hi folks,

After requests from members to try out different venues (i.e. non-Italian ones!), our March meetup will be held at the Eritrean restaurant in Leiden. The booking is now confirmed with the restaurant.

As usual, please RSVP so I have an accurate idea of numbers, and if your plans change - PLEASE update your RSVP!! (otherwise I might be left explaining to an angry restaurant owner why we wasted their tables...)

Following debates about which day of the week to meet on, I am changing the days around a bit so that everyone hopefully has a chance to come along some time. This meetup will be held on a Thursday - and in the 2nd week of the month, so as not to clash with the www.italiansonline.net monthly meeting (which is 1st Thurs of the month).

Look forward to seeing you there!
Isla

ciao a tutti,

To kick off 2009 we're back in Leiden and trying out a new venue - this time it's Karalis, by popular request!

For those that haven't been there, Karalis is an Italian restaurant close to the centre, also run/staffed mostly by Italians. I've only been there once but the food seemed good, although perhaps slightly less 'goedkoop' than Sorrento. A few people have also suggested trying a non-Italian location, so I'll be collecting ideas for that by email or at the next meetup, so have a think where else you'd like to go!

I have picked the Thursday night to try a different day, and as there is a Leiden Expats film night on the Wednesday which might be of interest to some members (see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Leidenexpats/ for more details - you will need to join up).

Start time is 8pm, check the address at www.viamichelin.nl if you are unsure where it is.

I need to confirm numbers by Thursday lunchtime, so please RSVP and keep it updated if you change your plans. You can call or text me on 062 66 55 195 if you have problems attending or finding us.

I hope to see you there!

Isla

hi folks,

The December meetup will be in The Hague.

I was hoping to try a new venue, but haven't been able to locate a suitable new one yet. I have a couple of potential options to discuss and would love to hear your suggestions!

In the meantime, Vapiano (our 'default' restaurant) will have to do, so hopefully see you there!

Isla

hi folks,

This meetup will be held at Vapiano, as we haven't been there for several months.

Vapiano is an Italian pizza/pasta bar with reasonable prices and food, centrally located in the Buitenhof and it's open till late. To see more, go to the site at www.vapiano.eu. You can see photos of past meetups there too; check the May meetup photos.

Unfortunately they don't take bookings, so I will aim to be there before 7 and will save as many seats as I can. Please keep your RSVPs up to date, and arrive as promptly as possible :).

As ever, please email me with any questions, concerns or suggestions, and I look forward to seeing you there!

Isla
Organiser

Sorrento is a nice, genuine pizza/pasta restaurant (as in run by an actual Italian!) which offers tasty food at reasonable prices. Unfortunately it's not very close to the train station, and not so easy to find. To help you find your way, I have uploaded some maps showing the location of the restaurant.

It's basically located behind the Hoogvliet on Korevaarstraat, on the corner of a pedestrian side street (Hogewoerd) and Watersteeg (which turns into Hooigracht). Confusingly, the entrance is NOT through the big set of double doors right on the corner, but a smaller door on Watersteeg.

There should be some parking available in the area. If you come by train into centraal station I would suggest taking a bus down Breestraat, and get off at Korevaarstraat (opposite the Hoogvliet). There are lots of buses which go this way such as 31, 40, 42, 45, 169, 182, 206 - if in doubt just ask the driver if he goes down Breestraat. You can use www.9292ov.nl to work out your route.

You can also walk from the station if you prefer (I have uploaded a route map); this will take around 20 minutes.

I hope the maps and directions provided will guide you there, but if you have problems finding the restaurant please call me on 062 66 55 195.

As usual, please confirm your attendance by updating your 'maybe' RSVPs to a 'yes' or 'no' by Tuesday lunchtime at the latest, so I can make sure everyone has a seat!

A martedì,
Isla