So, we've had the "FOH Toronto Meet Up" for October 2010....

[CanuckSARTech]

Gentlemen, on behalf of Frank and myself, I just want to say thank you for a great night. Excellent cigars, amazing food and drinks, and phenomenal company - a great evening out yesterday at The Drake Hotel in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was an absolute pleasure to meet attendee in person (some FOHer's, and some not-yet-members too). I hope that everyone had a great time, and we can look at making this a fairly regular get together, at least maybe on a seasonal basis (we have a jar to fill with bands now! ). For those from a further distance away, the accomodations that are available in select hotels in downtown Toronto are second to none, and maybe a further-planned-in-advance meet up would enable some out-of-Ontario members from the Forum to attend too. Our hospitality is top notch!

We had a nice turn out (9 or so?), and we spent 9 hours or so telling stories, talking cigars, admiring each other's backgrounds and individuality, and just having a good time. I tried not to be TOO much of a social butterfly, and overrun the conversation. There was a bit of rain, but overall, I think even with the dampness things were great. The views of course were top notch - as I'm sure each attendee can attest to (maybe just not in front of our "better-half"s!) "For sure. Like totally. Oh, for sure. Excuse my leaning. For sure." We even had to get Don Italiano to shoe away some barflies for us!!!

I'll get my pictures up (and/or send them over to Frank), as well as Frank getting other shots up too. Can't remember who all took pics, so be sure to post them up here.

Again, thank you to my fellow BOTL's on attending and sharing in some cigars, drink, food, and merriment! Well done, gents! Cheers!

[Blackham]

seems like I've missed quite a portion of the meet, did you guys have chance for another cigar after dinner?

Hope to see your filled milk bottle soon and Frank, thanks again for taking the time to organize this event, we should do this again once it gets warmer

[Puros Y Vino]

Greetings all.

I must say that I was very pleased by the turnout. From the 11 people who expressed an interest in the inaugural FOH Toronto get together, nine were able to make it down to the Drake despite the gloomy clouds overhead. Regrets were given by tdlfoto and maverickdrink. We'll see you next time gents.

Now as to a brief synopsis followed by some photos. The day started off right on time at 3PM. Two of my good friends joined me from the start, new member "nacho" and future member "ebhead". We sat ourselves out on the Drake's street level patio which they had thoughtfully closed for off for the day and strung wire through every table and chair just for that extra special touch. I'm always pleased when I call ahead and am told all is good for the patio. Nonetheless, we were determined to enjoy ourselves and served ourselves. Tips be damned!! Members slowly trickled in one by one. I'm glad I wore my fedora so I could be spotted. Fortunately a nearly empty patio with no service made it easier.

So from roughly 3-6PM we sat out on the lower patio enjoyed some alcoholic beverages and enjoyed our first cigars of the night. Many members were loaded up with anywhere from 3-12 cigars. There was some rain to put a slight damper on things but two large patio umbrellas helped. After finishing our cigars, we had about a 1/2 hour left before we can hit the rooftop patio. So we went inside to warm up, dry off and have a few more drinks while we waited. At this point Keith found an little milk jug in which to store our bands. This little bottle is now our "Stanley Cup" of cigar meetups.

at 6:30PM we made our way upstairs for our dinner reservations. We got sat down in what the Drake calls the "tunnell"; a covered area with couches one side and chairs on the other. This where we ate.

Steve, lounging on the chair side.

Me sitting on the couch, thumbing through the Min Ron Nee book. (thanks for bringing it Keith!)

Several of us enjoyed a nice striploin steak, others had poutine, burgers or ribs. All in all, the food at the Drake was excellent. It hit the spot. During dinner rain continued to fall out in the open area. By the time we finished our meal it had subsided and we were ready to digest with a nice cigar or two.

We got ourselves a little alcove covered by an umbrella and near a gas heater that we took turns under roasting.

And now a few more photos.

A few members enjoying a fine cigar, arranged in descending order by height. BTW, CDNeh aka Steve, stands at 6.7"

Folks, I present to you a face only a mother could love. Behold the horror of our newest member "Nacho" aka Michel (he's French Canadian he wasn't intentionally given a girly name)

Here future member Enis (real name) and lonsdaleto aka Garfield enjoy a smoke.

And finally CanuckSARTech aka Keith finally gets himself a photo of him smoking a cigar. Gents, this shot just may end up on the rotating banner, so brace youselves.

To conclude. Despite the spotty weather, the turnout was great considering that a group of people who never met and only "spoke" on an Internet based cigar forum (and the best one to boot too) came together in what was known as a shadier part of town to have some drinks, enjoy some cigars and have a good time. I personally couldn't have asked for a nicer group. Lots of interesting folks showed up and there was never a dull moment. I look forward to the next event. Perhaps we can snowball this into an even larger event down the road where members from abroad can make it as well.

Cheers,

bundwallah aka Frank

[gk404]

Sorry I missed it. I was "enjoying" the rain in the great outdoors in a soggy tent. I did get a couple of cigars in though, so not all bad. Hopefully I can make the next one.

Good job in putting this together Frank.

[Habanos2000]

Looks like you had a blast. I love the Stanley Cup idea!

[lonsdaleto]

I have to say that I had a really great time with you guys. Even though I didn't know anyone... by the end of the evening I felt like I was just hanging out with a bunch of my buddies enjoying great cigars, and having great laughs. The eye candy wasn't bad either. I'll never forget that girl with the legs that just went on forever. Of course there was also the girl who went around to everyone in our group to check out who had the biggest... I mean... the best cigar.

[laficion]

Brilliant Idea, I hope you get to organize this every year and that you fill that "Stanley Cup".

I love to see guys, & why not Gals, getting together like this around great food, drinks and cigars but above all,

getting to meet each other and creating a fine friendship .

Bravo !!

[Baldy]

LOL, sounds like you guys had a great time. Good turn out too. I love cigars but love the brotherhood more. Cigar smokers are some of the nicest, generous folks you will ever meet. Maybe next time I'll have to make a trip out to that part of the world.

[Dbone]

Congrats on what looked like a great time. Love the pictures, stories, and even new introductions. I see a lot of Cohiba bands in the Stanley Cup. Btw, you should just send the cup to me, I'll hold it with the REAL one right here in Chicago

[maalouly]

That's awesome, Now fuzz get your act together and let's do a Sydney gathering one that will make us proud! I am still trying to get over the fact taht steve is 6'7"!

[Puros Y Vino]

Here's a few more pictures from Keith's camera.

The outside of the Drake hotel. We're seated to the lower left.

Here's the gang already into their first cigars of the night.

Here we are in the aforementioned "tunnel" on the Drake's rooftop patio.

[El Presidente]

Fantastic fella's :clap:

The thing that I treasure most about my time in cigars is the people I have met and the friends I have made.

[CanuckSARTech]

Great pictures, Frank. Not sure who else has other pictures to add maybe, but please do.

A few points....

• Firstly, the jar - it's actually a little milk jar with The Drake Hotel's logo and such on it. Pretty cool. It seems like something that maybe they used to (or still do, who knows) deliver fresh cold milk to the rooms - very retro and neat. It's something that I thought would be neat to contain the bands, while also showing the logo of the place too. Once we get it filled with bands from future gatherings, we'll have to raffle it off, or have some sort of contest for it.
  Secondly, the bands themselves - Frank...BUSTED!!! I was wondering where the band came from of the Montecristo Open Eagle.
  Thirdly - Garfield was a life saver. Trying his best to keep the barflies away from us. He actually made the scary girl choke on his stick. Must be the Italian in him.
  Fourth - Steve, gracias. A huge thank you to Steve, who gifted Frank and I with some beautiful Monte 2's for putting this together. We both really appreciate it, as much as it wasn't needed at all. Very cool.
  Lastly - my picture. WTF!!!!! Sure Frank, pick that one of any! I was making a face due to the prospect of a particular barfly taking a drag off of our different cigars (there was definitely a feeling that we needed to have a giant, industrial-sized bottle of Purell around!). I didn't realize at all that this would be my particular mugshot that you'd post here. Ooooooh - your's is coming, buddy!!!!
  

[tdlfoto]

Thanks for the summary post - looks like a great get together!! I do really regret I couldn't attend. Though I initially had babysitter issues (wife was in Texas) it turned out that my son caught a cold which quickly morphed into a chest infection which quickly consumed all my time and energy so babysitter or not, it turns out I would not have been able to attend. Wife owes me one. ....speaking of which, when's the next "live from the humidor"?!? lol

See you boys next time (spring meet?)

[CanuckSARTech]

....speaking of which, when's the next "live from the humidor"?!? lol

Back off - those PSP Monte 4's and 2's are mine!!!

See you boys next time (spring meet?)

Don't know, we didn't really think to talk about that. I know the weather plays a huge factor, but I'd love for a Christmas / New Year's get-together maybe.

[tdlfoto]

HAHAA!! I grabbed the HDM Du Prince since it is small smoke season here now

An Xmas get together would be great provided there's a suitable place climate wise.

[Puros Y Vino]

Great pictures, Frank. Not sure who else has other pictures to add maybe, but please do.

A few points....

Secondly, the bands themselves - Frank...BUSTED!!! I was wondering where the band came from of the Montecristo Open Eagle.

Thirdly - Garfield was a life saver. Trying his best to keep the barflies away from us. He actually made the scary girl choke on his stick. Must be the Italian in him.

Fourth - Steve, gracias. A huge thank you to Steve, who gifted Frank and I with some beautiful Monte 2's for putting this together. We both really appreciate it, as much as it wasn't needed at all. Very cool.

Lastly - my picture. WTF!!!!! Sure Frank, pick that one of any! I was making a face due to the prospect of a particular barfly taking a drag off of our different cigars (there was definitely a feeling that we needed to have a giant, industrial-sized bottle of Purell around!). I didn't realize at all that this would be my particular mugshot that you'd post here. Ooooooh - your's is coming, buddy!!!!

Hmm.. The Open Eagle was smoked by ebhead (aka Enis) now a member of FOH. It was smoked to his disgust I might add. He was not pleased. I must admit though. One of those sticks awaits me in my humidor. Maybe I'll dip it in Port and then smoke it.

As for the photo. Allow me to make amends.

I pulled this photo from my "Gran Reserva" collection. Here you see Keith cutting a rare Partagas "Invisible" Immenso.

[Puros Y Vino]

HAHAA!! I grabbed the HDM Du Prince since it is small smoke season here now

An Xmas get together would be great provided there's a suitable place climate wise.

Keith mentioned a place in Gatineau Quebec with an honest to goodness cigar bar/lounge. That or Montreal. Where they still know how to have a good time.

We'll take the pulse of all interested parties and see what works.

[ChanceSchmerr]

Sounds like you guys had a heck of a time - Hopefully someday I'll make it out to T.O. at the right time to catch up with you fellas!

[cigcars]

Greetings all.

I must say that I was very pleased by the turnout. From the 11 people who expressed an interest in the inaugural FOH Toronto get together, nine were able to make it down to the Drake despite the gloomy clouds overhead. Regrets were given by tdlfoto and maverickdrink. We'll see you next time gents.

Now as to a brief synopsis followed by some photos. The day started off right on time at 3PM. Two of my good friends joined me from the start, new member "nacho" and future member "ebhead". We sat ourselves out on the Drake's street level patio which they had thoughtfully closed for off for the day and strung wire through every table and chair just for that extra special touch. I'm always pleased when I call ahead and am told all is good for the patio. Nonetheless, we were determined to enjoy ourselves and served ourselves. Tips be damned!! Members slowly trickled in one by one. I'm glad I wore my fedora so I could be spotted. Fortunately a nearly empty patio with no service made it easier.

So from roughly 3-6PM we sat out on the lower patio enjoyed some alcoholic beverages and enjoyed our first cigars of the night. Many members were loaded up with anywhere from 3-12 cigars. There was some rain to put a slight damper on things but two large patio umbrellas helped. After finishing our cigars, we had about a 1/2 hour left before we can hit the rooftop patio. So we went inside to warm up, dry off and have a few more drinks while we waited. At this point Keith found an little milk jug in which to store our bands. This little bottle is now our "Stanley Cup" of cigar meetups.

at 6:30PM we made our way upstairs for our dinner reservations. We got sat down in what the Drake calls the "tunnell"; a covered area with couches one side and chairs on the other. This where we ate.

Steve, lounging on the chair side.

Me sitting on the couch, thumbing through the Min Ron Nee book. (thanks for bringing it Keith!)

Several of us enjoyed a nice striploin steak, others had poutine, burgers or ribs. All in all, the food at the Drake was excellent. It hit the spot. During dinner rain continued to fall out in the open area. By the time we finished our meal it had subsided and we were ready to digest with a nice cigar or two.

We got ourselves a little alcove covered by an umbrella and near a gas heater that we took turns under roasting.

And now a few more photos.

A few members enjoying a fine cigar, arranged in descending order by height. BTW, CDNeh aka Steve, stands at 6.7"

Folks, I present to you a face only a mother could love. Behold the horror of our newest member "Nacho" aka Michel (he's French Canadian he wasn't intentionally given a girly name)

Here future member Enis (real name) and lonsdaleto aka Garfield enjoy a smoke.

And finally CanuckSARTech aka Keith finally gets himself a photo of him smoking a cigar. Gents, this shot just may end up on the rotating banner, so brace youselves.

To conclude. Despite the spotty weather, the turnout was great considering that a group of people who never met and only "spoke" on an Internet based cigar forum (and the best one to boot too) came together in what was known as a shadier part of town to have some drinks, enjoy some cigars and have a good time. I personally couldn't have asked for a nicer group. Lots of interesting folks showed up and there was never a dull moment. I look forward to the next event. Perhaps we can snowball this into an even larger event down the road where members from abroad can make it as well.

Cheers,

bundwallah aka Frank

*He-e-e-e-y! - is that one of your "hated Monte Opens" in that photo??? There is hope yet!

[CanuckSARTech]

*He-e-e-e-y! - is that one of your "hated Monte Opens" in that photo??? There is hope yet!

On the jar, yes - Frank just gave reasons above. In my tastefully selected, conservative pose, I'm smoking a Cuaba EL (which was damn awesome again, I might add!)

[tdlfoto]

I have an idea....

we could use my studio as a venue for xmas FOH get together. i'm located near St. Clair & Weston Rd in Toronto. plenty of space for a couple dozen folks, and smoking in the comfy (and warm) confines of the studio is permitted. we could order in from a great nearby italian resto, byob, and just hang out over some cigars, drinks, and tales of grandeur any interest? if so we can get a separate thread going

[CanuckSARTech]

I have an idea....

we could use my studio as a venue for xmas FOH get together. i'm located near St. Clair & Weston Rd in Toronto. plenty of space for a couple dozen folks, and smoking in the comfy (and warm) confines of the studio is permitted. we could order in from a great nearby italian resto, byob, and just hang out over some cigars, drinks, and tales of grandeur any interest? if so we can get a separate thread going

GAME ON!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like a great idea, TDL - a nice offering. If you wish to open the idea up, go for it and fire up a separate thread. The cigars will follow....