Buca Di Beppo is a kitschy Italian restaurant like you have never been to before. They serve HUGE portions, family-style. Have you ever seen meatballs as large as a baseballs? You will on Monday if you get there before Emerson and I do. It’s gaudy, and loud, and it sort of reminds you of someone’s basement recreation room. There’s pictures of “Italian stuff” all over the place…and miniature fountains, etc. On the way to our private dining room you will be escorted through the kitchen, and past the Pope’s table. Perhaps, if they have a “Portable Pope”, he can grace us with his presence – or maybe not.

Cost of the dinner is $15 per person, including tax, gratuity, and beverages (coffee, tea, soft drinks, etc.) Alcoholic beverages are extra, and should be paid for by those requesting them. The menu consists of salad, spaghetti with (gigantic) meatballs, ravioli, and manicotti, along with your choice of beverage. Portions are huge, so no one should go away hungry. Dinner should be served from about 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, or until all the food is gone. There should be plenty of time for schmoozing before and after dinner.

Please sign the attendance sheet and pay for your meals as you enter the room, and please have the exact amount handy to avoid confusion. Your hosts for this event are Kathy and Eric Hess, who will be handling the registration and payment.

Fifty people have signed up for dinner so far, and we expect between 40 and 60 to show up. The room can comfortably accommodate up to 75 people. If you have not signed up, you are still welcome to attend, but please send me a note so we can keep a handle on the attendance.

To get there from I-271 (north or south) get off at the RT 322 West (Mayfield Road) exit. Turn left at the SECOND traffic light and enter the Golden Gate Plaza Shopping Center. Proceed toward the very rear of the plaza, past the Goodyear Tire store. As you approach TGI Friday, stay in the lanes to the right of the building and proceed toward the rear of TGI Friday. As you get to the rear of TGIF, hang a LEFT and follow the road as it winds around the building. Proceed straight to Buca Di Beppo. Watch for the PT’s.

If you are familiar with the area, you can also enter from Marsol Drive, which runs parallel to Mayfield Road.