Monday Italian night!
Details
I'm going to take advantage of how close 83 1/2 is to my apartment and schedule an Italian night. Join me for a return to one of the original restaurants for our group, 83 1/2 Ristorante. We will share 1 red magnum, one white and one red Italian wine, for this 6 person dinner. Should be fun!
They are small Italian restaurant just west of the corner of E. 83rd and 1st Ave. It is easy to miss, but it is right next to Gino's Pizza. They have excellent pasta dishes and a generous ZERO corkage policy on Mondays. Here is a link to their menu (which doesn't include the many specials they also have).
As they are a small restaurant, being on time is VERY IMPORTANT. Please do not sign up, unless you are sure you can get to the restaurant by 7PM.
This will be a 6 person, 1 white wine starter and 2 red wines. One of which will be a Magnum.
Just a reminder of our usual rules:
** The cost of this event is $39 and is for the cost of the wines only.
NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It is annoying and confusing, but there is nothing I can do about it. It comes to approximately $3 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. Sorry!
You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and either appetizer or dessert) for your dinner. There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine for a Zero corkage fee. We must be good guests to encourage the restaurant to continue to be generous to us.
Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $4 service fee.
Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!
The Wines (notes will be distributed at the dinner):
2021 Raul Pérez Bierzo Ultreia La Claudina ($50) - I couldn't find any worthwhile Italian whites, so instead I'll bring this Spanish Godello wine, the way I look at it, Godello is popular in Italy, so this makes a great stand in for Italy! WA 95 points, "There is a smoky twist in the 2021 Ultreia La Claudina, a low-yielding vintage, from a plot in Valtuille on sandy soils. The grapes struggled to ripen, and the wine has a more austere profile than the wines from yesteryear, when it was a lot more exotic and exuberant but with a spicy twist that they reckon comes from the foudre used."
2008 Azelia Barolo San Rocco ($60) - CT 93.5, WA 95 points, "The 2008 Barolo San Rocco bursts from the glass with an exciting melange of dark fruit, mocha, tar, smoke and licorice. The San Rocco is much more full-bodied and overtly intense than the Margheria in what is a very classic expression of this Serralunga site. Dark fruit, smoke, licorice and tar wrap around the building, muscular finish. In 2008 the San Rocco is big, dark and flat-out delicious. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2028."
2013 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Maestro Raro Toscana IGT Magnum($105) - CT 91.4, WA 96 points, "A beautiful wine, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Maestro Raro showcases the best of Tuscany and the best of this grape. This Cabernet Sauvignon offers a determined load of black fruit followed by a long array of subtle detailing with spice, leather and bitter chocolate. You also get balsam herb, crushed mineral and a touch of green olive. The wine offers a stunning level of fullness and complexity with softly layered and fine tannins that caress the palate. (drink 2018-2035)"
Monday Italian night!