443191 Thu Sep 20 12:37:42 -0700 2007 17 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 2960215 I am going to Charlie Palmer for dinner tomorrow. I have searched and read all the reviews, but does anyone have any recent takes and suggestions? I am thinking of bringing a bottle of my own wine. Is it worth it, or does the wine list deserve exploring? Thu Sep 20 12:37:42 -0700 2007 117120 Annapolis07 1 2960277 I haven't been (would love to go but just can't afford it right now) but I can tell you that a group of my friends wouldn't shut up about their amazing tuna tartart after having dinner there a couple of months ago. I love the dish so that's why CP has moved to the top of my list to try. Please make sure to report back. Thu Sep 20 12:51:24 -0700 2007 2960215 76776 Elyssa 1 2960516 The wine list is all wines from the US, they have some good stuff, but if you have a bottle of red you have been saving for a good steak, go fot it. I love the filet, and sliders at the bar, but I am a filet kind of girl. And a side of mushrooms! Thu Sep 20 13:38:01 -0700 2007 2960215 92426 ktmoomau 1 2960557 I went to CPS recently for a special occasion. The tuna tartare was indeed excellent and a large portion. I shared the porterhouse for two with a dining companion and it was fantastic. A very large cut of meat that was flavorful and tender. Best of both worlds as far as filet vs. strip. Of course it cost $84. But we both had steak sandwiches for lunch the next day with the leftovers. I am a big fan of the goat cheese orzo side as a change of pace for the traditional potato starches. Bringing a special bottle of wine is a great way to keep the costs more reasonable and not get stuck with their big wine markup. The place is definitely not cheap. Enjoy and write up a report! Thu Sep 20 13:46:01 -0700 2007 2960215 112075 dzherbst 2 2960582 i have gotten the surf and turf the past few times i was there and i am never disappointed! Thu Sep 20 13:51:24 -0700 2007 2960557 94470 elegantelliot 1 2960759 Yes, feel free to BYOB to cut down costs. Their policy used to be to waive any corkage fee for up to 2 bottles of DOMESTIC wine per table. So leave the Bordeaux or Brunello di Montalcino at home, but bring a good bottle of California cabernet sauvignon! Thu Sep 20 14:30:52 -0700 2007 2960215 47574 bordeauxfan 2 2962278 I have never been disappointed at CP. I beleive they still have their corkage free policy for domestic wines (first two bottles only). They do have a very good list and an excellent sommelier, and it is not just American wines, but they are fairly pricy. If you have a very good bottle you want to bring, go for it, even if you have to pay corkage. Fri Sep 21 05:10:24 -0700 2007 2960759 11814 dinwiddie 3 2962359 Thanks, I have a few nice CA Cabs that would work, so they could be a winner. Now I have to decide which one to pick. I will write a report. This is a real chow weekend as we are doing Minibar on Saturday. Fri Sep 21 06:04:09 -0700 2007 2962278 117120 Annapolis07 2 2963003 That is far and away the strangest and dubmest corkage policy i've ever seen. Fri Sep 21 09:31:18 -0700 2007 2960759 49180 jpschust 3 2963066 They are big into domestic wine. I believe they have a bottle of wine from every state? This seems silly to me since some states don't seem worth the cellar space so maybe it was just a rumor? Fri Sep 21 09:48:01 -0700 2007 2963003 92426 ktmoomau 4 2963137 Agreed. Plus when will people get over the allure of wine from their own state? I digress. Fri Sep 21 10:01:34 -0700 2007 2963066 49180 jpschust 3 2963292 Actually their no corkage fee for domestic wine policy is a carryover from when everyone was mad at the French because they didn't agree with us about Iraq. (remember Freedom Fries?) Charlie Palmer, which is after all right across from the Capitol and is very much a politico restaurant, changed their corkage policy in light of the furor and when the anti-French mood subsided, didn't change their policy. They have an extensive wine list, something like 10,000 bottles, about a third of which you can see in their glass enclosed "wine cube." I might also add that they have one of the few female (and a black female at that) sommeliers in Natine Brown in the country. If you want advice, she will be glad to help you navigage their wine list. She is very good. As to bringing a CA Cab, I would check with the restaurant to make sure that they do not have a policy of not permitting a wine that is on their list to be brought by a customer. (I don't know that this is their policy, just that many restaurants with lesser lists have such a policy, and it is considered bad manners to bring something that is on the restaurant's list in any case.) Fri Sep 21 10:36:11 -0700 2007 2963003 11814 dinwiddie 4 2963377 Thanks, I have a few Boutique Cabs and Petite Syrahs from my last trip to Napa, so I doubt they have them on their list, but you are right it is bad form to bring a wine that is already on their list. If figure any wine with only 10 cases produced would not make it to a restaurant wine list, but one never knows. Fri Sep 21 10:54:22 -0700 2007 2963292 117120 Annapolis07 1 2962857 If you like mushrooms, order a side of hen of the woods. They're the best mushrooms I've ever had. I don't go without getting them. Fri Sep 21 08:46:02 -0700 2007 2960215 87249 katecm 2 2970082 Our Dinner at Charlie Palmer was very good. They graciously opened our wine with the same service we would expect to get if we ordered from their wine list. The steak was wonderful and prepared perfectly medium as ordered. I ordered the dry aged strip. The sides of goat cheese orzo and hen of the woods were very tasty. The tuna tratare appetizer was really great. My only complaint was the soy sauce based dressing on the bottom of the plate was a bit too salty. One in our party had the monkfish and did not care for it at all. They wisked it away and took it off the bill without us having any expectation of them doing so. They also comped two very nice desserts. Once again we did not ask for this and had not expectation that we would not pay for the entree. Steak purists may not like the fact that they put a sauce on the steaks, but I found it pleasent and not overpowering. Overall I think it is the best steak place in town right now with great food and wonderful service. I hope to return again soon. Mon Sep 24 08:10:22 -0700 2007 2962857 117120 Annapolis07 3 2970689 What wine did you end up taking with you? Mon Sep 24 10:36:18 -0700 2007 2970082 11814 dinwiddie 4 2970891 We took a 2003 Jacob Franklin Cab. Mon Sep 24 11:23:09 -0700 2007 2970689 117120 Annapolis07 3 2970827 Wow sounds like great service...especially in regards to the monkfish. I really hope I get a chance to try Charlie Palmer soon but will have to save up for it a bit. Perhaps for the next special occassion or celebration. Mon Sep 24 11:09:20 -0700 2007 2970082 76776 Elyssa