I'll take care of reservations. How does 7:30ish sound. Thoughts?

Ray, sounds good to us. I didnt notice a theme yet. Is it Italian??

7:30 is fine. Will let the folks in charge of driving know

As for a theme, we are ok with or without one. whatever works.

Based on the restaurant, I think that Italian or Spanish would be a nice. However, I am open for suggestions, or no theme at all.

Ray-
Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Email: cableguy 110 at gmail dot com.

Excuse the off-topic, but can any of you recommend a nice place or two to dine in Moab?

Board-O: That's funny! There is a BBQ place on the left coming into town from the north, and a bit of a dive tavern in the main mall in the middle of town. Other than that it's fast food and gut bombs!

Moab has great scenery all around, but it is not a culinary mecca.

I got that idea from what I've read so far. We'll be touring some of the national parks this summer and this trip is about the scenery and the history, not the dining, but we're keeping on the lookout for anything nice.

Let me add, since I don't know where you're flying into, to bring whatever you can. Moab is truly in the middle of Mormon country with a lot of Big Love communities around and into western Colorado.

The State Liqour State, the only place retail wine, beer, and liqour can be purchased, closes at about 5 pm. Selection is very slim. The restaurants do serve alcohol, being that it's a tourist town, but expect only the minimum. The one place in the middle of town, may be a brew pub, but I was never impressed with the home brew.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
Excuse the off-topic, but can any of you recommend a nice place or two to dine in Moab?

Board-O,
I never found any fine dining in Moab, but if you're touring the national parks, definitely put The Spotted Dog outside Zions National Park on the list. One of the best restaurants in all of Utah IMO.

Utah contingent,
I've got one more hurdle to cross, but I still am hoping/planning on being there. Fwiw, I'd love to do an Italian theme. Most of my '97 Italians are still resting in SLC, so I'll have plenty of choices. This goes without saying to the locals, but lets make sure that we're only taking bottles with stickers.

quote:

This goes without saying to the locals, but lets make sure that we're only taking bottles with stickers

Of course. We are all law-abiding citizens!

Thanks, Sandy and stick. We're flying into Rapid City, South Dakota. Is BYO allowed at restaurants in Utah? I know it was legal in the parks as of a year and a half ago, but we won;t be dining in the parks, just Moab. stick, we did Bryce and Zion in 2007. This trip will be SD, MT, WY, UT, CO, and NM.

quote:

Originally posted by mona lisa vito:
Of course. We are all law-abiding citizens!

Us too. I still have a Utah sticker, but it's just for a souvenir.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman:
Utah contingent,
I've got one more hurdle to cross, but I still am hoping/planning on being there. Fwiw, I'd love to do an Italian theme. Most of my '97 Italians are still resting in SLC, so I'll have plenty of choices. This goes without saying to the locals, but lets make sure that we're only taking bottles with stickers.

stickman-

I hope that you can make it. Unfortunately, all of my Italian wines are a bit on the young side, but I think that I can find something acceptable.

Regarding the "stickers", there has been significant discussion recently about getting rid of them. Apparently, an exorbitant amount of $$$ is spent printing and applying them to all beer, wine, and spirits in state-run stores, and only a handful of violations have been reported; not nearly justifying the expense.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
Excuse the off-topic, but can any of you recommend a nice place or two to dine in Moab?

Try center cafe.

http://www.centercafemoab.com

I ate there years ago, the outdoor dining was good. Overall an enjoyable experience given the isolated location. I don't think you'll have any trouble with BYOB, though I can't speak from experience at that particular restaurant. Also, not that you would need to, but it is legal to put a cork in your bottle and take any left over wine home, as long as the bottle is in your trunk, or is out of reach from the driver.

Reservations are made for 7:30pm at Cucina Toscana on the 14th for 12 people. If the number of guests change, I am sure we can arrange for more guests.

address: 307 Pierpont Ave (300W between 300-400S)

ph#801-328-3463 if you need to contact the restaurant for any reason.

Corkage is $12.

Stemware, I couldn't get a straight answer but was told they have many different kinds of glasses depending on the wine. Sounds promising.

http://www.cucina-toscana.com/

quote:

Originally posted by gigabit:
Based on the restaurant, I think that Italian or Spanish would be a nice. However, I am open for suggestions, or no theme at all.

Ray-
Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Email: cableguy 110 at gmail dot com.

Italian sounds interesting. What does everyone think? I'm sure I could find something. Others?

quote:

Originally posted by Roentgen Ray:
Reservations are made for 7:30pm at Cucina Toscana on the 14th for 12 people. If the number of guests change, I am sure we can arrange for more guests.

address: 307 Pierpont Ave (300W between 300-400S)

ph#801-328-3463 if you need to contact the restaurant for any reason.

Corkage is $12.

Stemware, I couldn't get a straight answer but was told they have many different kinds of glasses depending on the wine. Sounds promising.

http://www.cucina-toscana.com/

Thanks RR. Sounds great. I don't have a specific recollection on their stemware. If I recall it was fairly good but it was a few years ago.

An Italian theme is fine with us if that is the consensus -

quote:

Originally posted by Roentgen Ray:

Stemware, I couldn't get a straight answer but was told they have many different kinds of glasses depending on the wine. Sounds promising.

http://www.cucina-toscana.com/

Ray,
Last time I was there (what, three years ago now) they didn't exactly have a full line of Riedel, but they certainly had top-notch stemware suitable for rich reds, which they pulled out if you ordered or brought a top-flighht wine - which we certainly will.

I am, of course, just fine with an Italian theme, as long as gigabit gets some kind of dispensation, considering that he's already registered that his are youngish. 'Could be interesting to see what he brings. I'll almost certainly opt for a '97 Brunello, fwiw.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman:

quote:

Originally posted by Roentgen Ray:

Stemware, I couldn't get a straight answer but was told they have many different kinds of glasses depending on the wine. Sounds promising.

http://www.cucina-toscana.com/

Ray,
Last time I was there (what, three years ago now) they didn't exactly have a full line of Riedel, but they certainly had top-notch stemware suitable for rich reds, which they pulled out if you ordered or brought a top-flighht wine - which we certainly will.

I am, of course, just fine with an Italian theme, as long as gigabit gets some kind of dispensation, considering that he's already registered that his are youngish. 'Could be interesting to see what he brings. I'll almost certainly opt for a '97 Brunello, fwiw.

I have a couple of nice whites; I'll bring one of those. As for reds, I'm sure that I can find something acceptable.

quote:

Originally posted by gigabit:

quote:

Originally posted by stickman:

quote:

Originally posted by Roentgen Ray:

Stemware, I couldn't get a straight answer but was told they have many different kinds of glasses depending on the wine. Sounds promising.

http://www.cucina-toscana.com/

Ray,
Last time I was there (what, three years ago now) they didn't exactly have a full line of Riedel, but they certainly had top-notch stemware suitable for rich reds, which they pulled out if you ordered or brought a top-flighht wine - which we certainly will.

I am, of course, just fine with an Italian theme, as long as gigabit gets some kind of dispensation, considering that he's already registered that his are youngish. 'Could be interesting to see what he brings. I'll almost certainly opt for a '97 Brunello, fwiw.

I have a couple of nice whites; I'll bring one of those. As for reds, I'm sure that I can find something acceptable.

...acceptable with a wink - twice: I like the sound of that.

Italian it is! I know almost nothing of Italian wines, so this will be a fun experience. I would throw in a winking man, but I don't have anything to wink about.

quote:

Originally posted by Roentgen Ray:
Italian it is! I know almost nothing of Italian wines, so this will be a fun experience. I would throw in a winking man, but I don't have anything to wink about.

Don't worry Ray, there is already too much winking on these Forums.

So these are the Italian wines I have.

2004 Argiano Solengo Toscana IGT (Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT)
2001 Argiano Solengo Toscana
1999 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino) 750ml
2004 I Giusti & Zanza Belcore Toscana IGT (Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT) 750ml
2004 Pio Cesare Barolo (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo) 750ml
2003 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco) 750ml 2003 Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

I am most interested in the 1999 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino. I tried it last year and really liked it. If nothing grabs anyones attention from this list, I could try to dig up something else.

What do people think about the Italian theme? I think it sounds appropriate for the food being served, and it is a wine from a region that is very diverse. MLV, J-rock, GB, what are your thoughts? BTW, we had a great snow week, going out tomorrow. Can't wait! See you in a few.

T

Ray,
Both the '99 Banfi BdM and the '01 Solengo should be ready. The '97 Banfi I had at 10 years old was quite nice, and the '01 Solengo showed very well (2nd in # of 1st-choice votes) at an Executive Wine Seminar tasting almost 4 years ago. Either way, I'm looking forward to it.

Ray-

Definitely keep your 2004s in the cellar; they are not ready yet, imo. I will probably bring a 2001 BdM which should just be entering its window.

I am also going to bring an Italian white. Let's not limit ourselves to reds.

quote:

Originally posted by gigabit:
I am also going to bring an Italian white. Let's not limit ourselves to reds.

Okay.