about the earliest I can do, given that hubs is going to at least part of PAX and we need to trade off tot duty before I'm released into the world. I can, of course, meet people at whatever location even if you guys have already begun the festivities.
posted by sonika at 3:47 PM on March 13, 2013


Have any Boston people been to the Senegalese place in the south end?
posted by brujita at 7:17 PM on March 13, 2013


5:30 or 6 would be fine.
If consensus is drifting toward Chinese I will enter a vote for Peach Farm...I've never been but I've heard good things.
posted by maryrussell at 8:14 PM on March 13, 2013


Okay I'd love to call it for 6 at Peach Farm if people are generally agreeable for that so that we can spread the word and get people RSVPing. I'll give it a few days and then call us in for a reservation. sonika feel free to bring the tot and the mister if you want to.
posted by jessamyn at 2:52 PM on March 15, 2013


Huh. I wonder if I could make the Hartford meetup at 3:00 and then make it back to Boston in time for this one. I'd be like Phil Collins attending two Live Aids in a single day. Only not quite as Phil Collinsy.
posted by bondcliff at 3:46 PM on March 15, 2013


OtherJim was wondering the same thing, about the Hartford meetup. The answer, for OtherJim, was no. ymmv.
posted by jessamyn at 4:09 PM on March 15, 2013 [1 favorite]


We'll see about bringing the tot. He's generally charming, but large groups of people can be overwhelming. We'll play it by ear - I definitely appreciate having the invitation extended to him!
posted by sonika at 4:14 PM on March 15, 2013


It's tempting. Maybe I'll start a brunch meetup in, say, Manchester, NH and just turn the whole day into some sort of Metafilter version of Cannonball Run.

I think OtherJim might be right though. OtherJim is wise.
posted by bondcliff at 4:16 PM on March 15, 2013


OtherJim is wise.

OtherJim may not have arrived at that conclusion on his own. In fact I'm certain he did not.
posted by jessamyn at 4:33 PM on March 15, 2013 [1 favorite]


I vow to entertain him to the extent that it's possible and legal.

Excellent! I shall do my best to bring the tot. He has recently picked up the valuable life skill of "Gimme Five," so you may demand "Five" of him to your heart's content.
posted by sonika at 4:39 PM on March 15, 2013


Sonnika, does your tot know all of the FIVES variations? (down low, up high, etc)? There is much to learn at a meetup!
posted by maryrussell at 6:28 PM on March 15, 2013


He can do down low, up high, and occasionally will get super excited and will self-five if no other fives are available to him.
posted by sonika at 7:31 PM on March 15, 2013


I applaud his enthusiasm.
posted by maryr at 8:03 PM on March 15, 2013 [1 favorite]


This meme is for your son.
posted by benito.strauss at 8:08 PM on March 15, 2013 [1 favorite]


Yes, I've seen it and yes, that's EXACTLY what he does.

(We also sing "working on my night cheese" during midnight snacks, though it's never literally cheese as he's lactose intolerant.)
posted by sonika at 8:25 PM on March 15, 2013


bondcliff: "I think OtherJim might be right though. OtherJim is wise."

jessamyn: "OtherJim may not have arrived at that conclusion on his own. In fact I'm certain he did not."

I am still wise, though.

If we were to do it Cannonball Run style, though... it would have to be as the Richard Kiel/Jackie Chan team of Cannonball Run 2. OtherJim: can you build one of those Mitsubishis? I'm beginning to feel... unwise.
posted by not_on_display at 8:36 PM on March 15, 2013 [1 favorite]


Sorry, OtherJim, I've already rented a Lamborghini. Do you want to be Tara Buckman or Adrienne Barbeau?
posted by bondcliff at 7:37 AM on March 16, 2013


In that case, no go. I'll instead be renting out a limo and Tony Danza. I'm going to be the orangutan.
posted by not_on_display at 3:38 PM on March 17, 2013


sonika: for the tot
posted by rmd1023 at 5:01 PM on March 17, 2013 [1 favorite]


Ha! That's genius. Except for the part where he inevitably gets peanut butter on my iPad.
posted by sonika at 9:25 PM on March 17, 2013 [1 favorite]


Well, apparently there's a family thing in White Plains Sunday noon-ish which I think we're going to, but I may be able to make it back in time for this.
posted by backseatpilot at 7:52 AM on March 18, 2013


I was going to just sort of show up unannounced, as is my wont whenever I can help it, but if you need to make reservations then far be it from me to be discourteous, so: Pretty sure I am coming to this.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 7:08 AM on March 19, 2013


I'm going to call and make reservations tomorrow. If anyone else is on the "maybe" side and wants to confirm, the next day or so would be a good time to do it.
posted by jessamyn at 7:13 AM on March 19, 2013


Plz be sure to specify high chair in the reservations! Tot doesn't count as a full person, which can get confusing for waitstaff. (99% sure I'll bring him.)
posted by sonika at 7:30 AM on March 19, 2013


I'm on-call for work so I need to stay local. I'll skip the road rally to Hartford and join y'all in Chinatown for this one. I will give high-fives to whomever wants them, toddler or otherwise.
posted by bondcliff at 7:57 AM on March 19, 2013


Alas, bowing out of this one. I wish there were about 120 more hours in a weekend!
posted by usonian at 8:51 AM on March 19, 2013


I'm in.
posted by herrdoktor at 12:08 AM on March 20, 2013


I think my non-Mefite wife is going to join us. I can't wait for "Hi, I'm not_on_display. I'm herrdoktor. I'm FAMOUS MONSTER. I'm... Amy."

Can you all do me a favor and draw a barcode on your forehead with a Sharpie before you arrive? Thanks!
posted by bondcliff at 6:49 AM on March 20, 2013


I typically just introduce myself by name and then say I post as FAMOUS MONSTER, and go from there. I'm big on names on account of I feel weird calling people by screen names all night.

For a while I was hesitant to go to any meetups because it would reveal my gender / race / age / whatever, but what can you do. Short of showing up in a burqa with a Vocoder, I mean.

Although if someone actually wants to do that, I wouldn't complain.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 8:21 AM on March 20, 2013


Short of showing up in a burqa with a Vocoder, I mean.

I think this should be required regalia for all attendees of the massive Metafilterville gathering.
posted by usonian at 8:24 AM on March 20, 2013


Not just a burqa. Go for the full-on hooded robe with rhino-looking horn, like the KLF wears in the video for "Justified & Ancient"
posted by rmd1023 at 9:32 AM on March 20, 2013


I suspect the female Jeremy will be as confusing as any username. At least, that confused me, but I'm apparently not capable of much username creativity.
posted by maryr at 1:58 PM on March 20, 2013


Yeah, it's fun to fuck with people. Although it's sometimes tedious that telling people my name counts as "fucking with people."
posted by restless_nomad at 3:24 PM on March 20, 2013


My username is an actual nickname of mine, so, very little confusion there. My husband and son have Portuguese names, which is occasionally confusing for five seconds but only in a really boring way.
posted by sonika at 5:50 PM on March 20, 2013


Reservation made under my name "Jess." Sonika I was having a bit of trouble even getting the reservation date/time right so I didn't ask for a high chair. We can either call them day-of or ask when we get there. My cell is 508-415-9074 if people want to contact someone day-of for some reason.
posted by jessamyn at 11:45 AM on March 21, 2013


No worries. Worst case scenario is someone looks at my kid funny, gives me attitude, and drags a high chair out from some haunted storage closet. It's Boston, I'm used to it.
posted by sonika at 4:33 PM on March 21, 2013


Although it's sometimes tedious that telling people my name counts as "fucking with people."

Sing it. My (uncommon in the US) first name, while shared by men and women, is almost always considered a 'man's name', ranging from the saint to the talk show host. Of course, it does make it easy to identify random solicitations if they ask for "Mister $MyName."
posted by rmd1023 at 4:53 PM on March 23, 2013


Ah, a riddle. And tomorrow I'll get to find out if my guess is right.
posted by maryr at 5:56 PM on March 23, 2013


I cheated. I checked her profile. I promise not to leak any spoilers!
posted by sonika at 7:58 PM on March 23, 2013


The tot has had a cold all week and while he's on the mend, Mr. Sonika doesn't want me bringing him on the T (he does have a point w/r/t general germiness) - so, it'll just be me. Sorry to disappoint anyone who was looking forward to a sticky "five" from a small person.
posted by sonika at 6:56 AM on March 24, 2013


Awww, I was practicing my fives last night. Last call for anyone on the maybe list. I'll call the restaurant with a final number early this afternoon.
posted by jessamyn at 8:14 AM on March 24, 2013


we're here and at the table. see everyone soon.
posted by jessamyn at 2:53 PM on March 24, 2013


Ugh. Tried to make it, got called back in to active duty as someone could NOT handle a staffing change. :( So it goes being a butler to a 37" tyrant. At least he gives me five.
posted by sonika at 4:09 PM on March 24, 2013


Woo! I beat the penultimate boss of Boston parking. I parked on Tyler street (first pass thru) and didnt get a ticket. Next up, the north end.
posted by rmd1023 at 4:48 PM on March 24, 2013 [2 favorites]


Lovely to meet folks. Sorry I had to make a somewhat early evening of it.
posted by rmd1023 at 5:12 PM on March 24, 2013


Hey, that was great! Good to meet you all and gorge myself on who-knows-what. Hope you're all having a blast at the post-meetup drinkamo.
posted by not_on_display at 6:29 PM on March 24, 2013


Woohoo! I had a blast and ate so much goddam great food I think I need a nap before I go to bed.

Great to see old friends and to meet new folks. Sorry for not talking much to the people at the other table but I was kind of trapped.

I only took a couple of pictures, which are here.
posted by bondcliff at 6:44 PM on March 24, 2013 [1 favorite]


Apologies for bailing: caught between two rudenesses of showing or not showing for two groups. Was nice meeting you folks, thanks for introducing me to the magic fish soup (poor dood!). Next year I will sit at the other table and try to stick around. Thanks for being swell & welcoming!
posted by herrdoktor at 6:58 PM on March 24, 2013


It's really a shame I didn't take a memorial photograph of our soup/entree benefactor. That said, woo, I have cashew chicken leftovers!

Drinkamo had overpriced, not great drinks, but excellent company. Good job, everyone. Same time next year?
posted by maryr at 7:50 PM on March 24, 2013


Jessamyn got a shot of him.....and I'll put mine up when I get home.

Lovely to see you all!
posted by brujita at 6:01 AM on March 25, 2013


I posted the fish-in-a-bucket. I know some of the photos of folks aren't really that awesome looking so let me know if you'd prefer to not be uploaded for posterity. We had a great time and are now chilling down on the south coast. Agreed, we should totally do this next year. sonika, very sorry to miss you.
posted by jessamyn at 7:19 AM on March 25, 2013


Sorry to miss you guys too! Mr. Sonika was just gone for six days, so tot's separation anxiety is at an all time high and he just didn't stop crying and howling until I came back in the door :( Poor bug. Had the meet up been within walking distance, I totally would have just brought him!
posted by sonika at 11:42 AM on March 25, 2013


Oh, by the way - I made a guess for how much $$ to leave when I left. Everything come out okay?
posted by rmd1023 at 12:51 PM on March 25, 2013



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