<p>Oh poo. Back to the drawing board. DS wants us to invite the cousins. And its his graduation.</p>
<p>We’ve eaten at a lot of great places there, mostly off the beaten path (the best kind, imo) so will go back to looking itno such. Any suggestions for great, lesser known places?</p>
<p>Back in 1980 we used Calvin Trillen’s Alice Let’s Eat as our guide to where to eat. We had some wonderful food. He’s still writing about food: [Roadhouse</a> dining at Mosca’s, in New Orleans : The New Yorker](<a href=“http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/11/22/101122fa_fact_trillin]Roadhouse”>No Daily Specials | The New Yorker)</p>
<p>Thanks, mathmom!</p>
<p>I had a long talk with the SIL about the predicament, and she verified that the challenge is trying to pin down a moving target, and they will also change things at the last minute, which makes the dinner reservation issue the frustrating part. So I will try to have a back-up plan if possible. Talked to DH, who feels that he (BIL) wont try to drive down with the family as its a very long drive for a weekend visit, and BIL doesnt have vacation time available to use. There are also some health challenges (some more legitimate than others) that will likely affect who may/may not come. SIL’s prediction differs from DH’s prediction. But, DH was on the mark with his concerns about BIL’s lack of vacation time and limited funds. We have agreed (compromised) that we will pay for meals we eat together, but not lodging, regardless of who comes. DH plans to let BIL know that we have some limitations with tickets (which is true, but thats for a Friday event and graduation isnt until Saturday) and will try to get a feel for what BIL plans to do. Unfortunately, as my SIL pointed out to me tonight, it doesnt matter if we give a set number to him in our invitation. He will ignore that and bring whoever he wants to bring. Sigh. It is what it is. So my H plans to call tomorrow and put out a feeler and see what BIL says. </p>
<p>So, any other dinner ideas are appreciated :)</p>
<p>^^ Well, does everything have to be so formal? Can you just play it by ear, depending on who shows up? Your DS probably knows of less-fancy, off-the-beaten-path places that don’t require a reservation months in advance.</p>
<p>I guess this could be different in different families, but I wouldn’t even dream of paying for anyone’s lodging except my own, or car rental, or any meals except the celebration dinner.</p>
<p>Look into Upper Line and i’m sure you know Jaques-Imos’s - it’s a hoot - lots of fun and great food and I think they take reservations for larger parties.</p>
<p>Yumm-- been to both of those, gusaspara. Good thoughts.</p>
<p>LasMa,
To get seating for a party (potentially) of 11 in a good restaurant on a very busy night (graduation night for undergrad, grad, law, med school,etc) requires planning. One of the nephews, if he comes, is on the spectrum (HFA) and could not tolerate a long wait in a retaurant. </p>
<p>There are plenty of other times to play it by ear. Graduation night with a large group is not, IMO, one of them. We dont need/want “fancy”. We want “good”.</p>
<p>Look into this restaurant. I haven’t been but I have been told that it is “good” and it does take reservations by phone. Look at the menu online and get the phone number.</p>
<p>Feelings Cafe, 2600 Chartres Street New Orleans, LA 70117-7312</p>
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<p>This makes sense to me. Graduation is a LONG day/week…keep the party small. [We’ve never paid for any non-immediate family member to come to a family event. I could see it if my family member had no money, the event was really big and I really wanted them at it–for example, a funeral or your parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, your mother’s 90th birthday–otherwise, no (and definitely not a college graduation).]</p>
<p>You do realize you are doing these relatives a favor by NOT inviting them to a graduation, right? Most graduates don’t want to sit through a graduation ceremony, let alone aunts, uncles and cousins. You will not offend anyone by not inviting them. I’d invite the graduate’s siblings and their significant others, the single aunt who the graduate is especially close to, and call it good.</p>
<p>Oh I wish that were true. This relative is all about family (at least on the surface). Any wedding, illness or death in the family and he hops on the next plane. He thinks he is being helpful and supportive. If he comes and brings family he will use it as an opportunity to sightsee.</p>
<p>We didnt invite him/his family to older s’s graduation. Seats and tickets to events were very limited.</p>
<p>Sounds like you have a precedence here…</p>
<p>I wouldn’t mind a relative who wants tobe part of the celebration, but NOT when tickets are limited and DEFINITELY NOT on my dime!</p>
<p>Older s’s graduation was the first of these nephews, and even I didn’t get to go 
(as I’ve explained above and before- we had to divide up because younger s’s HS graduation was at the same time in another state). Since then he (BIL) has had one (maybe 2) graduate from community college and 1 from a 4 yr school. He has consistently asked my DH to come to the graduation… with 2 days notice.</p>
<p>Say whaaa??? Tonight the restaurant emails that they can only honor a reservation for a party of 4 during graduation? The heck with them- the yarent that important!</p>
<p>BIL anounced to DH that the graduatio would be a great time to get all the boys together. DH told him we only had room for 2 guests. BIL responded that then he would not be attending. I still would not be surprised if BIL comes by himself. WHo knows. He apparently turnted the conversation back to himself and yet another medical /surgical issue coming up in their family.</p>
<p>Update:
Guess who is out on medical leave from his job but is now planning to show up at graduation??? I think he’s planning to ride his motorcycle. I called it.</p>
<p>Updating this cause I just booked a hotel through Priceline for oldests grad school ceremony.
Disappointed I didn’t actually save much on the hotel.
( yes I know I could have booked earlier, but since major city I got lazy)
Forgot completely that her university had special graduation rates.
Can’t change the Priceline reservation, but maybe this will help someone else.</p>