Auckland Offline - Tues Dec 4th

[Curt]

Count me in
Cheers
Curt.

[Peter NZ]

And count me in too, please.

Cheers
Peter

[Maximus]

Confirming that I will be in Auckland and will be attending.

Cheers,

[Curt]

now we have when and where sorted ... should we make it pot-luck or have a theme ?

[John Fiola]

now we have when and where sorted ... should we make it pot-luck or have a theme ?

Since I'm travelling from the States specifically for this, , I would like to bring something that people would enjoy and is difficult to get in NZ. We could wrap a broad theme around that, or I could just be a "Non-conformist"

[mgbridges]

I'll be there. Just me. Pot-luck sounds good to me.

Martin

[Wycroft]

Pot luck suits me for the first gathering.

Cheers,

Nick

[Craig(NZ)]

List so far:

Definites:

Craig(NZ) x2
Wycroft x1
mgbridges x1
John Fiola x1
Curt x1
Maximus x1
Peter NZ x1
Bacchus x1

Shown interest but yet to confirm:

Sue x??
Paradox x??

Lets round out numbers and I will book Sunday or Monday. Looks like anything goes is the theme.

I also suggest we go quality not quantity. One bottle per person is ample in my opinion for a Tuesday night affair. Ive seen many a wine gathering where great bottles are lost in a hazy stupor of needless waste. Rather mull over and share among us a few bottles of really good treasures.??

[Maximus]

How firm do numbers have to be?

I could end up being a x2, 3 or 4...

And as for theme, I like the quality over quantity approach, though I always find it extremely hard to restrict myself to one bottle.

Worth divvying up bubbles/whites/reds/sweeties?

Cheers,

[Craig(NZ)]

advise most likely numbers. its a small restaurant and busy time of year so just try get as close as poss.

I will book for a dozen people tomorrow. Any addition past that we can just call the restaurant

[Craig(NZ)]

Last Call for Alcohol:

I have booked for 14 people. List as below:

Craig(NZ) x2
Wycroft x1
mgbridges x1
John Fiola x1
Curt x1
Maximus x4 (assuming 4x)
Peter NZ x1
Bacchus x1
Sue x2 (assuming Neil is coming)

[Craig(NZ)]

Auckland Offline Details

La Bocca Restaurant. 1/251 Parnell Road. Parnell.
Tuesday 4th December 7pm.

I have reserved the private function room for 14 people (as listed above). It is free of charge for large groups dining there. We can finalise numbers a week out.

Corkage is a bloody reasonable $5 per head.

We have 3 options:
1. $40 set menu
2. $50 set menu (includes starters
3. Order off the standard menu.

Being the no hassle type, id suggest it would be easiest just to all bring a $50 note and go for the set menu. Easy for us, easy for them, easy paying the bill. However I really arent too worried either way. I told the chick id ring her back with our menu decision.

This is the $50 set menu. All looks yum to me and wine friendly

Set Menu - $50

Selection of Starters

Bread and dips A selection of fresh Italian bread and dips

Antipasto A selection of Prosciutto, Salami, Pancetta, Salsiccia, marinated salmon, olives, cheese, pickles and Bruschetta

Bruschetta Pomodoro Grilled Italian bread, topped with tomato, garlic, basil and extra virgin olive oil

Choice of Entrees

Calamari grigliati Grilled calamari on garlic Bruschetta and Mesculun salad

Pollo Tonnato Thinly sliced poached chicken breast, grilled Ciabatta, tuna sauce and salad leaves

Tartellette Vegetariane Caramelized vegetable tartlet with rocket leaves and basil Vinaigrette

Rigatoni con Salsiccia Ridged Macaroni tossed with spicy sausage, black olives, Mozzarella, roasted veges, Napoletana sauce and cream

Choice of Mains

Gamberoni Gratinati Gratin of pan fried king prawns with garlic, white wine, fresh and sun dried tomatoes on saffron risotto

Scaloppine al Marsala Veal escalope, sautèed in a creamy Marsala sauce, with potato purèe and roasted vegetables

Filetto Di Manzo Beef eye fillet, grilled and topped with truffle pâté sauce. Served on grilled Polenta and Caponata

Ravioloni 4 Mori Fresh prawn and Ricotta long ravioli, saffron crayfish sauce and grilled calamari



Now that the who and where details are basically locked and loaded we can start to talk about what we are gonna sink!!

[SueNZ]

List so far:

Definites:

Craig(NZ) x2
Wycroft x1
mgbridges x1
John Fiola x1
Curt x1
Maximus x1
Peter NZ x1
Bacchus x1

Shown interest but yet to confirm:

Sue x??
Paradox x??

Craig - you obviously missed this
Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 11:36 am Post subject:

Lock in two for Neil and Sue.

[Craig(NZ)]

hmmm how did i miss that??? oh well right outcome at least!!!

[Maximus]

$50 set menu sounds great to me.

[John Fiola]

$50 set menu sounds great to me.

Sounds fine to me also - since to me it means ~ US$38.00

[Craig(NZ)]

Sounds fine to me also - since to me it means ~ US$38.00

Feel ripped off? A couple of years back it would have been less than $30 US

Sweet, I will give them a call sometime and tell them we will go with the $50 set menu.

[Craig(NZ)]

ok time to think about who is bringing what.

I will put my name down for a good NZ bordeaux blend - probably a 98

[Curt]

I have been thinking about an older white to have with the starters.

[John Fiola]

ok time to think about who is bringing what.

I will put my name down for a good NZ bordeaux blend - probably a 98

I'm going to bring a Petite Syrah, from California, since many Petite Syrah's are produced in the US and are difficult to find in NZ.

[mgbridges]

I'm planning to bring a Cahors, but I have a couple of other options if that doesn't fit.

Martin

[SueNZ]

All those reds. I'd better bring a sauvignon blanc then.
Just kidding.
May bring a Chardonnay and as there are two of us, the other wine will be probably be a pinot noir. Or possibly a NZ wine made from Iti varieties. Will know closer to the time.

[Peter NZ]

I'm flexible, but was wondering about a Hawkes Bay Syrah with a little age -- options are Brookfields Hillside 2000, Matariki Reserve 2000, Te Kairangi 2001 (a one-off wine made with Craggy Range fruit -- trophy for best of show at the Easter wine show in '03), Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels '01 (surprisingly good a couple of weeks ago), Unison '02, or Vidal Soler '02. Any thoughts?

Cheers
Peter

[Maximus]

You can get stuffed.

You'll find out what mine is on the night...

[GrahamB]

You can get stuffed.

You'll find out what mine is on the night...

Max!!! A little class please. You are representing Brisbane as well you know. And the holders of the "State of Origin". (Wear a Maroons T Shirt)

[Craig(NZ)]

Max

But are you gonna brown bag that cask????

Pete

No need to lock down exact wine, i was more thinking generally - few whites, few reds

[Curt]

Hi Craig,

I have two wino friends who are keen to come along ... OK ?

[SueNZ]

Hi Craig,

I have two wino friends who are keen to come along ... OK ?

Well call me whatvever, but as this is our first 'offline' and as most of us have never met in person, and we are up to 14 already, I'd say leave the 'mates' out at this stage.

Welcome to bring a partner (especially if they are the non drinking driver LOL) but if we all bring our mates, then suddenly the numbers are swelled out of proportion and I'll certainly be reconsidering what wines I bring along.

If anyone thinks I'm out of line, then shoot me down.

Just out of interest, what do you Aussies do at offlines. Do you bring along your mates as well?

[Craig(NZ)]

Curt

Id have no issue at all with a few outsiders coming along at all as long as:

1. We can fit them in the restaurant which i doubt will be an issue as we have a room to ourselves and theres always a couple that pull out
2. As long as they realise it aint a "pick a supermarket special up on the way" type evening. we will be dealing in $50ish cellared wines id guess

The more the merrier (within reason). I will be looking to confirm numbers next week, and will be advising the restaurant that we will go for the $50 set menu

[Curt]

Thanks Craig - they are serious wine people so no supermarket wines thats for sure