***BWE 2018 Convention DC: Sat 3/24 Charlie Palmer***

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Wed Nov 15, 2017 2:58 am

Is Charlie Palmer confirmed for Saturday night? Lucie and I are committed, but I won't buy air tickets until we are sure the convention is on.

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Wed Nov 15, 2017 3:19 am

I cannot make the Convention in 2018.

JCNorthway · Post by **JCNorthway** » Wed Nov 15, 2017 3:23 am

Jim,

Paula and I are interested, but still trying to figure out if we can make it work. I'll provide an update as soon as we know if we are in or out. But I also appreciate the need to make decisions in the near term.

tim · Post by **tim** » Wed Nov 15, 2017 8:02 pm

Unfortunately I cannot attend this year. Work commitments.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 12:26 am

Ok looks like we have "maybe" 14 attendees.
Would be kind of sad to cancel, this would be the first time in 18 years.
Seems like Mr. Vino has disappeared on us, DavidG is excused due to health problems, and Tom/Gail are no longer in the area.
Too bad, I think these DC events have been pretty special.

Anyway, here is where we are at in our quest for 30 attendees:

JimHow + 1
Stefan + Lucie
Nicola + Frederic
MichaelP + Nalan
SF Ed + Lisa
Chris + Marjorie
Jon + Paula Northway (maybe)

So, we are a bit short.
Mr. Vino, SDR, HMS, Omar, DavidG, Tom, haven't heard from Rob/Sue in a while, others....
Last chance....
If you 12 (including significant others) joined in, we would be close to our goal.

dstgolf · Post by **dstgolf** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 3:05 am

Jim,

I've tried again to revisit time off and none of my partners are able to switch with me because of firm commitments to allow us to attend this year. It would have been great and I always look forward to these BWE events however sad to say that this year it's not going to be possible. Hopefully you will get enough responders to make this annual event another success.

sdr · Post by **sdr** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 4:06 am

SDR here - count me in for two.

I hope we can do it even if we have fewer than 30, maybe smaller venues if necessary.

Also, I know a couple of locals who might be interested but far from certain.

Stu

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 11:28 am

Ok excellent that gets us up to a possible 16...

JimHow + 1
Stefan + Lucie
Nicola + Frederic
MichaelP + Nalan
SF Ed + Lisa
Chris + Marjorie
Jon + Paula Northway (maybe)
Stuart + Kathy

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 12:45 pm

I’m in.

The group may be too small for our usual room at Charlie Palmer. I can call to see what their policy is. Last I checked it was just a minimum food/beverage. If it’s not too much given our size I can make the arrangements there. If Charlie Palmer won’t work I can try to get some other leads. I don’t live that close to DC to know the dining scene but Chris may have some suggestions.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 1:02 pm

Excellent! Sounds like a plan David. I'll bet we can get 24ish at least.
I continue to prefer Charlie Palmer, if it works out great if it doesn't we'll work on something else.

JimHow + 1
Stefan + Lucie
Nicola + Frederic
MichaelP + Nalan
SF Ed + Lisa
Chris + Marjorie
Jon + Paula Northway (maybe)
Stuart + Kathy
DavidG + 1

Total = 18

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 1:11 pm

What dates are we looking at? March 24?

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 1:14 pm

That's correct, David.

Thursday, March 22, 2018
Friday, March 23, 2018
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Sunday, March 25, 2018

Winona Chief · Post by **Winona Chief** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 5:53 pm

I think we can come up with 24. Earlier in this thread, marcs expressed an interest. Plus need to find out if Rob & Susan and Jay and Peggy are able to join in. If necessary, I can contact some local wine people.

Chris Bublitz

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 6:01 pm

That's right, I forgot to put marcs down.

JimHow + 1
Stefan + Lucie
Nicola + Frederic
MichaelP + Nalan
SF Ed + Lisa
Chris + Marjorie
Jon + Paula Northway (maybe)
Stuart + Kathy
DavidG + 1
marcs

Total = 19

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 12:43 am

Don't be too happy yet, but MC and Jean-Frédéric's wife were interested to come. We'll work hard on that.

Nic

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 12:48 am

Get them there!
For now I'll add them to the list.

JimHow + 1
Stefan + Lucie
Nicola + Frederic + 2
MichaelP + Nalan
SF Ed + Lisa
Chris + Marjorie
Jon + Paula Northway (maybe)
Stuart + Kathy
DavidG + 1
marcs

Total = 21

SF Ed · Post by **SF Ed** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 1:52 pm

I am definitely in but Lisa isn't, so I think we are at 20.

Let's get this set!

SF Ed

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 2:12 pm

Ok!

JimHow + 1
Stefan + Lucie
Nicola + Frederic + 2
MichaelP + Nalan
SF Ed
Chris + Marjorie
Jon + Paula Northway (maybe)
Stuart + Kathy
DavidG + 1
marcs

Total = 20

Carlos Delpin · Post by **Carlos Delpin** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 7:59 pm

Assuming that Puerto Rico still exists by March 2018 I would love to attend.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 8:07 pm

Carlos, it would be a delight to have you!

The Alcove Room at Charlie Palmer Steak is available Saturday March 24.
Food and beverage minimum is $3500 to reserve the room for the evening. I don't think we'll have trouble meeting that with even as few as 20 people.

Their sommelier is no longer with them but the events manager remembered us.
They are again OK with a per-person corkage rather than their usual per-bottle.

They are sending me a contract by email. I'll be in touch with further details as they are available.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 8:17 pm

Awesome David thanks!
Hope to see you there Carlos!

JimHow + 1
Stefan + Lucie
Nicola + Frederic + 2
MichaelP + Nalan
SF Ed
Chris + Marjorie
Jon + Paula Northway (maybe)
Stuart + Kathy
DavidG + 1
marcs
Carlos

Total = 21

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 12:36 pm

Ok gang, so the rubber has hit the road.
David needs to make a substantial downpayment.
The per-person numbers are manageable if we have at least 20ish attendees, preferably closer to 25-30.
I'm not saying you have to sign up immediately but I'm just saying this is not without some level of risk and commitment to the organizers.
So we'll go ahead and reserve the Charlie Palmer room, but we really need to have at least 20 people there, preferably, again, more.
Can't wait!!!

Sdayton · Post by **Sdayton** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 8:46 pm

Hi All,

Rob and I will definitely be there. Please let me know the money we need to send and where to send it. We will be there Thursdsay to Sunday.

Best,

Susan

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 9:02 pm

Excellent Susan!!!

JimHow + 1
Stefan + Lucie
Nicola + Frederic + 2
MichaelP + Nalan
SF Ed
Chris + Marjorie
Jon + Paula Northway (maybe)
Stuart + Kathy
DavidG + 1
marcs
Carlos
Rob & Sue

Total = 23

Sdayton · Post by **Sdayton** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 9:10 pm

By the way, the hotels are already booking up. Washington Marriott Georgetown has availability, 3 nights. 546.00

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 12:35 am

Looking forward to seeing the gang again. It’s been too long.

I have refundable rooms booked at the Marriott Georgetown at 1221 22d St NW (closer to DuPont Circle than Gtown) and at the Hampton Inn Convention Center at 901 6th St NW. Hampton Inn is walking distance to Union Station and Charlie Palmer.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 12:55 am

Very well done indeed.

Sdayton · Post by **Sdayton** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 6:18 pm

We are also booked at Marriott Georgetown. If you need help with setting up any venues on Friday, please let me know. Since I am retired, I can make some calls. We had that French Restaurant in Georgetown that was really fun.... Just let me know if you need help.

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 8:46 pm

Our larger room is 611.88 incl. tax refundable senior rate for three nights at the Marriott Georgetown.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 9:26 pm

Susan, if you or Chris could take over the Friday arrangements that would be great. I suspect Chris knows the venues best.

Winona Chief · Post by **Winona Chief** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 9:35 pm

I went for the same deal as stefan at the Marriott Georgetown. As noted, not really Georgetown more like DC West End neighborhood. A "neighborhood" that is mostly nice hotels but conveniently located within walking distance of Dupont Circle, Georgetown and Foggy Bottom.

Chris Bublitz

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 9:53 pm

I'm getting excited for DC '18!
I liked that Friday night French restaurant we went to two DC conventions ago, wasn't the owner from Paris?

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 12:38 am

Do you remember the name of that place Jim? I liked it too. I think Jay found it. We went back for lunch once or twice. Was it Maxime Bistro Francais?
http://www.maximedc.com

Some of you also scored some nice wine at a lunch at Bistrot du Coin one year. I haven’t been there, don’t know their capacity, but would that be a candidate for Friday night?
http://www.bistrotducoin.com

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 1:04 am

I think Jay found the place at the last DC convention.
It was the one TWO conventions ago that I liked and is the one to which I think Sue is referring.
You were there David. It was the night Jacques and Jill came in late.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 1:28 am

I know it was 2 DCs ago and that Jay found it, that’s why I’m having trouble remembering the place. (I had to drop out of the last DC convention as Peggy was having her total hip replacement.)

Anyway, if it’s not the Maxime Bistro Francais linked above (the website pics look like the place I remember), I can contact Jay and see if he remembers.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 1:34 am

It was the place where we went the next two mornings for brunch and had the '97 Ducru each time.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 1:49 am

There is a picture from that BWE DC '14 Friday night dinner in this thread....

http://www.bordeauxwineenthusiasts.com/ ... f=4&t=5115

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 1:52 am

Yes I remember. I found the old thread here:
http://www.bordeauxwineenthusiasts.com/ ... 184#p37513

It was Bistro Francais at 3124 M St NW. Unfortunately closed last year:
https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/foo ... next-month

JCNorthway · Post by **JCNorthway** » Tue Nov 21, 2017 2:34 am

Jim,

I am going to suggest that you not include Paula and me in your headcount for DC '18. If we can arrange things to make it we definitely want to do that, but we are unable to commit at this point. I would put the probability at a bit <50% at this point.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:09 am

Ok will do, Jon, but in my capacity as kind and benevolent dictator I order the two of you to attend.

JimHow + 1
Stefan + Lucie
Nicola + Frederic + 2
MichaelP + Nalan
SF Ed
Chris + Marjorie
Stuart + Kathy
DavidG + 1
marcs
Carlos
Rob & Sue

Total = 21