Peter May wrote:One thing that is unique—especially in California—is the absence of California wine.
DECODED: The diners are too savvy here, they know the prices of CA wines, instead we list obscure foreign wines so can have a huge mark-up on without diners knowing
I didn't think that way when I read that, but there's a restaurant here in Bellingham that's guilty. Their markups are the highest in the city at 3X or 3X+, judging by the $70 I paid for a $20 Aglianico once. You could be right--would have to see their list to reach that conclusion.
We don't have a wine list at Covell.......instead we start a conversation with each guest, get a sense of what they're looking for, then present a few wine options with a small taste of each to help them navigate their way from 120 wines by the glass to the right choice for the moment. I would so hate this...the process could take forever..
I'll admit I bristled over that one. Found it very condescending, the idea that they would know what I'm looking for better than I would.