Het @Frank_Murray_III - might want to change mine in the database from Todd and Heidi to my lovely wife of nearly 12 years, Jen! (And our third is Rick Goetz)
My +1 is open if someone wants to take spot, otherwise Iāll just donate the $125.
FRIDAY Dinner Update. Everyone (this is also going to be posted to Facebook), we are just not seeing the interest we need for an organized BYOB Friday dinner on March 14th. While this dinner has been a longstanding tradition and joyful part of Falltacular, if the interest is below what we usually enjoy, we will have to adapt.
Here are the options for you that exist. I will let this information sit through Saturday, February 8th, and then based on what replies I get, we will then see which option you would like to pursue for those of you who remain interested. As of now, my data shows these people as āinterestedā, a total of 19.
|Bernie and DaveāLucianaās|2|
|Arnie and Lisaāeither|3|
|Yaromāeither|1|
|Glenn Māeither|2|
|Roy and Buāeither|2|
|Brian T and plus 1āeither|2|
|Sal and Nancyāeither|2|
|Brian Bohrāeither|1|
|Jim and Perry|2|
|Mike Grammer|1|
|Bruce Wāeither|1|
|Mike Stonekingāeither|1|
Larry Rowe I2I
OPTION 1: We need 25 people to commit to Doheny Cafe in Dana Point. This is Maisonās breakfast/lunch location, which Danielle uses for dinner buyouts/events. She has agreed to reduce the # to 25 minimum but that is as low as she can go. $105 for credit card, $95 for cash, all-in per person. If we donāt get to 25, and have 25 pay me prior to the dinner, we canāt do it. If you were to pay, you would be locked, with no refund. If you had to drop, provided we could fill your chair, I would refund you. If we choose this option, one person of the paid group needs to pick up the ball and work with Danielle on a menu and own the handshake from here on out. This gives you more direct control over what is selected, and I would make the introduction.
OPTION 2: Dine at Basanti (Indian) in San Juan Capistrano. Roshan (the owner) can do up to 20 people. The corkage? Donāt know. I would approach him about that if this option was pursued. He takes good care of us typically, and they know my regular group well. The food is terrific, the setting warm and comfy.
OPTION 3: Yāall split up and book where you want to eat, in whatever combinations of people you want.
OK, this is where we stand. Iāll wait for the replies over the next week and then weāll assess where we stand on February 8th.
I was looking to make some space in my cellar after purchasing 4-1/2 cases during BD16 so I pulled some wine for the FALLTACULAR Silent Auction. If anyone else has bottles they would like to donate send @Frank_Murray_III a message. Iām sure heād appreciate it. Plus, if any of these wines interest you and youāre attending, take notes.
2x 2019 Six Cloves Wines Magnolia Red Blend (Cab Merlot)
1x 2019 Halcon Tierra Petite Sirah
1x 2018 Bedrock Nervo Ranch Red Wine
1x 2020 Bedrock Nervo Ranch Red Wine
1x 2015 Halcon Esquisto
1x 2018 Halcon Esquisto
1x 2001 Scherrer Cabernet Sauvignon Scherrer Vineyard
1x 2002 Scherrer Cabernet Sauvignon Scherrer Vineyard
1x 2003 Scherrer Cabernet Sauvignon Scherrer Vineyard
1x 2018 Enfield Wine Co. Pretty Horses Tempranillo Blend
1x 2019 Enfield Wine Co. Pretty Horses Tempranillo Blend
1x GermƔn GonzƔles Tears of Llorona Extra AƱejo Tequila 1L
1x 2019 Dupuis Pino Noir Le Benedict
1x 2020 Dupuis Pinot Noir Elswick
1x 2020 Dupuis Pinot Noir Estate
Brian, this is an appreciated and generous donation. And with a photo too. I love it.
The math of our event is pretty stable. We usually collect about $10-12K at the front door of the house in tickets, and the rest comes for the silent auction, in the amount around $17-20K. This reflects the silent auctionās importance in the event, and there are key donors like Brian who help drive what is there to bid on.
We need items, often wine, but other things also sell (handmade art, restaurant dinner gift certs, winery visits with the winemaker, etc). If you want to make a donation to the event, please do. We accept it, we treat it well, and everything always sells. Large format? Donate it. We tried a raffle last year for a lot that Arnie Caplan donated and it raised over $500. All that money collected then goes directly to Lauraās House and their programs. To donate, simply contact me and we can work out the logistics.
It all helps us fight domestic violence.
Good news this morning. We have reached almost 80 paid, and over $10,000 received so far in tickets purchased. $10K to help fund Lauraās House and the work they continue to do for protecting, educating and restarting victim lives. THANK YOU everyone.
To the Friday dinner, we have seen no additional posts or reply activity to increase the interest count. We have through this Saturday to hear from you, either here or on Facebook. In the interim, if you are one of those interested, I would encurage you to start talking to each other and exploring the other ideas I suggested (or that you may have on your own) to make your Friday night work for you. Iāll see where we stand this Saturday and come back to you here with the direction you/we need to go on it.
Frank, I certainly hope it works out for the Friday dinner. I can add one person for the dinner, Carolyn Stoops. Keep us updated. Thanks.
Iāll add her
Everyone, concerning the Friday dinner for next month, there just isnāt sufficient interest for me to organize a buy-out dinner. We tried, and we can make another go at it next year. Where that leaves all of you is to do something on your own. Should you want to try and do something with those who remain interested, to dine with some/all of these folks, Arnie Caplan is will take the lead for it and welcomes you to contact him.
As to some suggestions from me about where you might go, I have a few.
Basanti Indian in San Juan Capistrano. We go here a lot for our Champagne dinners and the owner, Roshan, will welcome up to 20 people. Should you want to explore this option as a group, Arnie can get Roshanās contact info from me. The food here is great, and the service is consistently the same. And they like wine dorks like us.
Maison or Gianna in Dana Point. Both locations are owned by Danielle, who has hosted us before. Of note, Danielle does not use seed oil garbage in her food, and in many instances cooks with organic inputs. Either location can work, you could just make a reservation with either location. I have Danielleās contact info if you want it, say for a group that might be more than a table or two.
El Zarandeado in San Juan Capistrano. Owned by a friend of mine, Gaspar. Driven more towards a seafood feel, but also serves some of the same Mexican traditionals. I think of them as higher end/finer touch Mexican. I have his contact info as well.
Finally, the River Street in San Juan Capistrano. Opened a few months back. Several new restaurants all in the same campus kind of setting with a # of different dining options. Donāt have any contact info so youāre on your own but several options exist.
Hope it works out for all of you. Enjoy and see you all on Saturday at my house.
Chris and my sister Shana are in
Hey, thanks for sending the payment. I got a file today and your name was on it for three tickets so youāre all set.