About us
Princeton Fine Dining is for those who enjoy fine dining and like to share the pleasure with others who enjoy the same! Great food, stimulating conversation, new friends and possibly a good wine to enhance the experience! Life is short – food is good! The dinners range from $50 to over $150, depending on what you order. Please sign up for a meetup only if you are willing to make the commitment. Reservations in a fine dining restaurant cannot always be changed easily or be adjusted to a smaller table on a short notice. Members who reserve a spot and cancel close to the date for a second time will be removed, as will no shows.
Princeton Fine Dining is one of the most successful dining groups on Meetup. Many dining groups are started but most are disbanded within the first 6 months. We have been strong for over 7 years. The reason for that is that I understand what is needed for a successful group. Here is what I know.
When you are opening up a dining to the public you really don’t know who takes a reservation seriously. I have heard from other organizers who have let “first come first in” they wind up with 5-6- people on a reservation of 14. They usually close up the group in months. My system of the waiting has made our group most successful. Here is how I do it:
When anyone signs up for a dinner, they all go on the waiting list. I give preference to those who have attended in the past. I know they will be there, or at least give me 24 hours’ notice if they can’t. Some people do drop out closer to the date. I then message everyone on the waiting list to see who is available. I can’t tell how many times NO ONE gets back to me. This is your opportunity to become someone who has attended one of our dinners. All of our attendees were “newbies” once. It also seems most people remain on the waiting list even though they have no interest in the dinner or have made other plans. I’m an organizer, not a psychic.
I do offer activities with Princeton Fine Dining that are open to everyone. There are no waiting lists for Happy Hours and vineyard events. A case in point, last weekend we have 50 people sign up and only 25 or so showed up. That’s okay with me as no reservations were needed. Could you imagine if only 50% of me diners showed up at a dinner. The restaurant is expecting you.
I do hope everyone understands how our group operates. The most important this is we are a success. It is open to all but if you are on the waiting list you must be available if a spot become open. We love making new friends who enjoy our culinary adventures.
I’m looking forward to great food experiences with new friends. Bon Appétit!
Upcoming events
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Drag Show Brunch at Rat's Resturant
Rat's Restaurant, 16 Fairgrounds Rd, Hamilton Township, NJ, USNow for something different..... How about a fabalous brunch buffet and some drag show entertainment at one of my favorite Mercer County Resturants. Let's enjoy an afternoon of interactive performances and a seasonal buffet brunch menu in the Pavilion ar Rat's Resturant! Rat's always had the best brunches!!
The cost is $76/person (which includes tax and gratuity) which includes brunch buffet; drinks available for purchase. The brunch is prepaid so I need to collect your $76.00 in order to make your reservation.
I am unable to make additional reservations at Rat's. I think they still have spots but you will need yo make the reserevations on your own. Here is the link:
Drag show Brunch14 attendees
Winter Solstice at Eddie V's
Eddie V's Prime Seafood, 3535 US-1 Ste 100-C, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA, Princeton, NJ, USIt's the "Wanderers" warm and wonderful tradition to share the longest night of the year. This year we will be celebrating at Eddie V's. I always do this to keep me out of my PJ's by 5:00PM and to stay awake. Join me!
The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year and for those of us with S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) the season of hibernation is at it's peak. The good news is, the days will start getting longer after tonight and it's only a matter of time before Spring is here again. That's something to celebrate!!!! Instead of crawling in bed by 5:30 and falling asleep, why not join me at Eddie V's and celebrate this longest night. More importantly lets celebrate the fact that days will be getting longer again! Their good Happy Hour Menu should keep me awake Check out their menu here: Happy Hour Menu
So take off those PJ's and head on down to Eddie V's. Let's celebrate together that the days will be getting longer! It's only a matter of time!
18 attendees
A Week in London with West End Shows
London, London, UK, GBI have been to London before about 15 years ago. There are so many things to do and see, I always wanted to return to see them all. How about a week in London. Unpack your bags and enjoy the week in one hotel. For those of us who have been to London you might want to do some additional things like me. Like visiting the British Museum or an afternoon shopping at Harrods. I am planning on arranging to see 3 West End shows (that's their Broadway) They are half price from our Broadway, We can deciede as a group what shows we want to see. There is an extension to Edinburgh but I don't plan on doing it. I was planning on doing a tour of Scotland in 2028.
You can check out the itinerary here:
Week Long Tour of London
Some Included Highlights- Visit the Tower of London and see the crown jewels
- Sipping afternoon tea and sharing finger foods at a local brasserie
- Imagining the debuts of Shakespeare’s masterworks in the reconstructed Globe Theatre
- Navigating the bustle of Borough Market
- They have add on excurstions to Stonehendge and Windsor Castle.
The COST:
8 day tour price: $3399.00 (land only, double accommodations) . Single supplement is $850.00 The cost of round-trip airfare through the tour company is $1,536.00 that includes your hotel transfers. I usually sign up for flights with the company in case the cost of fights go up significantly by next year. You can always book flights on your own if the cost is less and cancel with our tour company.
HOW TO SIGN UP?
Because our tours are private and small I need to know that 14 travlers definitly want to join us. If you definitly would like to join this tour you need to send me a deposit of $300.00. If the interest is not there for the tour I will refund your $300.00 No Risk. You can send me your deposit via PayPal at mlabbancz@gmail.com or Zelle at [marie@artoflove.com ](marie@artoflove.com) I'm happy to speak with you about the tour. You can email me at marie@artoflove.com and possibly set up a time to speak. Also feel free to ask me any questions.
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS:
$100 off for all travelers during November
$100 off if you've traveled with Go Ahead before
$100 off if you are signed up for Italy 2027 or returned from France
TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS AND FINDING A ROOMMATE:
I do have people looking for a roommate. Best to email me so I can put you in touch. It's always more fun when we know the people we are traveling with. For those in New Jersey we will have meetups every 4 months at restaurants prior to our trip (exclusive to our travelers) so members can get to know one another. I think it's one of the very special benefits of a meetup travel tour. It will also be an opportunity for you to meet other travelers who are traveling single and might want to share a room. It's a wonderful way to find that perfect roommate! On all my past tours, everyone who wanted a roommate found a roommate!
WHY AM I ON THE WAITING LIST?
Everyone who signs up for the tour will be first put on the waiting list until I reieve your deposit. There is a limited amount of spots available on this small group tour and being on the waiting list does not guarantee a spot. Please only join the wait list if you are planning on leaving a deposit in the next day or two.
Once again, you can view the itinerary here:
A Week in London
You can email me with any questions at mlabbancz@gmail.com If you would like to set up a chat with me just let me know.3 attendees
Past events
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