Hey sorry I missed the last one guys - work took the night away. I’m in on this one! It is my home turf!
Dan, what’s the limit at the restaurant you think? we’re already at 11 before andrew+0.9999999… and Eugene.
I say let’s get cozy and squeeze them in!
I’d love to join if space is available.
Don’t know, but I’ll ask. ![[pillow-fight.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/3/365d4ae6de5fe0cd9e7345760c12ceae1ed5e206.gif "[pillow-fight.gif]")
Maybe start a wait list again?
I’m in, pending harvest duties.
Any particular theme or just go with the flow like last time? Not to be monotonous, but I can of course throw in a couple more Swiss bottles into the fray or if you want to try some bubbles, I have close friends that are estate producers back in France.
Bubbles works for me! 
Happy to go either way with the format again, but also itching to change things up a little too.
Any interest in a more focused, blind tasting? Since it looks like there will be at least 10 of us, we could do 2 flights: Chard/Pinot, Pinot/Syrah, all Rhones, etc. We can take a couple of outliers too: bubbles before the blind tasting flights, and a sticky for after. Can also consider a price cap on the blind bottles, so someone’s La Tache doesn’t mess things up. Maybe even do a vote on the wines to see what the favorites are before revealing them.
Those are just some ideas. Or we could do what we did last time too, and try the blind thing another time.
La Tache does not mess things up. Ever.
I’d go for a two blind flight theme: Chard then Pinot. Make it from anywhere? Always fun to be embarrassed guessing new/old world wines. And take Andrew up on his offer for a Champagne starter?
Anything works for me.
Blind is fun.
My vote is chard/pinot, but really, anything is fine.
Love me some bubbles.
By the way, I was there few nights ago, and they said 12 people would be fine.
Should we settle for 12 or is that too many?
Just let me know.
12 sounds good.
Yup, 12 is ok with me. Chard/Pinot is fine, too. Or whatever.
Okay this is getting ahead for next month. My darling wife took me out for a birthday dinner tonight and we went to Café Gibraltar in El Granada (Half Moon Bay).
The food was amazing (they get 28 out of 30 from Zagat) and they have an insanely priced tasting menu of 5 courses for $65 per person. I spoke to both the chef and was given the cell phone of the manager. They could do up to 20 people and if we could agree on a set menu they will swing a deal for us…corkage to negotiate. Chiara and I have worked our way through many restaurants in Europe and we were very impressed with the quality of the food.
Comments? Half Moon Bay is a bit of a haul for some; they are the inland side of Sam’s Chowder House.
Happy trails,
Andrew
Let’s do 12.
I also like the chard and pinot theme.
Let’s run with it.
Great place! We used to go there a few times a year to meet up with friends in SF. Nice midway location. A fixed menu from them would be amazing. Tough ride there and back on a week night for those of us in South Bay, though. I’d have to pass on that one but for those within a reasonable distance, do it!
Ok we are gluttons…happened to be back over to the coast to escape the heat and ducked in there for a late brunch…the absolute best chiquiles plate that I have had anywhere.
As it was quiet I spoke a bit more to José Luis who is both the chef and co-owner with his wife. He would love to do something for us…and guess what, he does a lot with local mushrooms in season (porcini and chanterelles) which can run from late October to end of November.
They can handle up to 20. Patrick I can even see if they would do a Friday night.
Not an easy path to where they are now:
Andrew,
Can you negotiate transportation? 
Seriously though, my main concern is driving on that windy road afterward.
Do taxi’s come that far?
Sounds like a great venue.
Also, I think this may be worthy of its own thread, maybe you can start a new thread - SF Bay Area Offline: Oct 30 El Granada or something?
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
I’m going to be in Korea the week of the 23rd, and Alaska the week of the 30th for work. I was hoping to keep the week of the 30th clear, but didn’t fall that way. Just got confirmed.
blah.
I’m a super dullard.