Anyone interested in an off-line in the Palm Beach area? Board-O is going to be down here April 6-12, so that would be the time frame.

Tentative location would be Le Mistral in North Palm Beach, but we could change that to accomodate long-distance drivers.

Any night from the 7th to the 11th, inclusive, is fine with us.

Just one more sip.

That seems to be the week of Passover... planning on being down this way any other time???

(At least I've started perusing this section of the forum!)

Unfortunately, I don't think we'll be down there after April for a while. We may come down for a week in July or August, possibly October or November, but definitely again for close to two weeks in December. We can't get away other times.

Just one more sip.

Thanks to Rothko for leading me here. I'm interested and would love to know more about it!

Welcome, Marlen. I hope you'll be able to join us in April.

Just one more sip.

Board-O, Rothko,

I'm definitely interested and early April should work out ok. Because of our drive I'm thinking Friday, April 9 would work out best for us but I'll double check with my wife and let you know.

I think a Friday night (or Saturday) would definitely be best. Why don't we say the 9th, unless someone vehemently objects.

Emilio, are you ok with driving all the way up to North Palm? I could suggest a couple of hotels, if necessary (I'd offer to put you up at our place, but we are still renovating - in fact, we've had to move out...)

Whatever date from the 7th to the 11th that you agree on is fine with us. Also, whatever restaurant you decide on is fine with us.

Just one more sip.

Any chance of moving it south a bit and meeting in the middle? Say some place in Broward? It's too far off for me to know my schedule, but if I'm free I'd welcome the chance to meet some of you.

I don't have a problem with moving the venue south to accomodate the Miamians; as long as we are on a Friday or Saturday night. But, I am unfamiliar with BYOB places south of Boca, so I would need one of guys to take the lead if we are moving this south of Palm Beach County.

I live in Fort Lauderdale and would be most interested in participating. Cafe Max, Grill Room at the Riverside Hotel, the new Johnny V's on Las Olas are a suggestion if you're looking for a location between Palm Beach and Miami. I haven't attended an off-line so it would be a great experience for me. Gary

Gary,

Any of those sound interesting. Do you know what their corkage fees are?

I'll check on the corkage fees. Johnny V's is a new restaurant across from the Riverside Hotel. The chef, Johnny V is creating alot of excitement. He was previously the chef at Sundy House in Delray. Andrew of Winewatch tells me the sommelier there is excellant. Disclamer- two good friends of mine own it (might be able to get them to wave the corkage fees!!).I'll check of all three and see what the deal is. Gary

April 9 is perfect for us. Rothko, thanks for considering our drive and we don't mind doing it for a nice dinner, good wine, and good company.

Gary, keep us updated and I can check out places in Broward as well if you and mjbleck are committed to coming. Jimmy V's sounds great and if the corkage fee is waived, even better!

I do whatever I'm told. Sounds great to me. I'll need directions but there's a lot of time for that.

Just one more sip.

If you end up at Riverhouse, please let us know how it is.

I noticed that Andrew from Wine Watch has started adding events there in addition to at Cafe Max.

Everyone, I spoke to my friend, Bob Woltin the owner of Johnny V (on Los Olas Blvd in Fort Lauderdale) today and he said the corkage fee is $25, but he would wave this for our off-line. He is a wine collector himself and I invited him to join us if he can. I will need to confirm the date (Friday, April 9th ??), the time , the number that will attend and our requirements (glasses, decanters, menu, etc.) As I am new to off-line events I will need some guidance. Let me know so specifics.

Gary

Jc, if you're talking about the Riverhouse in Palm Beach Gardens, we've been there with the Rothkos. Corkage was supposed to be $15 but they didn't charge us at all. The food was all very good, though I wouldn't call any of it excellent. service and ambience were fine. I'd go back.

Just one more sip.

Gary44-

I've heard the buffet at Scarlett's is good.

Gary,

That's great news. As far as myself and my wife are concerned anytime 7:00 PM or later would be fine for us but we can work around your time and of course Rothko and Board-O's time requirement. Hopefully mjbleck can join us as well. As far as Bob joining us, that would be absolutely fine as far as I'm concerned and tell him we appreciate him waiving corkage fees and we won't let him down with the wine we bring.

Once we get everyone together that can attend we'll arrange the rest of the details, for now put me down for 2 to attend.

The later the better for us because we play golf most afternoons, but we will make it at whatever time you select.

Just one more sip.

We're having dinner at Johnny V next week (Tuesday).

Looking forward to it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://seattle.vinocellar.com

Gary,

Sounds great! If you don't mind taking charge of this, Johnny V's would be a wonderful.

As far as planning this, all you really need is the date, time, and numbers of participants. All the off-lines I've been to are just "order off the menu" dinners, but if the chef would want to take a crack at coming up with a special tastings menu, that would be cool. If it is an off-the-menu dinner, we can either split the bill equally (easier for the restaurant) or if they can bill every couple separately that works also. If there is a special prix-fix tasting menu, then if we get the price beforehand we could each pay at the beginning of the dinner.

Let's plan on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 7:30 pm.

As of now, I see several definites: Rothko (2); Board-O (2); Gary (1 or 2?); Emilio (2); Bob Woltin (1 or 2). A few possibles are Mjbleck and Marlen.

If the restaurant could plan on having a couple of decanters around, and a few different types of wine glasses: white, red, dessert, etc... that would be nice.

Usually everyone starts planning on what to bring right before the event; we try to coordinate it so that we don't wind up with 10 bottles of the same type of wine. I've got a 1983 Lafite that I think I would bring for this dinner.

Any other comments or thoughts are appreciated. Board-O's been to a lot of these off-lines, so he might have some other suggestions.

Thanks Board-O. I was actually talking about the Riverside Hotel in Lauderdale. I was at work, read too hastily, and misread the post regarding Jimmy Vs.

Hope you all have an excellent evening.