Rusty Sly: A Night in The Cellar with the Rats

The Cellar Rats

As I was taxiing down therunway from a return business trip, I received an email from Vic Hersteininforming me that he would be playing at The Cellar the following evening and wanted to know if I was in town. Everyone knows Vic and his countless years in the winebusiness who presently manages the All Corked Up Warehouse. Mike Perlis and I write often about Vic,and personally, I have never met someone who has been both so friendly andhelpful. We both think very highlyof him.

It has been a couple ofmonths since the transition from All Corked Up Wine Bar to The Cellar which isnow owned and operated by DiMaggio Washington. DiMaggio is a Certified Sommelier,Approved WSET Intermediate and Advanced Instructor. He has also recently become a publishedauthor with the book, “World Wine Education.”

DiMaggio has been tremendous sincetaking over, he is quickly learning his guest’s palates and recommending winesthat he has in stock or a new wine he has just received. This is very important for making yourwine bar experience enjoyable because without it so is the experience. As with any wine shop that has a numberof wines to choose from, such as The Cellar, it is important not to make yourchoice based on the fancy labels as the contents may not be to yourliking. Therefore, having someone likeDiMaggio is invaluable.

DiMaggio Washington

Tracy and I, in support ofour good friend Vic, attended theFriday night party. His threepiece band is known as Vic Rocks, however Vic has changed the name, whenperforming at The Cellar, to The Cellar Rats.

I may be dating myself here, but if you remember the Hippy Revolutionwhere bell bottom pants, bright shirts, micro miniskirts and hot pants werethe in thing, then you will love Vic’s collection of 60’s and 70’s songs. I saw many of my friends coming tosupport, listen, dance and unwind from their hectic week. This was a fantastic evening.

If you truly love songs fromthe era past, I would highly recommend attending one of The Cellar Ratsgigs. Pair this with fine wines recommendedby DiMaggio and you are set for an enjoyable evening.

I almost forgot to mention that you can also enjoy dinnerwhile you are there. My wife had theCordon Bleu special, which she loved along with many other guests that evening,and I had the Chicken Panini sandwich, a favorite of mine.

Great friends, great wine, great foodand great music…I can’t think of any other way to have a great evening.

Cheers,

Rusty Sly