North And South Meet & Greet Epinions.com-Style
Mar 17 '08
The Bottom Line Interesting facts about Epinions.com shared in information presentation, good food and friendly people. Give it a try.
When an email invitation to attend Epinions.com's 2008 SoCal Meet & Greet arrived, I started thinking NFL mini helmet holders. I needed 9 more for my collection, and shipping charges would make the Anaheim case price less than a bargain, so my Better Half, Kcfoxy could have her M&G fun and I would be happy, too.
This year the location was the Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, one of the nicer areas in mid-Orange County, south of L.A. New this year was the 6 hour planned length, about double what we had for the 2006 Las Vegas M&G or the 2007 Epi Day in San Francisco.
We first met up on the second floor for a side show presentation by Almar. Introductions were made then up and coming stuff and a new look for the Epinions.com homepage was unveiled. I had some fun with Epi Dolls and enjoyed a soda and some pretty tasty cookies while everyone else-a few dozen staff members and Epinions' freaks discussed what they liked and didn't like.
That didn't last too long. Next we met at the Pinot Provence Restaurant downstairs-an upscale joint-for some drinks and fancy French tidbits. Casey was passing around samples of her creams and lotions, I had a chance to talk with Garrett, Adrienne Foster and Gail, meet some new people and try some Beck's non-alcoholic beer.
It seemed to be a pretty friendly, chatty bunch, similar to other Epinions.com functions we've been to but with more chances to speak to anybody present you'd like-better than the S.F. setup in terms of the reserved dining room-Andy knows what I mean there.
Soon it was time for our sit down dinner, 3 courses of French Bistro food, with a couple choices each for starter, entree and dessert. I picked the Caesar Salad, beef short ribs and creme brulee, Casey picked prawns, striped bass and a chocolate dessert that looked like a couple of little Kit Kat bars.
Everything was very nice, but the portions seemed small!
Almar explained that's what Continental dining was like, a lot of courses, but smaller portions than served in most U.S. restaurants. We had a good conversation about the San Diego Chargers, although most everyone else was talking about nerdy online stuff.
My back started hurting toward the end-we had a 9 hour drive down the day before and I was tired so after taking some group photos we decided to leave. Now I understand most people stayed longer, moving out on the patio for those that wanted to smoke cigars.
Overall, it was an interesting experience and Shopping.com pulled out the stops on this one though I did have to stop by Wienerschnitzel and get a couple chili cheese dogs!
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
ramsfan
|
|
Member: Richard Horner
Location: Left Coast
Reviews written: 57
Trusted by: 41 members
About Me:
Long-haul trucker, former cook, and all-around nice guy.
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.