Meet the cortexretariats in the Triangle
posted August 8, 2015 2:05 AM   RSS | iCal | +googleCal

Sun August 23 at 4:00 PM, Mesa Latin Kitchen
2701 Hillsborough Road, Durham, NC, USA (Map & Directions)
Cortex and Secretariat will be breezing through RTP the weekend of August 22, and so we're going to meet at Mesa Latin Kitchen on Sunday at 4 PM.
If you listen to the podcasts, you'll know that they've been in Huntsville, Alabama for the summer while Secretariat works on an internship. Now that's winding down, their current plan is to take the long way home, dropping by here to say "hi".

Who's in for a meeting and greeting? And, uh, fooding and drinking?
posted by ardgedee to Meetup (67 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite

Fantastic! I've been meaning to suggest one at The Rockford, if Raleigh isn't too far for all the Durhamites/Chapel Hillians.
posted by Rock Steady at 4:34 PM on August 8, 2015


Looks interesting. They'll want advance notice for over 8 people but we can't place a reservation unless we have at least 15 people.
posted by ardgedee at 4:49 PM on August 8, 2015


I'm in!
posted by Stewriffic at 4:12 AM on August 9, 2015


My one issue is that I have a newly diabetic cat who needs insulin shots, so I can either do something where I get back from the meetup by 7 p.m. or leave after 7 p.m. from Durham.
posted by Stewriffic at 4:14 AM on August 9, 2015


Are we talking about doing something that Saturday specifically, or at some general weekend point? My Saturday is kind of booked but I would love to see everyone!
posted by leesh at 4:56 AM on August 9, 2015


What you see is what's been planned so far. In other words, things are pretty open.

Weekend afternoon meetups have generally been easier for people than evening events, so I'd tentatively propose that we do this thing on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
posted by ardgedee at 5:57 AM on August 9, 2015


I work Saturday nights, but I'd love to see everyone.
posted by thivaia at 6:01 AM on August 9, 2015


What about brunch on Sunday? That would solve Stewriffic and leesh's issues, and it might be easier to get a table for a semi-large group, though I don't know how busy the Rockford is for brunch. Obviously, another location would be fine, if others have ideas.
posted by Rock Steady at 6:43 AM on August 9, 2015


I'm in for either day!
posted by oceanjesse at 7:43 AM on August 9, 2015


I'd also be down for a lazy outdoor afternoon gathering at Vin Rouge here in Durham.
posted by oceanjesse at 7:48 AM on August 9, 2015


While I love the idea, I don't know how possible a lazy outdoor afternoon gathering at Vin Rouge will be that weekend, given new student orientation at Duke is on Aug. 18 and classes start on Aug. 24. Any well-known place easily accessible from Duke might require reservations being made soon.
posted by research monkey at 9:16 AM on August 9, 2015 [1 favorite]


I'm floating Mesa Latin Kitchen in Durham as a possibility - they don't have brunch hours currently and open at 4 pm, so it would be a late afternoon / early dinner meetup. In its former incarnation as Gregoria's Cuban Steakhouse it never seemed to get crowded even with its excellent food, so it might be easier to snag a reservation there.
posted by research monkey at 9:26 AM on August 9, 2015


I want to try that place out too since it just opened like a week or two ago - my vote is cast for Mesa Latin Kitchen.
posted by oceanjesse at 2:25 PM on August 9, 2015


It looks like it used to be a strip club, so I'm sure there'll be plenty of room to move around and accommodate people.
posted by oceanjesse at 2:26 PM on August 9, 2015


The Rockford in Raleigh sounds like an option for brunch, Mesa like an option for merienda and beyond.
posted by research monkey at 3:34 PM on August 9, 2015


Hey all, we are thinking maybe Sunday will work best for a meetup- we will probably drive over on Saturday, stay the night, and be ready for whatever on Sunday. So it sounds like brunch or lunch/lazy afternoon works best for most? (I am very sympathetic to the diabetic cat owner schedule- we have one as well. Not with us, she stayed in Portland!)
posted by Secretariat at 3:44 PM on August 9, 2015


I'd love to try Mesa Latin Kitchen also!
posted by wens at 3:50 PM on August 9, 2015


> It looks like it used to be a strip club,

It might've been some time farther in the past, but for the previous few years it had been Gregoria's, a Cuban steakhouse that was pretty great but seemed to fly under the radar of the local foodie networks.
posted by ardgedee at 3:55 PM on August 9, 2015


One thing to remember about Sunday brunch, especially if we are going some place that does not take reservations, is to arrive well before noon. In this part of NC, alcohol can only be sold after noon on Sundays, so at brunch places selling alcohol the crush starts near noon. So, say, for Sunday brunch at The Rockford, meetup time would have to be 11 am when they open, with possibly people arriving earlier to line up (Rue Cler in Durham routinely has people lining up before restaurant opening time for weekend brunch). Vin Rouge brunch starts at 10:30 am.
posted by research monkey at 4:17 PM on August 9, 2015


I'm in for Sunday afternoon/evening, a maybe for Sunday brunch, all of those places sound good!
posted by leesh at 4:48 PM on August 9, 2015


NC!
posted by cortex at 5:54 AM on August 10, 2015


Dang it; I'm out of town that weekend. Have fun!

(on another note, just found out yesterday that MeFi's Own John Scalzi will be in Raleigh this Wednesday, speaking at Quail Ridge Books at 7pm)
posted by mediareport at 7:50 AM on August 10, 2015 [3 favorites]


I emailed The Rockford to see about the feasibility of seating a group that may be just under/over their reservation limit for Sunday brunch. I'll let y'all know if they respond. I'm up for Mesa Latin Kitchen as well.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:17 AM on August 10, 2015


I'm in! Humble Pie also has a great brunch if people want to drive to Raleigh. We would definitely need a reservation.
posted by something something at 2:37 PM on August 10, 2015


(I was also already planning on going to Quail Ridge on Wednesday - anyone else?)
posted by something something at 2:38 PM on August 10, 2015 [1 favorite]


Frabjous day: roommate had a change in plans so (for kitty care issues) I had to switch mine. I'll be in town for this.

Restaurant brunches can be so crazy that I'm inclined toward the mid-afternoon chilling thing, but whichever cortex & Secretariat prefer is fine by me.
posted by mediareport at 7:26 PM on August 10, 2015 [1 favorite]


I'm a fan of mid-afternoon beer.
posted by Stewriffic at 8:34 AM on August 13, 2015 [1 favorite]


Sounds like more folks are down for the afternoon rather than brunch (which I certainly understand - I'm not really all that big a fan of brunch either), so I'll retract the brunch suggestion, if that streamlines the planning process.
posted by Rock Steady at 2:22 PM on August 13, 2015


Whatever works best for people- we're in it to meet mefites, then we'll build the rest of our visit around whenever that happens. I like brunches ok in general, but it's usually a bit of a hassle with a larger group. Afternoon sounds nice, and maybe easier for people to drop in/drop out?
posted by Secretariat at 5:14 AM on August 14, 2015


Mesa Latin in the afternoon it is?
posted by oceanjesse at 4:36 PM on August 14, 2015 [1 favorite]


Works for me!
posted by leesh at 6:01 PM on August 14, 2015


I'm in!
posted by something something at 6:22 AM on August 15, 2015


Ok, Mesa it is!

I'll phone in the reservation this afternoon, so if anybody who's still on the "maybe" list can commit, now's the time. (It probably won't be hard to tack more seats mid-week, I suspect.)
posted by ardgedee at 7:08 AM on August 15, 2015


I'm probably in. The only hitch is that I have a family thing earlier in the day. So long as that concludes in a timely manner, I'll see you guys at Mesa Latin. And if anyone needs a ride from CH/Carrboro, let me know.
posted by thivaia at 11:10 AM on August 15, 2015


Sounds good to me; I'll be there, possibly with spousal MeFite.
posted by GrammarMoses at 2:27 PM on August 15, 2015


Reservation made: 4:00 PM, August 23, Mesa Latin Kitchen.

If something comes up -- either you hadn't committed but now can, or vice versa -- let me know and I should be able to get the reservation updated.

In general once you get over a dozen people at a table, packing a couple more isn't too great a challenge, but we want to at least be sure they'll have enough chairs.
posted by ardgedee at 2:33 PM on August 15, 2015


> Sounds good to me; I'll be there, possibly with spousal MeFite.

It'll be great to see you again!

Be sure to update your status (and plus-number) with the "Joining Us?" widget -- that's the tally I'm working from.
posted by ardgedee at 2:40 PM on August 15, 2015 [1 favorite]


YES!!!!!!
posted by Stewriffic at 3:24 PM on August 15, 2015


Psyched!!
posted by oceanjesse at 3:45 PM on August 15, 2015


Thanks, ardgedee, and back atcha. Have widgeted as suggested.
posted by GrammarMoses at 5:11 AM on August 16, 2015


I'm in, too, and looking forward to it!
posted by mediareport at 6:07 PM on August 16, 2015


I am checking with the spouse, we may be in!
posted by msali at 5:15 PM on August 17, 2015


I've upped the reservation from 14 to 22 seats.
posted by ardgedee at 5:46 PM on August 18, 2015


Sorry, I had to move back to a maybe because I haven't firmed up childcare arrangements yet.
posted by spec80 at 10:14 AM on August 20, 2015


I'll keep the reservation at 22, barring a drastic shift in the yesses or nos. At this point it's going to put them out more to get continued updates on the seat count than it will be to add/remove a couple chairs as needed while we're there.
posted by ardgedee at 5:04 PM on August 20, 2015


Also, it means we can play a fun game of Chair Football if we get bored.
posted by Rock Steady at 9:01 AM on August 21, 2015


I'm going. And I'm really excited about going. So.
posted by Stewriffic at 4:05 PM on August 21, 2015 [1 favorite]


I'm still excited!
posted by Stewriffic at 11:16 AM on August 22, 2015 [1 favorite]


I can't make it. Have a great time!
posted by spec80 at 9:16 PM on August 22, 2015


I thought it was at 2! The place isn't open! Hahaha. Glad I live close! 4pm it is.
posted by Stewriffic at 11:11 AM on August 23, 2015 [1 favorite]


Now I'm gonna be a little late because I just wounded my toe. Gonna ice it for a bit and then I'll be on over.
posted by Stewriffic at 12:46 PM on August 23, 2015


Ack, toe injury!

We're here, a few minutes early but sitting at the great big table to the left.
posted by cortex at 12:54 PM on August 23, 2015


Yep. Ask for the big table or just listen for the cheap puns and butt jokes.
posted by ardgedee at 12:56 PM on August 23, 2015


OK, getting ready to leave. See you in 10 min or so.
posted by Stewriffic at 12:58 PM on August 23, 2015


Sad to say, we've been overtaken by events and can't make it. Hope y'all have a blast. Will be with you in spirit if not in spirits.
posted by GrammarMoses at 1:06 PM on August 23, 2015


Aaaaaaahhhhhhh! Leesh gave me her money and I forgot to leave it!!! Is there anyone who I can send money to??
posted by Stewriffic at 3:47 PM on August 23, 2015


Are you sure? I remember seeing spare money on the table. I think Rock Steady made sure that end of the table was settled, so he might be the one to check with?

Great meetup, thanks everyone for showing up. It was super nice to meet you. If you're ever in Portland for some reason, let me or cortex know and we'll hang out!
posted by Secretariat at 5:42 PM on August 23, 2015


Yeah! Thanks so much to everybody for coming out; it was great to, variously, meet you or to see you again. I had a really nice time.
posted by cortex at 5:50 PM on August 23, 2015


Well, mediareport and I chipped in a few bucks to cover the slight shortage, but don't worry about my portion - you can buy me a Diet Coke at the next meetup if you want.

That was so much fun, as usual. It was great to meet cortex and Secretariat, and super great to see the rest of you again. More meetups, please! Maybe a potluck sometime?
posted by Rock Steady at 5:51 PM on August 23, 2015


Yes, you are all the best and this was really fun!! Sorry for leaving early and thus causing money confusion. :)
posted by leesh at 5:57 PM on August 23, 2015


I'm pretty sure money confusion is mostly caused by the oppressive capitalist system under which we're all being both subtly and overtly subjugated, but maybe that's just the popsicles and Laphroig talking.
posted by cortex at 6:09 PM on August 23, 2015 [3 favorites]


So awesome to meet youse, so fun to see youse again, stoked about the pompierri family pizza night, and thanks for the loco pops stamps! Looking forward to another IRL event in September!
posted by oceanjesse at 6:11 PM on August 23, 2015


Great seeing you all, too! So great to meet Secretariat and see cortex again. And the food was delicious - thanks, Durhamites, for turning me on to a neat new restaurant.

(Stew, don't worry about the money, it's a beer, which I'll hold you to at the next meetup if it'll make you feel better. :)
posted by mediareport at 6:31 PM on August 23, 2015




Great seeing all the Triangle MeFites, and meeting cortex and Secretariat! I'm excited about the possibility of Pompieri family style, too!
posted by Maecenas at 10:21 PM on August 25, 2015


OK, Rock Steady and mediareport. I owe you both a beer or two. It was so awesome to see everyone!
posted by Stewriffic at 7:19 AM on August 26, 2015 [1 favorite]


Bam!

I won't be able to make the Lisa Sorg meetup tomorrow, which is a bummer. But here's another IRL, let's meet up at Pompieri's Family Meal Night some time in September.
posted by ardgedee at 5:12 PM on August 26, 2015 [2 favorites]



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