Possible new venues

Post by **jdaw1** » 14:08 Thu 23 Oct 2014

Davy’s at St James’s: the Club Room.

Lovely room; bad lighting; impressively huge decanter.

Post by **jdaw1** » 14:09 Thu 23 Oct 2014

Davy’s at St James’s: the Office.

Great room for four; five would be acceptable; six tight; seven or more won’t fit.

Post by **flash_uk** » 14:26 Thu 23 Oct 2014

Mmm. Those pictures of the Club Room suggest that 14 in there will not be feasible, though 10 yes easily, 12 probably OK.

So it would seem that St James might be a place for 6,8,10,12 sittings. Woolgate can handle sittings of 10/12 and importantly 14 in the Brasserie, as well as 6 or 8 in the Boardroom.

I think it would be very useful to explore a little at Davy's St James when we visit. They also show a "Champagne Cellar" on the website which might be an option for more space...

Post by **jdaw1** » 15:00 Thu 23 Oct 2014

flash_uk wrote:They also show a "Champagne Cellar" on the website which might be an option for more space...

Yes, rather like the tunnels at the Crusting Pipe, except that the tables are — growl — 75cm, and they can’t fit two side-by-side. (Occupied when I visited, so photographs weren’t taken.)

Post by **jdaw1** » 17:41 Thu 23 Oct 2014

Davy’s at St James’s: notice to staff.

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 17:50 Thu 23 Oct 2014

Oh for God's sake…

Post by **jdaw1** » 18:26 Thu 23 Oct 2014

djewesbury wrote:Oh for God's sake…

I would have phrased it differently, but the sentiment is exactly correct.

Post by **flash_uk** » 18:54 Thu 23 Oct 2014

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.

Post by **jdaw1** » 09:09 Fri 24 Oct 2014

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.

Post by **DRT** » 00:59 Sat 25 Oct 2014

Since its inception

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

heading in the same direction?

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 01:01 Sat 25 Oct 2014

I agree. It can't be impossible.

Post by **jdaw1** » 10:09 Sat 25 Oct 2014

DRT wrote:Should we be diversifying

We eagerly await your specific suggestion.

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 10:11 Sat 25 Oct 2014

jdaw1 wrote:
DRT wrote:Should we be diversifying
We eagerly await your specific suggestion.

You admit that you lack the imagination?

Post by **DRT** » 17:53 Sat 25 Oct 2014

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)

Post by **jdaw1** » 18:10 Sat 25 Oct 2014

11. Not going to bankrupt us with corkage.

Post by **flash_uk** » 10:20 Thu 30 Oct 2014

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.

Post by **jdaw1** » 19:06 Thu 30 Oct 2014

[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 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.

Post by **jdaw1** » 19:07 Thu 30 Oct 2014

The Board Room in Davy’s at Plantation Place, as photographed during the Croft vertical on Wednesday 29^th October 2014.

Post by **jdaw1** » 19:51 Thu 30 Oct 2014

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.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 12:00 Mon 03 Nov 2014

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...

Post by **jdaw1** » 12:36 Mon 03 Nov 2014

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.

Post by **PhilW** » 13:16 Mon 03 Nov 2014

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.

benread · Post by **benread** » 19:32 Mon 03 Nov 2014

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?

Post by **jdaw1** » 20:10 Mon 03 Nov 2014

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?

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 20:37 Mon 03 Nov 2014

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.

Post by **jdaw1** » 20:52 Mon 03 Nov 2014

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:

Dining room:

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 20:53 Mon 03 Nov 2014

That dining room looks lovely.

benread · Post by **benread** » 20:58 Mon 03 Nov 2014

I don't have the measurements, but the fact that table can seat two at each end bodes well!

Post by **jdaw1** » 21:05 Mon 03 Nov 2014

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?

benread · Post by **benread** » 21:07 Mon 03 Nov 2014

jdaw1 wrote:
djewesbury wrote:That dining room looks lovely.
jdaw1 wrote:Ben: are you able to take charge and arrange a tasting?

At some stage, yes. That depends on me negotiating a pass, not easy with Christmas approaching and a number of existing commitments made. But I will see what can be agreed when Mrs R returns from her current travels. I am home alone - with a freshly decanted TTF 1986!

Post by **flash_uk** » 21:17 Mon 03 Nov 2014

benread wrote:
jdaw1 wrote:
djewesbury wrote:That dining room looks lovely.
jdaw1 wrote:Ben: are you able to take charge and arrange a tasting?
At some stage, yes. That depends on me negotiating a pass, not easy with Christmas approaching and a number of existing commitments made. But I will see what can be agreed when Mrs R returns from her current travels. I am home alone - with a freshly decanted TTF 1986!

I think Jan/Feb is a worthy ambition, given the diary congestion between here and Christmas...

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 22:31 Mon 03 Nov 2014

If those armchairs are about 18"-24" (seems reasonable) then the table is very wide. And I count 11 chairs on each side.

idj123 · Post by **idj123** » 15:30 Tue 04 Nov 2014

Venue looks good and convenient for my exit point ie Waterloo albeit a little further from my entrance point ie Paddington. I assume that this was not on the list of Davy's earmarked for 'refurbishment'? Any opportunity for squeezing in pre-xmas or is the New Year more realistic?

CPR 1 · Post by **CPR 1** » 21:37 Tue 04 Nov 2014

In the name research I stand ready to do my duty! How about a bring a bottle in foil one night over the next couple of weeks if others are about?

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 21:48 Tue 04 Nov 2014

Don't tell anyone I said this, but.. Wednesday 17th December?

Post by **flash_uk** » 22:19 Tue 04 Nov 2014

djewesbury wrote:Don't tell anyone I said this, but.. Wednesday 17th December?

Works for me.

Post by **jdaw1** » 07:21 Wed 05 Nov 2014

djewesbury wrote:Don't tell anyone I said this, but.. Wednesday 17th December?

We want to learn whether TB&F can cope with us. Would attempting a maiden tasting in the middle of Christmas-party season be setting up a failure?

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 07:52 Wed 05 Nov 2014

Potentially. Maybe they wouldn't have room for us. Worth asking?

CPR 1 · Post by **CPR 1** » 09:06 Wed 05 Nov 2014

Works for me; woud be good to escape the madness and share some port......

Post by **jdaw1** » 09:11 Wed 05 Nov 2014

I have permission for Wednesday 17^th December. Daniel: you’re in charge.

Post by **DRT** » 10:35 Wed 05 Nov 2014

jdaw1 wrote:
djewesbury wrote:Don't tell anyone I said this, but.. Wednesday 17th December?
We want to learn whether TB&F can cope with us. Would attempting a maiden tasting in the middle of Christmas-party season be setting up a failure?

Unfortunately I have a Christmas-related function that evening.

Post by **jdaw1** » 11:54 Wed 05 Nov 2014

In about an hour my Mz67 and Mz85 will be left at Woolgate for the Martinez tasting on Wednesday 26^th November. That done, I’ll walk south to The Boot & Flogger to measure tables and photograph rooms. If any particular photos are wanted, request them soon.

idj123 · Post by **idj123** » 13:21 Wed 05 Nov 2014

17 December also works for me but we may be doing well to secure in the midst of party season.

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 13:57 Wed 05 Nov 2014

jdaw1 wrote:In about an hour my Mz67 and Mz85 will be left at Woolgate for the Martinez tasting on Wednesday 26^th November. That done, I’ll walk south to The Boot & Flogger to measure tables and photograph rooms. If any particular photos are wanted, request them soon.

If you are still online and not yet at the B&F perhaps you'd enquire about a table?

Post by **jdaw1** » 14:11 Wed 05 Nov 2014

Your opinion is not being sought, is not wanted, and if proffered, will be ignored. The matter is settled: we are moving to The Boot & Flogger.

— Supreme Commander, Imperial Port-Drinking Forces
London, 14:00.

(The correct reply is “Yes Sir!”.)

Post by **jdaw1** » 15:03 Wed 05 Nov 2014

The Boot & Flogger has two rooms that could accommodate a fourteen-man tasting.

Descend half a storey to ‘The Ovens’, so named for a previous use rather than current heat. There is a very long room with a smaller space at the end. The table in that smaller space was 120cm × 300cm, or 4.03 A4 heights by 14.2 A4 widths. If necessary, the table could be turned to run the length of the ovens, and lengthened.

Post by **jdaw1** » 15:03 Wed 05 Nov 2014

Descend another half story, to the ‘Red Room’, holding a table 129cm × 470cm, or 4.3 A4 heights by 22.3 A4 widths. There is a partition allowing the red room to be separated from the rest of the Boot & Flogger, and has a side table.

Post by **jdaw1** » 15:04 Wed 05 Nov 2014

Further, there is the ‘Green Room’, which could hold up to eight of is. It was occupied, so not photographed.

Post by **jdaw1** » 15:06 Wed 05 Nov 2014

djewesbury wrote:If you are still online and not yet at the B&F perhaps you'd enquire about a table?

He blanched when I mentioned a date in December. I think we’re full — and was so busy that I wanted let him do things other than talk to me.

PopulusTremula · Post by **PopulusTremula** » 15:22 Wed 05 Nov 2014

jdaw1 wrote:Further, there is the ‘Green Room’, which could hold up to eight of is. It was occupied, so not photographed.

I think it looks very promising indeed. Please say the B&F is not part of any future refurbishment plans.