AFF Gathering #13 in SYD on 18 - 20 October 2019

Added to Calendar: 18-10-19, 19-10-19, 20-10-19

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We don’t mind the Intercontinental buffet and they can fit a group in an adjacent room.
That was one of the other things we have traditionally steered clear of. No alternate drop, and so far no buffet.

I believe there are restaurants out there that can handle groups and don't impose ridiculous conditions on spend or impose strange menus. If the past is anything to go by, AFFers tend to prefer to choose their meals and dislike buffets. I will certainly be looking to avoid, sorry. Regardless of the quality.
 
Yes I understand that. I have been thinking through places we have gone to as groups over the years and I saw Sailor Thai closed in 2016, Sydney Cafe would battle with a crowd bigger than 20 and Aria would be too hexxy for drinks or have two sittings.
We did have a pretty good meal at the casino but I don’t remember the restaurant name and we didn’t have a biggish group as a proper tester. Fish at the Rocks would struggle with a group this size.
That runs me out of local haunts when we are in Sydney.
Lucky Sydney is a big place so there will be something I cannot know about.
 
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Machiavelli could handle a group probably up to our number but may be too hexxy. That restaurant does stretch back quite a way. Traditional Italian place but our group has never been more than a dozen so I haven’t tested it with a biggish group.
 
Pop me down as platinum, shouldn't be too hard to get to this one as I'm local lol
 
Could I suggest Admin look at The Kirribilli Club at Lavender Bay. If the budget for food is $85 per head, they have a 3 course Grand Banquet dinner for $105 per head which includes wine, beer, soft drinks and sparkling mineral water. Alternatively, they may be prepared to negotiate their $90 Sunset Dinner to a shared entree and two course main/dessert in lieu of the wine package. Private room and all conference facilities included. No mention of mandatory gratuity.
Happy to make enquiries if you think this would be an option.
 
Some other suggestions, but I'm not sure if they have minimum spend requirements. I think most places these days charge groups a 10% "service" charge.

Long Chim (Thai) on corner of Pitt Street and Angel Place has two private dining rooms (seat 60 & 80) and offers two set menu options for $45 and $68 per person (can be adjusted to suit dietary requirements).

Spice Temple offers two set banquet menu options for $85 and $99 per person in a private dining room (30-50 people).

Fratelli Fresh (Bridge Street and Darling Harbour) offers two set menu options for $65 and $75 per person seated in the main restaurant area.
 
Some other suggestions, but I'm not sure if they have minimum spend requirements. I think most places these days charge groups a 10% "service" charge.

Long Chim (Thai) on corner of Pitt Street and Angel Place has two private dining rooms (seat 60 & 80) and offers two set menu options for $45 and $68 per person (can be adjusted to suit dietary requirements).

Spice Temple offers two set banquet menu options for $85 and $99 per person in a private dining room (30-50 people).

Fratelli Fresh (Bridge Street and Darling Harbour) offers two set menu options for $65 and $75 per person seated in the main restaurant area.

I haven’t been to Long Chim but have walked passed many times and it’s always full. Good omen?
 
Could I suggest Admin look at The Kirribilli Club at Lavender Bay.

Happy to make enquiries if you think this would be an option.
I’ll be lunching around the corner from Long Chim next week if Admin would like me to make any enquiries - view function room etc
In both cases you are welcome to make enquiries on behalf of the group if it is not too much bother to you. Obviously, this appears to be the last holdup at the moment to releasing pricing and a booking form, so we are keen to clear the last hurdle.

Feel free to start a conversation with me or drop me an email: [email protected]
 
In both cases you are welcome to make enquiries on behalf of the group if it is not too much bother to you. Obviously, this appears to be the last holdup at the moment to releasing pricing and a booking form, so we are keen to clear the last hurdle.

Feel free to start a conversation with me or drop me an email: [email protected]


Will start with The Kirribilli Club today and see if they are prepared to negotiate on the menu sans beverages. I have been there for a coughtail function only but good premises, great views of the harbour and easy access from the city by either train or ferry and a short walk.

I’ll contact Long Chim to arrange a viewing of the facilities next week. As the menu seems to be in the right price point, suitability of the semi private space might be the issue.
 
Will start with The Kirribilli Club today and see if they are prepared to negotiate on the menu sans beverages. I have been there for a coughtail function only but good premises, great views of the harbour and easy access from the city by either train or ferry and a short walk.

I’ll contact Long Chim to arrange a viewing of the facilities next week. As the menu seems to be in the right price point, suitability of the semi private space might be the issue.
In both cases, if we secure a guest speaker we would of course prefer not to disturb other dining groups, hence why a private space is preferred.

A final point is bar tabs, some places aren't keen on splitting bills but on most AFF occasions, members are likely to spend well over what small businesses would consider a minimum eftpos spend on drinks alone, so I really don't understand sometimes why they can't budge on this issue. Thus, our preference again would be that they can accommodate a split drink bill at the end. If not, the only problem with taking responsibility of the bill is making sure everyone correctly accounts for their purchases. In Adelaide, we had no problems.
 
Post #2 has been updated with additional information on activities. At this stage, we are still having problems securing the final piece of the puzzle, the dinner on Saturday night. Rest assured, this will come together soon, but we may open up reservations for activities first.

Saturday
Saturday morning activity is a private tour of the Sydney Opera House. The ticket cost is $42 and will need to be prepaid.

Sunday
Bus tour from Central Station (DEP 08:30) to HARS (ARR 10:00) for the day, including a stop for lunch at {location TBA} on the return. On the return journey, the bus will stop at SYD Domestic T2 & T3 (ARR 17:30), before making its final stop back at Central Station (ARR 18:15). For this reason, if you are flying out on Sunday night, you can bring your bag with you to go under the bus and eliminate a return to the hotel to checkout in the evening/mad dash to the airport.

Bus ticket is $55 and will need to be prepaid, while HARS* entry is $20.

*There may be scope to do additional activities at HARS for those adventurous, currently working out details.
 
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M
Post #2 has been updated with additional information on activities. At this stage, we are still having problems securing the final piece of the puzzle, the dinner on Saturday night. Rest assured, this will come together soon, but we may open up reservations for activities first.

Saturday
Saturday morning activity is a private tour of the Sydney Opera House. The ticket cost is $42 and will need to be prepaid.

Sunday
Bus tour from Central Station (DEP 08:30) to HARS (ARR 10:00) for the day, including a stop for lunch at {location TBA} on the return. On the return journey, the bus will stop at SYD Domestic T2 & T3 (ARR 17:30), before making its final stop back at Central Station (ARR 18:15). For this reason, if you are flying out on Sunday night, you can bring your bag with you to go under the bus and eliminate a return to the hotel to checkout in the evening/mad dash to the airport.

Bus ticket is $55 and will need to be prepaid, while HARS* entry is $20.

*There may be scope to do additional activities at HARS for those adventurous, currently working out details.

Viewing Long Chim this morning for suitability. Share menu looks great.
Following up with Kirribilli Club tomorrow.
 
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