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Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/19/2008 1:56:58 PM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1523
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline 		we have reservation next month, 6 drinking people.
What should we not miss?
(1 white bottle or by the glass) and 5 reds will do

Our budget is "$500 per couple"

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RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/19/2008 7:10:55 PM   
Eric

 

Posts: 5738
Joined: 10/10/2003
From: Seattle, WA
Status: offline 		Honestly, just go in there, give the somm's your parameters and interests, and they will take care of you and stand behind the bottle. Definitely trust them on older bottles, unknown producers, off vintages etc. For example, we had a mag of 1873 Rauzan-Segla that had NO business being as good as it was. Likewise for some 1955 Mongeard-Mugneret Grands-Ech. Just utterly incredible wines! You might decrease your variety but increase your shot at a truly amazing older bottle by aiming for at least 1 magnum. (We pretty much did all magnums.) And given the two wines I mentioend you know enough to know how to find the rest of what we drank...


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-Eric LeVine

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)
Post #: 2
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/19/2008 7:28:11 PM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1523
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline 		Eric, thanks, I think I know where to find the rest and I like the way you put it:
you gave info and at the same time fulfilled the wishes of Somms NOT to give lists on the board. Good job!

Trusting Somm when I normally don't trust any strangers? I'll never forget Somm's warning that 1982 village Burg might not be good,
here is the rest of the story:
http://wineknight.com/ (Night Two)

Over to check the rest of your notes

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Post #: 3
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/19/2008 7:40:23 PM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1523
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline 		oo-la-la! I betcha your budget was "slightly" higher than ours
:) I guess we'll order just one appetizer, 1 steak 12 loafs of bread and 6 bottles :)

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Post #: 4
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/20/2008 9:58:08 AM   
Eric

 

Posts: 5738
Joined: 10/10/2003
From: Seattle, WA
Status: offline 		Yes, our budget was probably 3-4x what yours is, and we had a big group (9 or 10) so went nearly all with magnums. Still, the place is amazing. They will take care of you. Just trust me and get something there that you won't find elsewhere, old and obscure etc.


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-Eric LeVine

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)
Post #: 5
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/20/2008 10:16:47 AM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1523
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline 		Eric, my guestimate yesterday was 4 times. As for being taken care of, I always start conversations with Somm's:
"Your friend Congressman Manlin sent us here"

Always does the trick. Either Somm recognises "Manlin" and disregards "Congressman" and atributes it to my accent
or
"Congressman" is enough to do the trick if Manlin's name does nothing.

One day I'll order double magnums and charge them to his acount, but not in Septemeber.
:)

Did you decant or got the wines from the bottles?

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Post #: 6
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/20/2008 3:30:35 PM   
Pavie Princess

 

Posts: 258
Joined: 5/19/2008
From: The Big Easy, New Orleans
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Serge Birbrair

we have reservation next month, 6 drinking people.
What should we not miss?
(1 white bottle or by the glass) and 5 reds will do

Our budget is "$500 per couple"
ask for Tomas from Bulgeria to wait upon you.  He did out last dinner there with 5 first growths.  And he was awesome.

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)
Post #: 7
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/20/2008 4:11:03 PM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1523
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline 		Did you mean Bulgaria? I might even understand him if he speaks his native tongue.
:)

How did he serve the wines, decanted or from the bottle?

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Post #: 8
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/21/2008 8:30:43 AM   
Eric

 

Posts: 5738
Joined: 10/10/2003
From: Seattle, WA
Status: offline 		Serge, I believe all of the wines were decanted for sediment--but I can't say for sure.These guys were so professional and shuttling in fresh glassware and new wines so often that it was hard to keep track of it all. Suffice it to say we were in good hands.


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-Eric LeVine

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)
Post #: 9
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/21/2008 8:35:43 AM   
Hollowine

 

Posts: 322
Joined: 7/25/2008
From: Hood River, OR
Status: offline 		For the uninitiated, what restaurant are we referring to here?

(in reply to Eric)
Post #: 10
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/21/2008 9:00:30 AM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1523
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline 		Eric, I usually insist on not decanting, but I heed your advice and will let the Somm do his magic tricks.

Hollowine, we are talking this one:
http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/florida/tampa-bay-area/review-43111.html


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Post #: 11
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/21/2008 9:34:01 AM   
Hollowine

 

Posts: 322
Joined: 7/25/2008
From: Hood River, OR
Status: offline 		Thanks Serge, will keep it in mind if I ever get to Tampa. Usually I'm in Orlando or Ft. Lauderdale when I travel that far to the Right. Would certainly make for an interesting visit with a group of friends willing to pay out and explore like you and Eric planned.

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)
Post #: 12
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/21/2008 9:40:01 AM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1523
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline 		Hollow, this is the whole idea. I was at bern's BEFORE I bit the real wine bug and will study their wine list ad naseum.

Give me a ring the next time you are in Fort Lauderdale,
I know a few good places letting BYOW and not even charging me a fee. The owner loves trying new wines.

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Post #: 13
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/21/2008 10:50:05 AM   
Hollowine

 

Posts: 322
Joined: 7/25/2008
From: Hood River, OR
Status: offline 		Will do, and eagerly look forward to your after-dining notes.

Cheers!
Scott

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)
Post #: 14
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/23/2008 2:43:57 PM   
PSirah Tampa

 

Posts: 81
Joined: 12/9/2006
Status: offline 		Serge-

I live 2 blocks from Mecca (Berns).  It's truly the Holy Grail for lovers of mature wine.  I really doubt there's anything even close to it in the world.  I go there frequently, often just to the bar for the wine.

There are a lot of bargains in the wine list.  Berns typically has a 2.5 to 4 times markup on wine.  For recent releases that's no bargain; this is where they make their money.  But their older bottles have been held for 20 to 40 years.  They bought those bottles for nothing compared to todays prices.  Now they have marked them up through the years, but this is where the bargains are.  Look for older vintages; they're very strong in California from the 60's and 70's, Bordeaux, Burgundy, and most of Italy.  Bern bought wine by the truckload back in the 70's & 80's; they still have many thousand of those bottles left.

I personally love the old California stuff; I find it fun to open old Inglenook's from the 70's for $40.  If you tell either of the Sommeliers (Brad/ Eric) the region of your choice and you're looking for an unusual and interesting older vintage in the $50 to $100 price range they will not disappoint (although great red Burgundy can be a little tough in that price range).  I've found dozens of bargains from many regions; it's not very hard if you look.  The problem is the list is so big that everyone else at the table will get pissed off by you reading it.  It can easily take 30 minutes to look through it.

My suggestion- get to the restaurant 30 to 40 minutes early and go to the bar.  Look at the wines by the glass list and get a couple of glasses of older vintage wines (from the '70's/ 80's) they're pouring that evening.  They're usually $10 to $15 for some real neat stuff.  Ask them for a full wine list to study while you are waiting for your table.  You'll have a great time (unless you're with your SO).

By the way, Berns serves food as well (many wine lovers don't notice).  Nice dry aged steaks.

The great deal for me is after a night of drinking I get to stumble home!

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Post #: 15
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/23/2008 2:56:44 PM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1523
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline 		Those are excellent ideas! Arriving early and hitting "by the glass" while studying "the bible" is the way to go!
Giving Somm budget and the regions to work with is another great suggestion.
As I type we have hearts set on :
1 aged Riesling
4 reds (aged 2-Burgs, aged California, aged Bdx)
6 "by the glass".
1955 Mongeard-Mugneret Grands-Ech. is so far only one confirmed pick.
70's Inglenook by the glass is another.

< Message edited by Serge Birbrair -- 8/23/2008 2:57:07 PM >

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Post #: 16
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/23/2008 3:11:16 PM   
PSirah Tampa

 

Posts: 81
Joined: 12/9/2006
Status: offline 		Serge-

You may be overly optimistic on the wines by the glass.  Although they serve a lot of wine by the glass, it rotates.  In one evening there are generally ony 3 to 5 that I would consider purchasing.  I haven't seen an Inglenook by the glass (but the bottle is inexpensive).

Look for the unusual Rhone style varietals- carignane, charbono, mourvedre, and the "dreaded" petite sirah.  They have really cool old bottles of this stuff (cheap) that you won't find elsewhwee.  Also, if you like white burgs they're VERY strong there.

You've got a great game plan for the night; you'll have a blast.  The Chateaubriand for two is the way to go on the food side.

Who knows, the guy sitting at the table next to you might be me!

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Post #: 17
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/23/2008 10:40:59 PM   
Eric

 

Posts: 5738
Joined: 10/10/2003
From: Seattle, WA
Status: offline 		I am very jealous of you people who get to visit Mecca frequently. It is a humbling experience. Truly wonderful!

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Post #: 18
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/23/2008 11:05:08 PM   
pjaines

 

Posts: 905
Joined: 5/26/2008
From: London
Status: offline 		Can anyone post a link to their wine list - I tried looking on their website but they just had by the glass menu.

Or am I being a dumb-ass and not looking in the right place?



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Post #: 19
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/24/2008 5:21:07 AM   
PSirah Tampa

 

Posts: 81
Joined: 12/9/2006
Status: offline 		To the best of my knowledge Berns has never put their Wine List online.  They don't want to make it too easy for people to cherry pick it (seriously).  If you had the list at home with you and compared older bottles to auction prices you would find that the restaurant is selling way below auction prices (I have one of their lists at home).  If too many people got too smart the well will run dry.  They print updated versions of the list infrequently, so the 10,000 (or so) offerings are full of white outs to indicate dead soldiers.  Far from modern, but it works.

About 95% of the patrons order wine, but overpriced recent releases or plonk.  They know nothing nor care about wine, they just know they're supposed to drink wine when they're there.  The sommiliers aren't much help to this clan; unless they determine you will appreciate great wine they're not going to help you cherry pick the list.  If any of you do go to Berns and want the sollilier to assist, talk him up a bit first- use your best wine geek speak.

Eric, there's a house on my block for sale; 1 block from Mecca!  You can just as easily run your internet business from Tampa as Washington!  Wait- not such a good idea- you'll drain the Berns cellar dry.

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Post #: 20
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/24/2008 6:07:56 AM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1523
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline 		Yeah, having Eric close toi Bern's will spell nothing but troubles for us Floridians!
:)

I heard one can buy Bern's wine list on eBay, I don't know if this is true.



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Post #: 21
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/24/2008 6:35:39 AM   
PSirah Tampa

 

Posts: 81
Joined: 12/9/2006
Status: offline 		There are about 100 legal copies of the Wine List floating around, but they're back from 1998.  Berns has an annual Wine Fest each April; it's now a huge deal (a 4 day event).

The firsy year of the Wine Fest was 1998; only 100 or so attended.  It cost $15 to attend at the time.  I happened to buy the very first ticket they ever sold; I wish I still had the stub.  Anyway, as a door prize as you exited the event they gave everyone a hardbound copy of the wine list.  They printed too many copies and wanted to get rid of them (a new list was in the works).  To the best of my knowledge this is the only legal list available.  I'm sure a few books have been boosted, and a handful of big spending regular patrons have been given copies.

Short of new additions, the 1998 list is surprisingly current.

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Post #: 22
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/24/2008 6:43:25 AM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1523
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline 		How can we get tix to the next 4 days event?

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Post #: 23
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/24/2008 7:23:51 AM   
PSirah Tampa

 

Posts: 81
Joined: 12/9/2006
Status: offline 		The next Berns Winefest is likely to be April 17- 20, 2009.  The official announcement of the event will come out in early February, 2009.  The event consists of parties, seminars, the Grand Tasting (200- to 300 great wines and food), and culminates with a Monday night wine maker dinner (Jean-Luc Colombo in 2008) with unreal wine poured.  The event sells out completely, generally within hours.  They will announce the date/ time when tickets officially go on sale in early February, generally 2 to 3 weeks later.  They can be bought in person or on the net.  Unfortunately it can be tough to get tickets to the Wine Maker Dinner.  Regular patrons seem to snag the tickets prior to sales officially opening, even at $300/ person price tag.  I was lucky to get tickets last year.  It's a pricey dinner, but I was drinking VERY nice (and expensive) wine.

You can check out the details on last years event at www.bernswinefest.com .   

Since there's interest I'll post in February when the event is announced. 

Maybe we can even schedule a Cellar Tracker Meet & Greet around it.  Eric, are you up for a road trip in April?

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Post #: 24
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/24/2008 7:34:07 AM   
PSirah Tampa

 

Posts: 81
Joined: 12/9/2006
Status: offline 		Berns does publish their wines by the glass list; I didn't know they did:

http://www.bernssteakhouse.com/Portals/2/Documents/BSH_WBG.pdf

My experience has been, however, that not everything is available every night.  I'm not sure if they hold back or just run out from the working cellar in the restaurant.  The main cellars are a block from the restaurant; not convenient to retreive additional bottles.

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Post #: 25
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/24/2008 7:44:41 AM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1523
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline 		Thank you, sire! I'll definately look forward to this one. $300 is expensive? Not after you paid $1000 for Latour dinner :)

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Post #: 26
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/24/2008 7:51:53 AM   
PSirah Tampa

 

Posts: 81
Joined: 12/9/2006
Status: offline 		I stand corrected; $300 now seems a bargain!

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Post #: 27
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/24/2008 8:09:47 AM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1523
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline 		I am engaging ALL my connections in Tampa and in the ALL circles, from bankers to strip joints, I want those tix! and will not take NO for anm answer. Calling all the markers. :)

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Post #: 28
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/24/2008 8:29:39 AM   
PSirah Tampa

 

Posts: 81
Joined: 12/9/2006
Status: offline 		As long as you're attentive to getting on the internet at the appointed hour the only difficulty should be the Wine Dinner.  When you visit Berns make buds with either Eric or Brad (sommilier), and take care of them.  They can be a big help in getting you an early start to the tix.

Who knows, I might be able to get 4 tixs; I'd give you 2 of mine.  It sounds like you would really enjoy it.

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I just gotta drink'um faster!

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Post #: 29
RE: Bern's lovers, question for you - 8/24/2008 8:52:51 AM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1523
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline 		Thank you once again, sire! If we get only 2, we'll have to leave our women behind....I hope you don't mind. :)
This all sounds like THE Epochal dinner and I won't miss it for the world.




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Post #: 30
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