Yarra Valley Wine Tasting and Lunch (Sunday 30 November)

[boomy]

Any decision on the time and venue for Saturday dinner?

 

[TomVexille]

Any decision on the time and venue for Saturday dinner?

I believe penegal was going to organize that

haha, I was going to start a thread and suggest a different venue.

I have a love-hate relationship with Bluetrain at the moment.

 

[boomy]

I believe penegal was going to organize that

I think his organising skills are best used for large gatherings, don't we have a regular meeting place for small events in MEL?

 

[Buzzard]

Any decision on the time and venue for Saturday dinner?

+1 (or 2 if you count Mrs B)

 

[blackcat20]

I think his organising skills are best used for large gatherings, don't we have a regular meeting place for small events in MEL?

He was adamant that we should not dine there...pity cos I hear there is a new menu (and free wine for Amex connect customers).

 

[TomVexille]

I think his organising skills are best used for large gatherings, don't we have a regular meeting place for small events in MEL?

He was adamant that we should not dine there...pity cos I hear there is a new menu (and free wine for Amex connect customers).

We could just go over his head and book there

 

[boomy]

We could just go over his head and book there

I say go ahead and book. If he comes with a better idea we can always change the plan.

 

[Princess Fiona]

We're out of the dinner plans Sat night as have already made plans.
Will see everyone bright and early Sunday

 

[Buzzard]

We're out of the dinner plans Sat night as have already made plans.
Will see everyone bright and early Sunday

Not too sure about the bright part.

 

[penegal]

If you guys want to go to Blue Train then I won't stop you... But as I have mentioned previously I have been disappointed with both the food and service a number of times on recent visits (both for AFF events and with other friends). As such, I am happy to try somewhere else.

---

I was going to suggest Tazio, or Mezzo as alternatives, although they may be slightly more expensive (and a longer walk for some). For that matter, I could happily go a steak at The Olive Tree in South Melbourne (paging Cruiser Elite).

All 3 of these suggestions are better IMHO, and are also Dimmi / QANTAS restaurants, so someone can earn points with bookings.

 

[TomVexille]

If you guys want to go to Blue Train then I won't stop you... But as I have mentioned previously I have been disappointed with both the food and service a number of times on recent visits (both for AFF events and with other friends). As such, I am happy to try somewhere else.

---

I was going to suggest Tazio, or Mezzo as alternatives, although they may be slightly more expensive (and a longer walk for some). For that matter, I could happily go a steak at The Olive Tree in South Melbourne (paging Cruiser Elite).

All 3 of these suggestions are better IMHO, and are also Dimmi / QANTAS restaurants, so someone can earn points with bookings.

We're happy with Tazio or Mezzo

 

[TheBOSman]

We're happy with Tazio or Mezzo

I would be as well, and selfishly both are very close to where I am staying.

 

[boomy]

I was going to suggest Tazio, or Mezzo as alternatives, although they may be slightly more expensive (and a longer walk for some). For that matter, I could happily go a steak at The Olive Tree in South Melbourne (paging Cruiser Elite).

All 3 of these suggestions are better IMHO, and are also Dimmi / QANTAS restaurants, so someone can earn points with bookings.

The Olive Tree is my favourite restaurant in South Mel, I would love to go there! It's a short walk from the Domain interchange plus parking is free on Saturday night.

 

[TomVexille]

I would be as well, and selfishly both are very close to where I am staying.

And close to where we're staying as well.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

The Olive Tree is my favourite restaurant in South Mel, I would love to go there!

Went there Sat night with a group - fabulous as ever - Emilio's cooking perfect as usual - Sonia's service as impeccable as ever - still the best value restaurant in MEL - any visitors do yourself a favour and do not miss it.

Tip: Make sure you hungry when you go there - servings are huge.

 

[boomy]

Tip: Make sure you hungry when you go there - servings are huge.

Tip #2: Bring a good bottle of wine with you to fully enjoy a perfect dinner.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Tip #2: Bring a good bottle of wine with you to fully enjoy a perfect dinner.

Yes there wine list has shrunk / deteriorated over last few years. Sonia told me the restaurant environment has changed considerably over last 10yrs or so and that ave quality and price of wine they can now sell off wine list has dropped dramatically - restaurant patrons just do not spend as they did in years gone by.

 

[penegal]

Tip #2: Bring a good bottle of wine with you to fully enjoy a perfect dinner.

I actually think that their current wine list is priced "fairly".

Yes there wine list has shrunk / deteriorated over last few years. Sonia told me the restaurant environment has changed considerably over last 10yrs or so and that ave quality and price of wine they can now sell off wine list has dropped dramatically - restaurant patrons just do not spend as they did in years gone by.

Indeed, a conversation for another day, but the restaurant market has changed a lot, and is still changing.

I know a couple of other restaurateurs who are shrinking their wine lists because of poor sales, and the high cost of maintaining a big list (it ties up capital, and for longer periods the storage environment becomes more important).

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Yep sorry for going off topic but it is only couple years ago we were buying 2003 Leeuwin Estate Cab Sav at The Olive Tree for $65/bott - god I loved those nights.

 

[boomy]

I actually think that their current wine list is priced "fairly".

No complains about the wine prices, I just prefer to bring my own when possible.
It's hard to find good restaurants in MEL these days that allow BYO. That's one of the things I liked about SYD when I used to live there.