Let's get together in DC June 14-15

NoahR · Post by **NoahR** » Sun Jun 02, 2019 11:28 am

I think that Courtney and I should be available both nights. I am working to switch my call schedule. Babysitter is booked at least.

Do we have venues yet?

NoahR · Post by **NoahR** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 12:35 am

Checking in - happy to help with venues if not sorted yet. Where do we stand. Should we transition to email (nraizman at gmail dot com)

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 12:49 am

I'm on the phone with Nicola, we are booking our hotel at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill.
We'll see you guys soon!

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 12:55 am

I am a bit behind on getting the Friday venue but don't anticipate it being too hard with 6-7 people. Looking at Bistro Bis, Bistro Cacao, Montmartre, and Cafe Belga, all French (or Belgian) restaurants I am familiar with from Capitol Hill.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 1:05 am

Nic and I are booked at the Hyatt Regency, 400 New Jersey Ave. NW, near the Capitol.

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 4:37 pm

It has been confirmed that a magnum of 82 La Dominique will be present.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 9:28 pm

Venue for Saturday night is Bistro Bis in the George Hotel, 15 E St NW.
We have a private space in the mezzanine area with a single table.
Three wine glasses per setting, 5 course tasting menu below.
Total per person cost including corkage, tax and tip is $145.

I will tell them to hold the pistachios on the tortellini dish.

Winona Chief · Post by **Winona Chief** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 11:30 pm

Sounds good - menu is very appealing. I like Bistro Biz. We used to do wine dinners there years ago. Last time I ate there was at a fundraiser for Senator Klobuchar. Very convenient to the Hyatt Regency about 1 block away.

Chris Bublitz

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Jun 04, 2019 11:47 pm

Nice!

NoahR · Post by **NoahR** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 12:58 am

Any themes for the dinner? Have a large collection of non-Bordeaux, from Old California to Burgundy to Rioja, Piedmont’s, Riesling etc. Still deciding on Bdx bottles to bring as well.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 1:06 am

Looking forward to seeing you NoahR!
The theme of a dinner of Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts is, um, let me think...
How about...

Bordeaux.

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 1:22 am

I tried to find a way to make this DC event but too many things piled up against making the trip and I finally gave up. I look forward to the reports!
Michael-P

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 1:43 am

NoahR · Post by **NoahR** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 2:55 am

JimHow wrote:Looking forward to seeing you NoahR!
The theme of a dinner of Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts is, um, let me think...
How about...

Bordeaux.

That much I figured, but also figured, like last time, there would also be some diversification. I am fine with all Bordeaux!

Marcus - any thoughts inbox friday dinner? Come up this way!

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 10:13 am

Of course Bordeaux is the main theme but I wouldn’t turn my nose up at a Champagne (I’ll bring one) or white Burg.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 10:14 am

MichaelP, we'll miss you! Next time.

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 10:31 am

DavidG wrote:MichaelP, we'll miss you! Next time.

+1.

But I'll try to figure a reason and a way to go to the West Coast in the coming months. We'll catch up then.

And thanks you the DC contingent, for the organization of a weekend the shapping up nicely. I'll be happy to see everyone.

Nic

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 12:20 pm

Indeed, feel free to bring anything Noah.
As a great philosopher from BWE once said:
"BWE is not about the wine, it is about the people."

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 1:27 pm

Champagne to start for sure, Bordeaux then Sauternes always a good way to go. David, can you have them hold the walnuts and dressing please on the salad? I'll be back in MD this weekend and will firm up my potential offerings.

Winona Chief · Post by **Winona Chief** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 1:29 pm

I plan to bring Champagne on both Friday and Saturday night. Other choices tbd.

Chris Bublitz

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 3:34 pm

Jay Winton wrote:David, can you have them hold the walnuts and dressing please on the salad?

Will do, Jay. Sorry, I misread your earlier post as "no pinenuts."

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 4:10 pm

and I am informed on my guests cannot or does not eat scallops.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 5:35 pm

I'll ask for a substitute for the scallops. For all 4 guests or just one of them?
Can't imagine it will be an issue. Will let you know if I hear differently.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 7:18 pm

Chef said they can handle 1 person with nut allergies and 1 person with pistachio allergies but for 4 people unable to eat scallops they would change the menu for the entire group to tuna.

Updated menu below. I've signed the contract and made a deposit. Since we're within 10 days of the event, anyone cancelling will be responsible for the full amount of the dinner.

: Bistro Bis Menu.png (65.9 KiB) Viewed 1832 times

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:20 pm

Thanks again David!

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:57 pm

Since I've already put 50% down, it will be simplest if everyone can bring a check or cash or Zelle me the money once we have the final bill on the date of. It should be about $140-$150 per person. Nic, is that about C$500?

Look forward to seeing you all at Bistro Bis on Saturday in the Hotel George. Speaking of...

Our Academy DC office is in the American College of Surgeons building 1 block away, so I stay in the Hotel George once or twice a year for meetings. Last time I was there Tucker Carlson was having a drink in the Bistro Bis bar. I went elsewhere as I didn't think I'd be able to refrain from striking up a conversfrontation. BWE will bring a much higher level of clientele to the place.

NoahR · Post by **NoahR** » Wed Jun 05, 2019 10:15 pm

It’s funny how many non-Washingtonians surround themselves with like-thinking friends politically, as I did. Now in DC I can never know if one of my patients works for the Brookings Institute or the RNCC. Tucker Carlson is all over the place but I have friends who run into him in social spaces sometimes. I shudder at the thought. Like many of us, people pay me to tell them what i think - amazing how little of what I end up saying is polarizing or objectionable. Even when I tel patients to lose weight or that they need major surgery...it’s a shame what the media have become, but that’s the topic of another thread...

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:57 am

Thank you David.

To make it easier, and as you can't buy wine until Labor Day, i'll bring you a nice 150 $usd pinot to pay you.

Nic

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Thu Jun 06, 2019 2:36 am

Hahaha Nic! Would that be a cherry cola flavored one?

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Fri Jun 07, 2019 2:04 am

DavidG wrote: Our Academy DC office is in the American College of Surgeons building 1 block away, so I stay in the Hotel George once or twice a year for meetings. Last time I was there Tucker Carlson was having a drink in the Bistro Bis bar. I went elsewhere as I didn't think I'd be able to refrain from striking up a conversfrontation. BWE will bring a much higher level of clientele to the place.

I will risk my career, my BWE membership, and my chance for a policy position in the office of freshman Maine Senator James Howaniec and say that I have some admiration for Carlson. He is taking on the Republican establishment in some interesting ways by speaking out against foreign wars and for more progressive economic policies. He took on predatory lenders a while ago, and yesterday he praised Elizabeth Warren in his show introduction. In one show he even dared to praise AOC somewhat (OK, mixed in with some insults). Very rare to see media people diverging from the orthodoxies of their tribe and trying to lead. We could all do with a bit less inflamed hostility at the other side.

I don't see all his stuff though, mostly just clips.

I probably actually would get fired if my willingness to say anything nice about the enemy came out.

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Fri Jun 07, 2019 2:08 am

Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill booked.

In just a bit more than a week.

Nic

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Fri Jun 07, 2019 2:25 am

Marcs, thanks for enlightening me on the non-bigoted statements that occasionally emanate from that racist propagandist Tucker Carlson. I'd buy him a drink if they were serving hemlock.

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Fri Jun 07, 2019 2:34 am

Regarding the racist Tucker Carlson, I suggest you read this article he wrote in 2009. It will absolutely blow your mind:

https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a ... beria-rev/

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Fri Jun 07, 2019 3:34 am

Been saving that nugget for 16 years? It's as fresh as a 2003 Beaujolais Nouveau.

Do you think he was faking it then, is faking it now, or just somehow went from an honorary black Muslim (Tucker X!) 16 years ago to a bigot today? I do believe people can change. In either direction.

Not that it really matters. His current rhetoric is not excused by anything he did or wrote 16 years ago.

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Sat Jun 08, 2019 11:01 pm

I'll have a bottle of 1990 Léoville Barton for Saturday.

Nic

NoahR · Post by **NoahR** » Sun Jun 09, 2019 12:49 am

Have a few fun things to bring - 89 Pichon Baron, 86 Montrose, 88 Gruaud Larose. Will see what else I can dig out of the lockers at Domaine...

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Sun Jun 09, 2019 2:46 pm

How about a bottle of the 86 La Lagune that David enabled me into buying?

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Sun Jun 09, 2019 9:21 pm

Anybody wants some white Bourgogne Saturday? Anyhow, I'll bring a bottle and worst case, could be enjoyed with the limited group on Friday.

For Friday, I'll bring a young medium aged red, that I guess none of you have tasted. But don't worry, it is still Bordeaux.

nic

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 5:19 pm

I have made a reservation for 6:30 on Friday at Montmartre, a French bistro on Capitol Hill (http://montmartredc.com/). It is right near the Eastern Market metro stop. SInce we will just be six people, we can order off the menu. They have agreed to a flat fee of $100 for as much wine as we want to bring (I told them 12-15 bottles).

I originally tried for Bistro Cacao but have had a hard time getting a clear answer from them, if they do respond to me with a clear price then I will notify the group. But as of now we are at Montmartre, I will post immediately if there is any change.

Anyone want to advise me on wines to bring? Is there any interest in Burgundy for Friday night? I have a 1999, 2005, 2009 vertical of Bouchard Le Corton and I'd be happy to bring two out of the three. I also have lots of Bordeaux --

2000 Pichon Baron and Lalande
1990, 2000, 2009 Gruaud Larose
1995, 2000, 2001 Canon La Gaffeliere
2008, 2009, 2010 La Conseillante

Let me know what people want, especially if you want me to do the Burgundy on Friday!

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:53 pm

Start time Saturday at Bistro Bis is 6:30 PM.

Total cost is $145/person.

My wife has a PayPal account. If anyone wants to pre-pay with PayPal send me a PM or email and I’ll give you details. (Sorry Jay, I know you asked about this days ago but I wasn’t aware of her account).

Otherwise please bring a check or cash to the dinner. I’ll collect on arrival.

As to wines, I’ll bring a bottle of Champagne and some Bordeaux.

Can’t wait to see you all!