Wine

[ikileo]

i will bring the sparkler.

HKM can bring some nice bordeaux

 

[hkm520240]

Sure no problem. I'm also considering other options like a nice white, medium to full red or even a nice dessert wine.

 

[ikileo]

i'll bring the champagne.

we'll see what others can bring to the table.

 

[looiwte]

might pick up the Rieslingfreak from Fairprice this evening. i really need a mid week break. these 3am sleeps and 8am meetings have to stop!

Take care, we want you in one piece for the year-end party!

I've asked around, a few places are ok to waive the corkage if we order a set menu costing about 90 per person, before tax. I think that's ok for me, since this is a year-end thing, but am worried this will put off first-timers who are keen to join. What do you guys think?

 

[hkm520240]

I came across this Italian restaurant - VILLA DI PARMA because last month I have a group of friends had a BYO dinner at this restaurant. Seem review not bad and the pricing for food is reasonable. But I wonder why my friend said it is corkage free but I read from their blog is $12 per bottle. I am checking with friend to confirm on that.

VILLA DI PARMA
14B KENSINGTON PARK ROAD, SERANGOON GARDENS. SINGAPORE (557265). TEL: 6281 3380, 6280 1096. SUNDAY: DINNER ONLY, WEDNESDAY: CLOSED., SINGAPORE
A small family-run Italian restaurant at Serangoon Gardens. (fka Ristorante de Parma.) We are into serving good, wholesome meals of high quality, complete with excellent service. Open for Lunch & Dinner.

Villa di Parma blog

Villa di Parma - Reviews and Ratings - HungryGoWhere

 

[hkm520240]

Oh well just got the msg fr friend.... BYO is only on Monday... And they spent around $40-$50 per person.

 

[looiwte]

Yes, that restaurant has been around a while in the Serangoon Gardens cluster. We can just call the restaurant to clarify on the corkage charges. There is a pizza place around there, Buono, that doesn't charge corkage too.

 

[stayhappy21]

Yes, that restaurant has been around a while in the Serangoon Gardens cluster. We can just call the restaurant to clarify on the corkage charges. There is a pizza place around there, Buono, that doesn't charge corkage too.

Yes that's right.

I've been to both places actually.

Villa Di Parma offers free corkage on Mondays. Mood is business like, aka a typical italian eatery. Service is professional, prompt, and no nonsense. Parking is a bit difficult due to proximity to the Serangoon Circus.

Bruno offers free corkage every night. Mood is more causal, more family like. Service tends to be on the relaxed side, and the staff will make side chats with you. Parking is easy as it is hidden away in the neighbourhood.

I went to both places on weekday evenings, so both places are relatively quiet and empty; quite ideal for our gatherings and wine tasting.. Not sure about Fridays or weekends though..

 

[ikileo]

tuesday was the last day of the fp xtra wine deals at expo. so when i went yesterday on wed evening it was all gone! the horror.

so i grabbed 2 bottles of NZ SB. one i've tasted before last time for the 2010 vintage and i liked it "Crossings SB".

the other bottle i saw on offer for 19 bucks. FAT BIRD SAUVIGNON BLANC.

drank some last night. started out decent but the Fat Bird had some balance issues at the end. would use for cooking next time.

 

[stayhappy21]

i'll bring the champagne.

we'll see what others can bring to the table.

Let me know what you want me to bring. I can bring a delightful white, a powerful red, a gentle and easy going pink, happy-go-lucky sparkler, or soothing sweet..

 

[ikileo]

actually we should also settle who is attending.

ikileo +1
ikileo friend (+1?)
looiwte +1
hkm (+1?)
starhappy (+1?)
reign (+1?)

anyone else keen to join in?

 

[looiwte]

Yeah, really need to settle the date and attendees quickly! If we doing Sat, has to be 22 Dec, if not, we can always try Fridays or other weekdays? Quite a few places offering free corkage on weekdays (Mon-Wed).

 

[ikileo]

u wanna do that table thing again?

 

[hkm520240]

I need to attend a family Christmas party on 22 Dec Sat. Maybe 21 Dec Fri is ok?

 

[looiwte]

Cool, ikileo has done up the list:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnwJeRz_cmZDdGFfVkd3ejNvaHMzakxwb1U2QVVqd2c

Looks like Saturdays are gonna be tough..
How about Sunday lunch, 16th or 23rd?

But finding a restaurant will be tough, Sunday brunch are so popular these days. But of course we can always go Imperial Treasure..

 

[ikileo]

Oops yeah. I only did it halfway cos I haven't filled in all of mine yet

 

[looiwte]

On a separate note, anyone else going for tomorrow's Wine Treasure Hunt? Sounds quite fun, hopping around Capella looking for different wine regions. Quite how we're gonna handle tasting over 200 wines will be another conundrum.

 

[looiwte]

Ponti's year-end sale list if anyone is keen on adding to their collection.

$300 expenditure gives you VIP price.
Spirits & Port
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-K3QNEeh_Y2MFdPbFlWeGIzaWc
Italy
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-K3QNEeh_Y2RmFjWENROURESzA
Misc Fench (Loire, Rhone etc)
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-K3QNEeh_Y2a3YxYjhvYTJXN2M

 

[MuthuCurry]

Went to wine treasure hunt at Capella, like the set up there as it has 6 stations of wine region spread across the beautiful hotel compound. There are sufficient resting place for pp to sit down and grab some good wines to enjoy the wine slowly. We can still find some pretty good quality wines despite most of the wines are entry or med level wines as expected.

Spanish n Italian wines are the star of the day. Bodegas Roda Cirsson n Roda from Spain are amazingly delicious n well made. Totally overturned my perception tt Spanish wines are big n over extracted and over oaked. The other star is isole olena cepparello, simply superb! Will definitely go back next yr!!

 

[ikileo]

Welcome aboard the Spanish train