Phoneix won't be crowded, but the enroute will be. BTW, Whitefield Road never rests, so any time is indifferent. But if we have people from other areas, it would be difficult for one to come in to Whitefield. That's why I suggested Marathahalli as it would be a center point for many, if people from other areas say ORR, HAL, HSR, Belandur, KR Puram, Ramamurthy Nagar, Banaswadi etc. would join. Moreover, Marathahalli has a lot of food joints too.
BTW, I am fine anywhere as long as the "Food would be good".