Olivia255

The items on the wine list are ordinary, and a bit overpriced, but I'll tell you what, the grilled octopus with fava beans is DELICOUS - I dream about it in my sleep......

I should just bring my own damn wine -

:-)

Weenie roast? S'mores?

I love the word "weenie"

Weenie roast? S'mores?

I love the word "weenie"

CALORIES DON'T COUNT! EXERCISE IS BAD FOR YOU! DRINK LOTS OF WINE AND LIVE LONGER! Is that the big news?

You may indeed be wierd, I don't know.

Well, I've been called worse.

I really like the Malvasia and the Charbono - both interesting, but hard to find sometimes.

I think the List is cool - but it seems over-laden with info.... I get overwhelmed everytime I check it out -

It also seems like a lot more about what Lisa and Nycci are doing (events, tastings, dinners, etc.) than what we all should be or could be planning to do in the future! I'd rather attend events than read the reviews of them after the fact.

DC She is a fun little link though -

Overall I like what these gals are trying to do -

I have to say - I was planning to meet a friend for a nice glass of wine today on Capitol Hill, and there was NO place to meet for wine - since Sonoma told me they didn't open until 5:30, I opted for a mediocre glass of Greek white wine at Taverna -

Now, this complaint isn't directed to Sonoma per-se, but I will say, that Sonoma is currently Capitol Hill's hope for a nice glass of wine mid-afternoon! That restaurant could OWN the category for afternoon wine-lovers!

Argh!

I think they are too weird - and being an avid/regular/lush-ish wine drinker, my "oh-so-happy-to-have-wine-to-hold" hands are more used to having a stem to hold - the stemlessness is just awkward in my opinion!

Am I just weird, or is anything by Bonny Doon pretty damn good? I find a lot of their wines to be delicious, affordable, and interesting - and god bless their commitment to stylvan closures! :-) Hooray for easy access!

I had brunch there today as well - had the Verdicchio, quite tasty (ok, well three glasses while I caught up with an old friend!) and the Smoked Salmon/Goat Cheese spread sandwich, and while not extraordinary, it was quite good with the wine, and the company. I left entirely satiated! The gazpacho was interesting as well -

Without sounding too obvious, anything with the word "pee" on the label, and even worse if "pee" is spelled "ph" as in "phat" you are seriously taking a risk. It could be "Phee on Fois Gras" "Phee on truffles" or "Phee on Coconut Shrimp", and I'd still pass it up........

I agree - nice to have a panel of writers discussing various topics - The website is sharply designed too!

I tried to go to Kolumbia (K between 18th & 19th) for RW yesterday for lunch and they turned me away at 2pm. They said they were too swamped (even though the dining room was half empty and there were 4 people at the bar) and couldn't serve me for at least 30 minutes. I have to say, I have never been told to come back another time, RW or no RW. So, I went to Teatro Goldoni and had their $12.50 Chicken Cannelloni with a glass of wine. Much better service, delicious meal, and noone told me they didn't have time for me - AND THEY WERE SWAMPED at 2pm!

Had lunch yesterday at Ceiba for RW. Had the option of any soup or salad or a shrimp cocktail for starters; any entree on the menu and a choice of chocolate cake, flan or a key lime panna cotta for desert.

I had an excellent Golden Tomato Gazpacho with Peekytoe Crab Ceviche and a Vine-Ripe Tomato Sorbet. For my entree I choose the Grilled Barbeque Salmon

Manchego Cheese, Mexican "Caesar Salad" Taco. The salmon was good but nothing remarkable.  The ceasar salad taco was an interesting accompaniment; it was very flavorful but difficult to eat without making a mess.  I panna cotta was nice in that it was not so sweet and you could really taste the flavors of the key lime. 

Overall it was a very positive experience highlighted by the many options that were available to choose from. My one RW gripe is that too many restaurants limit the selections to 2-3 choices per course.  Today I am off to Vidalia.

That golden tomato gazpacho is delicious, no? I love the presentation, the crab is delicious and the tomato sorbet - amazing touch!

And we are bgininning to build our reserve list.  The Brunello section is first to come.  Give us about 2 weeks.  Ohhh... and if you have a craving for Dal Forno Amarone or Quintarelli, we will have them for retail plus $10.00.  Of course retail is over $500 for Dal Forno...

Dean - Hi - you met me (Morgan Hartman) this early evening at the bar - Chris Cunningham is an old friend of mine. I just wanted to send you some kudos on a nice wine list - I love the idea of 3oz and 8oz pours, and also the way the wines are described. I know Chris probably deserves a bit of credit for that too -

But you guys are destined for success!

Cheers!

I'd love to be a part of future dinners..... etc. How do I get invited?

I have a few wine gems I'd be willing to share!

:-)

Indeed, Kumar is great -

Next time you are in there, get him talking about his garden - he has an amazing green thumb!

I also like the Vineyard VA in McLean - good ol' Jim Arsenault is running the show and has an amazing knowledge of wines and what is cool, tasty, hip, affordable, etc.....

I really like Tony and Mike at Cleveland Park Wine & Spirits across from the Uptown Theater. No pretention, always something interesting open to taste, lots of good values, and lots of interesting, esoteric, boutique-ish wines. They do quite a few interesting wine dinners as well.

By the way, Rabbi - thanks for organizing the inaugural "Dead Yeast Society Rides Again" event - It was great fun, and quite an eye-opener! I can't wait for the next one!

Nice to see one of bargain wines placed.

Anyone have more info on this particular bottle?

I've not heard of this producer.

The producer is Evans & Tate out of Western Australia. This winery has been around since probably 1950 and formed by two gentlemen and I bet you can guess their last names 0 :-) One of the largest wine producers out of Australia, they do well over 100,000 cases. Gnangarra is their entry level, and then they have Classic Red & White, both delicious, and then Margaret River Chard & Shiraz. The 2003 Margaret River Chardonnay just got 91 points in Wine Spectator and costs around $15/bottle. These wines are pretty easy to find and absolutly great values. If you liked the Gnangarra Chardonnay, try the Cabernet, the SB and the Shiraz - they all rock for the money. Let me know if you want more information......

Being in the wine business (and forgive me if any of you SELL this wine), but a manager of mine once said that if you want your Chardonnay to look really good, taste it out next to Clos Du Bois Chardonnay. That stuff makes swill look like Puligny Montrachet! (Not that I was selling swill, mind you :-) )

Wednesday the 27th at 7:00pm at Tallulah

There are still a few spots open.  If you are interested let me know.

Count me in - and if there is room for two, count me in for two spots!

Thanks!

When is the date? I can't wait?

Oooh - I just rhymed.....

Anyway, I can't wait to bring the "yeast" from the dead!

I know of one more person who attended before and would be very interested - is 17 too many?

I was a part of the original Dead Yeast Society, and have lamented the fact that it no longer meets - Count me in!!!!!