Reservations, cellar tour, corkage, etc?
Thanks.
I always call ahead and have a conversation with one of the Somms. They have always had a good selection of bottles pulled before I get there and we make the final decision at the table. The list is pretty daunting and there are so many awesome wines that don’t come with critical or Berserker acclaim. Good luck!
I think you’re missing the point…
How’d I miss that…
Make absolutely sure you do the dessert room, and don’t forget the phenomenal selection of vintage ports by the glass ![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}
Everyone in our party put together a flight of ports from various years in the 60s and 70s to go with birth years…
Sorry, not sure what you mean by missing the point? As in, don’t bring wine, just enjoy what they have there?
Yes…A massive wine list with lots of gems and many many reasonably priced wines. Definitely ask to do the kitchen and cellar tours. Dessert room is out of this world…in fact Just a month ago had the best Rum infused Bread Pudding I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating. It paired very nicely with a '72 Dow’s Port. I ate there 5 times in 4 months when I was down there on business. Love the restaurant, wine, food, etc…the decor, well that is something else entirely:)
It has been a while since I was there, but I distinctly recall that the wines come out of the cellar so cold that there is virtually no aroma or flavor for the first hour or so. I would second the recommendation to call ahead and have them pull some wines before you arrive.
Bring a fat wallet and no do not bring your own wine. You go to Bern’s for their wine.
I don’t think sufficient attention has been paid to the question of how much corkage is at Bern’s. That is the most outlandishly stupid question I’ve ever seen on an Internet wine board.
If only everyone could be as smart as you, David…
Agree to call ahead and ask to speak to the Somm. Tell him what you like, how many wines you would like to drink, and how much you would like to spend. Then leave it to him…he will find absolute gems. Been to Bern’s 8 times and this strategy han never let me down!
Oh, come on. Either asking about corkage at Berns demands a bit of ball-breaking, or no comment ever does.
Here I am, Serge.
Last visit, we took our own Champagne - a category (perhaps the only category) where Bern’s lacks both depth and bargains.
So Robert, did they have corkage, or did they look at you like you kicked their puppy when you walked in with your own wine?
Go with a large group and ask for individual separate checks.
Perhaps due to the spring training but it was really busy at 5:30 on Friday and Saturday. Don’t be late.
John, I don’t remember whether or not there was a corkage charge. But bringing our own Champagne had been suggested by the sommelier during an earlier visit, and was warmly received.
Good to know, sir.
Lots of good advice here. As others have said call ahead and tell sommelier your wine interests, botte count and total wine budget. Let the somm make the final selections for you.
Most importantly, please do not post about yr experience afterwards!
thnx
Brodie