I am interested, but if it doesn't happen soon, I am off to Tokyo.
Mike,
My .02cent for the future meets. Pick a whatever date you prefer, give people at least 1 week advance notice, simple as that. People who can show up will show up. Those who can't there is always next time. Either way the ratio of people that can or can't make it will not likely to be dramaticly different between 2 dates. As long as the date does not conflict with holidays. Either way the regulars will most likely show up. On top of that, I can't even imagine 20~30 cars for a drive in OC. We used to do weekly 5~15car weekend drives. That worked well.
Doing the random thing or pick a date for the meet deal. It just hard to make it work correctly. Some want this date, and some want that date. Make the date you picked "THE" date. You set up the meet, you make the call.
As for making arrangement with restaurant. It is nice, but unless it is huge meet, probably not required. If you can only get about 10 cars to show up then maybe restaurant will welcome walk ins. On top of that the drive is the fun part. People can eat anywhere.