What is so special about this event?
• We will be in a semi-private balcony area complete with its own bar.
• Happy Hour - Their specials change often but I've always found their HH to be a nice value. They advertise "Happy Hour is offered in the bar and patio at most of our locations between 3 - 7 pm" which of course is right in the time slow we'll be there. Please note that in the past I've always been able to order HH food/drink in the dining area. This MIGHT have changed but I cannot imagine that there'd be a problem getting HH drinks at the very least at our upstairs bar. If not, there is always the main bar downstairs.
• The capacity for this balcony area is 60-65. We should have at least three long tables holding 12 to 16 of our fabulous group each. I think they can also set up a fourth table and there are also some booths immediately adjacent if necessary.
• This point is very important...P.F. Chang's has agreed to provide SEPARATE CHECKS in blocks of four. In the past they have done separate totals at the very least but I put this out there as part of my reservation proposal and they agreed without hesitation. This means at least three checks for a table of 12, four checks for a table of 16 which should make it much easier to pay the bill at the end.
• Have I mentioned how wonderful and reasonable their food is? We have no set minimums for this event. Enjoy an entree, share one with a friend, or get several for your small group and have a sampler feast.
• There is so much opportunity and space for everyone to socialize, see the "cocktail party" comment below.
Please keep in mind the following items as related to this dining experience...
1) This has evolved into sort of a cocktail party in that people tend to arrive whenever, leave whenever which means everyone eats whenever. In other words, there is no set time for all to sit down and order dinner and in turn, we have no expectation that the restaurant serves everyone at the same time. I'd imagine that this has made it easier for them to consent to the separate checks.
2) Keep in mind that upon arrival, you will navigate what is likely to be a busy front desk area, passing through the restaurant proper, up an open staircase and across an aisle lined with booths before you arrive in our balcony area. If anyone has any fear of this, perish the thought. You are in Vegas to enjoy yourself. Own it and make this "gauntlet" part of the fun. The Muggles will certainly get a kick out of us but whatever...we are there because we are awesome. However, if anyone would prefer not to run the gauntlet, please check with the front desk about taking their service elevator instead.
3) To repeat from above, we have the room from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. In the past we have had some later arrivals being taken aback by the staff informing them of this time window. However, in all of our years, we have never been booted out of there when the clock strikes 7:00. Usually our group is breaking up at around that time anyway.
Dress for this event is what any woman might wear when dining out in the early evening. I've dressed it up a bit, I've gone "casual chic", it all works. Just keep in mind the hemline on your skirt or dress when navigating the open stairwell
!!!I want to thank everyone who has attended in the past and I hope to see you again. For the newbies, whether to this dinner or especially to DLV, please make an effort to find me to say hello. I am looking forward to seeing everyone and hope that we can break our own attendance record for this event and perhaps test the capacity of the room. If anyone has any questions, please post them here and I will be sure to respond.