Wine list Help for tomorrow dinner at Zahav ( Philadelphia)

[Howard_Cooper]

I visited Somek a few years ago when I was in Israel and liked the wines. But, I think the price here likely is close to triple what I paid for the wines of theirs I bought at the winery - a Carignon that was quite good. Seems like prices are somewhat higher in the US. Israeli Wine Direct - Buy Wine

[Sarah_Kirschbaum]

@ybarselah

@scamhi

No corkage allowed

that’s just obnoxious. given their popularity, they can invest in a real beverage program and/or at the very least allow folks to bring in a bottle for $50.

(i don’t think the food is really that good but i’m aware that’s an outlier take).

It’s really too bad and very irritating. Same with one or two other places - Vetri’s newish pasta place Fiorello has an egregious wine list and no flexibility on corkage. Other places that used to be firm, like Vernick, have loosened up.

I think Zahav is a good, not great restaurant these days, but it is of a level and style that Philly lacks in general, so I see why it gets the attention. A number of years ago Solomonov offered a chef’s counter tasting that Jonathan and I did and it was terrific. He was right there, interacting as well as cooking. Since then, it’s mostly just a nice place to go and grab a cocktail and bite at the bar. I don’t bother with the dining room. I really enjoy Laser Wolf, though, and it is walking distance from my house. Not a fan of Suraya.

It is possible to have a good wine list in Philadelphia and allow corkage. I once again put in a plug for my dear friend Tim Kweeder at Bloomsday Cafe - reasonable prices, nice variety, interesting choices. I can happily drink there any day.

[Tom_G_l_a_s_g_o_w]

What’s a [quote=“Sarah_Kirschbaum, post:22, topic:289587, full:true”]

@ybarselah

@scamhi

No corkage allowed

that’s just obnoxious. given their popularity, they can invest in a real beverage program and/or at the very least allow folks to bring in a bottle for $50.

(i don’t think the food is really that good but i’m aware that’s an outlier take).

It’s really too bad and very irritating. Same with one or two other places - Vetri’s newish pasta place Fiorello has an egregious wine list and no flexibility on corkage. Other places that used to be firm, like Vernick, have loosened up.

I think Zahav is a good, not great restaurant these days, but it is of a level and style that Philly lacks in general, so I see why it gets the attention. A number of years ago Solomonov offered a chef’s counter tasting that Jonathan and I did and it was terrific. He was right there, interacting as well as cooking. Since then, it’s mostly just a nice place to go and grab a cocktail and bite at the bar. I don’t bother with the dining room. I really enjoy Laser Wolf, though, and it is walking distance from my house. Not a fan of Suraya.

It is possible to have a good wine list in Philadelphia and allow corkage. I once again put in a plug for my dear friend Tim Kweeder at Bloomsday Cafe - reasonable prices, nice variety, interesting choices. I can happily drink there any day.
[/quote]
What are you current favorites? I need to make a couple of reservations for mid-November.

[ybarselah]

@Sarah_Kirschbaum

It is possible to have a good wine list in Philadelphia and allow corkage. I once again put in a plug for my dear friend Tim Kweeder at Bloomsday Cafe - reasonable prices, nice variety, interesting choices. I can happily drink there any day.

very encouraging and good to hear.

[scamhi]

Thanks for your insight, Sarah

Suzanne

[scamhi]

Every wine on the list is triple retail.

Suzanne

[Steve_Gautier]

@Sarah_Kirschbaum

It is possible to have a good wine list in Philadelphia and allow corkage. I once again put in a plug for my dear friend Tim Kweeder at Bloomsday Cafe - reasonable prices, nice variety, interesting choices. I can happily drink there any day.

I haven’t been there yet. Menu looks interesting. Do they actually sell two cans of Rose in a Wine Helmet?

[Sarah_Kirschbaum]

@Steve_Gautier

@Sarah_Kirschbaum

It is possible to have a good wine list in Philadelphia and allow corkage. I once again put in a plug for my dear friend Tim Kweeder at Bloomsday Cafe - reasonable prices, nice variety, interesting choices. I can happily drink there any day.

I haven’t been there yet. Menu looks interesting. Do they actually sell two cans of Rose in a Wine Helmet?

I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised. They have a whimsical streak. The food is solid and simple in a good way. I wouldn’t call it a culinary destination, but I always enjoy my meals there.

[scamhi]

went with a rose, thanks for all who replied

[Sarah_Kirschbaum]

How did it work for you?

[scamhi]

It worked fine. We were only 3 drinkers and we started with cocktails.

Suzanne

[Arjan_Stavast]

Nice!
I got inspired by my own suggestion and picked up some ‘98 Musar red from a German retailer for €45. So in hindsight, that list price was indeed very high!