At the Cleveland RG

As those of you who came to the last 2 Cleveland RGs know,
when we say we will feed you,
we ain't kidding.

Friday Dinner: Cartoon Cafe

We will have about six hot items (for example, Wimpie Burgers and Katzenjammer Kids Kielbasa) and six cold items (including a complete salad bar), such as Thai Style Noodles with Peanuts Sauce and Sorry Charlie Tuna salad, along with two or more soups.  The food will be served buffet style, starting late Friday afternoon and continuing through the evening, so that even latecomers will be accommodated.  The quantity of food will be sufficient to feed all (anyone who was at the last 2 Cleveland RGs knows what I mean), and will mostly be homemade by Bob, myself and CAM volunteers, or obtained from local sources such as Chinatown (Honey's Buns) and St. Josephat's Church (Daddy Warbucks's pierogi).  We are also planning homemade desserts, including Boop Boop a Doop Cheesecake and Scooby Snacks (for people).

As you can tell from the items I've mentioned, we are shooting for a cartoon connection with the name or ingredients of each item Friday night; we may even make a little contest out of it (who got "Honey's Buns"?).  Wouldn't you hate to miss this opportunity to sample these one-time, one of a kind culinary delights?

Saturday Lunch: Make Your Own Dagwood Sandwich

Around noon, we will have Make Your Own Dagwood Sandwiches for lunch.  Now, some RGs put out a spread of cold cuts and cheese at lunch, and you may be thinking, what's so special about that?  Well, as those of you who attended the last Cleveland RG know, Bob and I will have a few theme-related tricks up our sleeves to make this more than just a cold cut, cheese and bread affair.  The selection of condiments and ingredients will go beyond the usual—but if you open the sardines, you have to use them.  Among other things, we are hoping to create a contest out of it (but you have to be willing and able to eat it!!).  Goodness only knows who Bob may dress up as, but be sure that we will pay edible homage in a way that Dagwood would approve! 

Saturday Dinner: Garfield's Lasagna Buffet

For Saturday's dinner, we are experimenting with a format that Pittsburgh, Lincoln (Nebraska) and other RGs are beginning to work with—purchasing a sit down meal from the hotel that is included in everyone's registration.  In keeping with our theme, and wanting to pick something the hotel would be unlikely to mangle, the dinner buffet will include not one, not two, but three varieties of lasagna (including both meat and vegetarian styles—and "yes" to you know who you are--one variety has no tomato products).  In addition, salad, hot vegetable, bread and soft drinks will be provided.  A cash bar will be available for those of you who prefer a cocktail before or during dinner.  We weren't kidding when we said you could eat like Garfield at this RG!

In addition to helping us negotiate a favorable contract with the hotel for our Hospitality and Function Space (and there will be plenty of room for everyone to dine), this dinner concept allows us to have one meal where everyone can sit at regular tables in larger numbers than is feasible in Hospitality, using regular tableware (not that hospitality couches, plastic forks and foam plates don't appeal to some RG Junkies).  We have avoided the downside that usually comes with purchasing hotel meals—rubber chicken, guaranteed number to sell, and extra cost to the attendees (our registration rates are consistent with prior years and other RGs—and the Saturday Night Sit Down Garfield Buffet is included in your registration).

The best thing about this arrangement, from my point of view, is that Bob and I get to take a few hours "off" from hospitality, and we don't have to pre-prepare or prepare this meal on site. Have no fear—Hospitality will remain open during the dinner and there will be some food available for the few of you who hate lasagna or end up playing games though the entire two hours that the dinner buffet will be open.  Since Bob and I get a little break, we will have time to "re-charge" between lunch time and 10 pm, when we will open Pop's Soda Shop. More on the Soda Shop in my next post.

Saturday After Dinner: Pop's Soda Shop

Home-brewed root beer floats and other sweet goodies.....

Sunday Breakfast: Leftovers or Buffet....

Though there will certainly be cold leftovers galore to eat on Sunday morning, you can purchase a hot Breakfast Buffet with scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage gravy and buttermilk biscuits, French toast with warm syrup, bacon, fresh fruit, orange juice, coffee and tea.  Cost is $10 per person ($6 for children under 12).

Page last updated: 12/06/2004