Pittsburgh BYOB gathering #9

Apparently the urge to gather is strong...quick poll for date: how many would be unavailable on May 28? (that's the Fri of Memorial Day). My other alternative is June 11 - which could possibly be game 7 of the Stanley Cup but I'm expecting the Pens to wrap it up in 6 at the most.

I'm going to contact Legends of the North Shore but I fear they need to turn over tables because of size. If that is correct I think the venue will be the Cross Keys Inn on Dorseyville Rd north of Fox Chapel.

Sorry, I forgot the format.

How about favorite wine under $20? In my mind this would mean wine that is regularly under $20 but that's pretty subjective so any wine purchased under $20 qualifies.

I would probably be good for two on the 28th but would have to double check with the better half. The format is fine with me - would we do it blind?

28th is no good for me, need to double-check the 11th.

jlburd, the 28th should be fine for me. Good for 1, possibly 2. I'd be up for "bring a favorite" regardless of price, but the under 20 is fine with me also. Where there's good wine, I'll be there.

The 28th is probably no good for me. I could do any other weekend though.

I'm probably in for 3. Me, Jim & my nephew.

Alright, now that we've cleaned the loop on the 28th, how many can make June 11th?

I should be ok for the 11th, probably for 2.

I'm good for one on that day.

June 11 should be fine. One, possibly two.

Good for two on June 11.

Alright then, let's shift to June 11. Details to follow shortly

I'm in for the 11th.

Legends would limit us to 2 hrs so I'm haggling with Cross Keys over corkage. What was the high water mark so far?

I believe it's been $5, at both our favorite(!) Shadyside Italian restaurant and Bigelow Grille. A few places have offered a flat per-person fee as well but that's a wash since we typically have about the same number of bottles as people.

Update - plan on having 3 attending now; my brother and his wife will be in town that weekend, and would like to join in.

Well, one more would like to come as well (my wife). So total of 4. jlburd, let me know if any issue with # attendees; hopefully you are still working out the party size with the restaurant. BTW - Cross Keys is a featured restaurant in the Pitt Magazine top 25 that was just issued - looks great.

The place has a number of upstairs rooms - similar to Palazzo's - that can probably accomodate 10-16 equally well, plus one that can handle twice that so I don't think the plus-or-minus 2 should be a factor. I'm more concerned that we'll have an issue with corkage. Their normal fee is $10 but the one owner seemed to recognize that was too high for a group. He was to rendezvous w/his partner & respond but no answer so far.

Just moving this back up. jlburd, any news on final selection of restaurant, time of evening, and theme?
bR

I'm in for one.

I hope to have an answer for all tomorrow. My ace in the hole is a return trip to Sausalido. Have tried a number of recommended BYOB's but all are looking to move us out in 2 hrs or less or want $10 corkage or some combination thereof. Cross Keys washed out - there was an extended babbling justification of the $10 (they provide beautiful stemware, there's a lot of breakage, yadda, yadda). I suggested we bring our own for $$ discount but they passed.

Still like the favorite under $25 theme. We can work some whites into the picture. Any objections or other ideas?

Wow I am disappointed in the response/attitude at Cross Keys, we have enjoyed eating there as well as at the owners' previous restaurant (La Foret).

We need to move on and get this done! Sausalido, Tomato Pie or any of the other previous places (OK, maybe not Pizzutti) would be fine with me...

OK I'll take the path of least resistance then. June 11, Sausalido, 7:00 PM.

http://www.sausalido.net/NewSausalido/Sausalido/Contact.html

We'll have a table upstairs again. From the string above it looks like 12-14. Can everyone who is going to attend confirm again please?

I'm confirmed for 1 on that day.

I'm in for 2.

I'm in for 1.

BTW is the cutoff $20 or $25?

Sorry. $20 seems more challenging so let's try that.

Probably in for 3, but could be more. I'll let you know early next week.

One