Sommelier Black Jack: Learn How To "Count Cards" and Beat the House When Dining at a Restaurant

About the Talk: The talk is a roughly 30-45 minute presentation about how to order a better bottle of wine at a restaurant for less money. The talk - which has been offered at the New York Times and several Fortune 500 companies as a team building exercise - includes prizes, Q&A and insider insight about how restaurants select and mark up wine (e.g. why do you see the same rosés at every restaurant). Whether a novice or an expert, you will have several take aways as to how to find the hidden deals and gems in wine lists and learn what wines and grapes to avoid for your next business meeting, date or social dinner.

Location: 1020 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, NY.

Details:

• Participants must be at least 21 years old.
• Valid for 8-12 people.
• Start time generally between 5:30 and 6:30.
• The sommelier will freely pour a house selection of white, red, rose and sparkling wine during the presentation which generally lasts between 30-60 minutes.
• Calissa reserves the right to reschedule the event up to 24 hours before the event.
• Stationary appetizers (eg mezzo platter) included.

About Calissa: Calissa in Watermill was recently awarded the Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence and its' sister restaurant, Amali, is one of Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Wine Restaurants in America. Their approach to wine has been described as "daring... [one that] Dionysis would approve of" (New York Times) and "bold...the equivalent of freaking to Burt Bacharach" (Eater).
About James Mallios: Managing partner, sommelier and part-time comedian James Mallios will lead the talk. James was described by Decanted Magazine and Eater.com as "about a hundred miles from the stereotypical sommelier. He's bald, brash, and tough-a sort of Greek version of Tony Soprano who looks more likely to kneecap you than pour you a glass of natural wine". James has spoken about wine, restaurants and sustainable business practices at the 92nd Street Y, Columbia Law School and at The Cornell University Hotel School.

Rules & Regs:

• Off-Season Scheduling: Scheduled in advance, but generally offered on weekends.
• In-Season Scheduling: During the summer, preferred days are Thursdays and Fridays. There is limited Saturday availability.
• Blackout Dates: Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day Weekend. Other dates may apply based on availability. Timing and reservations subject to a la carte and private dining reservations.
• Gift certificate is not transferable to dining credit.
• Gratuity is not included with the gift certificate and is suggested.
• Expires 12.01.21.

All winning bids subject to credit card processing fee.