mythic said:
I can completely understand their hesitance...
Thanks for that. I honestly wanted to know what the counter-arguments and worries were. I think the serving staff handled it as well as could be expected (having orders done by name - there was no problems when I was ready to pay).
Like I said, I'll go talk to the manager and see what arrangements we can make, BUT people MUST let us know they are coming (and if they are bringing a guest).
Yup, since we're going to be there regularly on Wednesday after you close your store, there's probably an arrangement that can be made. If we're 'regulars' they'll be less worried about the 'skipping out' portion.
I am a fan of buffet sytle eating when in large groups. The price is pretty much the same for everyone, and people can just go at their leisure and we do not have to wait overly long for drinks. If anyone has some buffet suggestions, I'm all ears. If there is one in Calgary that is not just chinese food that would be grand.
Asian Buffet in the SW is a mix of oriental stuff - you can even get a mongolian style grill thing fresh to order where you pick your stuff and the staff chops & heats it on the grill (IDK much about it, since I didn't do that). I don't know if that fits your criteria of 'not just chinese food' or not, because a lot of the menu items are very basic Chinese (or at least the ones I fancy, anyways). I do remember they have calimari. Also lots of fruit on the buffet, and lots of different types of desert.
OOH alternatively, there's an Indian buffet. Selection was a little sparce (not very diverse) but VERY good. My ex took me there for my birthday a few years ago, I've been wanting to to back. Place is called Surahi, it's on Macleod very close to the Co-Op south of Heritage (tucked in behind the Swish Chalet, IIRC - I walk by it so often as I live a block away that I have a 'blind spot' to it.). The Naan bread was so good we ordered a 2nd batch (the first is free, the 2nd costs a little, but it was fresh to order - Naan bread is SOO GOOD when made the traditional way and fresh! But I don't eat Indian very often so I might be easily impressed.)
The staff (actually, there was only 1 waitress the day I went - wasn't super busy) was super friendly and knowledgeable. Lets just say this was my best birthday ever ^-^, but I don't usually celebrate them out so that's not saying a whole lot.
OH, but IIRC it's only a buffet during lunch - I think by the time we arrive they'll be in dinner proper, so maybe that won't work out so well?