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OC California Wine & Dine - 11/14/2008 9:32:14 AM

jhannah27

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Joined: 6/9/2008
From: Anaheim, CA
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This was originally in the "Show your locale" thread, but Fingers right fully said I should start a new one so that I don't inundate that one with OC posts.

So, we went to two wine bars I recently heard about last night, and here are my first impressions...

Versai
This is actually owned by the same people who own Fitness Pizza (there are a couple of them around here in YL and Brea, but I am not sure if there are others), and it is actually connected and serves wine to the Fitness Pizza in YL. The staff told us that they had a soft opening about 5-6 months ago, and they had their Grand Opening just recently, so it's brand new. The bar itself is pretty small, but the entire storfront has "hide-a-way" doors that open completely to a patio in front with two fire pits, so it doesn't feel cramped at all. $20-$25 corkage for wines that are not on their list (including different vintages of wines they do have). They have a full menu of food ranging from appetizers, to cheese plates, to salads, to lamb chops, and so on.

The staff is EXTREMELY good from a service stand point. They are attentive and friendly, and genuinely seem like they are enjoying what they are doing, which is nice. While it seemed that one of the ladies behind the bar seemed to know her stuff pretty well, the other wasn't even 21, so that was a bit disappointing, but as I said, they were so nice to talk to it really made up for it.

Thursday night was pretty empty, the few scattered patrons came and went as we had dinner and a couple glasses. They said that the weekends are typically busy, but not so much that you will be packed in like sardines. However, seating is kind of limited, so I would imagine that if you're not there early you probably won't get a seat right away. They did tell us that if we were to call ahead and let them know a larger party was coming, that they would reserve one of the seating areas around the fire pit for us. They even gave my wife a free slice of pumpkin cheesecake for her birthday, and really did it up nicely (one of the bartenders told us her b-day was on Sunday, so we bonded as Scorpios)...

The wine list was average. Mostly domestic stuff with a decent selection of Aussies and NZ. Very little from elsewhere, even France. There are about 200 selections by the bottle and about 30 or so by the glass. Prices seemed about what one would expect, however, the I think the most expensive wines that I saw were only about $120-$130. This is not a place to go have that amazing bottle of wine. It's definitely geared toward the more casual drinker. I had a glass of the 2004 Schubert "Block B" Wairapa, NZ Pinot, and the wife had a flight of reds that she said were decent. Unfortunately the list isn't online yet, and they said that it is still evolving so they don't have a copy to send out or let me take home.

The food was tasty. You can get a meal if you want or appetizers of course. I had these "Lamp Popsicles" which were breaded and pan fried. A bit over cooked, but I wasn't expecting gourmet. It was still pretty tasty. They do wine and food pairings once a month. It is themed based on the wine varietal, region or otherwise. It's a flight of 6-7 wines all paired with food and it's only $30, which I thought was a decent price.

Overall, I'd go back. It's close to my house and the service was really great. Wine list is weak, but I wouldn't go there for the perfect wine, it's more the type of place you go to relax with a decent glass after work.

Stay tuned...

< Message edited by jhannah27 -- 11/17/2008 9:25:57 AM >

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

Post #: 1

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/14/2008 9:32:53 AM

jhannah27

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From: Anaheim, CA
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Twisted Vine
Pretty typical downtown Fullerton vibe at this place. Pretty industrial and modern decor. It is much bigger than Versai, probably 4-5 times bigger, however considering the volume of people that go to Downtown Fullerton on the weekends, I can't imagine it will be any easier to get a spot here on a Friday or Saturday. Speaking to the owner, he said it varies on the weekends as to how busy it gets, and it can be anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour wait to get someplace to sit down. The one big advantage over Versai, though is that they have a good collection of large comfortable chairs that you can get sucked into with a nice glass, but obviously, you have to get there early to get one of these, or you have to stealthly swoop in behind the last couple that just paid their check.

Staff here seemed friendly enough, and my water got refilled without asking, but we never really got the attention that we would have liked to. Even the occassional check in is all we really needed. It wasn't until we were pretty much finished that the owner came around picking up our empty glasses, asking if we needed anything else, which was when we chatted him up a bit. He was a nice enough guy, he also said that if we brought in a party we could call him personally and request that he reserve one of the larger couches and some comfy chairs, however, this is not something they normally do.

The wine list here was also average. Again, mostly domestics, and the selection was about the same size as the last place. They did have a short list of higher end wines, which was nice to see (2003 Cos d'Estournel was the one that stands out, mainly because I love Cos, although at $325, it wasn't exactly a steal). I had a flight of red wines, a pinot from Mendocino, a Ribera Del Duero, and a Napa bordeaux blend. None of them were "big" names (at least I don't remember them), and they aren't on the website. The Pinot and the Red Blend were slightly above average, and the Ribera was hideously green and rubbery (my wife liked it though, which is curious). Prices were about average here as well. I forgot to ask about corkage. They have appetizers, cheese and meat platters, some sandwiches, etc. We didn't eat anything, but there were some items that looked tasty.

Overall, I'd go back to this place, but am I highly anticipating the next time I can get over there? Not really. The vibe wasn't my deal mainly because it is in an area that is overrun with bars and clubs, so it is a more trendy "hipster" crowd that makes me feel like I need to constantly suck in my gut and flex my chest to fit in. Versai was much more relaxed and low key.

Both places had their pluses and minuses, and I had no real problem with either. I'll probably hit up Versai again soon mainly because it is so close to my house. But I have a friend who runs a restaurant in Fullerton within walking distance to Twisted Vine, so it would be easy to have dinner there and walk over for an after dinner drink.

< Message edited by jhannah27 -- 11/14/2008 9:42:51 AM >

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

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Post #: 2

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/14/2008 9:39:47 AM

fingers

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That's valuable stuff, Jeremy. I expected Twisted Vine to be more of a store/bar than dining/bar. Thanks for starting the thread and maybe it will serve as a log for us to use in organizing a future OC get-together. vinopkm, I know you're out there. I know there's plenty of users but they're not in forums much :(

Let's keep the Orange County reviews coming

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RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/14/2008 9:45:13 AM

jhannah27

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From: Anaheim, CA
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That's definitely true. Half of the Twisted Vine is storefront, although they have tables dispersed throughout.

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to fingers)

Post #: 4

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/14/2008 10:54:12 AM

jhannah27

Posts: 523
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From: Anaheim, CA
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Anyone been to Symposium Wine Bar in Irvine?

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

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Post #: 5

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/15/2008 7:20:48 AM

cgrimes

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Not to change the subject, but I was just on Google earth and it looks like they turned my old elementary school (Wagner) on Yorba Linda Blvd in Placentia into a golf course (or am I looking at it incorrectly)! My things change. I have not been back to OC since I moved from there in 1978.

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RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/15/2008 8:12:52 AM

fingers

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Cannot confirm for certain, Craig, but I know there have been new golf courses built in the north YL area so it's probable.

Have not been to Symposium, Jeremy. Did stop in Baccus Secret Cellars awhile back and it's very nice, but not a must see. Prices are standard (high) and selection is small, but well-chosen. Best part is the ability to bring in edibles from the surrounding eateries and enjoy al fresco on the patio or in the comfy wine bar inside.

Another spot I recommend is Laguna Culinary Arts in Laguna Canyon. Excellent cheese selection and deli counter with an adjacent wine room. They train top-notch chefs there and Master Sommelier, Peter Neptune, teaches wine classes there. Very nice people that are also very knowledgeable.

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RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/15/2008 10:05:43 AM

jhannah27

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Craig...Looks like it's still there.

http://www.pylusd.org/schools/wagner/index.asp

Could be looking in the wrong place. There is a new golf course in YL though, but it's up in the hills a bit. It's called Black Gold.

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to cgrimes)

Post #: 8

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/15/2008 10:20:02 AM

jhannah27

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From: Anaheim, CA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: fingers
Have not been to Symposium, Jeremy. Did stop in Baccus Secret Cellars awhile back and it's very nice, but not a must see. Prices are standard (high) and selection is small, but well-chosen. Best part is the ability to bring in edibles from the surrounding eateries and enjoy al fresco on the patio or in the comfy wine bar inside.

That one is one my list to go check out one of these days. Symposium is an excellent place. I highly recommend it. The wine list is also small, but well chosen. I had a pinot that was really out of this world and only retails (they sell them there) for $42. It's a 2001 Nichols Pinot Noir Edna Valley Odyssey Thurlestone Vineyard. The bartender is actually an old Vegas bartender who moved out here to get away from all the craziness. Aparently our friends had gotten engaged out there, went to the restaurant/bar he worked at and they sat with him for like 3 hours, some staff from the Hotel the restaurant was in joined them. He's a really knowledgeable guy. I was chatting with him about the Nichols, and he said that it is a small production that the winery only sends out to a small selection of proprietors. He also then went on to tell me that he just had a really nice 1985 pinot the other day. When I asked him what it was...he was like oh it was a Domaine de la Romanee Conti La Tache..in a very non-chalant sort of way. I was like.."Wait...what?? You said Romanee Conti, like DRC, right?" He was just like.."yeah." He also said that the guy had a Richebourg that he was thinking about opening, but decided against it.

The funniest part about this conversation besides him acting so "whatever" about the DRC itself, was that most people I know would have said from the get-go...I had a DRC the other day. Not, I had a nice 1985 the other day. Talk about burying the lead!

quote:

Another spot I recommend is Laguna Culinary Arts in Laguna Canyon. Excellent cheese selection and deli counter with an adjacent wine room. They train top-notch chefs there and Master Sommelier, Peter Neptune, teaches wine classes there. Very nice people that are also very knowledgeable.

Sounds cool. I'll have to check into it. Do you know if they have great food/wine courses for the public?

< Message edited by jhannah27 -- 11/15/2008 10:41:28 AM >

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to fingers)

Post #: 9

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/15/2008 10:36:29 AM

vinopkm

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From: Orange County, CA
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The one thing I do like about Bacchus is the tasting area- they have around 50 wines available for tasting or pours (majority are red wines). I would not recommend going there when they have live music- shop is way too small for a live band- headache city and not due to the wine.

The Laguna Culinary is fun wine selection is limited but good- my girlfriend loves going there for the cheeses- her favorite is the Mt Tam from Cowgirl Creamery in SF. You can also cheek out Laguna Canyon Winery a couple of blocks away... nothing special, but interesting to try- all grapes are imported from either Napa or Paso.

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RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/15/2008 11:08:07 AM

fingers

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quote:

ORIGINAL: jhannah27

Do you know if they have great food/wine courses for the public?

Yes they do. I think the full schedule is available on the website and they have a satellite kitchen in Orange that I've taken classes at. I know the principal owner, Laurent. He and his father have developed the menu's for some of OC's finest establishment like The White House and French 75/Savannah. Major credentials for them - Brevet d’ Etudes Professionelle d’ Hotellerie (Chef Masters Degree) from Jean Ferrandi Chef School in Paris, 25 year career with La Meridien, retired as Executive Chef of Le Meridien Etoile in Paris in 2001, Chevalier du Merit National to honor exemplary lifelong dedication to the art of French Cuisine and has also been appointed one of only 100 seats of the Acadamie Culinaire de France. And Peter Neptune is one of only 73 Master Somm's in the US.

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RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/15/2008 5:09:56 PM

fingers

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Straying from the topic, and given the local news of the day, I have to ask, "Jeremy, are you okay?" I'n not sure what part of Anaheim you're in but I believe the fires are close. We had to evacuate our vet clinic in Yorba Linda and it's like Noah's ark at our house now. There were some pretty hairy moments and we only hope that our business is still standing.

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Post #: 12

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/15/2008 6:46:22 PM

vinopkm

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Sorry to take this off topic, but next time my off-site storage locker has an event like this I will have to extend the offer to other cellar tracker members (1-2 at a time, sorry ). We left a little early- but other members were starting to open up other bottles for tasting- Justin Isosceles and other vintage Kistlers- an 86- not sure with vineyard. If my girlfriend didn't have to leave early for a girls night out I would of stayed in "heaven".

http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=6159

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RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/15/2008 8:32:37 PM

cgrimes

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quote:

ORIGINAL: jhannah27

Craig...Looks like it's still there.

http://www.pylusd.org/schools/wagner/index.asp

Could be looking in the wrong place. There is a new golf course in YL though, but it's up in the hills a bit. It's called Black Gold.

Thanks Jeremy. The mascot is even the same!

Hope you all are safe!

< Message edited by cgrimes -- 11/15/2008 8:34:11 PM >

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RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/16/2008 9:06:44 AM

jhannah27

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From: Anaheim, CA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: fingers

Straying from the topic, and given the local news of the day, I have to ask, "Jeremy, are you okay?" I'n not sure what part of Anaheim you're in but I believe the fires are close. We had to evacuate our vet clinic in Yorba Linda and it's like Noah's ark at our house now. There were some pretty hairy moments and we only hope that our business is still standing.

Hey all. Thanks for the kind thoughts. Things were a little hairy yesterday as the fires were growing in the morning. My wife and I ended up going to my brother and sister-in-law's house who are right on the border of where the mandatory evacuations took place. Unfortunately, my brother is out of town on a business trip right now, so we wanted to make sure my sis-in-law was OK and to help her get their stuff together if they needed to get out. We decided to leave there, although we were never actually required to, mainly because it was getting a little too close for comfort and the air quality was just too bad. We got her to her parents house and ended up coming back to our place, which was never in danger since we are on the other side of Anaheim Hills, and grabbed some irreplaceables (sorry to disappoint, but I left the wine) to be on the safe side, then went back to her parents house to keep her company and drink some wine.

The fire seems to be moving north-west of us right now, so, for now, we seem to be out of the woods and my brother's house is safe.

Bob - you run the YL pet clinic on La Palma? I know a bunch of people that go there, including my brother. We also have some friends that live down a little further on la Palma in the condos near the ice rink. And of course, that is where I play hockey on Sunday nights, so I doubt I will be having a game. We'll see I guess.

Thanks again!

< Message edited by jhannah27 -- 11/16/2008 9:07:07 AM >

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to fingers)

Post #: 15

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/16/2008 4:48:26 PM

fingers

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Smaller world than I thought, Jeremy. The Ice Palace is our next door neighbor. We just rode our bikes into Bryant Ranch since no cars were being allowed in yet and everything is okay and the building untouched. Stop in and say hi to Brigit if we're open (8-6M-F,8-4Sat) . Bring your cat, if you have one. I'm not there much, since I'm only the IT guy, which is a potential disaster, too.
We drove through Savi Ranch and Weir Canyon and it would seem many of the media reports of devastation were completely overblown.

You shouldn't be playing tonight anyway. Ducks v. Kings @5

< Message edited by fingers -- 11/16/2008 4:50:18 PM >

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RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/16/2008 7:33:21 PM

RoundersRob

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Jeremy having a cat? I think he would be more likely to buy himself a bottle of that Beringer White Zinfandel.

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RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/16/2008 7:37:12 PM

fingers

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If he comes and adopts a kitten, we'll provide a nice magnum of BWZ.

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RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/17/2008 12:02:28 AM

jhannah27

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quote:

ORIGINAL: fingers

Smaller world than I thought, Jeremy. The Ice Palace is our next door neighbor. We just rode our bikes into Bryant Ranch since no cars were being allowed in yet and everything is okay and the building untouched. Stop in and say hi to Brigit if we're open (8-6M-F,8-4Sat) . Bring your cat, if you have one. I'm not there much, since I'm only the IT guy, which is a potential disaster, too.
We drove through Savi Ranch and Weir Canyon and it would seem many of the media reports of devastation were completely overblown.

You shouldn't be playing tonight anyway. Ducks v. Kings @5

My game wasn't until 10:15, so plenty of time to watch the game

I was a little confused by the "cat" reference until I got to the rink tonight. Now I get it.

And...no offense, you won't see me as a customer in there anytime in the near future. I am...to say the least...not a cat person.

If my wife ever gets me drunk enough to talk me into letting her get one though, I know where to send her!

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to fingers)

Post #: 19

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/17/2008 6:43:55 AM

fingers

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quote:

ORIGINAL: jhannah27

And...no offense, you won't see me as a customer in there anytime in the near future. I am...to say the least...not a cat person.

If my wife ever gets me drunk enough to talk me into letting her get one though, I know where to send her!

LOL. Me neither, I just married one. She grew up in South Africa working with lions and cheetahs but there aren't too many of those here. At least at home, I've got a Rottweiler, horse, cockatoo's, and rabbits. Hence, the Noah's ark reference.
Well, Thank God the worst is over and we can turn this back into wine talk.

I have orders waiting at Amazing Grapes and am thinking of going down to the Thursday or Friday tasting this week.

_____________________________

"A glass of wine is great refreshment after a hard days work."

Ludwig Van Beethoven

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Post #: 20

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/17/2008 8:59:46 AM

jhannah27

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Hmmm. Friday may be a possibility. They have the 05 Guiraud in 375 for $35 that I am considering. Not just because it was number 4 from WS, but more so that it is a fairly inexpensive sticky that is obviously highly rated (not to muention people here seemed to like it as well). So, to me, it's a safe place to help me get into those wines a little more, since i know nothing about them.

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to fingers)

Post #: 21

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/17/2008 9:06:55 AM

RoundersRob

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quote:

ORIGINAL: fingers

quote:

ORIGINAL: jhannah27

And...no offense, you won't see me as a customer in there anytime in the near future. I am...to say the least...not a cat person.

If my wife ever gets me drunk enough to talk me into letting her get one though, I know where to send her!

LOL. Me neither, I just married one. She grew up in South Africa working with lions and cheetahs but there aren't too many of those here. At least at home, I've got a Rottweiler, horse, cockatoo's, and rabbits. Hence, the Noah's ark reference.
Well, Thank God the worst is over and we can turn this back into wine talk.

I have orders waiting at Amazing Grapes and am thinking of going down to the Thursday or Friday tasting this week.

If she want's a cat like that then get her a Savannah. We've got one and although he is a little nuts, he is very cool.

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Post #: 22

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/17/2008 7:22:48 PM

vinopkm

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I had to drive out to Ontario today to my office (big wigs in town) and drove along the 91- WOW!!! I wasn't fully aware how much burned- seeing it in daylight up close is different. My neighbor's friend lived in the apartments that burned in Anaheim Hills- they had a five minute notice to leave and watched their place burn on TV. Another friend of theirs stayed a little longer to grab more personal items and had to drive through the flames. The 91 is a 6 lane highway each way... that is 12 lanes of highway that the fire crossed- and a median as well!!! Glad everyone is safe.

(in reply to RoundersRob)

Post #: 23

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/17/2008 8:03:58 PM

vinopkm

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Bloomingdales at South Coast is selling wine. They hired an ex-Wine Club buyer- nice guy. He was pouring the wine I at the tasting at my off-site storage. It is under Charlie Palmers.

http://www.ewinebook.com/cpatbloom?web&retail=Y

< Message edited by vinopkm -- 11/17/2008 8:10:33 PM >

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Post #: 24

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/18/2008 9:24:18 AM

jhannah27

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quote:

ORIGINAL: vinopkm

Bloomingdales at South Coast is selling wine. They hired an ex-Wine Club buyer- nice guy. He was pouring the wine I at the tasting at my off-site storage. It is under Charlie Palmers.

http://www.ewinebook.com/cpatbloom?web&retail=Y

Pretty cool. Looks like they have one of those wine towers like Areole at Mandalay Bay in Vegas.

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to vinopkm)

Post #: 25

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/18/2008 9:42:46 AM

fingers

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quote:

ORIGINAL: vinopkm

Bloomingdales at South Coast is selling wine.

I'm picturing a bunch of winos waiting at the doors for the "Day After Christmas" sale.

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Post #: 26

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/18/2008 7:53:15 PM

J2K

Posts: 426
Joined: 5/5/2008
From: Pittsburgh, PA- U.S.A.
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Any of you Cali guys been to The Wine Loft?? There is one in L.A., Sunnydale, and Brentwood.
They are opening one here in Pittsburgh in a few months.

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Post #: 27

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/18/2008 8:14:37 PM

jhannah27

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Joined: 6/9/2008
From: Anaheim, CA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: fingers

I'm picturing a bunch of winos waiting at the doors for the "Day After Christmas" sale.

You know where to find me while the wife is roaming around.

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to fingers)

Post #: 28

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/22/2008 11:30:02 AM

jhannah27

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From: Anaheim, CA
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I wanted to throw out to you OC'ers (and So Cal'ers) a quick question. I am constantly on the hunt for the inexpensive, but quality bottle of wine. I have found quite a few since moving back down here (I have found that typically the best of these are small producers that have been brought in by small distributors to only a small number of retailers, which is unfortunate), but I am always on the look out to expand what I have in terms of regions and varietals.

Bob, I know you just went to a tasting at Winex that featured bargain wines, right? Any that stood out?

If any of you would like to provide some recommendations and where they can be found, I thought it would be helpful to all of us who live around here as these wines aren't typically the ones you order and wait by the door for the FedEx guy to show up with, they are the ones we grab for day-to-day drinking. And as they say, variety is the spice of life!

Here are a couple that I have been buying....

2005 Chateau de Rochemorin Blanc - Total Wine, Tustin - $17
2005 Lous Chavy Bougogne (the label is wrong on CT) - Total Wine, Tustin - $10
2005 Di Majo Norante Aglianico Molise Contado - Amazing Grapes, RSM - $15
2007 Cave du Pomerol Coteaux du Languedoc Picpoul-de-Pinet Hugues Belieu - Wine Exchange, Orange - $8 (also at Total Wine for the same price)

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to jhannah27)

Post #: 29

RE: OC California Wine & Dine - 11/22/2008 11:46:10 AM

jhannah27

Posts: 523
Joined: 6/9/2008
From: Anaheim, CA
Status: offline

So I have a follow-up to the review of the new wine bar Versai in Yorba Linda. My wife and I met my mother there last night to have dinner at the connected restaurant and enjoy some decent wine. Dinner was great, the wine, again, was OK and as I mentioned in the "Active Users" thread, I had a decent Riesling. This was all fine and enjoyable....

At around 8 or so, they apparently hired a "singer" to entertain the patrons while they sipped their wines.

Keep in mind...this place is only about 20' x 20' with a small patio out front.

At first she was fine. Not a great singer, but servicable and she sang soft, jazz and big band songs from Sinatra, Norah Jones, with the occassional soft rock song.

Another aside...she was singing to the instrumental versions of these songs...like karaoke, without the words on screen...

She sang one set, then took a 20 minute break or so. When she came back, it was a new thing altogether. She had ditched the jazz standards for Janis Joplin, Four Non-Blondes (90's female grunge band), and I kid you not...Britney Spears and Pink!! WTF?!?!? To make it even more inappropriate, she for some ungodly reason decided that she needed to BELT OUT every word of theses songs (and I think they even turned up the volume in the P.A. system). Now I am all for some variety in the entertainment, but this was just downright disrespectful to the patrons. It was so loud you could barely have a conversation. I was sitting accross a fire pit from my wife (no mor than 4-5 feet away), and I had to scream for her to hear me. I was so annoyed that I just walked up to the bar, paid our tab and left (thank god, too, because she began to "sing" some annoying twangy country song as we were walking out). And I feel even worse for the peole who were sitting inside, as it was even louder in there.

Anyway....that's my rant. Needless to say I won't be going back there on a Friday night anymore. I also plan to write the establishment to tell them how inappropriate the whole thing was for the type of setting I feel they are trying to create.

I swear...her voice is still ringing in my ears....

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to jhannah27)

Post #: 30

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