Having dinner there tomorrow night...

first leave AMEX as home. They do't take it.

Second - Do not eat lunch

Bring reading glasses for wine list. It is long, and packed with goodies. Prices are fair. Vert international list. Proper stems. You may be able to sneak a peek of cellar

Prime rib is the best

Dessert, go upstairs to bar and get a booth. Again there is a huge port list & dessert list.

Will be a great visit!!

I'm not so sure about the dessert part. With an appetizer and a steak, you might not have room for dessert. We didn't. A great appetizer is the caviar sampler. Ask for a tour of the wine cellar.

Rothko,

As you may already know, Bern's has a huge wine list, and you should narrow your list of wines before you go. Don't necessarily take the Sommelier's recommendation, unless you are prepared to send the bottle back! The last bottle I ordered from Bern's had long ago faded! I believe it was a 1983 Canon la Gaffeliere. Anyway, the wine was terrible, and I should've known not to take a chance on a Right Bank Bordeaux from 1983.

Still, Bern's is a special experience, and I've enjoyed going there since the 70's, and I've had many wonderful experiences. I hope you have a great evening.

Take the tour of the kitchen and wine cellar (just the on-site stuff, of course) if it's still offered.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
I'm not so sure about the dessert part. With an appetizer and a steak, you might not have room for dessert. We didn't. A great appetizer is the caviar sampler. Ask for a tour of the wine cellar.

I've done the "upstairs dessert thing" when the family was along, otherwise, it's not worth the effort to go upstairs to have dessert, and it's not like you can't order dessert at your table!

Rothko,

Sorry I didn't see your post before now, but I was traveling to Chicago yesterday.

Drop me an email at krehberg at hotmail dot com and I have give you some hints on where to zero in on the wine list.

Well, I just got back. Sorry, Pinotlvr, I didn't see your post until just now.

The dinner was certainly an experience.

The reception room reminded me of the Haunted Mansion at Disney World. I was expecting the eyes of the portraits to follow me around. We were seated in a room directly behind the reception room that had a large photograph of the Rhone river across one side of the room.

We started with a truffle macaroni and cheese dish to split. Then I had a 12 ounce NY strip, along with the onion soup and caesar salad. We got a tour of the kitchen and wine cellar; and then went upstairs for dessert, which was bananas foster.

We asked the sommelier, Trey, for a California cabernet that had some age on it and would be about $100 a bottle. He brought out a 1991 Sterling Reserve, for which they charged $85. The wine was very nice.

We followed that bottle with his recommendation of a Spanish tempranillo, Lida, which frankly was not as good.

I had a glass of Royal Tokaji 5 puttonyos with dessert, which was quite pleasant.

While perhaps not the finest steak I've had, I must say that the entire dining experience (which took about 4 and a half hours) was special.

The wine cellar tour was a bit rushed. I got the impression that the wine steward who gave us the tour had probably done about 20 of them that night. I asked enough intelligent and interesting questions to show him that I had a greater level of wine knowledge than the typical patron, but he didn't seem interested in really conversing about wine with me. Too bad.

Boy, did I miss this thread altogether.

I was at Bern's twice last year, and my experience was stellar each time.

I/we called ahead (2 months+) both times and advised what we were interested in drinking, and were told we would be offered numerous options, which we were. Our first dinner was Bordeaux from the 20's, Burgundy from the 60's, Rhone from the 80's, and Champagne from '64 & '82. Our second visit was German Riesling from '71 or older, Bordeaux from the 40's, and Port over 100 years old. Each visit, were were given a hand written list of a dozen or more wines to pick from in each category to select from. We were also advise that if any of the selected wines did not show well, they would be taken back without question.

We also had two wonderful employees assigned to our table full time, and I/we would not hesitate to return. This was one of the topics at our off-line last Tuesday night. Looks like a trip will be in order again, and soon.

Rothko, I would love for you to join us next time!

w+a

W+a,
Please let me know when you decide to visit again, though I'd like to pick gems from other parts of the list other than bordeaux.

Rothko,

If you aren't heading down to JC/MLV's next weekend, shoot me an email and I can let you know some secrets for your next visit. Trey is good but the list is so large unless you zero in...its hard. Like w+a who gave specific years, etc....if you do that, he can really do amazing things.

However, I don't buy bdx at Bern's unless its on the BTG since there are screaming values elsewhere.

quote:

Originally posted by Pinotlvr:

W+a,
Please let me know when you decide to visit again, though I'd like to pick gems from other parts of the list other than bordeaux.

Will do.

As for wine and Bordeaux, we also picked Burgundy, Rhone, Champagne, Port and Germany.

Hey PL- What's been your experience with their Burgundy ?

Time for a dinner soon or perhaps we make a trip to Berns ??

quote:

Originally posted by Pinotlvr:
W+a,
Please let me know when you decide to visit again, though I'd like to pick gems from other parts of the list other than bordeaux.

Rothko,

If you aren't heading down to JC/MLV's next weekend, shoot me an email and I can let you know some secrets for your next visit. Trey is good but the list is so large unless you zero in...its hard. Like w+a who gave specific years, etc....if you do that, he can really do amazing things.

However, I don't buy bdx at Bern's unless its on the BTG since there are screaming values elsewhere.