Hey all,

I'm heading to Pleasanton for work from Nov. 4-8th, and was wondering if anyone was up for an offline or two.

I've already talked to whiner and Eric White about offlines on Sat. Nov. 4th in SF and Wed. Nov. 8th in San Ramon (or area), respectively.

Stuff in or around Pleasanton on those other days would be preferred, as I'll be getting around via the BART.

Figured that I would use this thread as a central point for the 4th and 8th.

Many thanks to whiner and Eric for already getting things under way!

Really looking forward to seeing you again Jay, I'll also ping our tasting group to see who's interested. As you know, we'll be out of town for the 4th, but the 8th is a definite GO for us.

As for location, downtown Pleasanton has a lot to choose from, and there's our favorite here in San Ramon, Cafe Esin. If we wind up choosing Esin, I'll be happy to chauffer you from your hotel & back, since BART doesn't really help. In downtown Pleasanton we haveBarone's (might make a fine opportunity for me to break out one or two of those old Italian gems I've picked up recently), a place Teri and I always enjoy. Andrew Gelb lives in Plesanton, and I've read him raving about great Sushi at Momiji, but we've not been yet (might not be the most wine-friendly sort of choice however).

I'll be happy to do the local coordination for the 8th once we get a feel for who, how many, and where.

Awesome! Thanks, Eric. Can't wait to see you and Teri again. It's been too long!

Nov 4th is the Cali Cult Smackdown in San Jose. There has been some drop outs, and I believe there's room. PM Dave Tong or post here for further info:

http://www.vinocellar.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=376641&Main=355521#Post376641

Jay - you should really try to come to the Cali Cult Smackdown on Saturday the 4th. I'm flying out on Thursday the 2nd. We are going to help Scottj drink his 5 litre (if that's still the plan) that night.

The Smackdown is going to be great fun on that Saturday.

Yeah ... I saw the Cali Cult Smackdown thing well after I started making plans. Also, it would be difficult for me to get to San Jose. I'm sure you guys will have a great time, though!

If you can get to (and from) the Pleasanton BART station and take BART to San Leandro (3 stops from Pleasanton), I could take you down and back.

I live in Pleasanton, and would certainly be interested if you do something in the area. Also, my Club Wente membership gives me free corkage (not sure if they have limits).

Tom

Hey Futronic!

We may be able to do the 8th as well!

Would be great to do some Italian!

Hopefully the Italian won't mind.

I was thinking the same thing. Do you have someone in particular you were thinking about?



Is Pussy Galore Italian? Probably very pussylicious!

I'm in Livermore, right next door to P-town. If there is something going down on the 8th then Kim and I are in.

We are also Club Wente members.....and they have a special wine list of wines for Club members thats only available on Wednesdays....we had a Kongsgaard Chard off that list a couple of months ago for $60 I believe.....so the prices are good! Maybe between two of us Club members we can work on getting one of the smaller rooms reserved?

Chris

David (and anybody else interested)....we went to Wente's tonight for dinner, and I grabbed a copy of the special Wednesday wine list. Just a couple of samples of the wine prices:

2002 Kongsgaard Chard $60
1996 Nicolas Feulillatte Brut Cuvee Palmes D'Or Champagne $72
2002 Hirsch Sonoma Coast Pinot $45
2003 Radio-Coteau Von Weidlich Zin $35
2003 Kongsgaard Napa Valley Syrah $114

There are a total of 30 wines on this special list. We ended up having the Hirsch with Duck Breast.....the wine was showing wonderfully....and the meal was excellent!

Chris

Chris


Pretty stunning given how much they normally mark up their wines. Great info, as my experience is you have to ask, or they won't offer it.

Thanks!

Tom