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I must say, Mr Newman, that the online inventory on the ecommerce site was an explosive step forward for the system and is a great tool that I use almost daily. Hooray! I also want to say that the Star Wine idea is very exciting - it would be nice to have some trusted options beyond Parker (and perhaps Wine Spectator) ratings, although I appreciate both of these entities as useful guides. Are there other ideas or upcoming changes in the works that you can clue us into now? BTW, Special thanks for your thoughts on my question above! Evan

If a product is carried in our Specialty stores we are buying directly from the winery thus a less expensive price especially since we are buying large amounts of products that becomes part of our inventory. Merchandise purchased by Special Liquor Order is not considered our inventory; we do not have any ‘rights’ to that merchandise, that merchandise is owned by the vendor (distributor). When you place a Special Liquor Order you are actually ordering from a third party (vendor). If a product is available in our stores and by Special Order it is almost always less expensive to purchase the inventory in our stores for the reason mentioned above. As for the Cakebread ’02, I’m waiting to hear if we are getting more. I would pretty much betting that we are but want to make sure before I say definitively yes. I’ll let you know Deidre ← Thanks again Deidre - you rock, as always!

Welcome welcome welcome Mr Chairman! I was curious what your personal feelings are regarding the upcoming supreme court case regarding intrastate (and then perhaps interstate) shipping laws. I realize that this case, regardless of the outcome, is unlikely to settle the larger issues of shipping across state lines any time soon but I would love to know what you personally think about the prospect of a truly open marketplace for PA residents. Although there is a clause to get wines into the state that isn't sold at the stores, it is indeed a plan drawn up by suits and wrapped in yards of red tape! You don't control the legislature and you are doing a great great job as many posters have already said. I was just wondering what your own take on the situation as a wine loving PA resident AND the chairman was. I don't profess to knowing all the implications - particularly for the state stores and the systems relationship with licensed establishments. I assume an open system's effect on the former would not be as profound an impact as the latter. As I said in an earlier post on the PA wine thread, the state system is so vastly improved and the service I get (particularly SLO) is phenomenal - but as a proponent of an open market system, I still believe the residents of PA do not have their freedom - however benevolent the monopoly. Thanks again for coming! I look forward to your posts and meeting you at an event one day! Evan

Not as far as I know... except that someone did mention the e-mail changed a little while ago. And they were never very good with the whole telephone technology thing. The new e-mail is studiokitchen@gmail.com, I think. The old one was studiokitchen424@aol.com. ← The gmail address is correct. Email and have patience. It took sometimes a week for him to reply to me but he indeed did. I set up 2 dinners recently (including my b-day for July) and it took some time between the back and forth but it got done. I am going next month and can-not wait.

BTW the SLO price is $65 and the specialty store price is $50!

They have never answered the phone for me. Maybe it is vacation time?! Hopefully?.....

The shipment of Chapoutier Ermitage Le pavillon 99 as a Charirman's selection was an error so at least in Ardmore they were not even put out for showing. They even sent half back to booze central. I had to ask for mine. I see West Chester has 30 bottles. If you are so inclined, ask for them and they are probably in the back. Perhaps they are not "advertising" the greater then expected deal. Dunno. I would like to know if that means the 2001 ermitage is not going to make it to the stores now. Deidre? U There? Evan

You mean May 3rd, right? Because if so, that sounds terrific. I still haven't tried Marigold. But the wilder the better, says I! ← Any updates on this possibility?

Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon 2001 is in but the shipment was the 1999, in case anyone was waiting for these. They are being held since they cant sell them yet because they are incorrect. I noticed they were in and Robert said they are quarantined 'til they hear from the State on what to do. I suppose they will be sent back - if they still sell the '99 for $99 thats an even bigger deal from what I can glean!

You mean May 3rd, right? Because if so, that sounds terrific. I still haven't tried Marigold. But the wilder the better, says I! ← Holy smokes how cool would THAT be?!

Spoke too soon. Ardmore just got in 207 bottles today! I usually talk with the "wine guy" there but whoever spoke to me must have been a bit clueless. Hooray! I am off tomorrow and now have an errand to run!

I am hoping they get into the burbs a bit - usually Ardmore and Bryn Mawr get all this stuff. Whats the story Deidre!? I called Ardmore and they said they already had it at xmas. huh? Are they gettin any more?! Evan

Twelftree is apparently a great guy. I am going to the Two Hands wine dinner at Jake's next month - should be super! BTW, I had the 93 burgess tonight at 12th and Chestnut. I couldn't wait for it to diffuse into my neck of the woods. Stopped by Dinics at the Terminal whilst there - all the talk here sent me to it and it was terrific! Pork with provolone and spinach. Anyway, the burgess is a veritable steal at 19.99 - smooth/silky light tannin and a terrific balanced wine. Nice finish and a wonderful brick/amber color. Did I detect a hint of smoke on my sophomoric palate? Nonetheless, I wish I had the 92 to compare to. I will run and not walk into a half case of this gem. For me, six bottles is a lot since I have a terrible buying habit and very little room. "My name's Evan and I buy way too much wine................... Hello Evan" Hmmm..... I am checking out that Phelps selection too........ To Andrew and Evan and anyone interested in the Two Hands relationship with the PLCB, I was at the grand opening of our Flourtown location when Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz presented wines for the tasting. Michael Twelftree talked about the relationship with the PLCB. When he was first starting in the wine making business he presented his then unheard of wines to the PLCB and other US markets. Two Hands wines met several criteria that we were looking for most importantly quality, we purchased everything we could get our hands on and still do. Now of course Two Hands wines are well known with everybody trying to get their hands on as much product as they can. They are one of the most sought after wines from Australia and we purchase as much as the allocation will allow, I will say that Two Hands gives us as fair an allocation that they can based on our buying their wines when they were first starting out. Now if only other wineries will follow, think of where we could go! -Deidre ←

Oh the memories of my years at Penn.... late night "eggels" at Troys, Koffmeyer's cookies and the dueling bookend Roy Rogers' on each corner of 39th street (Chestnut AND Walnut) where I lived was too funny. Not sure I would eat that stuff today - good thing they make tasty memories.......

Thanks Evan. Got mine - or had it put aside, since their credit card machines weren't working. So eight cases minus one, minus two bottles that had been bought earlier. And counting. ← Please post your impressions. We are holding our breath! Evan

FYI - The 93 Burgess' have arrived. The website has 8 cases now at 12th and chestnut and 2 cases at Franklin mills. Nothing near me in the burbs as of yet. Evan

I too will not complain about the availabilty of terrific wines like Two Hands but I would like to hear the answer as well. To me, this highlights is one of the key issues with these thorny interstate commerce restrictions. PA residents are at the mercy of a "benevolent" monopoly and its distributors to decide for us what we can and cannot have access to. This is of no consequence to the vast majority of wine buyers in the state but for those who seek out certain hard to find or small label wines it can be a glorious pain in the butt. The prompt and speedy service I get from the PLCB is wonderful but I have no other choice which is problematic for my free-market oriented mind. Evan

Glad I didn't steer you wrong. I was there a couple of weeks ago hankering for beef ribs and when I got home I realized they got my order wrong. Thats a bummer. Prentice, the owner, is a very nice guy. I have never had the pulled pork yet. Evan

I think I am going to go - solo. Wife's workin late and it sounds like fun. Evan

www.slowfoodphiladelphia.org click on newsletter. I am trying to get a sitter so I can go. Evan

So... how was it?

I am humbly deferential to you to say the least, Katie! I added your note to reinforce that its just little ol me's opinion and, truly, your palate is way more refined than mine - as kindly modest as you always are. I wouldn't taste the notes of green pepper and tobacco in a green pepper and tobacco sandwich - lol! I will indeed save that other bottle for a few years and try again! Evan

I finally made it to Marigold last night and I was nervous because of all the hype but I must say that it was excellent. Service was terrific and friendly and we all had a great time. The menu remains pretty much as outline above by Capaneus although the sweetbreads were replaced :() by cider braised prk belly (which I had and was very pleased with). The pasta was a smoked paprika tagliatelle with some mushroom I can't recall (was it enoki?), asparagus and garrotxa cheese. I smelled that at the next table and wished I ordered it! The grilled cheese was superb and I am glad they recommended it to me. My wife had the hamachi crudo (replaced the scallops) and the clam chowder risotto which was just terrific. One of our friends had the grilled ribeye which I tasted and, while good, was not a winner. The other friend had the trout avocado salad which was very well received by everyone. She also had the soup which was artichoke soup with jerusalem artichoke croquettes. I did not sample that but she licked the bowl clean. For dessert, I went right for the banana crepe because of all the praise and it was terrific. The newer dessert featured a bittersweet chocolate tart with sour cream/smoked paprika gelato. the tart crust had the paprika in it and gave it an interesting spicy note. We would definitely go back there. Hope to hit Pumpkin one of these days. I have the whole menu to scan although my entire computer is being moved so I will try to post it when I can. Much is the same. I appreciate everyone's posted experiences prior to going myself. Evan