SEE 2009 Thanksgiving Get-together @ Roland and Caswell's House

Eighteen of us had a wonderful time at the Slick Rock Thanksgiving Party. Everyone contributed a tasty side dish that complimented the turkey and ham offerings. There was more food that could be eaten, so leftovers was the order to the day. We watched the movie "White Christmas" and chatted for hours.

Here is a link to pictures of this wonderful holiday
time we spent together: http://picasaweb.google.com/myrrhfahl/Thanksgiving2009#

Stay tuned for the SEE Christmas Party for 2009. Spending time with friends is time well spent and was fun for ALL.

SEE Ratings for Conor O'Neill's Irish Pub (11/15/09)

Also, please put the following address on your safe sender's list: cforrest@pinpointadllc.com
This will be a new address for me and I will be using it exclusively in the next 30 days.
Please put it on your safe sender's list so my email's do not wind up in your SPAM.

• Conor O'Neill's Traditional Irish Pub
  1922 13th Street - Boulder, Colorado
  There were sixteen of us who "broke bread" together on Sunday 11/15/09.
• It was really nice BEYOND the cell phones, texts, everyday noise...
• Just be together talking, laughing, and enjoying other people's company for a couple of hours.
• Come join us next time @ a SEE dinner.
• http://www.conoroneills.com/boulder/index.shtml

Ratings.......

1. Plates: 4.28
2. Trays: 4.42
3. Glasses: 3.35
4. Cost (Value): 4.28
5. Environment: 3.64 (several people were cold due to poor heating or cold spots)
6. Fiz Factor: 4.42
7. OVERALL: 4.07 (good rating)

Pictures for Halloween 2009: Follow the Link!

Halloween 2009 was a Roaring success

If you don't believe me just look at these pictures:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=SEEGroupEvents&target=ALBUM&id=5400059606785936545&authkey=Gv1sRgCNDQzsqf-v-EKg&feat=email

See what people had to say about the party

"Caswell, I also wanted to say how much I enjoyed your party! It was so well organized, costumes were terrific, and decorations were just super! Bravo and many thanks to you and other organizers!"

Dina from Boulder

"Thank you!!!! Great pics! And thanks again for the party - it was awesome!"

Lynie from Oregon

"Thank you so much! You are so sweet! We had so much fun at the party! See you soon."

Kathy M. from Longmont

"I only met you by way of a friend...Karie..who brought me to your party. I was happy to be able to contribute my $10 and 2 dozen cookies. Just wanted you to know how much I appreciated all you did to make the party such a HUGE success. you could tell everyone was having a wonderful time..and the two of you were great hosts!! Thanks, again...and please remember me on your future party lists!!"
Ramona S. From Boulder

"GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREAT H'WEEN CELEBRATION! Thanks so much for your efforts. The decorations, food, props, hosts and welcoming were the best! I'm sending you my email address, for your Sunday Eve Eats/Wed Movies lists. "

Nicole d. from Boulder

"FABULOUS EVENING !!! Thanks so much for including us. Hands down our favorite costumes were YOU TWO !! Love and gratitude to you both"
Judy and Greg from Boulder

"You two really know how to put on a party. Congratulations to you both for orchestrating a fantastic evening! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Will any of the photos be posted somewhere? They definitely need to be archived somewhere. Thanks again"
LuAnne from Boulder

"Thanks guys (Roland, Caswell, Jude and Bill) for hosting and putting together the party!! And party we did!! A great time was had by all! I was excited to see some of my contra dance buddies there as well. A couple of them want to be added to the SEE list, so when I get their emails I'll forward on to you! Thanks! LUV YA GUYS!!"
Teresa from Boulder

"You guys are simply amazing!!!!!! It was a terrific party. How can we all thank you? The place looked amazing. The food, drink and fun were non-stop. You two are just THE BEST! I am so glad you both are in my life. Never leave, OK?"
Love, Susan from Louisville

Please take a moment to view who made the party possible and very fun

Mike McKean: Our DJ (DJ Eggbeater) phone: 303 810 5420 Mike donated his services and allot of time to put together a great variety of mixes for the party. If you are EVER is the market for a great DJ, sound system, and an almost infinite musical choice of styles --- he is the MAN!

Kathy McKean: Our Wine Lady. Kathy provided "great deals" for our wine service. She not only got us wonderful discounts because she buys direct from the growers in CA., she donated at least 1/2 case of wine from her own inventory to the party. Kathy' business is KATHY McKEAN/Wine Shop At Home/DirectorPhone: 720.212-5947 http://www.thewinewranglers.com/ Also for those of you looking for great wine at reasonable prices she can provide, and any of you who LOVE wine + thinking about "recession proofing your lifestyle" this is a real deal business to consider.

Connie and Eduardo Mansour: Remember the "feather lady dressed in black" serving tamales? These guys have a tamale business here in Boulder and not only were their tamales a HIT, they also donated many of these tasty treats to the party. Thank you both very much! If you are looking for a variety of tamales that are filled with organic ingredients and numerous tasty combinations of food this is the PLACE to buy them: http://www.bouldertamales.com/

ESC for the Arts is located at 6560 Odell Pl, Suite B, Boulder, CO. 80301 : The location for the party --- off of Lookout Road and Spine in Gunbarrel. It is a beautiful, state-of-the-art facility conveniently located in Downtown Gunbarrel, with close access to Boulder, Southern Longmont, Niwot and Louisville communities. "ESC houses one studio with a kitchen/art/kids space, dressing room, bathroom and lobby. The Main Studio is equipped with ballet barres, state of the art sub-flooring and beautiful laminate flooring which is a true floating and sprung floor system custom built for dancers. We also have full length mirrors, a stereo systems that is compatible with personal MP3/IPOD players, and yoga and towels for use for yoga or other movement classes". This place is terrific and worthy of everyone's support.

Roland Waters & Jude Bernard: Roland was the food and decorations visionary. Jude executed many of the decorations designs and art renderings including "Humpty Dumpty" Roland was the executive chef who created the tastes and dishes provided at the party, + the entire decoration party design for "Alice in Wonderland" popped out of his brain.

SEE (Sunday Evening Eats) Volunteers: Over twenty five people showed up before the event and after the event to set-up and clean-up for Halloween 2009. This was truly a community effort and event + several people brought finger food desserts for the party that night.

Everyone contributed at least a $10 donation to the party and given the business donations, SEE people volunteer efforts, we pulled off the entire event at a break-even cost! This was a miracle.....thanks to all of you. There were 133 guests who showed up at the party and when you see the pictures it is pretty obvious we ALL had a roaring good time!

"Without Promotion Something Terrible Happens-Nothing!" P. T. Barnum

Cheers-Caswell & Roland

Ratings for The Full Belly Restaurant (10/11/09)

There were eighteen (18) of us who got together last evening (10/11/09) at the Full Belly Restaurant for a fun-filled dinner.
The restaurant gave us a SEE Special menu (three choices) at a reduced rate -- which included salad and a gratuity cost.
For most of us if not ALL of us this was the first-time-visit to this establishment.
The ratings are as follows:

• Plates: 3.86
• Trays: 4.36
• Glasses: 3.88
• Cost/Value: 3.19
• Environment: 3.97
• Fiz Factor: 3.69
• OVERALL Rating: 3.82
  Remember a 4.0 or greater is a "slam-dunk" rating for any place we visit
  And The Full Belly was close.
  Looks like everyone recommends a second visit to this restaurant.
  Cheers-Caswell & Roland

SEE Rating for Murphy's Grill on Sunday 9/20/09....low very low.

Murphy's Grill 657 s. broadway boulder, co 80305303.494.7626
Formally Sobo's. This is owned and operated by the former Sobo owner.
Check it out online: http://www.murphysboulder.com/index_murphys.html
This was a BOMB!
Plates: 2.33
Trays: 2.58
Glasses: 3
Cost: 2.70
Environment: 3.16
Fiz Factor: 2.66
OVERALL: 2.73
This was sad!
One of the lowest ratings we have ever had......some comments were.....
"This was a let-down from what Sobo's was! Service was below average and slow. Food was very bland." Pete ....Boulder
"Please don't call a chicken cutlet fried chicken. I was so disappointed when it arrived and there was on the bone pieces, just a slab of mildly flavored slightly dry white culet. Fried chicken means whole on the bone pieces." Laura....Boulder
"There is nothing PUB about this Pub place!" Jude.....Boulder
Ordered burger medium rare and was well done. It was okay, other places to try before returning." Mike.....Longmont

Rating for Cheesecake factory SEE (Sunday Evening Eats) on 8/2/09

There were seven (7) of us who met up at the Cheesecake factory on Sunday 8/2/09
We seem to draw smaller crowds to this restaurant, however the ratings are always SUPER high
Our theory is many people go to this place relatively often, so thus the "smaller crowd" when SEE goes
The Rating is:
Plates: 4.92
Trays: 4.92
Glasses: 4.83
$: 4.64
Environment: 4.78
Fiz Factor: 4.53
OVERALL: 4.77
NEAR PERFECT!

Rating for Sherpa's on 7/26/09 and Sunday Evening Eats

There was a dozen of us there.
They have indoor and outdoor seating, and we were accommodated as a group: One Table
We also got Separate checks.
SUNDAY 7/26/09 @ 6:00PM: The Rating:

Plates: 3.75
Trays: 2.83
Glasses: 3.79
$: 3.62
Environment: 3.85
Fiz Factor: 3.83
OVERALL: 3.61

Not so HOT! Go with lowered expectations and you will come out OKAY.

Rating for The Rib House (7/12/09) SEE: Sunday Evening Eats

The Rib House in Boulder
There were nineteen of us (19) that got together this last Sunday (7/12/09). The ratings were as follows:
Plates: 4.33
Trays: 4.5
Glasses: 4.11
$ Cost: 4.35
Environment: 3.75 (Several people felt it was loud).
Fiz Factor: 4.0
Overall: 4.17
This is a winner. Invite your family and friends to "The Rib House".
Address: 1801 13th Street Suite 180 Boulder CO 80302
Phone: 303 442 RIBS
This is a new place and finally some tasty BBQ in Boulder. This place is owned by the same people who have the The Rib House in Prospect. Longmont.
They have won many awards along the Front Range for their food, and they sell product in the stores as well.
www.theRibHouse.com

Ratings for Playa Azul 6/21/09

There was 15 of us who met @ Playa Azul on Sunday 6/21/09
Everyone had a good time-Plenty of Lively conversations and laughs!
We met at: Playa Azul.........A Family Mexican Restaurant 303 545 9400
Location 38th and Arapahoe
PLENTY of Mexican dishes to choose from and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating
The ratings were as follows:
Plates: 3.85
Trays: 3.95
Glasses: 3.83
Cost/value: 3.85
Environment: 3.60
Fiz Factor: 3.75
Overall: 3.81
The ratings were pretty good and I would recommend this Mexican food to anyone!

Rating for Thyme on the Creek SEE dinner (5/17/09)

Thyme on the Creek is a fitting name for a restaurant that sits right on Boulder Creek.
And Thyme on the Creek does that -- it's the fine-dining restaurant at the Millennium Harvest House, the hotel north of the creek path near the intersection of Arapahoe Avenue and 28th Street.
The restaurant offers a heated outdoor patio to take advantage of its location. There were 13 of us who attended this get-together.
We sat at one table across from eachother and cross-talked the entire meal. Everyone said they had a good time and really enjoyed the smaller more intimate setting.
The wait staff treated us like KINGS at this place, and the environment was superb.
RATINGS:
Plates: 5
Trays: 5
Glasses: 4.16
$ Cost: 3
Environment: 4.9
Fiz Factor: 4.9
This was a terrific place, the only twist was cost however everything else was almost off the charts!

Forking The Recession @ Cantina Laredo 5/3/09

There were Ninety (90) of you who showed up at our Forking the Recession Celebration!
Last Sunday's SEE get together @ the Cantina Laredo (5/3/09).

We (The SEE participants) received the Silver & Gold Forking Award from Mr. Pete Meersman, President of the Colorado Restaurant Association.

Mr. Meersman is a GREAT guy, he told us some very enlightening information about the CO. Restaurant Industry and its growth compared to the nation.

We are on the top list in this growth industry, and your dollars go along way to support CO. + it's "Climb out of this Recession." "I know we are just having FUN", however it is good to know our FUN has long-reaching-positive-effects both locally and statewide.

Thanks again everyone and BTW there were many new faces who participated...plus we added many more folks to the SEE ever-expanding list of FUN people.

Rating for Baker Street Pub & Grill (Fork The Recession) on 4/19/09

SUCCESS! @ Baker Street Pub & Grill Scores the SEE 4.0 Golden award!
Seventy Nine of you showed up for the event. FORK the Recession!
The restaurant gave each of you a FORK passed around FREE plates of their delicious appetizers for testing and general enjoyment.
Their happy hour extended ALL day long + they have 20 micro brews on tap.
Baker Street Pub & Grill http://www.sherlockspubco.com/Home.aspx
1729 28th Street • Boulder , Colorado 80301 720-974-9490
Housed in the "old Chili's" across from 29th Street Mall.
RATINGS:
Plates: 3.67
Trays: 4.32
Glasses: 4.24
Cost ($): 4.43
Environment: 4.54
Fiz Factor: 3.64
OVERALL: 4.14
This was a roaring success. The most people we have ever had at a SEE event, and for the restaurant to score over a 4.0 is outstanding! Everyone recommends this place for future dining and fun. Tell your friends and family.......We sent out PRESS RELEASES regarding "Fork the Recession" before and after the event. We may have a follow up event on May 3rd at the Cantina Laredo. The SEE group may get an award from the President of the Colorado Restaurant Association for FORKING the past two (2) years. We have been ahead of the recessionary cycle.

Cheers-Caswell and Roland

SEE (Sunday Evening Eats) Rating for the SOBO (3/29/09) Restaurant

There were twenty-eight of you who showed up at SOBO last Sunday.
http://www.soboamericanbistro.com/index..html
It was great to SEE many new faces, and many faces we have not seen for awhile, PLUS a SEE get together we have not had for awhile.
Sobo had invited us back for a second round of great service, wonderful food, and a perfect environment.... and they did not disappoint for this second visit. Also we were divided into three tables...everyone had a good time and plenty of laughs. We filled up the place!
Rating were high and more impressive since we had so many more people show up this time!
Plates: 4.6
Trays: 4.68
Glasses: 4.21
$: 3.79
Environment: 3.99
Fix Factor: 4.42
Overall: 4.28 Still a winner by all standards!
Stephan the owner, had given SEE a 10% discount off the entire meal (drinks, appetizers, entree, and dessert). Bring your friends and family to SOBO some time in the near future and SHOW your appreciation. You can't go wrong!

Cheers-Caswell & Roland.

We had the party...WOW!

We had the party and 65 people showed up...It was a roaring success! Many people said it was the most FUN party they have been to in their LIFE as well as in Boulder. We will do this again.....Thanks to everyone who came and really gave it their ALL!

This is the link to the pictures of this party: http://picasaweb.google.com/SEEGroupEvents


Okay St.. Patrick's day is the 17th (Wednesday) and the FIRST day of Spring is March 20th (Saturday). The Shortest "St. Patrick's Day Parade In the World" is held in Boulder on Sunday the 15th of March this YEAR! So we decided to have a St. Patrick's Day Dance Bash on SATURDAY March 14th as a Celebration of ALL these terrific convergent events.
Especially in honor of St. Patrick's Day!
If you attended out last dance party for Halloween-then there is no reason to give you any encouragement to come to this DANCE Bash!
The party will start @ 7:00PM and the LIVE DJ will start the music @ 8:00PM to 11:00PM-Non Stop 70's, 80's and some 90's dance crazed music.
You MUST wear something visibly GREEN somewhere on your body and/or head. You must bring an IRISH Sense of Humor or die!
We are going to supply micro-beer from one of the famous micro-breweries' locally in Boulder (Go Local!) Will advise what brand that is soon-any suggestions?
We will supply individual waters-several cases of it-because on Halloween we went through water due to many sweating "insane" dancers.
We are asking you to bring your favorite appetizer dish and if you want to have your own brand of drink then your welcome (wine-whatever).....
We are also asking for a $ five (5) dollar donation per person to help us offset the cost of the DJ....this was a success last time so thank you in advance. We will have a donation box at the party.

Rating for Bacaro Restaurant: Sunday Evening Eats (SEE) on 2/8/09 WINNER!

Bacaro Restaurant
See the web link: http://www.bacaro.com/
Location is: 921 Pearl St • Boulder, CO 80302 • 303.444.4888
There were 24 people who showed for this dinner.

Here is the rating:
Plates: 4.40
Trays: 3.72
Glasses: 4.35
$ Cost: 4.32
Environment: 4.32
Fiz Factor: 4.28
OVERALL Rating: 4.23
Any rating over a 4.0 is a good rating and worthy of a visit at any time by anyone. The restaurant gave us an excellent discount per entree ($5.00 off each order) and everyone had a really good time. There was a "hick-up" at the end with the separate checks and some confusion which lead to some delay for some people-that effected the service rating. However I must point out that drop in rating was based on a large group and separate check issues rather than some basic problem with service. We will definitely go back to the Bacaro in the near future!

Cheers-Caswell & Roland

Ratings for Casa Alvarez (1/18/09) SEE (Sunday Evening Eats).

Casa Alvarez: 3161 Walnut St. Boulder, CO 80301
Website: http://www.casaalvarezcolorado.com/

See BELOW for the Ratings (22 persons attended):
Plates: 3.07
Trays: 3.44
Glasses: 3.25
Cost: 3.5
Environment: 3.57
Fiz Factor: 3.10
Overall: 3.32
This place is okay, however there are much better Mexican Food Restaurants in Boulder that we have been too. We will not return as a group, there were several basic problems for the Restaurant in serving a group-never take more than four (4) persons there. This is a low rating even if there are only two(2) of you.

Cheers-Caswell & Roland

Rating for Orchid Pavilion (1/4/09) SEE Revisit event.

We were invited back to the Orchid Pavilion which rated VERY HIGH last April 2008. UPDATE: This restaurant has closed their location on Walnut Street, however they have a second place on Baseline-still in business! They gave us a SEE:15% discount on the entree (appetizers and drinks are menu price) We had twenty four (24) folks show up. Certainly the restaurant appreciated it so much that they give us a deal. Thank you for making it to The Orchid Pavilion on Sunday (1/4/09) and REWARDING this establishment with our business and appreciation that they are smart enough to have us a back and offer a great discount! They rated very high this time, and certainly deserve your business anytime of the year. They really took good care of the group and certainly this was reflected in your ratings:
Plates: 4.25
Trays: 3.86
Glasses: 3.80
Cost ($): 4.41
Environment: 4.65
Fiz Factor: 4.04
OVERALL: 4.17
A rating that exceeds 4.0 is our BEST standard to date. And this place has scored twice over a 4.0.