It has occurred to me more than once that there is very little "offline" activity generated in the DC metro area from this board.

There are a couple posters here who visit here and also at VC, where most DC offlines seem to be arranged. I see other posters from this general area who don't visit at VC.

Just wondering if there are DC area forumites, who like me, just aren't inclined to work two different boards who might be interested in an occasional offline in our area. If so, just indicate if you're interested. I visit VC occasionally, but mostly to meet up with the good people who post there. I've attended 2 offlines with this group, and they are a great bunch of ladies and gents.

It would be great so have both WS and VC offlines in our area. Would lead to some great events and some good "cross pollination" between the boards.

Any one out there looking to drink some wine?

PH

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

Ok, 17 views and not one response. I think I've got the answer to my question! Thought I take this request to the top of the list once and see if anyone responds.

PH

PH,

WIML and I could always fly in for the "RIGHT" tasting

And if they fly in, I could fly in.

quote:

Originally posted by PurpleHaze:
It would be great so have both WS and VC offlines in our area. Would lead to some great events and some good "cross pollination" between the boards.

PH

PH, if you start attending the VC DC Cru monthly offlines then you would have your "cross pollination", wouldn't you?

BTW, TJ still posts over here occasionally. He's obviously not as active as he was before but still technically a member here. That's two!

quote:

PH, if you start attending the VC DC Cru monthly offlines then you would have your "cross pollination", wouldn't you?

Actually, I've been to the last two. Met some great folks and had some wonderful times. I'm just shy of 50 though, and this single handed pollenation of multiple VC forumites is wearing me out!

I know what youse guys are talking about. It is coming. I figure I need a year for the 1999 2000 and 2001's to come out of their shells and then it's party time!!

PH

I've never been to either a WS or VC offline. I only recently discovered VC, which seems to have a pretty vibrant offline group. I'm hoping to attend some in the future. If you organize an offline in the DC area, I'd be happy to help out and attend.

I'd be interested!

Good news!!

GF, Where in northern MD?

Festiva, You're right around the corner from me (I'm in upper MoCo)

Will keep you guys posted. Since our state is backward we can't offline at any restaurant I know of, so we may have to head into DC. Does that work for you? Also, would you be interested in me letting you know when the next VC event comes up?

PH

Harford County, north of Bel Air on the MD / PA line

Funny, I was passing through "blair" just a week ago. We'll get this offline thing going. Do they have corkage in Harford County? Nothing down this way, and it'll be one hell of a hike for you home from DC!!

PH

If anyone is interested, I'll be in D.C. this coming weekend (Aug 26-28) and would love to get together for dinner with some local winos on Saturday night. Any theme works for me. Let me know.

Joshua

Good question PurpleHaze! I haven't considered even asking as most of the restaurants in Harford are more along the lines of "fast food" (although Havre de Grace does have a few nicer places). I do enjoy the Oregon Grill in Hunt Valley; with my favorites being Chez Francois in Great Falls and the Occidental in DC.

I'm interested too. I just don't look at the off-line events tab enough. BTW, my "real" town is Catonsville, just a stone's throw from Ellicott City.

Officially, I think Maryland and its counties are pretty tight when it comes to corkage, but there are a few that'll permit it.

A couple of places in Baltimore and at least two in Howard County. I believe you just have to arrange it upfront. PH, I think there's a good Belgian place in Olney that permits BYO.

Joshua, unfortunately I'll be away this weekend, but hopefully we can drink the next time you're in town.

I posted this elsewhere on another topic last year, so I was just thinking of it now. I don't know how MD works, but I assume BYO is "legal"

In my experience, I have had great success bringing wine to almost anyplace I want, if I handle it right and assuming a few things:

The place does not have an above average or great wine list.

It's not a VERY popular and busy place.

VERY IMPORTANT: I do not speak to flunkys. I only speak to the owner (I'll call on a tuesday afternoon if I have to), or worst case, the manager - if there is no owner to speak to. I never ask the person who answers the phone "Can I bring Wine?" If they had a sign that says "BYO". People would bring in liters of crap.

This was sounds silly, but tell them you are with a Wine Spectator Group. Yeah, we're just forum posters, but it sounds good - and it's worked for me. Some managers will think they are hosting some official tasting or something.
Say your James Suckling as they go crazy (just kidding JS )

Say you are planning to buy from their list, but you have some "special bottles" that our group will be tasting we'd love for "your staff"
to try some.

Say we tip very well as a token for the BYO and we do not expect to be fawned over. If I'm real desperate - I tell them, that I do not need any pouring from the wait staff. Some places think they will be slaving with glasses and pouring. $hit, I'd rather open my own wines anyway.

Lastly - go for during the week if possible.

My attitude is, if it's legal (which it is in most states), you can do it. As long as it's not a super fancy 5 star joint with big wines.

This works best for 4 or 5 people and not 20 person mammoth offlines though.

If all else fails - just go to Purple Haze's house.

Hunter,

You're right. The owner or manager is the one to speak with upfront, especially as you're booking the event. If they want your business, they'll accomodate you. The 'flunky' is only looking at it from the perspective of losing out on a substantial tip based on alcohol purchases.

I've also had lots of success by offering the manager and/or waiter a glass of the good stuff.

Joshua,

Bummer, I'm booked that weekend. Holler next time you're coming to town!

Festiva,

Given the locations of most of the posters responding, Baltimore sounds like it'll be more convenient anyway. I'm halfway between DC and Balto, and I think the rest of you are closer than I am. If there's a location in or around Baltimore with a decent kitchen that permits corkage, let me know and we'll start working on this!

The restaurant in Olney you may be referring to is Mannequin Pis. I gave them a ring and the person answering the phone indicated no go on corkage? It's pretty much verboten around here. I'd love to know more on this one.,,

I have a friend who runs a restaurant in Frederick, MD who I asked about setting up a private dinner around some first growth BDX. I told him I'd supply the wine if he and his partner would arrange a menu around the wines. He was so terrified by the liquor control people and the potential loss of his license that he (very reluctantly) declined. And these were 1982 first growths!!

Hunter,

It's not just a "policy" thing down here. It's legally banned. The liquor control people are off the charts in enforcing this kind of stuff. In my county (Montgomery) it's even worse, as the county has control. No alcoholic beverages of any type can be bought or sold in the county unless they're involved. Period. It's one of the reasons I take a bulk of my wine and restaurant business to DC. I think your advice for pulling off bringing wine to restaurants where it's legal is extremely good, and use many of your tips myself.

As far as my house is concerned, if it proves to be too difficult to find a MD restaurant to offline at, I'll work on Mrs. PH and see if she'll allow some degenerate winos over for steaks and big reds in the backyard!! There's plenty of summer left....

PH

quote:

It's not just a "policy" thing down here. It's legally banned. The liquor control people are off the charts in enforcing this kind of stuff. In my county (Montgomery) it's even worse, as the county has control. No alcoholic beverages of any type can be bought or sold in the county unless they're involved. Period.

Brutal. That's almost reason enough to move.

PH,

It's been awhile (2 yrs ago), but I did have success at Le Mannequin Pis. I guess the long arm of the law has come down on them since then.

I just called the Howard County Liquor Board, and they confirmed that if the restaurant has a liquor license, it is absolutely forbidden to BYO. If the restaurant doesn't have a license, it's up to the owner of the establishment. They also went on to tell me enforcement is pretty aggressive, and a violation can result in stiff fines and/or a rescinding of the license. I'm afraid to mention the restaurants I've been able to BYO, but would be happy to call around to see if it can be done on the sly... We may have better luck in Baltimore...

I could be interested as well. We live in Baltimore.
The liquor laws in this state are ridiculous. The entire alcohol and beverages section of the code (Article 2B) is about 550 pages long. It contains some of the most arcane and bizarre legislation in the state.
In general, it is illegal to bring wine to a restaurant with a liquor license. However, you are permitted to bring wine to a restaurant without a liquor license.
So, the key is to find a good place without a liquor license, which isn't easy. But, that place isn't going to understand the concept of 15 people sitting around a table for 3-4 hours eating dinner and tasting wines, and the glasses will be (politely said) sub par.
One possibility would be to find a restaurant that wants to make some extra dough and will open just for us on a regular closed day, like a Monday.

I just spoke with the Baltimore City Liquor Board. The only way legally around it is to acquire a wine sampling license for $15.00. This permits a non-profit organization to 'host' a wine tasting. Must be held in a Class B (restaurant) or Class BD7 (tavern) establishment. The key is that a valid non-profit organization must be the entity that applies for the license. Stupid, stupid, stupid...

I agree with Irwin. Just find a restaurant that's willing to host it. I'd be happy to call around.

Hey irwin,

Good to hear from you. Sounds like we have the makings of a decent little Baltimore area offline here! It really is ridiculous in our state.

I just got a tip from a VC forumite on a restaurant in the general area we're discussing which has been known to allow discreet BYO. Corkage at or around $20. Good to very good kitchen. I'm not going to post the name so that they'll be able to continue their "civilized" rebellion against the antiquated laws of our state. I'll call them this evening or tomorrow and see what's what.

In the meantime, if anyone else knows a place where we can pull this off, chime in.

PH

PH-- send the name of this discreet place to me discreetly at
baltlaw (the sign for at) yahoo.com
I'll check later today (Sat)

irwin,

Check your inbox, discreetly!

PH