Hey I still post over here every once in a while. Good work rustling up the natives though, PH. :-)

There are a very few places I know that allow it, but discretion is definitely required.

One idea is to book a private dinner at someplace and I think that might be a way to get around things. Just an idea.

And for those of you dudes who have not hung out over on the Vinocellar forums, just head over there every once in a while to see what DC metroa area offlines might be in the plaanning process. There are usually one of these things going on about once a month more or less. Plus, if you pal up with some of the local DC Crü, you might find a pal to go wine shopping with or whatever.

quote:

Hey I still post over here every once in a while. Good work rustling up the natives though, PH. :-)

Hey TJ!

Someone had to do it! I'm waiting to hear from irwin who was going to contact the place you mentioned the other day. When we get this think kicked off, are you coming?

PH

One never knows! Really depends on the schedule though. I'll make sure to come back over here to check on things. If it is gonna happen when we are going to be 'kitchenless', the chances of attanding go up.

Good news! We have a great venue. A restaurant within very easy driving distance for both Montgomery County (are you paying attention dinwiddie and Thomas Jaehnigen?) and Baltimore area forumites.

According to both irwin and one of my employees, it's a wonderful place with great food and atmosphere.

I spoke with the General Manager who, in addition to agreeing to waive any corkage charges, has indicated that the chef would put together a multi-course tasting menu to compliment our wines! I gotta tell you, just based on the attitude of the General Manager, I have a good feeling about this one.

Given the situation in MD, I'm not going to post the name of the restaurant here, but if anyone wants to shoot me an e-mail at
purplehaze1956 at yahoo dot com I'll clue you in. The restaurant is open 7 days a week, and the GM indicated that the only day that there might be any problem accomodating a group would be Saturday. I imagine if we're not too many, a Saturday would be possible as well.

I'd love to pull something off for September if we can. Who's interested??? I'd love to get a nice group together for this one.

PH

include me and my wife, subject to schedule.

Great news, irwin. Thanks for your help on this. Once we get a handle on the number of attendees we can start massaging dates. I know you have some conflicts in October as do I, so it would be great to pull this off in September.

PH

Woo Hoo! Please count me in! Anytime in September works for me. Name the date! THANK YOU VERY MUCH PH & IRWIN!!!!!!

So far we have irwin (2), cometspider (2), PurpleHaze (1 so far) and Festiva (2) subject to final date. Waiting to hear from Gentleman farmer. dinwiddie is interested and Thomas Jaehnigen may need a place to eat since his kitchen may be fubar before long.

Let's work on some dates. I'm pretty clear except for September 24th. Either e-mail me or post your good/bad dates as soon as you can and we'll tighten this thing up and get cooking!

PH

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PurpleHaze,

Throw me down for 2. My better half may attend if we can get a babysitter. Otherwise, I'll drag one of my wino friends.

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wino friends

The best kind! Duly noted.

PH

just a quick note-- purple haze deserves all the credit, not me. He contacted the restaurant.
My wife and I had our first date at this restaurant in one of its earlier incarnations. (1982).

While is it a long shot... we could possibly make a day trip down. PH, I think I may have something of yours. Once you set the date, we'll be able to give a more concrete answer. But for now, you can mark us a (2) tentative.

mwagner7700,

That would be a hoot! There's a spare room at the Purple Palace if you can make it. Will keep you posted!

PH

Date?
Having been to the restaurant, I figure the service and so forth will be better on a weeknight or Sunday night. How about either Monday, Sept. 26 or Tues, Sept. 27?
These dates would be far enough in the future to allow the restaurant some planning time, give us time to figure out what wines we are bringing, etc.

I'm good for either date. Anyone else?

PH

cometspider, Festiva, TJ, dinwiddie.... What say you? mwagner7700, is a weekday a deal breaker for you and your bride? Speak people!! The clock is a ticking!!

PH

Uh, hello? Did we go back to sleep out there? irwin, it may be a small event, but I'm all for going forward with this!

PH

Sorry bout that... Instead of sitting in front of my computer, I've been drinking wine all weekend. I'm sufficiently recovered from my hangover to type now...

I hate to be a wet blanket, but I have to travel to North Carolina on Monday the 26th. I'll be returning the morning of the 28th. If we can have this on the 28th, I'd be thrilled. If it has to be on the 26th or 27th, I'll cry myself to sleep but I'll understand.

BTW. Has a wine theme been set or is this just a bring whatever you want type of deal?

Thanks!

We could do Sunday the 25th, but can't do the 28th.

Festiva,

Can you do Sunday? I've got an offline to attend Saturday, but I'll suck it up and do two in a row for the team! What say you?

cometspider, are you out there? farmer?

We'll work on a theme once we have an offline! It's a Country French restaurant, so I'm thinking a Tokaji night is probably out of the question!

PH

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PurpleHaze,

Any other days besides the 26th and 27th are good for me. Sunday the 25th works perfectly. Thanks for accomodating me.

PH,

Sorry, we just got back from our vaca in CA.

A week night is a dealbreaker. But don't worry... even if you get it going on a weekend, it's a long shot for us. So you guys make plans, and when they are settled, I'll see what the Wagner's Schedule looks like.

I had a feeling with the vacation and the Sunday night timing, this would be a problem for you and T. Keep an eye on the MD offlines. We'd love to have you come down. In the meantime, whaddaya think about a Fall Barolo event in Philly?

PH