The catering menu has been finalized! Feast your eyes upon it, and eventually, your mouths!
A couple of things to note:
- We are NOT allowed to bring our own snacks into the main con meeting rooms. So please plan accordingly. And there is NO alcohol allowed in the con meeting rooms, except for the cash bar on Saturday night. You can, of course, hoard whatever food or beverages you want in your own room. (Note that you can purchase liquor, beer, and wine at grocery stores in Washington state, though there is also still a liquor store within easy walking distance of the hotel if you'd prefer a different selection.)
- We are working within the confines of a hotel catering menu, so even though I've done my best to account for various dietary preferences and restrictions, we may not be able to accommodate everyone. However, there are three grocery stores (including an organic one) within a mile or so of the hotel, so alternatives are definitely available! Again, though, please do your best to keep outside food and drink, well, outside of the con space. (I also suspect that if you have to bring something in, purchasing it from the "convenience mart" at the front desk would probably help the hotel feel better about it. Just be respectful and do your best, that's all we ask. Obviously, in the case of dietary restrictions, do what you need to do, your health is important!)
SO. Here's the current plan for food and beverages:
Friday, 6:30 pm
Popcorn
Soda (Diet Coke, Coke, Sprite)
Saturday, 9 am
Regular coffee, decaf coffee, hot tea, juice (orange, cranberry, apple)
Whole fruit
Bagels (white and whole grain) and cream cheese, croissants, muffins, doughnuts
Saturday, 1:00 pm
Regular coffee, decaf coffee, juice, soda
Fudge brownies, assorted cookies
Whole fruit
Saturday, 6:30 pm
Cash bar (open till 11 pm-bring cash and ID! Beer and wine are $5-6, mixed drinks are $7-$9)
Vegetable platter with assorted dips
Asian sampler (potstickers; BBQ pork with hot mustard, chili sauce, and soy sauce; vegetarian egg rolls)
Mediterranean sampler (grilled flat bread, marinated olive tapenade, hummus, warm goat cheese, white bean truffle dip) (vegetarian)
Spanikopitas (phyllo dough stuffed with feta cheese and spinach) (vegetarian)
New potatoes filled with sour cream and pancetta
Chicken satay with Thai peanut dipping sauce
Goat cheese and roasted red pepper crostini (vegetarian)
Bruschetta with tomato, garlic, and basil (vegan)
Fried artichokes (vegan) with lemon caper aioli (obviously not vegan)
Bite-sized creme brulee
Sunday, 9-10 am
Coffee, tea, juice, soda
Buffet breakfast: fresh seasonal fruit tray, scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, seasoned breakfast potatoes, assorted pastries/breads/muffins, bacon
Sunday, 1:00 pm
Regular coffee, decaf coffee, juice, soda
Fudge brownies, assorted cookies
Whole fruit
There will also be ice-water available in all rooms throughout all days.
So hopefully there will be something there for almost everyone! And to aid in your planning of acquisition of supplementary food and beverages (and other necessary items), here is an Issaquah area map:
Issaquah Area Map! My direction sense being what it is, locations are not guaranteed, but I did my best. :) For clarification, ask me, the internets, or the front desk. These maps will also be included in your welcome packets.
All rooms should have refrigerators and microwaves. There is also a restaurant (including a full bar) on-site at the hotel.
And finally, there is a small "convenience mart" located next to the front desk of the hotel, where you can buy beverages, snacks, toothpaste, Advil, chapstick, microwaveable meals, and various other items in the "sundries" category.
So. NO ONE WILL STARVE, IS MY VERY FERVENT HOPE. And therefore I will not bring shame upon the house of my Italian mother, or my grandfather before her.
As always, please feel free to contact me with questions!