Capone's

Monday, June 29, 2009

Capone's Cucina is a restaurant in Huntington Beach that I had not been to before. This evening they were having a wine dinner priced at $62. Friends wanted to go so here we were.

Capone's is in a shopping center between Adams and Yorktown on Beach Blvd. Small neighborhood type of establishment.

I ran just at 7:00 which was the start time. I have such a hard time with the OC beach bimbo's driving their SUV's, drinking Starbucks and holding a cell phone (yes I know there is a law but have not seen an enforcement of it yet) God save me from these drivers. Their IQ's are smaller than their boob size.

Fresh bread was served and it really had great taste. A little olive oil and balsamic and we were in heaven.

First up was "Swordfish Rolled & Baked With A Fresh Tomato Sauce". This was a nice dish, good but not outstanding. It did pair very well with the 2007 Orvitto Trappolini.

Second course - "Insalata Valentina". A Red beet, arugula salad with toasted nuts, goat cheese and lemon vinaigrette. This was paired with a 2008 Catello Maggiort Pinot Grigio. Low acidic wine to blend well with the acidity of the salad. It is difficult to pair salads and wine. This was a nice combination

Next course was "Polenta Al Ragu Di Funghi" . The wine was a 2006 Buccication Montepulciano D' Abruzzo. This actually was the best pairing of the night. I did think that the polenta would have made a better plate presentation if it had been cooked, molded and then cut in slices and grilled. As it was it was just a blob of "grits" on the plate. The ragu of mushrooms was good. But the color on the plate was a turnoff. Grey ragu on a off white polenta on a white plate.

Main course - "Filetto Alla Veneto", beef tenderloin topped with a red wine mushroom sauce and baby vegetables. Nice portion, very tender, decent flavor. What I missed on this was maybe a little bit more searing on the outside. Some crispness to the meat before it was finished in the oven. The pairing of the wine with this was not the best. I feel that the wine would have been much better with an Osso Buco. The wine was very good on its own.

Dessert was Rasberry Sorbetto with a 2007 Baldi Moscato D'Asti. The sorbet was very good, The wine was very good. Again the pairing let me cold. Perhaps the sorbet should have been a very small portion and served as a palate cleanser between the grits and the beef. And then have a shortbread type cookie with the Moscato.

I would try this restaurant again. The food was good, not outstanding. I feel the price of this dinner should have been in the $50 range. The pours were generous, service was good. But it somehow lacks a certain something.

I will go back and try some other dishes as sometimes wine dinners are not a restaurants best show. It seems that they may try to hard to impress. They would be better served sticking with the tried & true menu items they are known for. They can always add a little flair.