I feel particularly fortunate to work in such a social environment. Some days it requires focus finishing a task at hand with neighbors frequently stopping by to say hello, others rolling in mid-conversation, lively and animated - sometimes awkward. I hear odd snippets from odd folks walking past us on 40th too: "Revolutionary? Whatcha talking.. I said Missionary, fool. NO that's not vanilla.. It's what I LIKE!"

Inside the shop, mostly at the bar, I'll catch new phrases that are peculiar and absurd. Often hilarious. One time a group were playfully arguing where to go for dinner, with all in agreement but one woman who said that she was going to filibuster that. I heard a woman visiting from Ventura use the term cheeseburger as a verb when discussing saving money (ie. "if you have the money, buy property now or you'll just cheeseburger it all away"). I heard a different woman use the term ninja sex, not to suggest any acrobatic nature - but that they had to stay silent due to thin walls and a sensitive housemate.

My favorite new phrase was overheard last week: rosé chaser. Perhaps due to the heatwave, or things at the office, or the ongoing political climate - but a gentleman sat down to join his friend after work here and said: "This was a great idea...after the day I've had, I need a rosé chaser". I nodded to myself, and continued polishing glasses in preparation for an evening wave. My pink heart said these are your people.

Whatever day or week you've had, whatever chaser you need, and/or whatever you're chasing, we are here for you. Roll in to OAKLAND YARD this weekend and let it all out. TONIGHT: Thursday Night Flights! French Reds and Italian Whites. Flights $12 from 5-9 and wines by the glass as always.

SATURDAY: Wines of SPAIN (and Paella!) Tasting Flights of Albarino, Txakolina, Rosé - and a Red from the Canary Islands... and our friend and neighbor, Rob, has offered to make his famous Paella! Flights $15 from 2-6 (and free paella samples while it lasts)! Wines by the glass too until 9pm.

SUNDAY: French ROSÉ TASTING. A rosé chaser for your week(end). All from Provence this Sunday. Flights $15 from 2-6 and wines by the glass until 8pm. Wine Club pick up party too!


See you soon,

Daniel