Jim and Shannon at MarsCon in Williamsburg, VA - 1/14-16/2011

[kittenbot]

i make no promises. i try what i can.

[Ink Slinger]

Well, up the road from the Con site are a number of great place.

Red, Hot and Blue (BBQ joint)
Carrabba's
Red Lobster
Outback Steak House

I really wish I could remember the names of some of the local restaurants...


ETA: Ruby Tuesday
Anna's Brick Oven Pizza and Pasta

[whingnut]

Ah.  The MarsCon website says they're frequently hit with wintry weather.  And I'm from Texas, where everyone COMPLETELY FREAKS OUT at the merest hint of a flurry.

Rachel is from Texas as well. We'll get ya though this 

[Priscellie]

Spoke to the MarsCon guest liason.  She suggested the following:

The closest retaurant is probably the Outback steakhouse. But there are a number of other chain restaurants nearby. The hotel is on Richmond Road, which is essentially the main drag for hotels and restaurants in Williamsburg. If you want something local instead of a chain, there's a great Italian place called Sal's not too far down the road, but I'm not sure they take reservations. You can always check. Even though it is January, that place gets busy on Saturday nights. If you like Oriental food, there is a local favorite called Mongolian Barbecue, which is quite popular and not too expensive. It's a buffet, and they can definitely handle large groups. Hope that helps! If not, let me know, and I'll try and think of some others.

[Katty]

Sal's.  GREAT cheap Italian food.  We never had a wait in their old location...might be different now.  Although Mongolian Barbeque was always a hoot too.  That weekend will be busy...it's also move in weekend for W&M's spring semester.

Aside from those two...there's not a lot of good local places.  There's a ton of chains.  I know a couple of good lunch places.  And there's twenty gazillion pancake houses for breakfast.

[Myyrdn Eopia]

Mongolian Barbecues are simply AMAZING.

[Ink Slinger]

*votes for Sal's b/c she can't eat at Mongolian BBQ*

[Shecky]

Behold the wonder of Shecky.... who just convinced PG that we should go.

Shecky, you a lot more influence with my husband than I do.  

Because I'm just so darned pretty.

As for the dinner, I think what would be the primary factor is a combo of location, availability of a room that's big enough (from what I've seen in the past, just having a non-separate section of a restaurant is dicey at best), price and universal gastronomic accessibility (i.e., appeals to the widest range of people).

[Priscellie]

Because I'm just so darned pretty.

As for the dinner, I think what would be the primary factor is a combo of location, availability of a room that's big enough (from what I've seen in the past, just having a non-separate section of a restaurant is dicey at best), price and universal gastronomic accessibility (i.e., appeals to the widest range of people).

Yup, those are the criteria I was considering.

*votes for Sal's b/c she can't eat at Mongolian BBQ*

Oh?  Vegetarian?

[Katty]

As for the dinner, I think what would be the primary factor is a combo of location, availability of a room that's big enough (from what I've seen in the past, just having a non-separate section of a restaurant is dicey at best), price and universal gastronomic accessibility (i.e., appeals to the widest range of people).

In that case, Sal's is one of the better options.  Most of the other restaurants in the area are delis (great food, cheap, but small) or chains.  Williamsburg, the tourist mecca. 

[Ink Slinger]

Oh?  Vegetarian?

No, heavens no.  I'm allergic to MSG and similar preservatives.  I *still* haven't met a Chinese restaurant I've not regretted eating at, whether they advertise to be MSG free or not.    And I *really* like Chinese food!!! 

In that case, Sal's is one of the better options.  Most of the other restaurants in the area are delis (great food, cheap, but small) or chains.  Williamsburg, the tourist mecca. 

So true.  And come to think of it, most of the ones on my list the tables aren't configured well for large groups.  I've not eaten at Sal's but my parents and grandparents rave about it.

[Starbeam]

Ah.  The MarsCon website says they're frequently hit with wintry weather.  And I'm from Texas, where everyone COMPLETELY FREAKS OUT at the merest hint of a flurry.

Oh, I remember those days. Always trying to figure out if school was going to be closed, or if it would get delayed by 2 hours because there *might* be the *possibility* of black ice.  Though there was the one time in about 5th grade that we got sent home cause there was no frikkin heat in the school.  Now, Rob looks at me crazy cause I like playing in the snow. 

Is it wrong of me to sorta kinda hope for snow so we can have a snowball fight at con?  On the food thing, I'm good with Italian or Chinese. 

[Priscellie]

Is it wrong of me to sorta kinda hope for snow so we can have a snowball fight at con?

As long as you all don't gang up to test Kiera's and my "shields."

[Ink Slinger]

As long as you all don't gang up to test Kiera's and my "shields."

Maaaan...how'd you know?

[Myyrdn Eopia]

As long as you all don't gang up to test Kiera's and my "shields."

One double handful, preordered!