Chanukah lunch

Here’s an instructive chain of email correspondence which shows how alcohol consumption can allow your agenda to be hijacked in the most bizarre ways. The result on this occasion is that we are holding what was supposed to be a boozy lads’ traditional Christmas lunch in a strict kosher venue, where any mention of Christmas will be liable to offend. You could not make this up.

I know we talked about this a (long) while ago, but I forget where we came out... is there any form for a traditional lads' Christmas dinner this year? I seem to remember that there was talk about a Saturday affair followed by possible club action after dinner? Or have we decided that now we're all grown up we've no time for this sort of frivolous bachelor behaviour any more? Any thoughts? We'll probably need to start sniffing around for a room in a restaurant soon if it's going to happen... ------------------------------- Wasn't it the sniffing around that caused all the problems last year? ------------------------------- got to be someone else's turn to organise - I'm well up for it but away next week so tricky for me to organise - plus under to much pressure to keep coming up with decent restaurants!! ------------------------------- I don't mind organising it this year but don't have personal experience of a vast array of fine restaurants. If you want to suggest some alteratives then fire away, otherwise I'll try for 3 Garcons ------------------------------- What's the deal - are we going kosher or shall I phone Rules? ------------------------------- Kosher. Then a quick cab ride to Primrose Hill, stagger to the top, take in the view, smoke a 'gar and then sit in a pub? ------------------------------- I agree with the kosher option. ------------------------------- Eh? Kosher? So where/what is the suggested venue? Did you blokes settle on a day and time? Is this some kind of joke that has backfired? ------------------------------- Afternoon everyone. The up market restaurant that is Rueben's has been booked for 10 people. To see a little more on this restaurant, please go to here I have very little doubt this will be an experience for you all. ------------------------------- What's your view about this? I'd regard it as a small frame-jack from the original terms of reference, that, as far as I can see, wasn't discussed at all, unless the discussion was behind closed doors... As far as I'm concerned, the last time the debate was taking place, we were talking Rules, to be followed by booze in a nice bar afterward... Now a place that is apparently known for its expensive Salt Beef Sandwiches is presented as a fait accompli, with Primrose Hill for the after-party. ------------------------------- I thought we'd left it with Rules or LTG as venues - whichever had availability. Then last Wednesday I went turned up in the pub at 10pm to find that the boys had met up, had a few beers and in the interests of religious tolerance had changed the venue to some kosher joint so the bagel wouldn't have to eat veggie. ------------------------------- Dear all, got a good review of Rubens off my Dad. 2 visits, 2 good meals. Says someone will have to tell us what's what but pretty favourable review. ps not quite sure what he made of the kosher wine list. ------------------------------- Chopped liver, chicken soup with Kneidlach and Lochshen, Steak with chips. Not sure about wine...will undoubtedly have reasonable expensive bottles, just not sure if they taste any good. ------------------------------- You see what happens if you allow your agenda to be hijacked by pandering to religious minority interests..? Speaking of chopped liver, that was exactly what my face could have been said to have looked like when I heard where we were going for the Christmas dinner... :-) ------------------------------- I'm particularly looking forward to trying the Bethlehem Beaujolais....... ------------------------------- Quite. "...will undoubtedly have reasonable expensive bottles, just not sure if they taste any good" This, to me, discloses a point missed... ------------------------------- http://www.chrisbell.co.nz/reubens.html ------------------------------- Suppose Christmas crackers and hats are out of the question? ------------------------------- Xmas crackers...what, 12 in a box for all you yoks... No offence meant, was just the little ditty I used when I worked at Wembley market flogging the damn things in Dec. Sorry, all things Xmasy are unlikely to happen/be welcome. ------------------------------- Doesn't it strike you as slightly odd that we're celebrating our Christmas lunch in a venue dedicated to the cuisine of a religion which does not celebrate Christmas, and may indeed regard the obvious celebration of Christmas as offensive? We should have just had the lunch during Ramadan in an Islamic restaurant. Then not only would crackers and hats have been off the menu, so would any kind of food or drink during the hours of daylight... It's all slightly bizarre - this is in danger of turning into a Monty Python sketch. Somebody bring a video camera.

Like I say, you could not make this up. I will report back on how the lunch goes.