Book was very well behaved, even though she was a murder mystery. And so was everyone else, at least up to the point when we had to leave.

Thanks for the great design, Mr. O.F.!

Whoa. Did someone run out without paying his/her share of the check? EL

It was a very fine gathering with conversation ranging from chain restaurants to Turkey (country, not bird.) I think the best way to entice more sandboxers to attend is to say no more. Come next time to find out about fun. As to pics, given the restraining orders and jumped bail warrants, they just didn't seem right.

As to Koopers, probably the less said the better. When I arrived a little early (anticipating parking issues) the young lad who finally greated me with his blood shot eyes knew nothing of our booking. In fact, no one had bothered to look at that day's listing so we were about 20 minutes late being seated. Seems they didn't want to toss onto the street the folk already seated at what would become our table. The promised compensatory drinks never materalised.

As to the food, no one seemed taken by the food. My roast beef sandwich was okay, but I would not specifically go to Koopers. If I was in the area and wanted a sandwich, I wouldn't not go in (how's that for damning with faint praise?)

Certainly the company was better than the service or the food.

We had to leave for Fairfax earlier than I had anticipated so I was not able to stop by, but oh how I would love to hear a little about the lunch. I think of it as what I hope is the first of others.

Are you casting asparagus on us, EL? We paid for our two Bloody Marys before we left--didn't eat as we had just come from a brunch. From what RtSO has to say, maybe it's just as well! ;-

The bunless Mexi-burger I had (It's still Passover until sundown today) was not that bad. Some not-too-overcooked (Medium should have a pink center) meat topped with some chili (with beans) and covered with a slice of melted cheese. The fries were not too bad, seemed to be slightly spiced, some cooked nicely, some not. Saved by the mayonnaise.

As RtSO said, the company was better than the service or the food. Did have one good thing happen, though: I didn't get charged for the two diet cokes I had. Maybe that was the free drinks!

I stuck to the brunch side of the menu and had a breakfast burrito, which came with bacon, potatoes, and fruit. Plating was nice, with the burrito topped with sour cream and very mild salsa (so you'll have to eat it with knife and fork). It was filling (I never did eat the fruit) and pleasant enough, although I doubt I'd make a special trip just to have it again. (I've had burgers at Kooper's and its cousin Slainte, and I'd probably go back to either place for the burgers.)

Once we decided to order lunch, everybody's food arrived promptly (and all at the same time). Our waitress was generally attentive, though a bit hard to find when it came time to ask for the check.

One minor beef: The burrito is included in a list of brunch menu items that come with a stated choice of bacon or sausage and a stated choice of toast or English muffin. However, certain items, such as the burrito, don't come with the toast or muffin. While these items are identified with an asterisk, the menu doesn't explain what the asterisk signifies -- I had to ask the waitress what the asterisk meant in order to find out.

Mr. Old Fart, that's a wonderful design! I move to adopt it as our office banner.

Moved and seconded.

I am so sorry that I could not come but I had a great time at theNFL Draft. I had great seats (I sat near all the draft families) and great food. The hotel breakfast was good. We had Shula's Steakhouse for lunch that was very good. Not the best filet I have ever eaten but in the top 5. For breakfast this morning we went to Metro Marche. It was very good. My hubby had a corned beef hash that he loved. All in all a good weekend but I hope to make the next one.

Great design for the banner!

I found out that Koopers used to Thames Street Tavern, one of my old college hangouts.

Back in the day, Thames was the place for Generation Xers from Bel Air and Fallston to sport Gap and J. Crew and drink Miller Lite (Bel Air) or Budweiser ( Fallston..one of the many things that was wrong with those people) while they indulged their nostalgic side by listening to "Safety Dance" or the theme to "The Jeffersons".

I never ate at Thames, but if the food there was anything like the Spanish Omelet I had at Koopers, I don't think I missed out on anything.

RoCK said: and drink Miller Lite (Bel Air) or Budweiser ( Fallston..one of the many things that was wrong with those people)

Umm, you're criticizing Fallstonites for preferring Budweiser to Miller Lite? The mind boggles! Why would it be more "correct" to prefer one watery beer over another?

Sandboxers: I'm sorry I missed the festivities but apparently we should use more discretion when choosing the venue for the next meeting. Having typed that, any thoughts on when a second meeting should occur? Quarterly? Monthly?

I humbly add my vote to the "yea" column to adopt Mr. OF's terrific design.

Onward, Subjects of Elizabeth Regina!

Mr. Piano Rob: your penance for missing the Gathering (like making money is more important) is to have brunch/lunch at Koopers. You must also order the all you want Bloody Marys, whose alcohol component was reported might be missing. Seems one is all you will want.

RtSO: Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. But if one alcohol-free Bloody Mary is all I want for $10, I sure won't be wasting my gig cash at Kooper's.

Just to be fair to Koopers, the $10 all you can drink Bloody Marys are not intended to be an alcohol-free drink. Its supposed to be alcohol enhanced. The drinker simply wondered where was the Vodka, with the first drink served.

Hal,

I'm not about to rehash the Miller Lite and Budweiser debates of 1990's. You see, the 90's were a far different time. There was a war with Iraq. There was a Clinton running for President. I feel that to relate that time and its debates with our time just wouldn''t be fair.

RoCK said: I'm not about to rehash the Miller Lite and Budweiser debates of 1990's. You see, the 90's were a far different time. There was a war with Iraq. There was a Clinton running for President. I feel that to relate that time and its debates with our time just wouldn''t be fair.

Hah! :-)

Piano Rob -- organizing the first Sandbox meeting was akin to herding cats. Purely as a suggestion (to get the discussion going), what about quarterly sit-down dinner events, with monthly happy-hour gatherings in the off months?

hmpstd: An excellent idea! This would indicate that the next sit-down event would occur in July, but the Sandbox can convene in May for a delightful happy hour.

How do the members feel about the fourth Thursday of the month? Say, 5:30-6PM for a meet time. Locations to change each time to include the City as well as surrounding environs.

Target date: Thursday, May 29; place TBA. Discuss!