***BWE 12 in DC: Saturday dinner 3/31

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 3:46 am

I've been in touch with Charlie Palmer Steak, our hosts for 2 prior DC BWE conventions. The events coordinator and sommelier remembered us and were enthusiastic about our return. The "Alcove" - the very comfortable private room that we've used before, is available for the Saturday night dinner March 31.

With a minimum of 30 people and a maximum of 40, we can have the room for the evening and the following program for $170/person, including tax, tip and corkage:

6:30: Cocktail hour, passed hors d'ouvres
NV Montaudon Brut Champagne
Other Champagne contributions welcome!

7:30: Blind tasting
1995 vs 1996
Cos D'Estournal
Ducru Beaucailou
Grand Puy Lacoste

8:30: Dinner
Appetizer:
Baby Spinach Salad - Warm Four Minute Egg, Grilled Portobello Mushrooms, Smoked Bacon Vinaigrette
Entree (choice of):
Grilled Beef Tenderloin - Sweet Caramelized Shallot, Red Wine Natural, OR
Roasted Atlantic Salmon - Sweet Corn Puree, Black Truffle
Dessert:
Seasonal fruit cobbler

I tried to keep the price down, but if there's a general consensus for adding a cheese course I'm sure they will accommodate us, for more $.

I'd like to see a list of who's interested in attending. If there is enough interest I'll ask for money up front to make a deposit and lock in the room. Depending on how many attend, payments may or may not be refundable, as we need to commit to 30 people to get this price. If HM$ works his usual magic, we are likely to get a very good rate on a nearby hotel on Priceline. Cabs and Metro are easy in DC, so no one should have worries about getting to and from the hotel.

I'll start the list and update it here:

Paid Reservations
DavidG, Bob and Barb Hudson, Amanda and Dani - 5
Jim How and ? - 2
Stefan and Lucie- 2
HM$ and Lisa - 2
Tim McC and ? - 2
Tom and Gail Wheltle, Steve and Debbie Maier, Henry and Diane Maier - 6
Jon and Paula Northway - 2
Jay and Peggy Winton, Jack Sniado, Julie Holt, Janice Roebuck - 5
MichaelP, Nalan, Bastien Simeon - 3
Rob and Susan Dayton - 2
Stuart & Kathy Roberts - 2
Chris & Marjorie Bublitz- 2
Nic - 1
Omar - 1

Total - 37

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 4:08 am

Well done, David.
I enthusiastically endorse going back to Charlie Palmer.
They've done a great job for us twice.
DC is a great town for BWE events.
To those who've never been to one before, I HIGHLY recommend it.
Plus, this year will be the Jean-Nicolas Maltais Honorary Dinner!
Put me down for 2.

DavidG - 2
JimHow - 2

Total - 4

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 5:27 pm

Thanks, David; we are looking forward to another great convention in DC.
So please add stefan & Lucie.

hm$ · Post by **hm$** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 7:18 pm

us too..

hm$

tim · Post by **tim** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 8:37 pm

Put me down for one.

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 10:11 pm

Two more. If we need a treasurer, I'll take on the post again.

JCNorthway · Post by **JCNorthway** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 3:57 pm

Paula and I missed last year's event in SF, but we are hoping to make it to BWE 12 in DC.

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 4:09 pm

we're in-2

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 8:48 am

Please add me for 2. Looking forward to another great weekend!

Michael-P

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 8:49 am

I will be in my cellar during Christmas week, so if anyone can tell me about the themes, I can pull something appropriate.

Then I'll start packing the camels for the desert trek to DC!

Michael-P

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 3:49 am

Sounds good Tom, you are hereby the Treasurer of the DC '12 convention.

I think MichaelP x 2 needs to be added to your list, David.

Especially since we have BWEers traveling from afar, I think we should set a fairly early deadline to collect non-refundable deposits to see if we get to a minimum of 35. (I say 35 rather than 30 because someone always drops out at the end.) This will give BWEers from afar a fair amount of time to make travel plans.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:26 am

Got it, Jim. MichaelP and I may be doing a BWE tune-up in Dubai in February.

Tom thanks for stepping up to assume Treasurer duties once again.

Any thoughts for a specific reservation deadline?

Or thoughts for a wine theme? How about "Off year in Bordeaux? Who says!?! Why I love... '91 - '92 - '94 - '01 - '02 - '04." Of course I'd plug the nineties over the naughties just cuz they've got more age on em, but there's a longstanding tradition of drinking (too) young Bordeaux at BWE gatherings.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:57 am

That sounds like a Friday night theme to me, David.
I'll go with whatever you guys want, it being the Jean-Nicolas Maltais Honorary Convention, I'm thinking we needed to have at least some favorites of Nicklasss there.
We need to hunt down a 1993 Batailley!

RDD · Post by **RDD** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 6:29 pm

Susan and I plan on attending.
Rob

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 6:38 pm

Great!
I think that brings us up to 19....
16 to go!

tim · Post by **tim** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 7:55 pm

How about a 95 vs 96 faceoff of a couple of labels?

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:16 pm

Not a bad idea Timmy.

I still think we need to track down a 1993 Batailley and hoist a toast to the man from the province of Quebec.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:14 am

Is Nic going to be able to attend his own honorary event?

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:19 am

tim wrote:How about a 95 vs 96 faceoff of a couple of labels?

I like this idea. I have a few but not same wines in both vintages, though I'm sure this group can come up with the necessary stuff. Did we do that theme the last time we had it in DC? Gotta go look up my old notes.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:41 am

I too like the idea David, the wines will have some age on them, plus we should be able to round up a good representation of those two vintages.

As for Nicolas... As his benevolent dictator, I am hereby ordering his attendance.

If we can only round up a '93 Batailley, i'm sure we could seal the deal....

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 5:30 pm

Well, I still need a bit of time to confirm. My problem is that i will be in Florida (Orlando) for work, between the March 11-15 (and will try to go South Florida the weekend before or after to see Stuart, if that works), and with the kids, I feel bad to go away 2 weeks later.

I know, you'll say ''bring them on'', but I will not relax if 3.5 years old Simone and 2 years old Julien are there with me. Other thing, Marie-Claude won't be able to have holidays during that time...

So as soon as I'll confirm, I'll accept to identify a few wines I like!

But don't put too much effort to find some 1993 Chateau Batailley. Even if they give you money to take it, you better not. And I would feel weird to have a toast to me, with such a wine...

nic

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 6:41 pm

I changed my mind : I'll accept the 1993 Chateau Batailley toast, only if everyone in the room have their pants down...

Nic

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 7:19 pm

...and a whoopie pie in their free hand.

hm$ · Post by **hm$** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 12:32 pm

The minute the pants come down, I am stepping out for a haircut.

hm$

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 6:57 pm

Howard, you would make a great straight man in a comedic duo. I am using all of my self-restraint here...

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 2:54 pm

I have no 91-92-93 Bordeaux (such a shame, eh?), but I do have a few 97s.

CabFan (Peter) had opened some 97 Tertre Roteboeuf at a BWE SF dinner some 6-9 years ago, and it was quite delicious. He gave us each a half bottle as a dinner parting gift, and then I bought a few more.

Michael-P

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:39 am

David - make us "Tom in DC - 4."

Also, I'd vote for any theme that doesn't revolve around "isn't this wine at least a bit better than you might have expected?"

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 12:45 pm

Amen, Tom!

We still need another dozen or so. People need to make travel plans from afar, so the deadline to get deposits in will probably be a bit earlier this year.

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 4:28 pm

We had dinner at Dino (site of the Friday night get together at the last DC convention) last night and sipped an elegant Brunello. Dean Gold, owner, stopped by and said he would love to have us back again.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 4:56 pm

Sounds like a good idea to me for the Friday night dinner Jay.

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:33 am

Haven't been here for a while, but thrilled to see this as the first thread on my return. I'd love to come, with 2. Happy to pitch in on a variety of themes.

Are we still thinking about location? I love Dino's wine list, but could think of some better places to go on the pure food end. Charlie Palmer's did not really impress me last wine dinner I had there.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:43 pm

Looking forward to seeing you there marcs. We have had good luck with Charlie Palmer the two previous times we had our annual convention there, in 2007 and 2009.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 1:29 am

Welcome Marcs. Glad to add you to the list! We haven't committed financially to Charlie Palmer yet. It is pretty straightforward food-wise, which has advantages and disadvantages for a large-ish group, but the space is very nice. Happy to consider another option. What do you have in mind? Could you find out availability, room space and layout, willingness to work with us, and menu/corkage/service cost?

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 5:46 am

Hi David. I certainly have no objection to Charlie Palmer, was just wondering about other possibilities. Some other places I had been thinking about were Ripple, Palena, and Tosca. I can check those places out over the next couple of days if you like, will post if they seem positive. Not even sure if they could handle a crowd this size though. Don't wait on me if there is a need to commit soon though.

tim · Post by **tim** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 4:42 pm

A friend of mine might drive up from NC to attend, so please add +1 for me.

hm$ · Post by **hm$** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 1:12 pm

I don't live in DC, but my family does. We ate at Tosca 2 weeks ago, and it was really excellent.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 3:17 pm

Gotcha, Tim.

Marc and Howard: I've talked to Palena in the past for BWE conventions and they weren't interested in a group our size with the amount of wine we bring. Great restaurant, though. I've had some killer wine dinners there with smaller groups.

It's hard to find the perfect combination of wine-friendly service and a space that is comfortable for a group our size, great food and price. I'm sure there are a lot of new places since I last looked for our '07 convention, but I don't get down to DC as often as I have in the past. I've never been to Tosca but have heard good things. If someone wants to get details I'm happy to consider it. I would strongly recommend a site visit to look at the room they propose. A private space is pretty much a necessity, and room to navigate between tables is a big plus.

hm$ · Post by **hm$** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:08 pm

I will call Tosca, but I did not see a room that would accommodate a group our size.

hm$

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 5:02 pm

Charley Palmer's has done a great job twice. I don't see any reason to look elsewhere.

There is the further point that asking the locals to check out thoroughly alternate venues creates a lot of extra work for people who have been called on time and time again to toil for the good of BWE.

Tosca is a good possibility for a Friday dinner.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 5:42 pm

I agree, Stefan. Why reinvent the wheel? We've had two wonderful convention dinners at CP, in 2007 and 2009. They know exactly what we want, and they've hosted us with enthusiasm and without any glitches whatsoever. My recollection of those dinners is that the food has been excellent. We have a relationship with them. Why change a successful formula? As we've said many times, the most important thing anyway is the people of BWE. I'd be happy having the convention in Nick's room. The most important thing is to see good friends and drink good wines for a three day weekend each spring.