BWE DC '09 Dinner at Charlie Palmer Steak

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 6:47 pm

BWE DC '09 Dinner at Charlie Palmer Steak
Saturday, April 4, 2009

It's time to start planning for the BWE '09 Saturday dinner main event. We will be returning to Charlie Palmer Steak. We had a great time there in 2007. We again have the Alcove - a private space that was ideal for a group of our size. I have great expectations for another wonderful event this spring.

We should be able to pull this off for $200/person, to include food (with a cheese course), corkage, glassware rental, tip, tax, the whole thing.

The details so far:

Please note the earlier start time - 5:15 PM
We've moved the start time earlier to accommodate some of our, umm..., gentler attendees.
Timeline
Saturday afternoon Bottle drop off at Charlie Palmer
3:30-5:00 PM Crack BWE team opens bottles, decants, etc.
5:15-6:15 PM Welcome hour with hors d'oeuvres, Champagne
6:15-7:00 PM Blind speed tasting
7:00 PM Seated dinner

Menu
Passed hors d'oeuvres with Champagne:
1. Truffled Quiche, Chanterelle Mushroom
2. Blue Cheese Gougère
3. Crisp Pancetta and Parmesan Risotto Cake
4. Crisp Crab Cake, Caper Rèmoulade

Dinner - Appetizers (choose one)
1. Yellow Fin Tuna “Niçoise”: Fennel-Coriander Crusted & Tartare, Heirloom Tomato, Tapenade Mayo, White Anchovy
2. Baby Spinach Salad: Warm Four Minute Egg, Grilled Portobello Mushrooms, Smoked Bacon Vinaigrette

Dinner - Entrees (choose one)
1. Dry Aged Rib-Eye: Confit Red Torpedo Onions
2. Roasted Atlantic Salmon: Sweet Corn Puree, Summer Truffle
3. Rosemary Basted Veal Porterhouse: Creamy Peppercorn Natural

Dinner - Cheese Course

Dinner - Desserts (choose one)
1. Hazelnut Pyramid: Praline Anglaise, Warm Chocolate Ganache, Crisp Phyllo Tuiles
2. Crème Brulée:Classic Vanilla

Reservations and Payments
Capacity for this event is 40 people maximum. I'll start a list of who's coming right here - add your name in this thread and I'll update it as we go. Tom in DC has graciously volunteered to be our treasurer again this year. Payment ($200) is necessary to guarantee a reservation. Cancellations can only be refunded if received more than 10 days prior to the dinner, and if we find a replacement.

Updated Saturday Night Guest List
2 - DavidG and Peggy Glasser (paid)
1 - Jim How (paid)
2 -Tom in DC and Gail Wheltle (paid)
2 - Michael Palmieri and guest (paid)
2 - Jay and Peggy Winton (paid)
2 - Stuart and Kathy Roberts (paid)
2 - Stefan and Lucie (paid)
2 - Rick and Kathy (paid)
2 - Marjorie Hoffman and Chris Bublitz (paid)
2 - Howard and Lisa (paid)
2 - Werner and Chris (paid)
2 - Jon and Paula Northway (paid)
1 - Patrick (paid)
1 - Nic Maltais (paid)

Blind Wine Tasting Theme
It looks like we have settled on the following theme:

Bordeaux from the Golden Decade of the 1980s, or... Bordeaux from Before Nic Could Legally Drive
See this thread for the lineup.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:33 am

Is there a minimum attendance required by Charlie Palmer David?
Right now I count 19 tentatively attending....

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:25 am

We're getting there, I'd like to see the Daytons, and werner/Chris, Mr. & Mrs Bordeaux Bill, etc.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:44 pm

What theme should we have for the Friday night dinner being organized by Mr. Vino?

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:54 pm

Somewhere we need to have a bunch of '05 Burgs - especially since you named them collectively BWE WOTY.

Not sure we want to "pollute" our Saturday dinner with Burgs

- but maybe that would be a good theme for Friday. I don't own any, but apparently there are a bunch of reasonably priced '05 Burgs that are drinking pretty well right now. I'd probably be able to find something to bring, and would certainly benefit from an education. Red Burgs rarely pass my lips.

Let's see what Mr. Vino thinks.

Think there is interest in '98 right bank for the Saturday night blind tasting?

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:58 pm

I have lots of '05 Burgs i can bring, David. We can drink them as part of a Friday dinner or just have them generally available in the rooms.

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:13 pm

Well, I was thinking Rhones but if this is the preference, who am I to stand in the way. I do have the venue selected and will be posting on the dinner soon!

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:22 pm

Jay
We could do Rhone Thursday night if you like

rick

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:24 pm

I don't want to force my Burg obsession on anyone.
I'm all for a Burg dinner but we do a lot of drinking in the rooms and suites as well, we can drink plenty of '05 Burgs before/after the dinners as well back in the hotel rooms.

tim · Post by **tim** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:53 pm

Is there a recommended hotel?

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:55 pm

Tim:

HM$ posted on the old site (it feels so good to say "the old site") about getting a Priceline deal at the Westin Grand for $120/night. He was going to post details here once we got the new site up and running, and we're planning to all make the Priceline plunge on Thursday.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:55 pm

Tim, HM$ posted a message on the other board the other day, we're planning on meeting here on this site at 8 pm Thursday to see if we can get a $120 per night deal at the Westin Grand through priceline. That's where we stayed last time in DC.

aimeedogdogdog · Post by **aimeedogdogdog** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:45 am

Jim,

We are coming. Tessa would meet you and others from the BWE family.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 11:37 am

Excellent, Werner! Can't wait to meet Tessa!

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:05 pm

Great news, Werner, looking forward to seeing you and Chris again, and meeting Tessa!

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:04 pm

Put me down for 1. I don't know yet if MC and simone will attend.

Nic

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:09 pm

Welcome aboard, Nic!
How is the family doing!
How's the temperature up your way?

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 6:21 am

Tom pointed out to me that there is no need to keep reposting the guest list - I can just edit the initial post. D'OH! Another advantage of the new BB software. So I've deleted all the out-of-date lists and updated the original post.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:47 pm

We're not in Kansas anymore, are we.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:58 pm

So, what are we going to do for a blind tasting?
(Don't worry, I'm not pressing for 2005 village Burgundy. Still, I think some sort of blind tasting event during the hour just prior to dinner-- the way David has it listed above-- is a BWE tradition that we should perpetuate.)

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:01 pm

How about "Bordeaux that is older than Nic"?

stefan

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:04 pm

Ah, so you mean "1980s Bordeaux."
Excellent idea, Stefan!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:27 am

I think it's settled then. The theme for BWE DC '09 is:

"Bordeaux from the Golden Decade of the 1980s, or Bordeaux that is Older than Nic."

JCNorthway · Post by **JCNorthway** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:42 am

David and all,

I am happy to report that Paula and I will be able to attend the dinner this year. It took us a while to work out schedules, but it's now looking good! I just followed Howard's instructions on Priceline, and we are confirmed at the Westin for $120. So now I just need to arrange to get the check to our Treasurer.

We are excited about attending this event, and are looking forward to seeing everyone again this year.

Jon

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:49 am

That's great Jon!

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:41 am

Nicklasss wrote:Put me down for 1. I don't know yet if MC and simone will attend.

Nic

Nic, It'll be great to see you, and we'll only charge half if Simone wants a place at the table!

Your pecunious (after receiving the checks, before paying the bill) treasurer,
Tom

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:46 am

Good question, we know Tessa is coming, will Simone and MC be making the trip as well?

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 7:48 pm

Bump!

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:00 pm

Hi Tom,

same adress as in 2007 for the payment? I think I still have it in my E-mail.

Thanks and see you soon.

Nic

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 7:25 am

Looks like I will have a guest joining me, so I'll send a second check. Michael-P

Daytonnc · Post by **Daytonnc** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:21 pm

We were really hoping to be able to come, but are really up to our eyeballs in family issues so we probably won't be able to make it. If we can get things on track and there is still availability for the dinner, we will come. We really hate missing this as we both love DC and love our BWE friends!

If we can't make it I've already told Rob that we are going to Maine in August or September for BWE Maine no matter what.

Susan Dayton

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:53 pm

Sorry to hear you can't make it, Susan, we're close to 30 attendees and the room holds 40 so I'm sure we'll be able to find room for you if you change your minds at the last minute. If not, we'll see you in the Great State of Maine this summer! I've been getting a lot of expressions of interest in a Maine event, I think that has the potential to be a great time.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:59 pm

Susan, we'll definitely miss you and Rob. Let us know if your plans change and you can make it.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 1:41 am

We've had a few requests to move the dinner start time earlier - to 7 PM. So...

Assuming Charlie Palmer can accommodate the changes, we'll move the welcome hour Champagne reception up to 5:15 - 6:15 PM, then go on to the blind tasting from 6:15 - 7:00 PM. We'll do 3 quick 15-minute flights of 1 wines each for the blind tasting, followed by dinner. More details on the blind tasting are here.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:20 am

Recent conversations with the Charlie Palmer staff indicate that things are shaping up nicely. We should have a good supply of decent-sized Bordeaux stems - enough for 3 for each person. The sommelier actuallly sounded excited about having us back - she remembered our last time there in '07.

Remember we've moved the start time up to 5:15 PM for Champagnes and the welcome hour, with the blind tasting starting at about 6:15 PM and dinner at 7:00 PM.

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:59 pm

I was really impressed with the Charlie Palmer staff, at least the group that waited on us last time. I remember that, like at NYC '03, the staff came up to us afterwards and were interested in discussing the wines, etc.

Thanks for all the hard work again, DavidG.

aimeedogdogdog · Post by **aimeedogdogdog** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:12 pm

Thanks, David!

Werner

gmarie · Post by **gmarie** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:38 pm

Hi Nic and Patrick,
Your checks for the BWE dinner came today.
See you in a few weeks.

Gail (posting for tom, who is away on a fun golf trip in Florida!)

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:54 pm

This convention is shaping up nicely, still time for last minute reservations!
I think some of those NYC/New Jerseyites like Roberto, Jal, etc., etc., should get on a train and come on down for Saturday night, a quick 24-hour surgical strike into the Capitol!
Rob and Sue... It's not too late....

Winona Chief · Post by **Winona Chief** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:44 pm

JimHow wrote:This convention is shaping up nicely, still time for last minute reservations!
I think some of those NYC/New Jerseyites like Roberto, Jal, etc., etc., should get on a train and come on down for Saturday night, a quick 24-hour surgical strike into the Capitol!
Rob and Sue... It's not too late....

Yes, and how about Rieslingfan and FrankD and Michael Malinoski!!

Chris Bublitz