vineguy

How many times should someone have to call a restaurant to book a LARGE party before they give up? Once? Twice? THREE TIMES??? How about an in-person visit? And no response... nada, nein, zip, zilch, goose egg. Thus is the tale of my experience at Fiola - the hot, hip new Italian eatery captained by Uber-chic Chef Fabio Trabocchi and his spouse, Maria. I have been trying for two weeks now to book a dinner party at Fiola and cannot get as much as a return call to tell me to drop dead. My firm is getting ready to celebrate our ten year anniversary and I want to treat my staff to a fantastic evening of food, wine and fun to mark the occasion. I had dined there recently for a wine dinner and I was impressed with the service, food and ambiance, so I thought Fiola would be the perfect spot to host dinner for 30 people. After leaving three messages - count 'em, three - for Maria Trabocchi (the chef/owner's wife and director of private dining), I decided to confront her directly. My wife and I went with another couple to Fiola for dinner last week to celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary. When we arrived, I asked the hostess to please send Maria over to the table so that I could give her a card and make the connection. Overall, the evening was a solid 8. The food was very good and both our server (ask for Ashley) and the wine director (Theo) were attentive and charming. We noticed Maria flitting about the restaurant visiting most of the tables and giving everyone the standard kiss-kiss routine. But somehow, we escaped her attention and she never as much as looked in our direction. Must have been my cologne?!? On the way out, I asked to speak to Maria. I explained who I was and that I was trying to book a dinner party for 30 - count 'em - 30 people. She feigned great surprise and promised (PROMISED) to give me a call on my cell phone the very next day. And I am still waiting. Why am I taking the time to rant about this seemingly trivial experience? Because I have had my fill of restaurants (and other businesses) that just DON'T GET IT! It's like the scene in the movie Network when the news anchor stands up and delivers his famous "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore" speech. It's that simple. Citronelle (another story) and (BLT Steak) could take a lesson from Wolfgang Puck's The Source or any of Ashok Bajaj's eateries. Every single time I have been at any of these restaurants, they have made me feel welcomed and comfortable, like Norm at Cheers (you older readers will probably get that reference). So why didn't I start with The Source (or Bibiana) for the anniversary party? Good question. And now I will!

I am hosting a BBQ at my house this Saturday (September 11th) afternoon and just need someone to open wine and beer from noon - 4:00 pm and then help clean up afterwards (probably an hour). If you know someone, let me know - or if you're interested, shoot me a reply if you're interested and what you charge. Thanks - Scott

Efharistó, Scott

Heading to Athens, Greece in a couple of days. We're staying near the Plaka (sp?). Does anyone have a couple of restaurant suggestions for dinner? Much appreciated, Scott

Thanks - Dean Gold was the first to reply to my request - and yes, he does have a wine deal going during restaurant week. I know that Trummers finished their mid-week half-price wine deal in June cuz I went there in July specifically to partake in it and it was over. But Tyler Packwood did sell me a bottle of Orin Swift for a decent price, so I have no complaints... Any others out there? Bueller? Bueller?? Bueller??? Scott

I am writing a column on the best wine deals that area restaurants are offering during Restaurant Week, which begins August 16th. If you know of any participating restaurants that are offering wonderful deals on wines - such as half-priced wines from their wine list or waiving corkage on a bottle or two - please let me know. I'd love to mention the "deal" in next week's Vine Guy column in the Examiner and on WTOP's Wine of the Week. Many thanks for your help... Scott

Thanks - I just ended up making it myself and opened a fabulous1997 Brunello for good measure. Both were excellent, and I did not charge me a corkage fee! Best of all, my son thought that it was pretty cool that his dad would spend the time (with him as my Sous) and effort to make his birthday dinner for him. I am a temporary hero...

RJ Cooper - formally of Vidalia - should be able to do it. He did a whole pig at my house for my birthday last year and it was amazing!

I held my wife's surprise party in the back room at Teatro Goldoni (20th and K Street) - we had 40 people and it was perfect. And because it was in the back, she was totally surprised. Food was good. Price was fair - and they let me bring in my own wine.

My son is turning 13 this Saturday and he wants to go out for Saltimbocca (where do kids get such sophisticated palates???) - can anyone direct me to a great Italian restaurant that offers Saltimbocca? Grazie, Scott

I love chicken and ribs (could work for adults) but need a burger bar for the kids. Is that up your alley? Scott

I NEED HELP! I am looking for a company or caterer who will come to my house (Montgomery County) and do burgers/ribs/chicken for a Saturday afternoon party in September. There will be about 30 kids and 40 adults. Looking for something casual and fun... Thoughts? Suggestions? Thank you! Scott

Great article on Rose wines by Lou Marmon - a wine writer filling in for me this week at the Examiner. Rose Wine Article in the Examiner Cheers, Scott

Well - I must say that I was blown away by the outcome. At the beginning of this cry for help, I got a message from RJ Cooper, the James Beard Award winning Chef at Vidalia, telling me that he would come to my house and roast a pig. Of course, I thought he was kidding - just having a bit of fun at my expense - you, know, I'd say "Oh, yes, please RJ, take a Saturday night off from Vidalia and come to my house and cook pig for my birthday" and he say, "Punked!" or some such sucker-punch remark. But he was serious - really serious! Long, long, long story short, RJ Cooper showed up with a 90 pound pig, a "Pig Box", 100 lbs of charcoal and all of the traditional sides (collard greens, potato salad, beens, slaw, corn bread) and proceeded to blow the crowd away. All I had to do was give him cold beer and turn on the Red Wings game. It was truly the most memorable dining experience I have ever had! It was perfect. Now - I did have a very good experience working with the nice people at Backyard BBQ and was pretty close to hiring them when RJ convinced me he was sincere. So, if you can't get Chef Cooper, I would certainly recommend reaching out to Anne-Marie at Backyard BBQ. Thanks to everyone on this post for helping me out. I appreciate it!

Thanks - I am talking to them (Backyard BBQ) and two other leads that I got from this cry for help. Thanks everyone! I really appreciate it and I will post my experience after the event. Scott