Saturday, July 19, 2008
This is about the 5th year I have attended this fundraiser event for the LA Free Clinic. It is held at the 20th Century Studios complex.
We arrived just before 6 pm so we did not have to wait too long for the gates to open. There are numerous restaurants and food vendors in attendance. I always have a tendency to overeat at these types of events and tonight was no exception. I did watch by alcohol consumption as I was the driver.
A few of the most memorable food dishes I had were the "Macadamian Shrimp" from the 20th Century Studios commissary, the beautiful raw oysters from the Palm restaurant, the gourmet wild mushroom tamale from Corn Maiden Foods, the tuna and salmon hand rolls from Hokusai and the fabulous chocolate ice cream from Dr. Bob's.
The higher end wineries were pouring their lower end wines so I did have several of the bubblies, a glass of Seghesio Zin, a glass of Loring Russell Vineyard Pinot and a glass of Domaine Alfred's "Da Red". Alize was there making concoctions. I had one not to sure what it was but is was real tasty. While I was standing in line for the hand rolls, Asahi beer had a booth right next to the hand roll booth which worked out really well. Beer and sushi.
And no these were not full glass of wine. They were pouring about 2 ounces. All the alcohol served at these functions is poured in moderation. Of course you can over consume if you drink everything available. We did see an acquaintance of ours that looked like he started early in the day and was finishing the night up with a bang. But he did have a designated driver.
So it was another fun evening of food & wine and for a good cause. Tax deductions are really nice.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Hill Family Estate Wine Dinner
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Delius restaurant hosted a wine dinner this evening, www.deliusrestaurant.com . I was not familiar with this winery, but after tasting what they opened with dinner tonight I have become a fan.
Appetizer was "Foie Gras Torchon, Pineapple Compote on Brioche Toast" served with a 2006 Sauvignon Blanc. A beautiful pairing. Just perfect.
The soup was a "Watercress-Apple with Sweet Potato Chips. Excellent soup. Served with a 2006 Carly's Cuvee Chardonnay. This was the type of Chardonnay that I really like. Just a "nano" touch of oak.
First course was "Pork Sous Vide with Caramelized Salisfy, Fava Beans and Roasted Pork Jus. Another great combination served with a 2005 Pinot Noir. We all agreed that this was an excellent wine. For those who are unfamiliar with the term "Sous Vide" - the meat, fish, chicken etc., is placed in a heavy plastic bag with seasonings and placed in a water bath with a constant temperature for many hours. The pork was one of the most tender and moist piece of meat I have had.
Next up was the main course, "Roasted Rack of Lamb with Beluga Lentils, Chipolini Onions and a Dried Cherry Demi-Glace. Louise is a master with lamb and this dish was no exception. Two wines were served with this dish, a 2005 Barrel Blend (Merlot, Cabernet & Syrah) and a 2004 Merlot. Again a great combination.
Dessert was "Strawberry Basil Panna Cotta with Pecan Crisps.
Another great dinner at Delius with some excellent wines.
Delius restaurant hosted a wine dinner this evening, www.deliusrestaurant.com . I was not familiar with this winery, but after tasting what they opened with dinner tonight I have become a fan.
Appetizer was "Foie Gras Torchon, Pineapple Compote on Brioche Toast" served with a 2006 Sauvignon Blanc. A beautiful pairing. Just perfect.
The soup was a "Watercress-Apple with Sweet Potato Chips. Excellent soup. Served with a 2006 Carly's Cuvee Chardonnay. This was the type of Chardonnay that I really like. Just a "nano" touch of oak.
First course was "Pork Sous Vide with Caramelized Salisfy, Fava Beans and Roasted Pork Jus. Another great combination served with a 2005 Pinot Noir. We all agreed that this was an excellent wine. For those who are unfamiliar with the term "Sous Vide" - the meat, fish, chicken etc., is placed in a heavy plastic bag with seasonings and placed in a water bath with a constant temperature for many hours. The pork was one of the most tender and moist piece of meat I have had.
Next up was the main course, "Roasted Rack of Lamb with Beluga Lentils, Chipolini Onions and a Dried Cherry Demi-Glace. Louise is a master with lamb and this dish was no exception. Two wines were served with this dish, a 2005 Barrel Blend (Merlot, Cabernet & Syrah) and a 2004 Merlot. Again a great combination.
Dessert was "Strawberry Basil Panna Cotta with Pecan Crisps.
Another great dinner at Delius with some excellent wines.
Annual Bus Trip
Sunday July 13, 2008
Today's was the annual bus trip that Delius restaurant puts on every year, www.Deliusrestaurant.com,. We start our with a buffet breakfast served with oj, sparkling wine and mimosa's. Naturally the food served is very good. This year we had a scrambled egg and mushroom casserole, sausages & peppers, potatoes, rolls and fresh fruit. At 9 AM we board the bus. This year our destination was Ojai.
I have not been to Ojai since the 1960's Our first stop was a wine & liquor store just past the downtown area. It was next to an auto parts store and for the life of me I cannot remember the name nor the winery. The wines were ok but not that memorable but the store itself, I was blown away with. It carried 700 different kinds of beer, had a very high end liquor department and carried an amazing amount of high end wines. They had a great tasting area in the back of the store with high back stools to sit on and tables . I would have never imagines a store of this caliber in Ojai.
Our next stop was Old Creek Ranch Winery in Ojai Valley., www.oldcreekranch.com, We had our picnic lunch here and the owner came around and poured our wines for us while we ate lunch. I bought several wines here. The prices were reasonable and the wines were good. Its only a short drive off the 101 freeway. Take Hwy 33 to Old Creek Ranch road and it leads directly to the winery. They lost all of their vines to Pierce's disease so they source there grapes from the Central Coast, Santa Ynez and Napa.
The next stop was a disaster. We went to Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard. They make kosher wine. It was terrible. I have nothing more to say about this one.
Our last stop was the Artisan Cheese Gallery in Studio City. We had a wide assortment of cheese's and wine to sample. This place was the hit of the day.
We returned to Delius restaurant about 8 pm. Another bus trip and another great time to the memory book.
Today's was the annual bus trip that Delius restaurant puts on every year, www.Deliusrestaurant.com,. We start our with a buffet breakfast served with oj, sparkling wine and mimosa's. Naturally the food served is very good. This year we had a scrambled egg and mushroom casserole, sausages & peppers, potatoes, rolls and fresh fruit. At 9 AM we board the bus. This year our destination was Ojai.
I have not been to Ojai since the 1960's Our first stop was a wine & liquor store just past the downtown area. It was next to an auto parts store and for the life of me I cannot remember the name nor the winery. The wines were ok but not that memorable but the store itself, I was blown away with. It carried 700 different kinds of beer, had a very high end liquor department and carried an amazing amount of high end wines. They had a great tasting area in the back of the store with high back stools to sit on and tables . I would have never imagines a store of this caliber in Ojai.
Our next stop was Old Creek Ranch Winery in Ojai Valley., www.oldcreekranch.com, We had our picnic lunch here and the owner came around and poured our wines for us while we ate lunch. I bought several wines here. The prices were reasonable and the wines were good. Its only a short drive off the 101 freeway. Take Hwy 33 to Old Creek Ranch road and it leads directly to the winery. They lost all of their vines to Pierce's disease so they source there grapes from the Central Coast, Santa Ynez and Napa.
The next stop was a disaster. We went to Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard. They make kosher wine. It was terrible. I have nothing more to say about this one.
Our last stop was the Artisan Cheese Gallery in Studio City. We had a wide assortment of cheese's and wine to sample. This place was the hit of the day.
We returned to Delius restaurant about 8 pm. Another bus trip and another great time to the memory book.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Winos Monthly Gathering
Sunday, June 27, 2008
The winos gathered today for our monthly "wine" outing. Today's theme was Red & White Bordeaux's.
As usual the reds outnumbered the whites. This time by a large margin 5 to 1. All of the wines were good and there were a few notables that stood out.
Two of the whites I really liked. The 2006 Chateau De Launay and the 2006 Baron de Rothschild-Lafite.
In the red department the 1993 Font Villac St Emillion Grand Cru, 1998 Clos Rene Pomerol, 2000 Reginac, 2002 Reginac.
I found these wines were my favorites. All of the wines were drinking nicely and there was not one of them I would not want on my table for dinner.
As usual we had many appetizers to nibble on until the main dish was served. The host cooked salmon on the grill and as always I had stuffed myself so when it came to the numerous desserts that were on the table I could only taste a couple of them.
The weather today was great. A little breezy but the sun shone brightly all day. Just cannot beat California weather.
Next month its off to "Washington State Wines" for the flock.
The winos gathered today for our monthly "wine" outing. Today's theme was Red & White Bordeaux's.
As usual the reds outnumbered the whites. This time by a large margin 5 to 1. All of the wines were good and there were a few notables that stood out.
Two of the whites I really liked. The 2006 Chateau De Launay and the 2006 Baron de Rothschild-Lafite.
In the red department the 1993 Font Villac St Emillion Grand Cru, 1998 Clos Rene Pomerol, 2000 Reginac, 2002 Reginac.
I found these wines were my favorites. All of the wines were drinking nicely and there was not one of them I would not want on my table for dinner.
As usual we had many appetizers to nibble on until the main dish was served. The host cooked salmon on the grill and as always I had stuffed myself so when it came to the numerous desserts that were on the table I could only taste a couple of them.
The weather today was great. A little breezy but the sun shone brightly all day. Just cannot beat California weather.
Next month its off to "Washington State Wines" for the flock.
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