
The legendary DQ Burns Supper returns this year on Jan. 23, and we will essentially taking be over Public in Nolita for the festivities. A five course tasting menu has been designed for us by Chef Farmerie and The Balvenie is providing cocktails and as much of their 12, 15 and 17 year old single malt as we can consume. The usual team will be there to reprise the roles they have honed in the last five or so years, and this year the haggis will be piped in by the NYPD Pipe Major himself.
Needless to say we expect this to be a rip-snorting evening of fine dining, fine spirits, fine company and a serious nod to some serious culture in an irreverent and memorable way. Unfortunately our change of venue results in a reduction from last year’s 150 seats to only around 100 this year, so it really is a case of first come first served. The cost is $125 per person plus the booking fee, a steal at twice the price. Proceedings begin with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. For tickets please call the store in NY on 212.226.7030 or go to the following link: http://duncanquinn.com/burns-event.html

The second installment of the oenological orgy known as the “Eleventh Bottle” DQ wine dinner series just went down on Guy Fawkes Night at Vito’s private dining room on the Lower East Side. If you missed it, don’t despair (too much); there are still slots open for the next bacchanalian brouhaha, though not for long. The 5th of November feast featured the vinous wonders of Chateauneuf-du-Pape (above), ranging from the 1990 La Milliere Vielles Vignes to the venerable 1955 Clos de l’Oratoire with several stops along the way, in addition to such culinary delights as ravioli with pork belly, green figs and mascarpone, roast leg of lamb and grilled wild boar.
The December 14 edition at Double Crown (Bleecker & Bowery) with a five course tasting menu will be equally outrageous; you can preview our resident wino JC’s selections below. Remember to exercise all your charm, courtesy, taste, well-learned politesse and DQ wardrobe to win a coveted spot at the table; you can save the sympathy for those who miss out. Call the NY store at 212.226.7030 for enquiries; $350 per person, payable in advance; space subject to availability, limited to 22 places.
1973 Heitz Martha’s
1974 Mount Veeder
1978 Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow
1984 Chateau Montelena
1985 Rennaisance
1985 Dunn Howell Moutain
1961 Leoville Las Cases
1975 Mouton Rothschild
1978 Margaux
1979 Haut Brion
1983 Gruaud Larose
1988 Pichon Baron

Please keep it under your homburg, but we’ve begun a new wine dinner series for our loyal friends wishing to celebrate life, food, the fruit of the vine and damn fine company. Details are on a need-to-know basis, but here’s what we can tell you in public: each features great food cooked by an Italian maestro, in a private room at a suitably elegant downtown establishment, with beaucoup vintages and a five course tasting menu. Our warmup event was a smashing success, starring the Vieux Chateau Certan 1962, Chateau Ausone 1979, Chateau Canon 1982 and L’Evangile 1983. We plan to have one or two dozen guests at each, with the freight at $175 - $250 per head including tax, tip and bon mots. The next occasion, boasting Barolos from 1989 and 1990 and a bit o’ wild boar, is already fully booked, but exercise your charm and DQ wardrobe and we can probably find you a spot in the not-too-distant future.
Photo by Alex John Beck
Duncan takes his cars, food and wine very seriously so for the August 1st weekend he and a group of characters headed upstate from New York City in a selection of vintage sports cars including an AC Cobra, 1968 Porsche 911 and 1975 Ferrari Dino…. After a glorious days driving through New York State’s state parks skirting lakes and through forests cocktails were consumed after a swim under a 200 foot waterfall to take the edge off and calm the heat of the day. A spectacular dinner was prepared and served by Nick Morgenstern and Julie Farias of “The General Greene”. Of course, the highlight was a certain Mr Adam Jenkins piloting the Cobra on Sunday despite no roof, no rain gear, and torrential thunderstorms….
