Burgundy 2017 Offline - 9 February - Le Mint

[TiggerK]

I'm still OK for Feb 9, can bring white and red. Happy with GC, have to be careful with ordering and food timing but I do like the circular tables, makes for good discussions, banter factor is high. Devonshire is pretty good too, but not my first choice.

[maybs]

I can do 9 Feb. is this red burgundy only or also white? Not sure what I will bring yet but just checking as it opens up the options a bit.

I'd also prefer GC, especially for Burg. I've been to Devonshire twice and actually didn't think it was that great, but it's your show Rooman.

[rooman]

I can do 9 Feb. is this red burgundy only or also white? Not sure what I will bring yet but just checking as it opens up the options a bit.

I'd also prefer GC, especially for Burg. I've been to Devonshire twice and actually didn't think it was that great, but it's your show Rooman.

I'm happy with GC but we seriously need to find some new BYO restaurants. I love Brown Sugar but it is too far for people on the North Shore.

In the meantime I will book GC and confirm. Do people know if they have a private room?

Mark

[TiggerK]

They have a few private rooms, but biggish min spend and usually booked out anyway. A normal table is fine whenever we've been with a group.

Red AND White Burgundy I'm assuming! We've got plenty of BYO options, but all have their goods and bads, yet to find the perfect spot.

[Hacker]

Hacker I assume you're bringing the Dujac you posted the other day?
Cheers
Mark

Not sure I have drunk a Dujac this year; the only one I have tried was thanks to MichaelR last year. But I will check out the bat cave for something appropriate.

[Hacker]

I will bring a white and a red. Is any of this to be blind?

[VINH NGUYEN]

Closer to a train station would be great thanks rooman! Brown Sugar was fun, food was excellent, service great, but location was tricky for many and it was rather cramped and noisy which made wine chat a bit difficult. If only we could find somewhere that ticks every box perfectly!!

1. BYO
2. Close to Transport
3. Good Food
4. Not too noisy or cramped
5. Friendly staff (enthusiastic about wine optional but preferred)
6. Reasonably priced
7. Not wanting to kick us out at 10pm.

Keep searching people! Bentley is really good and worth a look, but fails a bit on No.6, yet not super exxy if the wines are of a higher calibre.

In regards to bentley and byo, are they pretty easy on it? Like could i casually drop a line saying "special occassion, can i bring x wine (obviously a well healed one) and theyre cool? I ask cause bennelong were pricks about it, damn shite winelist and wouldnt let me byo my 05 sqn atlantis 1a! I was outraged. Wouldnt mind trying bentley if they'll let me bring my bottle

[maybs]

On a side note not related to Burgundy offline, I had an amazing shakshuka at a restaurant in Surry Hills today called Cafe Mint. I haven't had dinner there but they are BYO and if the shakshuka is anything to go by, the dinner could be interesting. They have share plate stuff. Only query might be how the spice flavour profile would go...

[TiggerK]

In regards to bentley and byo, are they pretty easy on it? Like could i casually drop a line saying "special occassion, can i bring x wine (obviously a well healed one) and theyre cool? I ask cause bennelong were pricks about it, damn shite winelist and wouldnt let me byo my 05 sqn atlantis 1a! I was outraged. Wouldnt mind trying bentley if they'll let me bring my bottle

I didn't organise it myself so not sure on the general policy, but give them a call and offer nicely to pay decent corkage for a special bottle, hopefully they're good about it.

P.S Bistrode is another solid BYO option, think it's only BYO Tues-Thursday though. Classy space, decent food (esp excellent oysters), CBD location, not too pricey. Have done Verde a while back too, strange policy of no BYO sparkling wine, otherwise another solid option although it's been a few years.

Should probably start/continue a BYO thread rather than hijacking this one though...

[rooman]

I will bring a white and a red. Is any of this to be blind?

I expected to be in that condition by the end of evening given my reluctance to spit.

With respect to the wine however I am relaxed. For me Burgundy is very much a journey of learning compared to others in this site so seeing what I am drinking may be more valuable.

Cheers
Mark

[rooman]

On a side note not related to Burgundy offline, I had an amazing shakshuka at a restaurant in Surry Hills today called Cafe Mint. I haven't had dinner there but they are BYO and if the shakshuka is anything to go by, the dinner could be interesting. They have share plate stuff. Only query might be how the spice flavour profile would go...

If Cafe Mint is 20 metres from Williams St then I have eaten there in the past and really enjoyed it. Its a combination of French and Vietnamese. The only reason I didnt really consider East Sydney/Surry Hills is that for people on the North Shore and out West, it is not that close to trains. The other option in East Sydney is Verde which I have used in the past but again its not close to trains and I am conscious Dave told me it took him an hour to get home from Brown Sugar last time.

Is it the same Cafe Mint?

cheers
Mark

[rooman]

Closer to a train station would be great thanks rooman! Brown Sugar was fun, food was excellent, service great, but location was tricky for many and it was rather cramped and noisy which made wine chat a bit difficult. If only we could find somewhere that ticks every box perfectly!!

1. BYO
2. Close to Transport
3. Good Food
4. Not too noisy or cramped
5. Friendly staff (enthusiastic about wine optional but preferred)
6. Reasonably priced
7. Not wanting to kick us out at 10pm.

Keep searching people! Bentley is really good and worth a look, but fails a bit on No.6, yet not super exxy if the wines are of a higher calibre.

In regards to bentley and byo, are they pretty easy on it? Like could i casually drop a line saying "special occassion, can i bring x wine (obviously a well healed one) and theyre cool? I ask cause bennelong were pricks about it, damn shite winelist and wouldnt let me byo my 05 sqn atlantis 1a! I was outraged. Wouldnt mind trying bentley if they'll let me bring my bottle

Interesting. I personally thought the meal I had last year at Bentley was one of the meals of the year and I know they have a private room but I suspect it will fail on the reasonably priced factor. Nevertheless it would be interesting to know whether they would play ball.

Separately are you interested in coming to the evening? If so whilst we are ten I have every faith that someone will drop out based on prior experience. Would you like to go down on the back up list - you know you will get hit.

Mark

[maybs]

On a side note not related to Burgundy offline, I had an amazing shakshuka at a restaurant in Surry Hills today called Cafe Mint. I haven't had dinner there but they are BYO and if the shakshuka is anything to go by, the dinner could be interesting. They have share plate stuff. Only query might be how the spice flavour profile would go...

If Cafe Mint is 20 metres from Williams St then I have eaten there in the past and really enjoyed it. Its a combination of French and Vietnamese. The only reason I didnt really consider East Sydney/Surry Hills is that for people on the North Shore and out West, it is not that close to trains. The other option in East Sydney is Verde which I have used in the past but again its not close to trains and I am conscious Dave told me it took him an hour to get home from Brown Sugar last time.

Is it the same Cafe Mint?

cheers
Mark

No, it is in Surry Hills, on Crown Street. Middle Eastern type food. French/Vietnamese combo would be awesome. I think most people are content to do a train then short uber/taxi but I could be wrong.

[rooman]

On a side note not related to Burgundy offline, I had an amazing shakshuka at a restaurant in Surry Hills today called Cafe Mint. I haven't had dinner there but they are BYO and if the shakshuka is anything to go by, the dinner could be interesting. They have share plate stuff. Only query might be how the spice flavour profile would go...

If Cafe Mint is 20 metres from Williams St then I have eaten there in the past and really enjoyed it. Its a combination of French and Vietnamese. The only reason I didnt really consider East Sydney/Surry Hills is that for people on the North Shore and out West, it is not that close to trains. The other option in East Sydney is Verde which I have used in the past but again its not close to trains and I am conscious Dave told me it took him an hour to get home from Brown Sugar last time.

Is it the same Cafe Mint?

cheers
Mark

No, it is in Surry Hills, on Crown Street. Middle Eastern type food. French/Vietnamese combo would be awesome. I think most people are content to do a train then short uber/taxi but I could be wrong.

I was close but no cigars. The place I was thinking about is called La Mint. http://www.lamint.com.au/. In terms of a walk, its not far from the Museum train station.

I wasn't sure if it was still open but it seems it is. As I still haven't booked GC this is a reasonable option. The banquet menu is $45 and there is a degustation for $95 and corkage is $5 pp. What do you think? I am easy.

Mark

[maybs]

Close indeed. La Mint sounds like it could be worth a try?

[VINH NGUYEN]

Separately are you interested in coming to the evening? If so whilst we are ten I have every faith that someone will drop out based on prior experience. Would you like to go down on the back up list - you know you will get hit.

Mark

I would, but i have a tasting at gc on the 10th hahah
So will wait for the next one

[TiggerK]

I like the look of La Mint!! Always good to try new places, and for nights like these the wines are the stars, the food just fills in the gaps. Just hope we have enough table space for big glasses, they have air con (in case it's 40C outside) and it's not too rushed with all the courses. Deg looks fab.

[mjs]

That's pretty much what we have been doing with the burgundy group in Melb last year, particularly at Shark Fin Inn. Couple of duck courses, some pork, fried rice, maybe some fillet, just accompanies the wine. Also enjoyed Choi's later last year. About to fire up again on the 10th Feb.

[Bobthebuilder]

That Lamint looks great
The degustation menu is really well balanced for whites first half reds second half
The feast looks great too and half the price
dishes sound really interesting
Pricing is more than reasonable
Almost sounds too good to be true

[rooman]

That Lamint looks great
The degustation menu is really well balanced for whites first half reds second half
The feast looks great too and half the price
dishes sound really interesting
Pricing is more than reasonable
Almost sounds too good to be true

Well since no one seems to be objecting I am happy pushing ahead and calling for a booking. In the evenings the place always seems quiet with lunches more busy due to the offices in the surrounding areas.

Mark

[Polymer]

Put me in for a reserve...

I probably can't go but just in case..

[rooman]

Put me in for a reserve...

I probably can't go but just in case..

Done. You know someone will drop out.

Mark

[michel]

la mint menu reads well
45 dollars for the feast looks good value
have a great night and post some notes

[Polymer]

Put me in for a reserve...

I probably can't go but just in case..

Done. You know someone will drop out.

Mark

Mark - My chances for me are pretty low anyways but just in case...

[Red Smurf]

Looking forward to this.
Are we nominating wines, match a few appellations, vineyards? Or just bring what we want?

[rooman]

Looking forward to this.
Are we nominating wines, match a few appellations, vineyards? Or just bring what we want?

I'm open to suggestions. Any thoughts on how to proceed. I've outlined a few wines I'm looking at bring. The only suggestion is to keep it at Grand and 1st Cru above.

Mark

[TiggerK]

I would suggest people just bring whatever they want and we see what turns up on the night and organise the order and/or pairings then.

Only thing would be people could say if they're bringing white or red?

[rooman]

I would suggest people just bring whatever they want and we see what turns up on the night and organise the order and/or pairings then.

Only thing would be people could say if they're bringing white or red?

I'm happy with that approach as long as people keep it to 1st and above. Given the cost of burgundy nowadays its a little unfair to slip in the odd village wine. Most people are normally far too generous so I am not worried about people maintaining a decent standard. It would however be interesting to get a reasonable range over the different appellations, a Pommard v a Vosne Romanee etc.

Perhaps an indication of which appellation as well as red and white would help.

Mark

[Polymer]

I dunno..I'd rather have a village from a great producer than a 1er from a meh one...but point understood.

[Michael R]

Exactly what I was thinking Kev!

Looking forward to next week, wil have a think what to bring.
My +1 is Krusty by the way, and he confirmed earlier he's keen to attend.