It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

[Sharp]

It's time again to start planning for Tampa Bay Anime's Christmas Extravaganza. Every year we all get together someplace nice and exchange gifts while enjoying a fine dining experience. It's an opportunity for us all to get together and shift the focus from anime to each other. It's something many of us look forward to every year.

Because we have so many people that will want to attend, we need to start thinking about the many decisions that we will have to make. Specifically, we need to agree on a time and a place for the event. The rules for gift-giving will be discussed at a later date. If you're concerned about planning your personal schedule so far ahead, don't worry. We won't be taking reservations yet. This is just a planning phase.

So, head post in this thread and let's talk about it. Do we want to do the same thing we did last year? Is there a good place you've been that you think the rest of us might enjoy? What date do you think will work for you and most people?

[SaintDmitri]

I am very interested in this, and Anakhet probably will be as well. We don't know our specific schedules yet, but we should be fine as long as it's not a weeknight, since that's rather difficult to manage coming from Tampa.

I would be interested to see you post what you've done in previous years, since we weren't around for those.

Looking forward to it!

[Sharp]

Well, Dmitry, we do pretty much the same thing every year. We find a nice restaurant and replace a regularly scheduled meeting with an evening of dining and gift-giving. There's usually no anime, just socializing and presents.

Presents are given out in a random drawing. There will be a reasonable dollar limit, usually $15. Anybody who wants to can bring a wrapped gift. If you bring a gift, you get entered into a drawing. Later in the evening, we draw a name for each present. Everybody who brings a gift gets a gift. In addition, TBA give a few special gifts that everybody in the club is eligible for, whether they brought a gift or not.

Last year, we went to Kobe Japanese Steakhouse. We used to go to a place called Thai Thani, which had lots of different Asian cuisine, but they've fallen out of favor since the ownership changed. However, Thai Thani had a large back room where we could set up the projector. In fact, that was the club's first use of the projector.

[Sharp]

Right now, I'm thinking that Saturday, December 13th would be a good date for our party. Also, since Kobe went over well last year, I'd suggest we do that again. What do you guys think?

[Titan_X]

Kobe's was good last year, but it didn't afford our group a lot of room and privacy. I'm up for trying something new. Helps make every year different.

Raga Indian Restaurant has really good food. They're located in Tri-City Plaza right next to Party City. The best part is they have a large room for private parties. It's unique and interesting food, so that's something I'd be up for.

http://tampabay.metromix.com/restaur...369054/content

I'll see if I can do some more hunting when I get home from work.

[Sharp]

Cool. Thanks for the idea, Titan_X.

It would be nice to have a space to ourselves. That was one of the main things I liked about Thai Thani. Indian food can be kind polarizing, though. Some people just don't like it. Personally, I'm not fond of it, but I'm sure I could find things on the menu for me.

I'd like to hear what the rest of you guys think of this option? Do you have any of your own suggestions? We've got time to decide, but don't wait too long to have your voice heard.

[Pocky Whore]

So far i like Titan X's idea or Kobe. maybe Chucky cheese?

[Kyoko_Sensei]

I like Kobe but am also up to a new place. Having a room to ourselves is quite nice. I personally can't think of any places that can offer that so I am interested in seeing what Titan X comes up with.

[Titan_X]

Well, Kobe's in Tampa offers an event space with a max capacity of 80. That could be something to look into, but I'd be more interested in something in Pinellas. http://www.kobesteakhouse.com/index.php?id=26

Sukhothai is a Thai restaurant, also in Tampa, that offers space for private events. The one I read about was the one in Carrollwood. http://www.sukhothairestaurant.net/

I'm not 100% sure on either, though. The site I researched did say there was a JoTo's in Clearwater Beach, but there isn't.

For what it's worth, I'm still pushing for the Indian restaurant, since I've eaten there myself and thought the folks there were great.

[Kyoko_Sensei]

The JoTo's in Clearwater is in the shopping center across from Countryside mall.

I'm iffy on Indian food as well. But I should look into it more to see if there's something I like at the local Indian joint