hopefully we can do 4pm for dinner at Nandos in covent garden, and then drinkies at a nearby watering hole!
As someone who works in London, Covent Garden would not be my choice, especially at a weekend. It will be very busy and finding anywhere to eat is a nightmare. Imo, it would be better to go for Soho, or perhaps Noho (just north of Oxford St).
Nandos is also kinda limited, Pizaa Express is a better choice offering something for everyone, and easier for larger groups.
am sure something can be worked out, but generally in my experience its easy just to take the total and split it equally between everyone. Simple and the fairest way.
However, it might be an idea to see who exactly is going to be wanting food, and maybe go from there. Set a hard and fast meeting place/time as it's common that not everyone arrives at the time. These kinda of meets are always like herding cattle, lol.
Many restaurants can allow for multiple payments, with cash or cards. I've travelled and eaten out alot, there's nearly always a way.
It needs to be made clear though that if people have no intention of paying their dues, then frankly they should bother turning up. If people do take the p** then name and shame. Or perhaps pay up but leave anything outstanding with the people who haven't chipped in. It's frankly unacceptable for people to turn up and expect other to carry their costs.
I understand why nandos is preferred and I heard the same story of others chipping in for the bill of others who left which is sad. I think nandos will be fine to get that many people seated, in the very unlikely chance it doesn't, then go pizza express.
Also @Bellsey, it gets a bit unfair because some people may order food that is more expensive than the dish you ordered, and some may be annoyed when they have to pay more than what they ordered (I don't mind this but it makes sense not to).
Put me down as a maybe, hopefully I will be able to come
If we have a big group again it might be difficult to get food. Last time we had maybe 15people and we had to wait about 2hrs before we could find a place that would take us. We managed to get into Nandos in the end, but it was a bit of a pain.
If we have a back up plan for places to eat that would be good, we may also have to split the group. If we avoid places that are tourist central it will hopefully be ok.
If we have a big group again it might be difficult to get food. Last time we had maybe 15people and we had to wait about 2hrs before we could find a place that would take us. We managed to get into Nandos in the end, but it was a bit of a pain.
If we have a back up plan for places to eat that would be good, we may also have to split the group. If we avoid places that are tourist central it will hopefully be ok.
I think last time it was a issue as well because 6pm is probably a peak time for dinner orders at nandos. Hopefully if we're doing it at 4pm it should be better anyway.
I'm new, can I come? I'm also new to London, could the meeting place be somewhere not too niche and hard to find without a smartphone with internet? Appreciated!
I'm new, can I come? I'm also new to London, could the meeting place be somewhere not too niche and hard to find without a smartphone with internet? Appreciated!
if greenwich is less crowded than covent garden on a saturday then I think it could be a great idea...do they have a park nearby we can lounge about in if its sunny?
My only issue with Greenwich is that it's quite out of the way, especially for people coming into the city just for the meet, it's quite a distance from a lot of the major railway stations, and is a lot less central/easy to get to.
I will second that, especially for people who have not been to London before, navigation can be a pain in the ass. Covent Garden although busy as hell last time, was at least central enough that nobody had trouble finding the group.
guys, my advice would be to forget Greenwich, and Covent Garden. Stick to somewhere like Soho (or Noho - north of Oxford St, BBC area etc), it's central enough for anyone to get in and out of and theirs plenty of pubs and eating places to choose from.
covent garden nandos is the largest restaurant in quite a radius though... and therein lies the problem.
we have such a large group, and quite a lot of unknowns, the final number ALWAYS fluctuates from what we initially expect even on the day. and every restaurant we try to make a booking at just tells us "call us 15 mins in advance and we'll give you an estimate". what bloody good is that?
personally i don't mind going out of the way (distance wise) to make sure we all have a good time. lets face it, you can get from one side of london to the other in under 20 mins on the underground, so i'm sorry if i fail to see the problem.
So what is the meeting spot for this? Seems the location for the meetup itself is fluctuating a little just in terms of location and time, but is there a usual place for people to meet beforehand or is it more a meet at the restaurant type of deal?
Just gonna be sorting out my travel schedule and figure out what tickets I need for the underground this weekend, might just give in and buy a pass for all areas.
Cant afford it, still got bills to come out which i had conveniantly forgotten about ..
Will book trains for the eurogamer meet as soon as money comes in!
Ok so I have been talking to Lee and we have both decided that it is probably best to stick to the regular formula for the place, though we will be meeting up a few hrs earlier than usual.
We know that Covent Garden can accommodate a group of our size and it is convenient to get too for all parties
It's probably not a good idea to change something that isn't broken atm.
The meeting time will be 3:30pm outside Covent Garden Nando's ready to eat at 4pm
Replies
95% sure i can make it ... current project allowing
As someone who works in London, Covent Garden would not be my choice, especially at a weekend. It will be very busy and finding anywhere to eat is a nightmare. Imo, it would be better to go for Soho, or perhaps Noho (just north of Oxford St).
Nandos is also kinda limited, Pizaa Express is a better choice offering something for everyone, and easier for larger groups.
However, it might be an idea to see who exactly is going to be wanting food, and maybe go from there. Set a hard and fast meeting place/time as it's common that not everyone arrives at the time. These kinda of meets are always like herding cattle, lol.
we won't be going to eat at places that don't accept individual payments anymore.
It needs to be made clear though that if people have no intention of paying their dues, then frankly they should bother turning up. If people do take the p** then name and shame. Or perhaps pay up but leave anything outstanding with the people who haven't chipped in. It's frankly unacceptable for people to turn up and expect other to carry their costs.
Also @Bellsey, it gets a bit unfair because some people may order food that is more expensive than the dish you ordered, and some may be annoyed when they have to pay more than what they ordered (I don't mind this but it makes sense not to).
Put me down as a maybe, hopefully I will be able to come
If we have a back up plan for places to eat that would be good, we may also have to split the group. If we avoid places that are tourist central it will hopefully be ok.
I think last time it was a issue as well because 6pm is probably a peak time for dinner orders at nandos. Hopefully if we're doing it at 4pm it should be better anyway.
Yes! I love their ribs
If you want ribs, you really have to find a Bodeans.
There's a nandos:
With this as the view:
And many nice pubs about:
all about 3 mins away From DLR Station, and covered by Oyster / Zones 1-6 travel card
My only issue with Greenwich is that it's quite out of the way, especially for people coming into the city just for the meet, it's quite a distance from a lot of the major railway stations, and is a lot less central/easy to get to.
I'd prefer if we could involve at least one ho...
Finding space for 20 people in covent garden however, is impossible.
we have such a large group, and quite a lot of unknowns, the final number ALWAYS fluctuates from what we initially expect even on the day. and every restaurant we try to make a booking at just tells us "call us 15 mins in advance and we'll give you an estimate". what bloody good is that?
personally i don't mind going out of the way (distance wise) to make sure we all have a good time. lets face it, you can get from one side of london to the other in under 20 mins on the underground, so i'm sorry if i fail to see the problem.
Just gonna be sorting out my travel schedule and figure out what tickets I need for the underground this weekend, might just give in and buy a pass for all areas.
Will book trains for the eurogamer meet as soon as money comes in!
We know that Covent Garden can accommodate a group of our size and it is convenient to get too for all parties
It's probably not a good idea to change something that isn't broken atm.
The meeting time will be 3:30pm outside Covent Garden Nando's ready to eat at 4pm
Minor bump too so it's back on the first page (as it's getting pretty close)
We have.. 2... Creative Assemblians going so let's have an art battle!
man i'm so amped for tomorrow. i'll be in london around 2pm, gonna hit up forbidden planet before consuming lots of white meat and cider.