Starting right at 9 is a bad idea, I think. I can't get in earlier than that, so I'd like to leave at least a half-hour for getting the key, opening the room, moving tables around, etc.
Other than that, I have no preference. The group meal is fun, but so's gaming till all hours. I'm up for anything.
One thing I have to keep in mind, though, is I have to be physically present the entire time, so I can't take off and leave people in the room. I can't take off for dinner and leave the room unattended if other people want to keep gaming. (Not that I'm trying to be a martyr

)