jpbloom

I've really enjoyed my dinners at Corduroy but haven't been there for lunch in several years. Going today. Any recommendations from the lunch menu?

I've been there a number of times, most recently about 1 1/2 years ago. I'm not sure why you want to avoid places whose wines you can get locally, though, since they have low production wines you won't be able to find here. In that category, I would definitely recommend Domaine de la Terre Rouge and Karly, near Plymouth. The Steiner Road loop there has several excellent wineries. For something not distributed here, visit Dillian (just across the road from Renwood, which I personally wouldn't bother with - too big and commercial). Up near Placerville, near Boeger, I would visit Lava Cap and Madrona in addition to Sierra Vista. Enjoy!

Although I hadn't gotten the VIP tickets previously, I did last year and will again this year. It can get a little crowded as the evening passes (though this year is at a new venue, so who knows) and the early admission allows more opportunity to chat with the chefs and people pouring the wines, and taste things at leisure. Plus I like to support the organization, so I don't mind making the extra donation.

Gee, I hope I didn't come off like someone like that. I'm not fawned over anywhere, and really only recognized at a few places that I frequent. I guess I don't chat up the staff enough. My point was simply my personal belief that if you can afford the $150 bottle of wine, you can afford to tip $30 on it. The difference may be minimal to you, but could be major to the server. That doesn't work for everyone, but it works for me.

I've been attending this annually since it started years ago at Union Station. It was good for a while and then went rapidly downhill, but has improved the last few years. I like supporting the cause, so I'll probably attend no matter what. Is anyone participating or attending this year? Any idea what to expect?

Except in very unusual circumstances, I tip 20% on the whole bill, regardless of what I spend on wine. Yes, it's more than generous if I order an expensive bottle (which for me is well below DRC at a couple of thousand but three figures is not unusual), but I factor it into the cost of the experience. I can afford it, and I just hope the staff appreciates it (and remembers me). As for the argument that it takes no more effort to serve a $500 bottle than a $50 bottle, it also generally takes no more effort to serve a $30 dollar entree than a $15 dollar entree. It's all just a cost of dining out to me.

I was actually just going to post about this. I heard it was supposed to open months ago and wondered if anyone knew anything about it.

Just finishing up a 2002 Vision Cellars Sonoma County Pinot Noir. An excellent wine, particularly at $24.99. For some reason, Vision doesn't have the buzz of some other relatively new Pinot producers, but they make a buch of real good wines.

Sorry, I can't really give specifics. It's a changing menu, plus nothing has stood out as being "Oh my God, to die for." One rule of thumb I've learned. It's an adventurous menu. While I love creative cooking, if something here sounds on the menu like too much is going on, you're probably well advised to skip that. If one component is off, it can ruin the whole dish. I do remeber enjoying grilled squid and venison here, and I love both of those, so am often quite critical.

Boy, a blast from the past! I lived on the Hill in the '70s and loved Machiavellis. The cheese restaurant was called The Big Cheese. The one time I tried to go, they wouldn't let me in because I wasn't wearing a jacket. (I didn't expect a "hip" restaurant like that to require one.) Lots of places I miss have already been mentioned, but the one that stands out most is Cantina d'Italia. The concept of spending over $100 for a couple for dinner (including wine) shocked me, being on a starving law student budget, but it was worth every penny each time. One that hasn't been mentioned is Maison Blanche. In the early Reagan years, it was not only the place to see and be seen, the food was excellent.

I've been there a number of times (I work in the same building) and I'm not quite as enthusiastic. When it's good, it can be very, very good. It's quite hit or miss, though.

Next to no line today at 12:15 or two weeks ago.

There are a lot of wonderful choices, particularly if you make some appointments. For a start, just walk down Grand Avenue in Los Olivos. Among others, visit Andrew Murray and Epiphany, but definitely stop by the retail shops which pour a lot of the smaller local producers' products. Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium, at the end of town, is the best. If you like Rhones, stop by Beckmen. A drive across Hwy. 101 into the Santa Rita Hills area is also worthwhile. It's open countryside, so things are more spread out, but stop by Sanford, Lafond, Melville and Babcock. I think Fiddlehead has opened a tasting room since my last visit, also, but that may be by appointment only. Except for possibly Fiddlehead, those are all open regular hours. In Santa Rita Hills, see if you can make an appointment at Clos Pepe. There are also a lot of small producers in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto that will probably welcome you with an appointment, although with limited production a lot of what you'll taste there will be barrel samples. Have a great trip!