Oakland Yard has a number of Fairy Godmothers to whom we are forever indebted, friends and neighbors who’ve helped us over daunting hurdles and raised our spirits when we were down. Perhaps the most helpful and reliable of these beneficent Godmothers is our good friend, Matt Guidi.  Philadelphian by birth, warm-hearted and curious-minded, Mr. Guidi has been our landlord’s right hand man for several years, and our go-to guy for any problem outside of our realms of expertise. In fact, compared with Matt’s practical knowledge, we have not realms, but little circles, rather small areas, of expertise.

Matt was there when we signed our lease agreement, he helped secure our zoning rights with the city, and he insisted on being present to help us navigate our first inspection from the Department of Health. So, when he told us last week that he’d taken a new job, we were crestfallen. Jake from Tacos Oscar looked positively lost when we discussed Guidi’s departure. Not only did Matt recently usher them through the gauntlet of city requirements, Jake said Guidi had gotten his knives sharpened last week and spent his lunch hour chopping onions with him for Oscar’s dinner service!

The more I thought about how much we were losing in Matt, the more I realized what we’ve gained and will never lose: nothing less than renewed faith in humanity, and a friend for life. Thank you Matt, erstwhile mayor of  40th street, heavyweight lifter of spirits, fixer of four-twenty. We wish you well in greener pastures and trust you’ll come see us from time to time. We will still call you when we have an intractable problem, or a particularly amusing story.

This week, come to Oakland Yard – where the air is tinged with excitement - and raise a glass to Matt Guidi and Fairy Godmothers everywhere. Matt is also a devoted father, so he rarely attends the weekend tastings, but you may find him here late this afternoon, kicking off our Thursday Night Flights with a smile and a kind word.   

TONIGHT: Thursday Night Flights! FRENCH GAMAY or LOIRE VALLEY WHITES: Beaujolais, Bugey, Folle Blanche, Sauvignon Blanc & Muscadet - $12 tasting flights from 4 to 8pm.

SATURDAY 2/2: SPANISH tasting flights  - Reds, White & Bubbly – Cava, Txakolina, Garnacha & Priorat $15 tasting -Flights from 2 to 6pm and wines by the glass until 9pm.

SUNDAY 2/3: CALIFORNIA TASTING FLIGHTS & WINE CLUB PICK UP  - Red, White & Rose – $15 tasting – FREE for wine club members - Flights from 2 to 6  - and wines by the glass until 8pm.

Cheers, 

Max