Friday, November 29, 2013
The boys and I met for Dim Sum lunch today at the Seafood Palace. This was the first time I could join them for lunch as I still work full time and they are all retired so one day is just like another to them. Since it was Thanksgiving week I had 4 days off which is almost like a vacation.
After I was there for a few minutes I asked Henry where CJ was. The look on Henry's face was priceless. He had forgotten to call CJ and let him know we were doing lunch that day. It was funny. As it was CJ had another commitment.
We started out with a shrimp wrapped in a wonton type noodle/wrapper. It was sitting in a sauce which made it very slippery. It was hard to eat with a fork much less chopsticks. Even Henry who is Chinese was having problems. Flavor was good.
Next we were served a hot/sour soup. We have had this particular soup with dinner before and it is aways a hit with us.
Scallops with Snow Peas and carrots. Scallops seemed to be extra tender for some reason.
Then some little rolls about 4 inches long appeared - a mixture of ground shrimp, ground pork and ground fish rolled in Seaweed and fried. Excellent flavor.
Steamed spare ribs with black beans. Again very good flavor.
Steamed Pork ball with fish. Very tender.
White fish, chefs style with jalapenos and onions. Another good and flavorful dish
BBQ pork buns - a staple at Dim Sum's.
Mongolian Beef with Chinese Broccoli
Beef Tendon in a sauce - I always like beef tendon - if cooked properly it is very tender and depending on the sauce it should have a lot of flavor which this dish did.
Squid with Chinese Broccoli - good but I do like the salt & pepper calamari better
Steamed Tripe was our last dish. Very tender. Tripe has really no flavor of its own. Just takes on the flavor of what it is cooked in.
The nice thing about Dim Sums' is the array of dishes you can eat. All portions are small and when you have 5 people is a good way to try a wide variety of specialties of the restaurant. So 12 dishes for 5 people today.
We nailed in in the wine department today. The Christmas Spirit is starting to get to everyone. Even the Seafood Palace had their decorations up.
NV Nicholas Feuillatte Brut Rose Champagne
2008 McKeon-Phillips Petit Verdot
2009 Chateau Gigognan, Chateauneuf du Pape
2008 J.Davis, Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 Chateau Les Grand, Marechaux, Bordeaux
2008 Saxum, James Berry Vineyard, Syrah blend
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Champange Diiner at Delius
Friday, November 22, 2013
This is an annual event with Delius, They announce it as a "Champagne" dinner but in reality it is mostly and sometimes all sparkling wines. But it is always interesting and the wines are always good. It is never a sold out dinner. I think most people cannot understand how a sparkling wine can go with food dishes. They should get out of their narrow boxes once in awhile.
Kevin Butler from the Henry Wine Group was our rep. Sat with him and his wife, Melanie again. I got there a few minutes early and Matt, the sommelier gave me a glass of sparkling while I waited.
First Course: Winter Squash Ravioli, Butter Poached Lobster, Fresh Peas and Pea Tendrils. Wine was a Vinum Sparkling Chenin Blanc, California. I thought this was the best wine of the day. Just released and not in the stores yet. Dry but a lot of flavor going on . The Ravioli was tender and the flavor excellent.
Second Course: Fig & Pomegranate Watercress Salad, Stilton Cheese, Pistachio-Honey Vinaigrette. Best pairing of the meal with a Malvira "Birbet:, from Italy. I was really surprised at the pairing.
Third Course: Roasted Octopus, Sunchoke, Yellow Wax Bean Potato Salad, Red Current Mustard Aioli. Octopus was very tender but the mustard aioli was to die for. Wine was a 2010 Mont-Ferrant Reserved Brut Cava, Spain. My least liked wine. Good but just not for me.
Fourth Course: Roasted Squab, Liver and Persimmon Stuffing, Swiss Chard & Cipollini Onion. I was getting stuffed by now so I did not finish my plate. The liver & persimmon stuffing was quite interesting and it and the squab paired exceptionally well with the 2009 Llopart Rose Brut Cava, Spain. First sparkling I have had made from Mouvedre grape. I did like this wine.
Dessert was a Raspberry Mousse Cake. So good, very delicate and light. Good ending for this rich meal
This is an annual event with Delius, They announce it as a "Champagne" dinner but in reality it is mostly and sometimes all sparkling wines. But it is always interesting and the wines are always good. It is never a sold out dinner. I think most people cannot understand how a sparkling wine can go with food dishes. They should get out of their narrow boxes once in awhile.
Kevin Butler from the Henry Wine Group was our rep. Sat with him and his wife, Melanie again. I got there a few minutes early and Matt, the sommelier gave me a glass of sparkling while I waited.
First Course: Winter Squash Ravioli, Butter Poached Lobster, Fresh Peas and Pea Tendrils. Wine was a Vinum Sparkling Chenin Blanc, California. I thought this was the best wine of the day. Just released and not in the stores yet. Dry but a lot of flavor going on . The Ravioli was tender and the flavor excellent.
Second Course: Fig & Pomegranate Watercress Salad, Stilton Cheese, Pistachio-Honey Vinaigrette. Best pairing of the meal with a Malvira "Birbet:, from Italy. I was really surprised at the pairing.
Third Course: Roasted Octopus, Sunchoke, Yellow Wax Bean Potato Salad, Red Current Mustard Aioli. Octopus was very tender but the mustard aioli was to die for. Wine was a 2010 Mont-Ferrant Reserved Brut Cava, Spain. My least liked wine. Good but just not for me.
Fourth Course: Roasted Squab, Liver and Persimmon Stuffing, Swiss Chard & Cipollini Onion. I was getting stuffed by now so I did not finish my plate. The liver & persimmon stuffing was quite interesting and it and the squab paired exceptionally well with the 2009 Llopart Rose Brut Cava, Spain. First sparkling I have had made from Mouvedre grape. I did like this wine.
Dessert was a Raspberry Mousse Cake. So good, very delicate and light. Good ending for this rich meal
La Parolaccia Osteria Italiana
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
We were a table of six tonight and then Marc & Edie came in and were seating at a small table adjacent to ours. Sold out event with a long waiting list. $36 for 6 course and a liter of chianti wine for every two people. A huge bargain. Yes, the wine was not fantastic but it was a very drinkable "dago red". And you were allowed to take home the bottles even if they still had wine in them. Some people wanted them because they were the old time chianti" bottles with the straw wrapped around them
We stared out with an appetizer of "Schiacciata al Rosmarino", flat pizza bread with rosemary and garlic, Could be addicting.
Soup wasa "Pappa al Pomodoro" - a thick, creamy tomato and potato soup with a slice of toasted Tuscan bread in the bottom
First course was "Pappardelle al Cinghiale" wide ribbon pasta, wild boar meat, onions, garlic, tomato sauce and parmesan cheese.
You had your choice on the main course -either fish or pork chop. 3 of us had the pork and 3 had the fish.
I chose the pork chop. Mine was large and very tender. Cindy's was small and tough. Luck of the draw. Served with a wine reduction, garlic and roasted potatoes.
Dessert was really good "Torta Dellla Nonna". A lemon "cake" with ice cream A nice light touch to end the meal.
Stafano is always very accommodating. Always asks everyone if they have any dietary problems or need to change an item on the menu. It has been awhile since I have been to La Parolaccio. Will have to remember to go more frequently. Food is always good. Not high end but good Italian cooking. Good size portions and priced reasonably. Good wine list, priced right.
We were a table of six tonight and then Marc & Edie came in and were seating at a small table adjacent to ours. Sold out event with a long waiting list. $36 for 6 course and a liter of chianti wine for every two people. A huge bargain. Yes, the wine was not fantastic but it was a very drinkable "dago red". And you were allowed to take home the bottles even if they still had wine in them. Some people wanted them because they were the old time chianti" bottles with the straw wrapped around them
We stared out with an appetizer of "Schiacciata al Rosmarino", flat pizza bread with rosemary and garlic, Could be addicting.
Soup wasa "Pappa al Pomodoro" - a thick, creamy tomato and potato soup with a slice of toasted Tuscan bread in the bottom
First course was "Pappardelle al Cinghiale" wide ribbon pasta, wild boar meat, onions, garlic, tomato sauce and parmesan cheese.
You had your choice on the main course -either fish or pork chop. 3 of us had the pork and 3 had the fish.
I chose the pork chop. Mine was large and very tender. Cindy's was small and tough. Luck of the draw. Served with a wine reduction, garlic and roasted potatoes.
Dessert was really good "Torta Dellla Nonna". A lemon "cake" with ice cream A nice light touch to end the meal.
Stafano is always very accommodating. Always asks everyone if they have any dietary problems or need to change an item on the menu. It has been awhile since I have been to La Parolaccio. Will have to remember to go more frequently. Food is always good. Not high end but good Italian cooking. Good size portions and priced reasonably. Good wine list, priced right.
Novembers Wine Activity and Dinner at J Trani's
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Stopped at Off The Vine Wine store in San Pedro before heading for dinner. Tasted 6 wines and had a small appetizer plate to share. Wines were OK but it is just their regular wine tasting. Nothing special.
Headed for J Trani's a few blocks away. Ten of us tonight for dinner. I ordered the Wagu steak. I did not really notice that my dinner was taking longer than most because all the dinners came out of the kitchen sporadically. But since it took longer they ending up comping me my meal. That was a class act. The steak was perfect. A wide variety of dinners were ordered, From pasta to fish to duck. Everyone had good things to say about their meals. Portions were very large. Even the dinner salad was a meal in itself.
Interesting thing about tonight's wines. Someone brought a 2008 Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir. When it was opened and set on the table a few people said "Oh Sea Smoke" like they were in awe. I had brought a 2008 Huber Pinot Noir. Tasted these two Pinots, both from the Sta. Rita Hills and I would take the Huber any day over the Sea Smoke. Much better wine but it does not have the "cult" following that Sea Smoke has. Several people at the table agreed with me. And Huber is half the price.
2008 Huber Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
2009 Ribbon Ridge, Framenta Cellar, Oregon, Pinot Noir
2010 L'Adventure Optimus (this should have been great - a little disappointed but I don't think it should have been opened for at least 4 to 5 years)
2011 Clos Pepe Sta. Rita Hills, Homage to Chablis, Chardonnay
Espimosa Ca Sparkling wine, Danza Del Sol Winery, Lodi
2005 La Velona Branello di Montalcino, Italy
2008 Sea Smoke, Southing, Sta Rita Hills, Pinot Nir
Veuve Cliquot Champagne, Brut
2011 BV Rutherford
2008 Fontezoppa "Marine" Rache, Sangiovese, Italy
2009 Stolpman, Ballard Canyon, Sangiovese
Oyster and White Wine Tasting
Friday, November 8, 2013
Wine Country is Signal Hill was hosting an oyster and wine event tonight. 12 oysters and 12 wines for $45. Oysters were really good. Unfortunately they did not list the names on the wine list. The majority of the wines were really great, A dry Riesling was outstanding with the oysters. Sold out venue with a waiting list. I am sure they will do this event again.
Wine Country is Signal Hill was hosting an oyster and wine event tonight. 12 oysters and 12 wines for $45. Oysters were really good. Unfortunately they did not list the names on the wine list. The majority of the wines were really great, A dry Riesling was outstanding with the oysters. Sold out venue with a waiting list. I am sure they will do this event again.
Vacation Time
Week of November 1 to 7 - headed up to Avila Beach with a stop at the Huber Vineyards along the way. On Saturday the San Luis Obispo Vintners Association hosted the wine fest at the golf course next to the San Luis Bay Inn which I was staying. Tasted a lot of new releases and had some really good food. Talked with Mike Sinor who has his own label Sinor-LaValle and is the wine maker at Ancient Peaks. Had planned of going by the facility on Sunday to pick up wines but is was going to be locked down because they are still picking grapes.
Sunday headed over to Paso Robles (the only day I went) and went out to the Pleasant Valley area.
First stop was Graveyard Winery. I had heard nice things about this place. The staff was very friendly, the view outstanding. The wines are good but not great. But a good price point for what they are. The staff recommended two other places to stop. So I headed down the road to J & J. A group of their wine club members were there and they were a really fun group. The wines were ok but not ones I would buy.
Next stop was LaVigne. Best wines of the day. Did purchase a few bottles here.
Spent the week at a very relaxing pace. Did not overdo any tasting or eating. Tuesday I spent the day in Pismo Beach. Went to the Monarch Butterfly sanctuary for a few hours. Then stopped at Taste of The Valley in Pismo to do some tasting. Met a couple from The San Diego area. He used to go to Lions Drag Strip in Long Beach when I was racing. We had a lot to talk about. He remembered the pontoon bridge in Long Beach along with Airplane Hill. People don't believe me when I tell them about the bridge
On Wednesday went into Los Olivos and picked up at Stolpman, hit the Christmas store in Solvang and went over to Lompoc to pickup at Loring,
Headed back home n Thursday to a big problem in my kitchen remodel. One cabinet came in the wrong size and has to be reordered. This delays everything by two weeks. I will be lucky to have my kitchen in some stage of working order by Thanksgiving. Lesson to be learned. Micro manage everything yourself.
Sunday headed over to Paso Robles (the only day I went) and went out to the Pleasant Valley area.
First stop was Graveyard Winery. I had heard nice things about this place. The staff was very friendly, the view outstanding. The wines are good but not great. But a good price point for what they are. The staff recommended two other places to stop. So I headed down the road to J & J. A group of their wine club members were there and they were a really fun group. The wines were ok but not ones I would buy.
Next stop was LaVigne. Best wines of the day. Did purchase a few bottles here.
Spent the week at a very relaxing pace. Did not overdo any tasting or eating. Tuesday I spent the day in Pismo Beach. Went to the Monarch Butterfly sanctuary for a few hours. Then stopped at Taste of The Valley in Pismo to do some tasting. Met a couple from The San Diego area. He used to go to Lions Drag Strip in Long Beach when I was racing. We had a lot to talk about. He remembered the pontoon bridge in Long Beach along with Airplane Hill. People don't believe me when I tell them about the bridge
On Wednesday went into Los Olivos and picked up at Stolpman, hit the Christmas store in Solvang and went over to Lompoc to pickup at Loring,
Headed back home n Thursday to a big problem in my kitchen remodel. One cabinet came in the wrong size and has to be reordered. This delays everything by two weeks. I will be lucky to have my kitchen in some stage of working order by Thanksgiving. Lesson to be learned. Micro manage everything yourself.
Halloween at Phil Trani's
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Festival seating was the norm for tonight's dinner at Phil Trani's in Long Beach. The old Trani's restaurant in San Pedro was a hangout for the old LA Rams football team along with many other sports teams. The restaurant in Long Beach still has a large collection of sports memorabilia in the bar / lounge area. Most of the items are signed by the people that they at one time belonged to.
Some people tonight came in costume. I wasn't a costume person when I was a kid and still don't get into it. But they were some interesting people tonight.
The wine being poured tonight is from the Michael David Winery in Lodi. These are middle of the road wines. Some quite good. I did get a new wine opener to add to my collection.
We started out with a Pumpkin Ravioli paired with a 2011 Chardonnay. Oaky wine but did pair decent with the ravioli. Flavor of the ravioli was good but the dough was not as tender as it could have been.
Blackened Seared Ahi was next. This could have been cooked a bit shorter. It was too done for my particular tastes. Had good flavor. Wine was a 2011 Ancient Vines Cinsault. I found this wine to be the best of the evening.
Two entrees were served. A Peppered Flat Iron Steak with Wasbi Mashed Potatoes and a Stuffed Pork with Feta Cheese and Carmelized Onions. Steak was good and cooked correctly. The wasbi was overkill. The stuffed pork had good flavor. Paired with a 2011 Freakshow Caberent Sauvignon.
Dessert was a Chocolate Raspberry Tart paired with a Lust Zin. I found the tart dough was too much on the heavy side. But the flavor of the chocolate. raspberry combination was good.
In spite of a few hiccups in the dinner at $60 inclusive it was hard to beat and I gor a wine opener. Pours were generous and numerous, Food was good portions. The company at the table was great and a good time was had by all.
Festival seating was the norm for tonight's dinner at Phil Trani's in Long Beach. The old Trani's restaurant in San Pedro was a hangout for the old LA Rams football team along with many other sports teams. The restaurant in Long Beach still has a large collection of sports memorabilia in the bar / lounge area. Most of the items are signed by the people that they at one time belonged to.
Some people tonight came in costume. I wasn't a costume person when I was a kid and still don't get into it. But they were some interesting people tonight.
The wine being poured tonight is from the Michael David Winery in Lodi. These are middle of the road wines. Some quite good. I did get a new wine opener to add to my collection.
We started out with a Pumpkin Ravioli paired with a 2011 Chardonnay. Oaky wine but did pair decent with the ravioli. Flavor of the ravioli was good but the dough was not as tender as it could have been.
Blackened Seared Ahi was next. This could have been cooked a bit shorter. It was too done for my particular tastes. Had good flavor. Wine was a 2011 Ancient Vines Cinsault. I found this wine to be the best of the evening.
Two entrees were served. A Peppered Flat Iron Steak with Wasbi Mashed Potatoes and a Stuffed Pork with Feta Cheese and Carmelized Onions. Steak was good and cooked correctly. The wasbi was overkill. The stuffed pork had good flavor. Paired with a 2011 Freakshow Caberent Sauvignon.
Dessert was a Chocolate Raspberry Tart paired with a Lust Zin. I found the tart dough was too much on the heavy side. But the flavor of the chocolate. raspberry combination was good.
In spite of a few hiccups in the dinner at $60 inclusive it was hard to beat and I gor a wine opener. Pours were generous and numerous, Food was good portions. The company at the table was great and a good time was had by all.
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