Sydney Offline pre-Christmas

[maybs]

Hi guys

I have missed a few of the last couple of offlines and would be keen to attend another before Christmas if we can get a group together? I know it is a tricky time of year, so thought I would kick this off early to give us time to work out what might be suitable dates and the like.

City and immediate surrounds works a lot better for me, but Café Lyon was not too bad with public transport and I am open to suggestions. May depend whether we do it Thursday or Friday night as to where is BYO.

At the moment I think 28 November or 4, 5, 11, 12 December could suit me.

Anyone interested?

[Hacker]

11 or 12 December would suit me, all other dates I am either away or tied up. Good to catch up again. Theme? Festive?

[maybs]

Yeah I was trying to think of a theme and am obviously not very creative.

Something festive would work, or maybe something you would give as a gift, or would be happy to receive as a gift?

Will see what any other troops suggest as to theme and date but I am certainly happy with either of those dates. Friday's do suit me best personally.

[Hacker]

Yeah I was trying to think of a theme and am obviously not very creative.
Something festive would work, or maybe something you would give as a gift, or would be happy to receive as a gift?

There is a chasm of difference between giving ie Yellowtail, and receiving ie Chambertin! (now where is that Grinch smilie) so we have to be specific in definition

[maybs]

Yeah I was trying to think of a theme and am obviously not very creative.
Something festive would work, or maybe something you would give as a gift, or would be happy to receive as a gift?

There is a chasm of difference between giving ie Yellowtail, and receiving ie Chambertin! (now where is that Grinch smilie) so we have to be specific in definition

Haha true, I thought everyone operated on the same rule as me, don't give it if you wouldn't be happy to drink it...but I could be being very generous of spirit!

[catchnrelease]

Would be up for a tentative yes for the 11th.

There's a nice casual restaurant called Xage in Surry Hills that does good Vietnamese at a reasonable price (much cheaper than Cafe Lyon, $45pp for their full on banquet menu and free corkage). Only thing is the service isn't the greatest (not rude, just not the most attentive of staff) but if you take care of yourself and pour your own glasses and just let them bring you the food then it's not an issue. Approximately a 10-15min walk from Central, although it is up a hill! There are ample buses running close to it.

As a theme - because it's Christmas the bottles must have either red or green on them.

[Michael R]

Nice one Maybs & Hacker
I think 11 or 12 Dec works for me.

Depending on theme, food etc, I've some red burgs looking for a run out

My only caveat is table numbers, more than 8-10 changes things for me, unless we bring magnums
I know that probably reads poorly, but I won't mind dropping out and only wish everyone well if numbers swell.

Btw Maybs... Have you already bought your 2011 BPs?, if not, let me know.

[Michael R]

Would be up for a tentative yes for the 11th.

There's a nice casual restaurant called Xage in Surry Hills that does good Vietnamese at a reasonable price (much cheaper than Cafe Lyon, $45pp for their full on banquet menu and free corkage). Only thing is the service isn't the greatest (not rude, just not the most attentive of staff) but if you take care of yourself and pour your own glasses and just let them bring you the food then it's not an issue. Approximately a 10-15min walk from Central, although it is up a hill! There are ample buses running close to it.

As a theme - because it's Christmas the bottles must have either red or green on them.

Xage is decent, or Watts across the road also byo friendly.

[maybs]

Sounds like we are getting a good vibe for 11 or 12 Dec, nice.

I've never said no to a red burg in my life Michael and I also think more than 10 makes life difficult so...I'm not sure what my rights are as proposer of this venture but I am going to limit numbers to 10 max unless someone tells me I cant

Sounds like Xage might have the lead unless something else comes up trumps

[catchnrelease]

If Xage and the 11th is the go I will offer a 2009 Geyer Brothers Grenache.

[Polymer]

11th works out well for me..

[maybs]

Well that seems like enough interest to say 11 December. Unless anyone objects Xage sounds like it is the place. I'm certainly happy to give it a go. Watts also looks good for another time

To give it some structure, but keep it fairly open for people to bring what they like, how about the suggestion it must have red, white or green on the label, or come in a green bottle?

[Krusty]

either 11th or 12th is good with me.

[TiggerK]

Yep, count me in too for 11th December!

[maybs]

Starting to sound really good fellas, here is how we are looking

Maybs
Hacker
Catchnrelease
Michael R
Polymer
Krusty
TiggerK
UFO

Ok we are full subject to any cancellations, nice one guys

[catchnrelease]

Maybs you might want to cap it at 8 people if Xage is the venue, the restaurant itself is quite small and any more than that may end up with the group being squished. For those who haven't been its basically a small Vietnamese restaurant, mostly shared tables etc. Very casual, tshirt and shorts kinda place. Definitely bring your own glassware if possible, but the food is satisfying, homely and very well priced. Also free corkage with the banquet menu (my go to) is very nice as well.

[maybs]

I'm not familiar with the place but sounds sensible to me, so lets day a table of 8 and subject to any cancellations we have space for 1 more. Easier to book and manage and bigger pours. No arm twisting here.

[ufo]

Alright, I'll be the misssing 8th.

[maybs]

Nice one guys, that is eight and a full table subject to any cancellations.

Not sure yet what i might bring, will have a think about it and a little poke around

[maybs]

So, in annoying twist of date a trip to Hong Kong for work has just been moved from later this week to the week of the 8th. Still working out fine details but I will either be arriving back in Sydney early Friday morning or early Saturday morning. Meaning I will definitely not be here on the night of the offline on the 11th.

Really bummed as I am not keen to be going to honkers in the first place for what looks like probably just 2 days and will be very disappointed to miss a good offline.

[TiggerK]

So sad that you now can't make your own event Scott!! But given the time of year, I think a reschedule is unfeasible, so can I presume to say we should continue with the event? And let you choose the next offline date that you can hopefully attend!! These things happen..... I'm sure all our wines will be corked anyway.

I assume you have made the booking??

[maybs]

Yes Tim I think a re-schedule would be too hard especially at this time of year. I will try and make up for it by picking up a few decent bottles perhaps in Hong Kong.

I will have made the booking by this afternoon. Good reminder!!

[maybs]

Ok fellas, booked for 8 people at Xage on 11 Dexember at 6:30. Booking is under the name Halliday

Also, for groups over 8 they require a deposit of $10 per person so i have paid that on my card. At the end of the night can someone just ask them to refund it?

[dave vino]

So you want me to come along to make up the 8?

[TiggerK]

Of course Dave!

[catchnrelease]

Ok fellas, booked for 8 people at Xage on 11 Dexember at 6:30. Booking is under the name Halliday

Also, for groups over 8 they require a deposit of $10 per person so i have paid that on my card. At the end of the night can someone just ask them to refund it?

No probs Scott.

I'm still good for this btw, 6:30 should be okay for me as well.

So what's everyone thinking on bringing?

[dave vino]

I've been thinking about it, and given where we are eating and the style of food, maybe keep the wines to the lighter, savoury end of the spectrum? wines that are a bit of fun and edgy?

I was thinking maybe a 2009 Ochota Barrel Fugazi Grenache? and a 2012 Clonakilla Viognier?

I can bring 6 Zaltos as well.
and I may bring some backups

[Polymer]

I'll probably bring a Riesling with some residual sugar..or some other type of white with some residual sugar... and probably a Beaujolais (Either Foillard, Lapierre or Bouland..)

[Hacker]

Just finished playing golf at Hamilton Island only lost 6 balls!
I'll bring a Selosse Initial to start proceedings if that will suit everyone.

[Michael R]

I played the Coast last weekend and didn't lose a ball for the first time ever, still played poorly though.
Also played Royal County Down without losing a ball a few weeks ago, but that was because I hired a caddy!

We should tee up over Xmas, not sure what's happened to Krusty but let's discuss a date at the offline.

Finally, Selosse would be magic