Possible new venues

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jdaw1
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Re: Possible new venues

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Davy’s at St James’s: notice to staff.
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djewesbury
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Re: Possible new venues

Post by djewesbury »

Oh for God's sake…
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jdaw1
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Re: Possible new venues

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djewesbury wrote:Oh for God's sake…
I would have phrased it differently, but the sentiment is exactly correct.
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flash_uk
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Re: Possible new venues

Post by flash_uk »

I wonder how baked the plans for St James are. Perhaps we could ask Mr Davy if he would entertain a TPF QA of the proposed plans, including table specifications.
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jdaw1
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Re: Possible new venues

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jdaw1, by email to James Davy, wrote:We are booked in to Plantation Place for Wed 29th. Are you willing to join us?

We have also learnt that a refurb of St James’s is planned. One of our number asks:
> I wonder how baked the plans for St James are. Perhaps we could ask Mr Davy if he would entertain a TPF QA of the proposed plans, including table specifications.
http://www.theportforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 991#p82991
If you would like to reply, I’m happy to intermediate (though you are very welcome to reply directly).
James Davy, by email to jdaw1, wrote:Thanks for the invitation, I can’t make the 29th.
St James’ refurb is next summer. There are and will be many tables of different sizes, especially in the bookable area so the point is noted.
St James’ was one of the venues I was going to recommend to you with bigger tables than Holborn. In addition please note this applies to Champagne Charlies, Davy’s at Plantation, Davy’s at Woolgate, Truckles, Boot & Flogger, Davy’s Wine Vaults, Habit.
Hopefully a few there that will suit your group. All have private rooms ideal for tastings/suppers.
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DRT
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Re: Possible new venues

Post by DRT »

Since its inception :tpf: has used Davy's wine bars as the location for >90% of its UK tastings. Should we be diversifying rather than staying on the same tracks in the hope of finding the kind of place and experience that we have enjoyed at TCP and TBH? Are the strategic visions of Davy's and :tpf: heading in the same direction?
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djewesbury
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Re: Possible new venues

Post by djewesbury »

I agree. It can't be impossible.
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jdaw1
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Re: Possible new venues

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DRT wrote:Should we be diversifying
We eagerly await your specific suggestion.
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djewesbury
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Re: Possible new venues

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jdaw1 wrote:
DRT wrote:Should we be diversifying
We eagerly await your specific suggestion.
You admit that you lack the imagination?
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DRT
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Re: Possible new venues

Post by DRT »

jdaw1 wrote:
DRT wrote:Should we be diversifying
We eagerly await your specific suggestion.
It was a question rather than an assertion that I have a better plan.

What attributes are we looking for:

1. Central London
2. Reasonably priced, good quality grub
3. Private room(s) for up to 14 people with 35ish glasses each
4. Willingness/ability to supply lots of clean glasses at relatively short notice
5. Willingness to put up with our pedantry
6. Willingness to put up with our occasional invasion of their kitchen space
7. Good lighting
8. No music
9. Cool temperature
10. Custard

So, apart from about half the Davy's bars, does anyone know of anywhere that meets all of those criteria?

Have I missed anything? (that can be printed on a family-friendly forum)
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
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jdaw1
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Re: Possible new venues

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11. Not going to bankrupt us with corkage.
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flash_uk
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Re: Possible new venues

Post by flash_uk »

We tried Davy's at Plantation Place. Perfectly fine for 7 people. So far it seems that Davy's Woolgate Function room is our only option for tastings of 8-14 people.
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jdaw1
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Re: Possible new venues

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[url=http://www.theportforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=83411#p83411]Here[/url] idj123 wrote:In terms of the venue-obviously smaller than TBH and with less atmosphere but fine for up to 6/7 people. I'd rate the food ok-the steak was cooked as per order but was a little on the cool side. For their first time hosting, the service was good and they didn't appear to be in any immediate rush to turf us out. Didn't attend the Woolgate tasting (which seems to be currently first in the pecking order) but interesting taking :tpf: tastings on tour and I certainly wouldn't be averse to trying other venues.
[quote="
[url=http://www.theportforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=83414#p83414]Here[/url] DRT wrote:The venue was adequate for this size of tasting and would be very comfortable for a group of four or five.
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jdaw1
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Re: Possible new venues

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Re: Possible new venues

Post by jdaw1 »

The Board Room in Davy’s at Plantation Place is an excellent room for six, and accommodated seven without excessive cosiness. Eight would require that people be friendly, and nine+ doesn’t work. In the way of newly-constructed bars, a mite soulless, but only a mite. Service and food excellent.

The Board Room is the largest room at Plantation Place, so is unsuitable for fourteen-man tastings.
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Alex Bridgeman
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Re: Possible new venues

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

The large room at Woolgate seemed to work well for the Ramos Pinto tasting, which I think was a full 14 man tasting.

Other (Davy's) venues we could try include:
- Davy's at Canary Wharf, used for this tasting in Feb 2013. At that time there were a number of private rooms suitable for our use.

- Bangers Bar & Grill, currently being managed by Ian Wright, an old friend of the forum and with rooms to fit 5-30 people. Not hugely convenient for me since it is located in Wilson Street, but perhaps worth a try.

The search for non Davy venues at sensible prices will continue...
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jdaw1
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Re: Possible new venues

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AHB wrote:the Ramos Pinto tasting, which I think was a full 14 man tasting.
There were twelve of us at the Ramos Pinto tasting.

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Re: Possible new venues

Post by PhilW »

jdaw1 wrote:
AHB wrote:the Ramos Pinto tasting, which I think was a full 14 man tasting.
There were twelve of us at the Ramos Pinto tasting.
There was indeed twelve of us at RP vertical; We also measured and found that there should be sufficient space for the additional places needed to extend this to 14-man tasting in the same format, using 3xA4 sheets for glasses and room for food. This is the plan for the upcoming Martinez tasting.
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Re: Possible new venues

Post by benread »

I was chatting with a fellow Reigate dad at the weekend. We got onto the subject of port, the port forum and tasting venues. He suggested the Boot and Flogger and the pictures certainly look promising. It is south of the river, but being proximate to Southwark tube, London bridge (tube and mainline) and Waterloo, that may not be such an issue.

Does anyone have any experience of it as a venue?
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jdaw1
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Re: Possible new venues

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benread wrote:Boot and Flogger
Links: streetmap.co.uk; maps.google.co.uk; bing.com.

Very convenient for this south-of-river person, so willing to give it a go. Ben: are you able to take charge and arrange a tasting?
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Re: Possible new venues

Post by djewesbury »

The Boot and Flogger would be far more convenient than Canary Wharf, which is far enough east as to be almost not worth my while.
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jdaw1
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Re: Possible new venues

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jdaw1 wrote:
benread wrote:Boot and Flogger
Links: streetmap.co.uk; maps.google.co.uk; bing.com.
Nice rooms. How is the lighting?

Private dining room:
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Dining room:
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djewesbury
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Re: Possible new venues

Post by djewesbury »

That dining room looks lovely.
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Re: Possible new venues

Post by benread »

I don't have the measurements, but the fact that table can seat two at each end bodes well!
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jdaw1
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Re: Possible new venues

Post by jdaw1 »

benread wrote:I don't have the measurements, but the fact that table can seat two at each end bodes well!
The width of the chair I am sitting on is 48cm ≈ 18″.
djewesbury wrote:That dining room looks lovely.
jdaw1 wrote:Ben: are you able to take charge and arrange a tasting?
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