Looks like it's time to start planning another event. At some point, I would like to do a bbq outdoors, maybe up at Tildon Park in the late afternoon, but I think we have to wait for better weather and sunshine. So, in the meantime, let's get together and drink some wine!

I know that someone suggested Syrah last time and I have to admit that I have little to none in my cellar, but I'm game. With "this economy" do we want to go upscale or downscale? I know the folks at Vo's would love to have us back, and you can't beat the price, food and corkage, but it's hard to pair Vietnamese food with wine.

Maybe we should find some kind of hamburger joint and open a great bottle of cab? I think some folks on ebob do that in Las Vegas.

Suggestions? For restaurant or varietal?

You're right, an outdoors bbq will be good when the weather is better, and I think tilden would be great.

As for venues or themes, I'm open for anything. I thought Vo's was fun, but you're right, it's difficult to plan an offline with mostly spicy food (unless you're drinking champagne of course )

As for burger joints, the idea sounds like fun, however the I'm not so sure about a venue. If anyone has a place to suggest, the lizardkings are easy to please, so we'll be fine with whatever the group decides.

I actually like the idea of finding a good burger joint and opening some Nice Cab / blends.

I liked the food (and the price!) at Ba Vos but aggree their food might not pair well with most possible themes.

I don't know the restaurants in the East Bay area too well. I must say, assuming I'm able to attend, I think I would prefer to spend my money opening very nice wines as opposed to at a more "upscale"-type establishment.

I must admit, I'm not the biggest New World Syrah fan, but I also don't know if I can even make this one and there seemed to be multiple people at the last event who liked New World Syrahs, so perhaps I'll learn to like it!

I will throw out a theme idea: Non-Tuscany Italy. (Or all Italy or Tuscany, or something else Italy).

Another idea would be Grenache from around the world.

But I say... Lead on, I'll (hopefully, if I can) follow!

I think I was the one who threw out the New World Syrah idea and I didn't do it because I liked them, I did it more because I don't like them that much and was looking for an education.

I am more than okay with dropping the syrah idea and a burger joint sounds great. That being said, I've got a busy couple of months and don't know availability.

I've only been once, but Bare Naked Burgers in Temescal (51st and Telegraph) might work. Small and intimate.

I would recommend Barney's (2 locations in Oakland or 2 locations in Berkeley) but they can get pretty crowded and may not want to have a group taking up space. Seems to cater more to families and kids too.

Pyramid Brewery has good eats (Walnut Creek and Berkeley) but I don't know how enthusiastic they would be for us to bring wine.

I'll try and see if I can find some others that may be interesting and / or accommodating.

Since we are tossing out ideas:

www.eandjbbq.com

Everett and Jones Bar B Q. $7.50 corkage and in Jack London Square. Did not see any burgers on the menu.

tanglenet, tried to send you an email but could not for some reason.

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

I thought about E&J, but wondered about the bbq sauce + wine. I don't think I've ever tried. I like the food, price and location. And it think they have the room.

I've never been to neither E&J nor Bear Naked but they both sound good to me. I would worry about the BBQ sauce at E&J, it sounds like a staple in their Q, though we can always order it without.

Again, assuming I can make it, I'm down for whatever. But I would echo others' concerns that the BBQ sauce might pose an issue.

quote:

Originally posted by Juicy:

tanglenet, tried to send you an email but could not for some reason.

try

t a n g l e a t t a n g l e n e t d o t c o m

I know it's not East Bay, but Taylor's refresher at the Ferry Bldg offers great burgers and a $5 corkage.

The idea of an outdoor BBQ sounds great, but I think it is going to be very tough to find a location that allows alcohol. I am pretty sure all the East Bay parks prohibit it...

As for the idea of a burger joint and some great Cabs - I love the idea!! Maybe not the best burgers in the world, but does Red Robin serve/allow alcohol? (I haven't been to a RR in probably 20+ years). Then there's always Chili's - I've BYO'd there before, food is good for what it is.

quote:

Originally posted by tanglenet:
I've only been once, but Bare Naked Burgers in Temescal (51st and Telegraph) might work. Small and intimate.

I would recommend Barney's (2 locations in Oakland or 2 locations in Berkeley) but they can get pretty crowded and may not want to have a group taking up space. Seems to cater more to families and kids too.

Pyramid Brewery has good eats (Walnut Creek and Berkeley) but I don't know how enthusiastic they would be for us to bring wine.

I'll try and see if I can find some others that may be interesting and / or accommodating.

I saw online that Pyramid Alehouse in Walnut Creek has a $12 a bottle corkage listed. We ate there recently and it was good.

Eric:

I just looked at locations for Red Robin:

Concord, Pleasanton or Fremont

There's a Chili's in downtown Walnut Creek. Otherwise, similar locations as Red Robin.

HappyCSW:

Glad to hear from you! Hope you two can make it!

Taylor's would be great, but it's pretty crowded. I really like the food and the idea of a block from BART though.

Thanks for checking the list at Pyramid!

For some reason I like the idea of Walnut Creek. Especially if we can find something within walking distance of BART.

Pyramid or Chilis in Walnut Creek. Can anyone think of another place around there? I know that the Lark Creek has good burgers, but they probably wouldn't be interested in us, unless we did it in the afternoon.

Between Pyramid and Chilis I would opt for the former. Lark Creek is a nice choice, though I suspect corkage would be a bit higher there. What makes you think Lark wouldn't be interested in us? I would guess that they'd welcome any and all business in these times.

Walnut Creek works great for me.

These days, you may be right. I just assume that if I call up and say, "I'd like to reserve a party for 12 and we're just going to order hamburgers" they wouldn't be too happy about it. Usually the bill seems to be around $30 to $50 a head per person for dinner. If we just order hamburgers it would probably be around $15 per person not including corkage.

Well, I don't think we need to tell them what we intend to order in advance

LOL!

I am working in the City now, so BART works. Mr Happy can swing through on his way home, so yes, we are in and looking forward to seeing everyone. MR H also mentioned a place he has heard some buzz about- The Counter. The corkage there is $10.
The Counter

I've been to the Counter in Santana Row and I think it would be good idea food-wine-wise because you pretty much build your burger any way you want with an infinite amount of ingredients. I don't really remember the setup so I can't say whether they'll be able to cater to a large group, but I'm sure we can easily find that out.

Happy CSW looks great. Let's check it out!

By the way should we shoot for a weeknight or weekend? I was thinking the last week in March. Any preferences?

As far as I know, we're open in late March. Sounds good over here.

quote:

Originally posted by tanglenet:
By the way should we shoot for a weeknight or weekend? I was thinking the last week in March. Any preferences?

Just caught the discussion. With respect to preferences on dates, I (somewhat selfishly) prefer during the week, as the Mrs. is still up north, so we travel most weekends. Would love to see all.
Also, I am more than happy to do the Syrah tasting....

I hate to be so flighty on this one. I or we are fine with whatever for both food and wine theme, BUT, here is my situation.

I'm out on the 20th.

On the 21st my best friend and potentially his girlfriend are coming into town for a week. I haven't seen him in a year and I do not know how much time he will have available (he's coming for work). Obviously, if he can only spare a night or two, I'll be out if tha night happens to coincide with this offline. I'll be in for 1 if this OL takes place on a night he has to work. If he has lots of time to spare, I'll be in for 2 or 3, depending upon if he is bringing his gf.

So, essentially, I'm in for anywhere from 0-3 people -- let me know when I need to give you a deffinite head count by.

So sorry to be so non-committal...