lovely idea, Federica. Just a thought: have you checked availability with Helvti? They were booked out for weeks when I checked shortly after they opened. I would hate for you to get a good turnout only to be disappointed.

Bartholemew, thanks for letting me know about this. I will call them today or even stop by and find out what the situation is. Will keep all posted

Things are too much up in the air at work at the moment for me even to commit to a 'maybe'. Still hoping to make a "a taste of something lunch".

Hopefully update my status next week too.

Here you go, Grumpy! If you come, we can have a special argument in Italian just for you, hehehe

by the way... I'm trying to get the fantastic local pizzaiolo in our idyllic ligurian village to substitute gorgonzola with stilton and mascarpone with clotted cream. alas, prejudice is hard to eradicate...

VERY IMPORTANT UPDATE:

I called the restaurant and made a reservation for 8 people for Thursday, October 27, at 12pm.

I explained that we might have more or less people, and that I would call again and confirm the exact number a day earlier at the latest, but I really wanted to make sure we have enough spots for lunch and that they are not fully booked (many thanks again to Bartholemew for the heads-up).

I would ask all the maybes if you could please confirm either way by Wednesday morning (26) at the latest, so I can call the restaurant and confirm the exact number of attendees.

Also, if someone else wants to join, there is still plenty of room! As I said, I will confirm next week the final numbers to the place, just please subscribe before Wednesday morning latest.

We're on, hehehe!!! Have a great weekend.

I went once already. The food is ok. The milkshakes were a disappointment. I can't make lunch, but hope you guys have fun!

I would love to try it but lunch doesn't work for me unfortunately... Hope you all have a great time!

Brilliant! unfortunately, lunch is a hard thing for me to do this week. Maybe next time?

Fedirica, I would be there like a shot if I finished work earlier. I'll join in during the next school hols. Hope you all have a great time.

For the price I was expecting F-ing good milkshakes

http://youtu.be/m02q_Bt9LeI

what Papa G means to say is that he would love to grace you with his presence, but will be too busy wolfing down the US delicacies me and another unsuspecting mule brought back for him recently instead (still not forgiven you for two-timing me, Goose. Honestly, you men are all the same!).

The place is a lot closer to the office than I thought. So far I still have my job; will ponder the idea a bit more and update by tomorrow morning (currently I'm not in the list).

For my maybes:
Guys, please don't forget to change your status to either yes or no by tomorrow morning, as I will be closing the RSVP and calling the restaurant then to confirm the exact number of attendees.

For my yeses: yay!

I'm really sorry, Federica, but I will not be able to make it tomorrow. It turns out I have to be at work after all.
I promise I'll make one of the next lunch events. It's such a lovely idea and I really wanted to meet you.

Sorry for the late update, been a bit busy this morning. Still a bit busy, so much the same as Sagitta's comment, and lastly 'bon appetit'.

I can taste the ketchup already.

I hope the burgers come with salad and fries likes the sandwiches do (not mentioned on the menu).

I guess tomorrow will be my one allowed environmental disaster day: beef, bad enough as it is, shipped all the way from home.

And raw milk Cheddar... all the way from the Viadukt . I wish I could make it.

Dear all,

I just called the restaurant and confirmed the final number - 10 of us, as you see from the "Yes" above. They said we'll have to squeeze a little bit (big group, nice turnout!) but I thanked them for being able to accommodate all of us nonetheless.

Happy to go, looking forward to seeing you there!

Federica