Pittsburgh BYOB Gathering #11 (or 12)

As noted in Mark's fine write-up of the Syrah/Shiraz event at Palazzo, I am putting together a Zin event (that's red zinfandel, guys, not the blush soda pop White Zinfandel favored by my sister's mother-in-law, as if this crowd would need that admonition...). I have a commitment from Charlie Pellegrini at Tambellini's on 7th, downtown, for a private room on the second level of the restaurant. Unfortunately, The Phantom of the Opera runs from mid-August through the end of September, and Charlie is swamped for that period, private rooms and all. So my dates are:

Friday, October 1
Saturday, October 2
Friday, October 8
Friday, October 15
Saturday, October 16

Charlie will waive any corkage, and there are many items on his regular menu that would pair nicely with Zinfandel. And he said if we wanted to request a special, he would work with his chef to accomodate us. Given the availability of the private room, with these other considerations, I opt to go with Tambellini's on Seventh on whichever of those days works best for us.

So if anyone wants to do a late August or early September event in the meantime, feel free. Hence the (or 12) in the title...

So, Zinfandel. Karen McNeil, author of The Wine Bible, states that Zinfandel is grown in only two countries: USA and Italy. She says it is called Primitivo in Italy. But others, including Mike Donze at Palate Partners, say that Primitivo is not really the same grape, just similar. I would vote for limiting this to California or USA Zinfandel. I liked the non-blind format at the Syrah/Shiraz event, but I could be talked into blind.

As "host" I think I should bring the biggest gun in my cellar: 2007 Turley Zinfandel, Hayne Vineyard. Hayne Vineyard is Turley's signature wine, and the 1996 Hayne is the wine that made Turley's reputation. I've tasted that wine at a Turley vertical, 1996 through 2001 (we had a couple of additional years, but we were all sloshed by then), and it was terrific. But Hayne maintains its quality through the years.

Comments, and date preferences?

The 8th does not work for me.

Regarding #11 vs. #12, I think that if this ends up being the 15th or 16th then perhaps we could try to squeeze in another in mid-September. Anyone?

1 or 2 work for me, cant make the rest
I have Turleys, Outpost, Carlisle, Bedrock....if I can get it over here, I have a 1997 Turley Black Sears which I am told is a pretty special wine
--t

I'm not good for the 1st or 2nd. The other dates would work. I'm with Mark, and I bet J2K is too, I'd like to do another one between now and October.

I think I am good for just about any of the Oct dates. Tony, looks like a nice restaurant, one of which I've not yet visited. I'd also be up for an in-between tasting (perhaps early/mid Sept). Is anyone interested planning one that has not hosted since last year?

I'm open for all at this point .

How about a reunion at Tomato Pie on 9/10 or 9/11? No one had to host that way. If someone wants to step up then never mind....

Tonypoli, as you will see from the first three replies you will not be able to accommodate everyone, so just pick a date that works for the restaurant and you.

jlburd I think "Toe Pie" (as my daughter used to call it when she was still learning to talk) would be a great idea. How about a Saturday to try to get more people, and heck while we're at it, invite the Philly folks?!? Who wouldn't drive 5 hours across the state to eat pizza on a plastic table covered with oilcloth when its accompanied by top flight wines?!? We could even do Italian wines as I've been thinking about that as a theme anyway.

Second that emotion

My first choice is Saturday, October16. That, and Friday, October 15 work for Tambellini's (sorry, Tantore, I'd love to see you there). So let's shoot for Saturday, the 16th. This will be #12 it appears. And if we have to move it to Friday, to accommodate the crowd, that will be an easy switch.

I'm all for the Tomato Pie reunion - Italian? Let us know (jlburd...)

Back to the beginning at the Tomato Pie? Sounds great. And we have not done an Italian theme yet - all for that.
Fri 9/10 or Sat 9/11 would probably be a good weekend, understanding some folks may have plans Labor Day wkd. Does the Pie accept reservations? Don't recall from the first visit.
Perhaps we/I should start a separate thread on this one (#11).

Labor Day is the weekend before. Not sure about reservations. We may have to shoot for an earlier time, but if weather holds we can grab something outside early.

:) Not a problem, next time.
--T

Mrs. dontime and I are visiting Italy Sep 1-8. An Italian event the 10th or 11th would be prefect!

Don. If you're visiting Rome I have a couple of great restaurants for you.

Hawk - we're in Rome several nights - fire away!

Don: Rosalie and I have eaten twice at Trattoria Al Moro, about a half block from the Trevi Fountain. It was highly recommended, and we agree. Best Amatriciana sauce in the city, good grilled seafood, impressive wine list, arrogant and snooty service, especially to Americans, but the food makes up for it. Good atmoshpere, but the seating is tight and pretty packed in. Address: Vicolo delle Bollette, 13, Roma. (The fact that the adjacent street, leading up to the Trevi Fountain, is Via Poli does not affect my perception of the place...)

If you get to Trastevere (sort of the Shadyside of Rome), there is a place called cafe Da Enzo, and we have eaten there twice, as well. We stumbled on it the first time Rosalie showed me the Trastevere, and it was the first restaurant we saw. Small place, no tourists, people eating outside. The food looked fabulous. But we couldn't stop at the first place we saw, so we walked around for a couple of hours, but ended up back at Da Enzo, having found nothing that looked as good. Here is a link: http://www.whatihadfordinnertonight.com/?p=4205

Thanks Tony!

Here's two terrific restaurants:
Spirito Di Vino ( "Spirit of the Wine"), Via Dei Benovesi 31. phone #065896689. Also in Trastevere. 900 year old buliding. Amazing wine cellar. Recommend reservations. Check out their web site.

Polese- Pizza de Ricci, 144. phone # 066861709. Recommended by a friend who's studying at the Vatican. (Priests always know the best restaurants).

I'm so jealous of your trip. Can't wait to go back to Italy.

Correction: Via Dei Genovesi 31

Thanks Hawk!