What we’re about
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 (3)
See all- Prix Fixe at Heirloom KitchenHeirloom Kitchen, Old Bridge, NJ
Sometimes you just have to splurge. I believe it's time. We so enjoyed Lita last Summer and The Heirloom Kitchen is it's parent restaurant. We were there pre-Covid and absolutely loved it. It has won so many accolades since then I believe it's time to return.
Currently it was nominated by USA Today as one of the top restaurants of the year. USA Today Nomination
Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge sprouted from a cooking school tucked in a strip mall into a bustling BYOB dining destination with James Beard semifinalist and “Top Chef” contender David Viana in the kitchen. The restaurant serves creative and colorful renditions of classic dishes with a four-course prix fixe menu and a vegan prix fixe menu.
They only offer a Prix Fixe Menu for $98 which you can review here:
Heirloom Kitchen MenuI had to leave my credit card. I will be charged $50/pp for no shows and less than 24 hour cancellation. By signing up for this dinner experience you agree to reimburse me the $50 if you cancel late.
- Food & Wine Tour of Sicily -One Room for 2 Remaining!Needs location
DETAILS
I thought I would add this tour to my food meetup since it's a food and wine tour. I only have 3 spots remaining, so it your interested contact me ASAP. Last fall we all enjoyed our fabulous tour of Southern Italy. Everyone loved it so much we all wanted to do Sicily in 2025. Linda Garfano, our tour director wanted to put together a very special tour for us and so many of us want to go. This is a small private custom tour only open to our Wanderers and their family and friends. There will be no more than 22 Wanderers on this tour and we already have 19 spots taken. HURRY! This will sell out soon.I've been to Sicily before and it was magic! So diverse in beauty and history. I would love to return. In the midst of the Mediterranean, discover an island with personality all its own—full of flavor and teeming with one-of-a-kind art and architecture. Whether you’re visiting Sicily for its multicultural history or its delectable street food, the island has a rustic charm that sets it apart from mainland Italy. Experience the enigma, ancient ruins, and natural beauty of this Mediterranean destination, journeying through Palermo, Syracuse, and Taormina—and indulge in the flavors and culinary traditions that make Sicily so utterly and deliciously unique.
Included Highlights- Cappella Palatina
- Saline Pans of Marsala
- Agrigento's Valley of Temples Piazza
- Armerina Syracuse Cathedral
- Agrigento's Greek ruins
- Views of Mount Etna
- Taormina's Greek theater
- Sicilian cooking class
- Savoca & Forza d’Agrò
You can read up more about our tour at: https://groups.goaheadtours.com/tours/zuag-marie-labbancz
The COST:
13 day tour price: $4,849.00 (land only, double accommodations) The cost of the tour will go down to $4,649.00 once we have 20 persons signed up for the tour. Single supplement is $814.00 The cost of round-trip airfare through the tour company is $1,629.00 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.
Deposit: To secure your spot you will need to leave a deposit of $450.00
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS for SEPTEMBER :- $75 off for new travelers
- $175 off for returning travelers
- $275 off for travelers currently enrolled another tour or travelers who have returned from tour within the last 90 days
HOW TO SIGN UP?
To sign up for this amazing tour you just need to call our dedicated group reservation line at 800-438-7672 and be sure to mention our specific group tour #58929079
A $450 deposit is all that's needed to hold your spot. They can also answer all of your questions. I am also available to answer any of your questions. You can email me at [email protected]
TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS AND FINDING A ROOMMATE:
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. As soon as you contact the company and leave your deposit you need to email me at [email protected] and let me know you left your deposit and I will switch you to going. 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. Don't join the wait list because you think it sounds like a fun trip you will NOT be doing.
Once again, you can view the itinerary and sign up for the tour https://groups.goaheadtours.com/tours/zuag-marie-labbancz
You can email me with any questions at [email protected]