Adelaide Offline 26th April Bookings

n4sir · Post by **n4sir** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 12:28 pm

It's been a couple of months and I've already heard a few suggestions about where to have the next installment, so I guess it's about time we started kicking around a date and venue.

I've got a very busy month coming up with probably the Anzac Day weekend looking the best, otherwise maybe sometime in May. I'm open to suggestions as to the venue (especially if it means someone else will organise this one); I'm sure we can always arrange something with the ever-reliable Soho again.

Cheers,
Ian

David · Post by **David** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:32 am

Recently had dinner at a Lebanese restaurant in Rundle Street. Al Amir is upstairs on the corner of Frome Street (not Frome Road) and Rundle Street

It was very good Middle Eastern food and they have a number of set menus from about $29 to $37. The food is presented in typical Middle Eastern fashion with what my Jordanian brother-in-law would call lots of little bits and pieces followed by various grilled meats, salads and dessert.

This may be a good place for an offline as the food would suit a range of whites and reds.

Nayan · Post by **Nayan** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:36 pm

That's the one upstairs from San Giorgio? Got poor reviews when it first opened, but good to hear it's come round.

Sounds like the perfect opportunity to break out the Musar!

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:51 am

Anzac Day weekend not looking too bad for me either, happy to go with Soho or somewhere new...

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 12:53 pm

I'm keen... I can do any date apart from the first weekend in May.

Gustav · Post by **Gustav** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:47 pm

I'm also keen....and flexible when it comes to time and place.

Scanlon · Post by **Scanlon** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:45 am

Dobn't forget Jerusalem's with free corkage if we get the $30 banquet. They have the upstairs room too for larger bookings, and we should certainly be taking our own glassware (unless you liek the taste of plastic tumbers).

I also went to Tongue Thai'd on henley beach road last week and that wasn't bad, and just $2 corkage per head.

other flaoted options were Villaroy and Rice (I still owe you a dinner there Ian!)

Gavin Trott · Post by **Gavin Trott** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:14 pm

Hello

If dates and times work out, I'd be keen to attend also?

n4sir · Post by **n4sir** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:22 am

It will be great to see you again Gavin - it's been a while since you, Chas & Mark Wickman have been able to make it to an offline.

Looks like Anzac Day weekend is good for everyone, so how about Saturday 26th April?

Cheers,
Ian

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:19 am

Sounds good to me!

Scanlon · Post by **Scanlon** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:21 pm

n4sir · Post by **n4sir** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 1:15 pm

There's been no complaints about the suggested date, so I've changed the title and assumed we've settled for that.

As to the venue, there's been lots of suggestions - generally what sort of dinner are people after this time: a banquet style (which I'd expect would be the sort of thing we'd have at Al Amir and Jerusalem and come in around $30-$40/head), or a more structured three course meal like we get at SOHO for $55/head?

Cheers,
Ian

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:05 pm

Cath & I will both be there, our personal preference would be Soho as it's performed so well previously, knows what we want and has great privacy for groups. But we're pretty relaxed either way.

Any thoughts on whether we're doing a theme or just a mixed bag?

Cheers
Nick

Scanlon · Post by **Scanlon** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:46 pm

how about spanish & sparkling?

John #11 · Post by **John #11** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:14 pm

Put me down for just a solo effort this time.

I don't mind the venue and theme, I will gladly comply (within reason).

Gustav · Post by **Gustav** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:22 pm

Scanlon wrote:how about spanish & sparkling?

Yeah, lets make it a Ribera del Duero and Champagne theme or mabye narrow it down to a Vega Sicilia and Dom Perignon theme?!

I have no preferences for restaurant as long as it's in/near the CBD.

n4sir · Post by **n4sir** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:09 pm

I've made an executive decision and booked SOHO (73 Melbourne St, North Adelaide), a 6:30 arrival for a 7:00 start. We've been offered a very special deal because it's the Anzac Day weekend, and I thought it was just too good to pass up - a four course menu including corkage for our usual mates rates of $55/head, BYO glasses.

The set menu will be:

Starter:
Smoked Trout Mousse, wrapped in Tasmanian Smoked Salmon, served with a Horseradish and Prawn Mayonnaise, finished with Horseradish Cream.

Second Course:
Roasted Sweet corn and Flagoulet Bean En Crepe served with Cauliflower Cream and topped with Crisp Greens and Oyster Mushrooms.

Main Course:
Grain Fed Tenderloin of Beef served with SautÃƒÂ©ed Bintje Potatoes, Roasted Mushrooms and Snow Pea Tendrils, finished with Aioli and Caramelised Onions

Dessert:
Coconut and Vanilla Bean Pannacotta served with Black Figs poached in Fortified Shiraz and Cinnamon finished with a Sesame Crisp.

I think this will suit our usual pattern of a wide range eclectic wines. Now, who else is going?

Cheers,
Ian

David · Post by **David** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:07 pm

I will be there with Pam. Looks like a great menu and an opportunity to do some serious wine and food matching.

n4sir · Post by **n4sir** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:04 pm

Okay, so far we have going:

n4sir
David & Pam
Nick & Cath
Steve
Scanlon
Gustav
John #11
Gavin Trott
rooview +1
markg
Lagare Lout +1

Any others and any suggestion of a theme, or will it be the usual bottle of something bloody good again?

Cheers,
Ian

David · Post by **David** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:22 pm

[quote="n4sir"]
Any others and any suggestion of a theme, or will it be the usual bottle of something bloody good again?]

How about Gustav supplies a vertical tasting of Chateau Lafittes from great years.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:00 pm

Sounds good

I've nothing in mind for a theme, but am happy to hunt some stuff down if one is chosen.

"Good stuff" works for me, though!

Gustav · Post by **Gustav** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:44 pm

David wrote:Any others and any suggestion of a theme, or will it be the usual bottle of something bloody good again?]

How about Gustav supplies a vertical tasting of Chateau Lafittes from great years.

Good idea David! I was just trying to figure out which bottles to drink from my cellar to get room for all the Winter Creek stuff I'm stocking up with. Might as well take century-spanning vertical of Ch. Lafite Rotschild (I wish.....)

. However, I'm expecting visitors before that weekend (parents in law) so I might get them to bring some interesting bottles from Europe.

Scanlon · Post by **Scanlon** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:00 pm

having just returned from tassie & with Gustav in mind, I have a Pipers Brook Gewurtztraminer that I want to share which was fabulous (since we don't seem to have a theme?).

n4sir · Post by **n4sir** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:10 pm

I think just a bottle of something good/interesting will do this time, preferably something that people think will match one of the particular courses.

At the end of the night maybe we should have an additional vote to what the best food-wine match was, as well as WOTN.

Cheers,
Ian

Gustav · Post by **Gustav** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:29 pm

Scanlon wrote:having just returned from tassie & with Gustav in mind, I have a Pipers Brook Gewurtztraminer that I want to share which was fabulous (since we don't seem to have a theme?).

That's very nice of you Sarah. Btw, did you taste their Pinots? Magic stuff (especially the Vineyard Reserve).

Gavin Trott · Post by **Gavin Trott** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:52 pm

Hello

I am unfortunately a non starter for this dinner.

My apologies, and I am sure you will all have a great time, and I'll miss some great wines, and great company.

Sorry all

n4sir · Post by **n4sir** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:07 pm

Gavin Trott wrote:Hello

I am unfortunately a non starter for this dinner.

My apologies, and I am sure you will all have a great time, and I'll miss some great wines, and great company.

Sorry all

Sorry to hear that Gavin - hopefully you can make it to another one soon. It sounds like a few people are going away for the weekend, so there's been a few apologies.

The updated list:

n4sir - a magnum of something, and a tawny port/sticky with dessert
David & Pam
Nick & Cath
Steve
Scanlon - Pipers Brook Gewurtztraminer
Gustav
John #11
rooview +1 - bubbles and a pinot
markg
Lagare Lout +1 (maybe)

Cheers,
Ian

welch · Post by **welch** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 6:35 pm

I'll be there, though my wife sends her regrets as she'll be out of town. Will be giving some thought as to what to bring.

Sean

ck · Post by ck » Sun Apr 20, 2008 8:45 pm

I've just found out that I can make this date and would love to come along if
there is still room. chris

n4sir · Post by **n4sir** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:01 pm

There's still room, so it's great to have you on board Chris and Sean (it'll be a great opportunity to finally have a decent talk with you, and a pity your fairer half couldn't make this one :wink:

)

The updated list:

n4sir - a magnum of something, and a tawny port/sticky with dessert
David & Pam
Nick & Cath
Steve
Scanlon (maybe +1) - Pipers Brook Gewurtztraminer
Gustav (maybe +1) - Brunello de Montalcino & an Oz or NZ Chardonnay
John #11
rooview +1 - bubbles and a pinot
markg
welch
ck
Lagare Lout +1 (maybe)

Cheers,
Ian