Dear Readers: Here is a letter that is begging for your suggestions and comments:

Hi ELV!

Back in my country (Australia) many of our restaurants in all cities and towns, allow you to (BYOG)- bring your own grog!! This can even apply to those restaurants that are licensed, where a corkage charge may apply. This makes dining out more affordable. Australians have the good fortune, to have a large Asian population and hence some excellent Asian restaurants providing fresh produce.

I run the Australian Las vegas business group and have had our “monthly lunch” at Changs on Decatur for the last 4 years. The lunches are well attended 20+ and we spend some $400 + tip (20%). We usually take one of the side rooms, so that our “noisy” bunch of Aussies can enjoy the comrardrie, taste of good chinese food and the beer & wine that we bring. I am currently faced with a problem. The restaurant has recently been sold and they want to now charge us $80 for the room. Considering that we are bringing business and the longevity of our arrangement, I am considering other potential venues that would like our business.

I would be most appreciative if you could suggest an alternative.

Kind regards

David Down Under

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Dear DDU,

While I sympathize with your conundrum, methinks you’re expectations ($25/person + BYOG) may be difficult to meet. Fortunately, we have a plethora of great Asian restaurants up and down Spring Mountain Road — some of which might be able to handle a party of 20 for such a gathering. Consider Emperor’s Garden Szechuan, Dong Ting Spring, China MaMa or Yunnan Garden as possible venues — all of which can be researched on this site.

Otherwise, we’ll leave it up to ELV’s faithful and knowledgeable readers to make some suggestions and steer you along the right path.

Gam bei!

ELV

Dear ELV,

Firstly, I have to tell you that you’re an inspiration – anyone that can move from being a lawyer to a full-time foodie is a hero in my books (being stuck, as it is, in full time law and aspiring to be a foodie)!

I’m hoping that you can help me out with an issue: one of my dearest friends (also an aspiring foodie) will soon be celebrating a birthday and I’d love to find a true chef’s table where eight of us can have a celebratory dinner (i.e. hanging out the bar at Joel Robuchon Atelier doesn’t count). I’ve searched the internet a couple of different ways and am coming up perfectly blank, which is why I’m now turning to you.

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