Eastside Wine & Dine

Eastside Wine & Dine is a small, casual dinner group for people who enjoy good wine, good food, and good conversation. After getting wine-certified and hosting restaurant wine dinners in NYC for the last two years, I’ve moved to the PNW and want to continue the tradition here on the Eastside.

What this is:
A relaxed, social meal where we open interesting bottles, look at some notes, talk about the wine, enjoy a great dinner, and meet people who know a little or a lot about wine.

What this isn’t:
• A beginner wine class
• A formal tasting event
• A party scene
• A singles event
• A place where you’ll ever be drinking the iceberg lettuce of wine (i.e., mass-produced Pinot Grigio)

How it works:
• I choose a restaurant with reasonable corkage
• I bring the wine — you’ll see the bottles, prices and tasting notes in each event description
• Wine & corkage is paid upfront when you RSVP to reserve your seat. (There may also be minor Meetup and pay app fees, t.b.d.)
• On the night of the dinner, we each pay for our own meal, tax, and tip directly at the restaurant.
• Restaurants and themes will rotate. Back in NYC, I was the white‑wine arm of a very red‑heavy group; now I enjoy a balanced mix of white, rosé, and red, plus plenty of bubbles.
• My events are usually 6-person, 4-bottle dinners. Depending on interest they can fill up fast, but if there's a last-minute cancellation I will send an email to the group to try and fill the spot.

Expectations:
• Order food at the restaurant. We want to be good guests, especially if we’re getting a favorable corkage deal. The ask is that attendees feel comfortable ordering two courses (app + main, or main + dessert).
• Arrive on time. The first wine is poured at the start of the dinner.
• No‑flake policy. Once you reserve, you’re committed. If something changes and you can’t make it, notify me ASAP so someone else can take your spot. You’ll receive a wine refund only if your spot gets filled by someone else.
• There are far more drivers here than in NYC, but the expectation is the same: no drinking and driving. By signing up, you agree to arrange safe transportation, whether it be public transit, a rideshare app, or walking.
• The advance wine payment is strictly for wine & corkage, meaning I don't receive any money for hosting, and I also pay an equal portion of the wine & corkage fee.
• I won’t host these often, but let's see how the first one goes. If it works, more will be scheduled at other restaurants on the East Side.

If you enjoy wine & food and talking about wine & food, this is the right group for you.