Well, It is getting closer to that time when some of us head off to Madison, Wisconsin for Canoecopia March 13, 14, and 15th. We have been doing a Dinner (Supper I call it) on Saturday night of this event for the last several years. We have been doing this the last couple years at Angelo's in Monona. The food has been good and the hospitality, but I am afraid we have OUTGROWN this spot?
I am looking for some feedback on what those of you who have attended last year and the year before think? Should we go back here again and live with the tight quarters? or look for another venue?
If you have suggestions type away. If you know of another spot, or maybe a place we could have Angelo's cater too, that would work also?

Suggestions?

I will leave this up a few days and then make a decision, as we will need to get something going soon or not do it at all? As we only have so much time left.

Thank you canoe fanatics,

SunCatcher

Nice setup, service, and good food! I'd be happy to go back. While it was full, I found it comfortable. What did we have last year 60/70 eating?

butthead

Paul, the place we were at (Angelo's) DOES cater so keep that in mind. They were great to work with and the pizza was great.

Would there be a conference room at the Clarion open?

quote butthead: "Nice setup, service, and good food! I'd be happy to go back. While it was full, I found it comfortable. What did we have last year 60/70 eating? butthead"

I agree with Ken on all counts.

Would it help if we did a more official RSVP? Previously, the head count prior to the Dinner/Supper was loosely based on replies to this thread. If possible, maybe a tighter head count with a cut-off date? With a more accurate and predetermined head count, it might indicate if a change of location is necessary.

Then again, I realize that certain attendees don't always know if they, friends and/or family members can attend until the last minute. That being said, I'd hate to leave anyone out that couldn't confirm until the Friday before or the day of the Dinner.

Angelo's was great and I'd be reluctant to tamper with such a proven venue. Seating was at a premium last year, so maybe Angelo's can pull out a few extra tables or re-configure the dinning area a bit to accommodate us better this year?

Hans Solo

Good points, I like Angelo's and getting a place (renting a room) and then catering, would just cost more money. I will leave this open a few days, but leaning towards Angelo's (If it aint taken).

Headcount changes daily, when you ask for commitments, and heck, that is just life, I always guarantee them a number and I give em a LOW number just to cover my butt. It has worked out.

I think we had right at 60 last year and that was a LOT for that room, I do not know if they can re-arrange much to get us a little more comfortable or not? Kinda like trying to put, 3 lbs of shit in a 1 lb coffee can, sometimes hard to do :)

SunCatcher

There will be three of us this year, Spartan1, me, and our 12-year-old granddaughter. I suspect we won't stay long after we eat, though. Not as long as in other years. May depend upon how the party is going.

We liked Angelo's. I do think if you get another room and have it catered it will raise the price, and probably lower the number of attendees, further raising the price. Might be a self-defeating proposition. But who knows? The room was very crowded and noisy last year, and if we had even more people, it could get uncomfortable.

Good luck with your planning. Glad it isn't up to me.

This is hard, because Angelo's is great, but yes it was full to capacity last year. The Angelo's website lists the capacity of that room as 50 (and we had 60). We might only have 60, but...

Sometimes Angelo's is closed for private parties (the main restaurant, upstairs), but I doubt we have THAT many people. Also I've never seen that on a Saturday night, but it's not like I go there daily or anything. :) The website lists that as an option for 30-70 people. We could ask.

I'm sorry that my house isn't big enough. :)

I like the idea of finding out about Angelo's catering to a room at the hotel.

This place could also be cool, but I have no idea about cost: The East Side Club I don't know if you get the food from them or have your own caterer..

Here is another possibility, but I'm not sure how much capacity "The Green Room" has: The Rigby Pub. If it has enough, I think it would be good. If it's the place I'm thinking of, I have been there before. Potential thing people may or may not like: it is downtown and I assume street parking (which would be free after 6pm).

The thing that was great about Angelo's was not only did we have our own room but it was a buffet style so there's no hassles with ordering, waitresses, etc.

If there's a bigger place that offers those two amenities, that would be great.

However, I have to be honest and say I'm looking forward to going back to Angelo's this year. I'll be bringing the whole band with me as well.

Any time, any place, we'll be there. We are flexible.

I wanna do this but my problem is that I'm on call for snow removal round these parts. I hope it's cool to crash the party if I can swing it. Anyone have a floor for me to also crash on? I'd pitch in with the rent.

I agree about Angelo's last year. I wasn't able to stick around real long but it was pretty full in there. Hard to hear people doing intro's in an odd-shaped room.

But if they've been good to us then it might be worth staying. We'll be in for two I'd say at this point. I'm trying to think of any other better places here in the Metro that aren't too far from AEC...

Mostly a repeat and validation. The crowd did thin a little after awhile, but was pretty crowded for awhile. It seems to me there are more people each year. I plan on being there.

As always, thanks for organizing Paul. I plan to be there again this year. Despite its limitations, I agree with all the benefits of Angelos, and keeping it there. The service is great, the food is great, and the buffet style is a definite plus. Not sure all of this will be possible with them catering. Trying to work the best situation for space at the restaurant may be the best approach.

Otherwise, Glass Nickel pizza is outstanding. And they have delivered to groups of this size and larger that I have been a part of in the past - i.e. they can handle it. I just don't know if they have a place that would be any better in terms of space.

Look forward to seeing all of you in 7 weeks.

There are a couple of places that are close to the Alliant Center, that have rooms that are probably the right size. The Badger Bowl is just across the Beltline a bit SW of Copia, they have a separate bar in the place that they say can handle 150, good bar food, don't know if they'd do a buffet, nice Log Cabin style Bar Room. The Coliseum Bar is just North of Copia, right across the street from the complex. Again good bar food. Just a typical, not fancy setting at The Coliseum, the Log Cabin Bar is a nicer space. Have never made it to "the dinner", just a coupla suggestions.

I was debating about the Badger Bowl as well. Very close and ample space if you could reserve the whole bar/stage side of the place.

I'm not sure if they'd be able to do the buffet...

Can there or will there be an earlier "happy hour" at whichever location chosen?

I think this is going to be kind of big this year. So I think it's good this was brought up.

quote nctry: "I think this is going to be kind of big this year."

I agree. I like Angelo's as much as everyone else, but it's too small for the group we'll likely have this year. It was barely big enough for us last year.

Maybe someone can call the Clarion to see if a banquet room exists and if there's a cost (very possible) and, if it does, call Angelos to see how that would work for them to cater.

Here's one option for a free online RSVP service if the discussion moves in that direction...

quote Jackfish: "

quote nctry: "I think this is going to be kind of big this year."

I agree. I like Angelo's as much as everyone else, but it's too small for the group we'll likely have this year. It was barely big enough for us last year.

Maybe someone can call the Clarion to see if a banquet room exists and if there's a cost (very possible) and, if it does, call Angelos to see how that would work for them to cater."

The problem with hotel banquet rooms is they typically charge you for the use of the room. There is a new Holiday Inn Express across the street with a similar setup, they would have large rooms but they'd quote you a price just to use the room.

I'll make a few phone calls tomorrow looking for large group places nearby.

Just wondering--why are you so sure that it will be a larger group this year than last year? Have you taken any kind of poll or asked for commitments? Perhaps you need to do a quick poll now and get a real idea of how many people think they are coming?? It would be unfortunate to commit to the cost of a banquet room and have 35 or 40 people.

I have contacted Angelo's they will call me back and we will talk about the arrangements and possibilities.

I have contacted the Clarion about renting a meeting room, but Copia has them all booked up entire weekend so no luck there.

The Clarion suggested either the Badger Bowl (Cabin Room) and they do a nice buffet and have a bar of your own in your own room.
Waiting for call back from Badger Bowl.

The Clarion also suggested the Coliseum Bar, I have been in there (hard to believe, I know) I think there south room would also work fine, but leaning towards Angelo's or the Badger Bowl...

Just looking online the Badger Bowl would be around $20 per person for the Buffet, according to website estimates with meal/gratuity/taxes. Ballpark

I will get back to you all

SunCatcher

Thanks for your efforts Paul. If you need something done on this end, let me know. I'm closer to Madison than you are in "Corn Husker Country".

Hans Solo

Same here, I live in Madison so if anyone wants a report on a place or pictures etc let me know. (or someone else here)

For what it's worth, we have been to the Badger Bowl more than once. It's a pleasant place and I don't remember NOT liking any of the food I ate there. (was just there for lunch, ordering off the menu.) It was several years ago, however. While I did like Angelo's very much, I think it might be a good alternative.

Looking to see everyone this year. Angelo's was fun nice food good drinks. If we use Badger Bowl does anyone know if the dinning area is separate from the bar stage area because there is a band playing at 9:15 that night.

I haven't been in their "cabin" at the Badger Bowl before but it says it can hold 160 seated w/ own bar and TV's etc.

I'm a bit scared to know how much that would cost to rent (if it's even open)

https://badgerbowl.com/parties/facilities/cabin/

quote Smtroll: "Looking to see everyone this year. Angelo's was fun nice food good drinks. If we use Badger Bowl does anyone know if the dinning area is separate from the bar stage area because there is a band playing at 9:15 that night. "

The Cabin is actually a separate enclosed bar, looks very much like a Northwoods Bar, so you're away from the rest of the crowd and noise, the bands and the bowling. It's a nice space, don't know what it costs, my place of work has used it a couple of times for meetings and parties.

Thanks for your work on this Paul. I'll be coming for sure this year.

Even though I won't be there, my vote would be for the Holiday Inn Express, It would be nice to have an intelligent conversation with you guys for a change........

quote starman: "Even though I won't be there, my vote would be for the Holiday Inn Express, It would be nice to have an intelligent conversation with you guys for a change........"

Huh?

quote Jackfish: "

quote starman: "Even though I won't be there, my vote would be for the Holiday Inn Express, It would be nice to have an intelligent conversation with you guys for a change........"

Huh?"

LMAO!

I wondered about that reply too Jackfish. So I guess we'll be doing video conferencing with bwca.com members not in attendance? :-)

Hans Solo

quote HansSolo: "

quote Jackfish: "

quote starman: "Even though I won't be there, my vote would be for the Holiday Inn Express, It would be nice to have an intelligent conversation with you guys for a change........"

Huh?"

LMAO!

I wondered about that reply too Jackfish. So I guess we'll be doing video conferencing with bwca.com members not in attendance? :-)

Hans Solo"

Come on. "no but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night"......

Starman, are you related to Captain Obvious?

butthead

quote butthead: "Starman, are you related to Captain Obvious?

butthead"

Only by marriage.

Some of my Indianapolis area canoeing friends from Central Indiana Wilderness Club enjoyed the dinner at Angelo's last year. It was crowded and noisy but you could not beat the food and price.

I liked Paul's hosting and how he asked everybody to stand up and introduce themselves. It was hard to get to visit with very many of the folks, but at least we visited with some nice folks from IL who sat at our table. Whatever you decide will be OK with me.

We might have to go to Angelo's Friday night if we don't have the BWCA dinner there on Saturday night.

UPDATE: Called Badger Bowl LAST WEEK, the "CABIN" Big room is BOOKED, NO can Have. The smaller room only seats 30-40 so she wanted to set the buffet up in the smaller room with a few tables and then have rest of us sit out by the bar? Still wants $150 for room, plus about $20 each for buffet, plus we would have a cash bar. I am not to much in favor of this arrangement as it would cost more and we would NOT be in ONE ROOM.

I did book Angelo's but still have time to cancel. I am leaning this way, around $15-16 bucks each and NO meeting room charge and we have our own bar and know what it's like.

Cramped yes, but I think we need to go this route?

Sorry I did not check with Coliseum Bar.

SO I am leaning towards a crowded Angelo's and then a party up in my room? Go figure...

SunCatcher

quote SunCatcher: "SO I am leaning towards a crowded Angelo's and then a party up in my room? SunCatcher"

Sounds good to me!

Thanks for all your efforts on setting this up Paul, regardless how it all plays out.

Hans Solo

Thanks Paul! Angelos' sound fine to me.

butthead

Angelo's works for us. Still plugged into GPS.

We'll be there for dinner. Probably won't stay too late. Three of us.
Angelo's will be fine.

There will be approximately five of us from Central Indiana Wilderness Club in attendance. Looking forward to it.

quote SunCatcher: "

SO I am leaning towards a crowded Angelo's and then a party up in my room?

SunCatcher"

Why not just meet in the cafe/lounge section of the Clarion afterward? It usually isn't used much and there's no chance of catching fire there.

Paul, if you are trying to get a head count put me in for 2. Looking forward to it. Thanks for your efforts.

Paul,

Ben and I will be there.

Greg

Thanks Paul. Angelos is excellent. I will be there. Not sure if my wife will be joining us.

Mike

There will be a pair of Knoozers in attendance. Really looking forward to it.

Let's just get cozy. :)

I know there will be one less from my family this year. And maybe not even that; depends on if my husband gets to sleep first or not (he's switched to working overnights...)

Although the entire Solo Clan will be in Madison for Canoecopia 2015, only three of us will be in Madison at the time of the annual dinner.

Mrs. Solo, myself, and one of our offspring will be in attendance at Angelo's. That's two less than last year, so it looks like we've opened up a couple of spaces.

Hans Solo

Reservations completed and tickets shipped for my fourth Canoecopia. One for Angelo's confirming. Looking forward to some great supper with the group, thanks Paul.