August Wine & Dine

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Tonight 17 of us gathered for the monthly "Wine & Dine" dinner. We have been to Belacan Mayalsian restaurant in Redondo Beach several times and the food is always good. A lot of sparkling wines were brought tonight, mainly because of the spiciness of the food.

We started out with 3 appetizers. Malaysian Curry Puffs (pastry stuffed with potato chicken curry (similar to Indian Samosas), Malaysian chicken wings (deep fried wings with turmeric & curry) and Crab Rangoon (crispy wonton pockets filled with crab salad).

The curry puffs were spicy but went well with the Rieslings. The wings went well with the Zinfandels and the crab wontons were mild enough to go with the sparkling wines.

Entrees were served along with coconut rice.

"Char Kway Teow" Malaysian stir-fried flat rice noodles with chicken, shrimp, eggs, bean sprouts and chives in a dark spicy soy sauce. This dish was so spicy that it left a burn on you tongue and lips for a long time. It ruined your palate for the wines.

"Vegetable Delight Curry" - vegetables and tofu simmered in a rich coconut milk curry gravy. I did not have any of this dish. It did not look appetizing and by time it arrived I was full.

"Grilled Tamarind Shrimp" - Shell on charcoal grilled jumbo shrimp seasoned with tamarind juice. We have had this dish before and the flavors are very good. My objection is the shell on the shrimp and the mess it makes eating it. Your wine glasses suffer. But the flavor is wonderful.

"Daging Kicap Manis ( soy glazed beef, tender cuts of beef sauteed with onions and spices in a sweet thick soy glaze) This was actually served right after the "Char Kway Teow". My palate was still stinging from the dish before so I really could not enjoy the beef.

The "Char Kway Teow" which was served first overwhelmed the last dishes and really took away from the enjoyment of the rest of the meal.

This should have been a really good dinner but unfortunately my palate left me half way through the meal and did not return until close to the end.

I took a NV Santa Julia Sparkling Pinot Rose and a 2004 Rotta "Giubbini" vineyard Zindandel. Rotta is just up the road from Turley Vineyards in Paso Robles. Different style of zin and personaly I prefer it over Turley. Much more food friendly wine. It went very well with the wings and The Santa Julia sparkling which was on the dry side went very well with the Curry Puffs.

We all had a good time and this restaurant is worth visiting.

Next month the group is off to Fritto Misto in Redondo Beach. I will be on vacation at Avila Beach so I will miss Septembers dinner. October is Ante's in San Pedro.