Proof MeetUp

Went to Proof at 775 G Street NW (a block from the Gallery Place metro and right across from the National Gallery) last night for a Virginia Wine Meetup. Nice bunch of people and Proof was also a good experience over all.

First the bad:

The bar is small in footprint making for a very crowded, noisy experience and making it hard to not be in the way of the hurried and harried waitstaff. We were constantly being shepherded this way and that.

Now the good:

Lots of very tasty wines in your choice of 2 oz, 4 oz, and 6 oz servings that range from very reasonably priced to quite pricey. This is a great way to try some new options without the big commitment of a full glass. Most people tried 2 oz versions of a variety of wines but I was so smitten with the Viura I'd tried a sip of that I quickly upgraded (they'll do that, too) from a 2 oz to a 4 oz and followed that up with a 6 oz of same.

Plus the menu looked quite nice. We tried the cheese plate and got a wonderful selection of 3 cheeses (an ash-rind goat, a cow and a sheep's milk) which was served with raisin bread crisps, a fruit chutney and a honey. It was all delicious.

Odd but wonderful coincidence:

This is the second time I've attended a wine meetup with the group and the second time I've been given double the cheese I'd ordered complements of the establishment. Last time was at EatBar, where a mistake was made by someone new in the kitchen. This time, I'd ask for additional toast when the cheese plate arrived so it would be easier to share. The waiter said he'd get it for me. Then 20 minutes later he came back with a whole new cheese plate, apologizing because he'd forgotten about the extra toast. Honestly, so had I, but since he'd gone to so much trouble to get me another cheese plate I didn't want to offend him by refusing it. ;)

Movie Review: Proof

I caught a strange film on IFC ("home of the strange films" should be their tag line) by the name of Proof. This is the 1991 Australian film (not to be confused with a variety of other films by the same title, including a more recent one with Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins.)

This particular Proof stars Hugo Weaving, as Martin, a blind man that seeks proof that what he thinks is real is in fact real by taking pictures and having them described to him. This is an intriguing concept on the surface alone but the movie goes much deeper, getting to fundamental issues of trust, kindness, betrayal, power and truth through Martin's interactions with his housekeeper, Celia (played by Genevieve Picot), and his friend, Andy (played by a very young Russell Crowe). These three form an odd triangle as Celia obsessively pursues Martin in disturbing ways and Andy is drawn into an encounter with Celia.

I recommend this film, which often reads like a play. It's well crafted, well delivered and thought provoking.

I give it 3 Jujubees out of 4.