Friday, December 30, 2011
Last dinner of 2011. This restaurant used to be the Tantalizing Thai in Long Beach but new ownership. This was my first time back since the takeover. CJ wanted to try a few new dishes so 6 of us gathered together tonight. Nice to see Clyde & Libby again.
The new menu is written on shiny black paper. Difficult to read under dim lights. So I did not get the "official Thai" names for the dishes. Just let CJ do the ordering.
Started out with 3 appetizers. Lettuce wraps with some kind of chicken/rice noodle mixture, Vegetable rolls and Shrimp wrapped in noodles then fried. We have had this dish before but I can't remember the official name. But they are good.
A new dish - Soft Shell crab with Curry Sauce. I am not a big fan of curry but I really liked this sauce.. I would order this dish again.
Crying Tiger Steak - this was ok but not the same as the previous owners. This dish I would not order again. I felt the strips of beef were extremely small and with that you loose flavor.
Hot Braised Pork - spicy. CJ ordered it mild but it still had too much bite to pair well with wine. This is a beer dish.
A dish of Pineapple Rice appeared. Wish this had come at the beginning of the meal with the plain white rice which I do not eat. I do like the pineapple rice because of all the add ins. Better flavor. I grew up on potatoes not white rice so I have never been able to get into it. The only time I can recall having white rice was in Rice Pudding. As I got older and since we were in California sometimes it would show up on the table but only if there was some kind of meat and gravy to pour over it. My family never ate plain white rice.
No bubblies were brought tonight. I thought CJ would bring one so I opted for a Chardonnay. He forgot to put his in his bag.
2001 Stolpman Angeli , Santa Ynez (Syrah) - in its prime - fantastic wine
2005 Sea Smoke Botella, Sta Rita Hills, Pinot Noir ( beautiful after opening up)
2006 Huber, Sta Rita Hills, Pinot Noir - showing very well
2008 Quivera Elusion, Blend, (Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre & Petit Syrah)
2008 Toulouse, Anderson Valley, Gerwuztraminer
2008 Center Of Effort, Edna Valley, Chardonnay (went well with all the appetizers)
2007 Bridlewood, English Pleasure, Santa Ynez, Syrah
Good dinner tonight. Small table which I like, makes for better conversation. Very foggy driving home . Fog will probably be around for the weekend. Glad I am not a New Years Eve person. Would not want to be out in it with all the drunks who can't see anyway. Add fog to the scenario and its a disaster
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Last Seafood Palace Dinner
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Yes we did manage to get one more dinner in. Table of eight tonight. I prefer six people but sometimes the invite list grows.
Seafood Palace was busy tonight so we were at a smaller table. We always try to get a larger table because of all our wines and extra wine glasses we bring. The wine and food gets put on the turntable so at times its quite a load.
John had this week off of work so he got to join us. He was happy.
We started out with the sweet-sour soup. Unfortunately it was luke warm which Henry was not happy about. I think he had a few words with the management.
Next two dishes came out. Salt & Pepper Calamari and Beef with Chinese Broccoli. Both standards with us. Always good. Then the deep fried Tofu and Shrimp with Bok Choy and Fat Noodles.
Mark & Erin were in the group. Erin doesn't eat meat. Mark is allergic to shellfish. This was not known to us ahead of time. So naturally next was Lobster and Noodles and Cooked Oysters with Ginger & Scallions.
Last two dishes were Spicy Pork Strips with Fish Sauce and Kung Pao Chicken. Best Kung Pao around. By this time I am stuffed. Just ate a very small portion of each.
A good selection of wines were on the table.
NV Graham Beck Brut, South Africa
NV Chateau de Pampelone Cotes de Provence ( excellent with the oysters)
2005 Niner Fog Catcher, Paso Robles, Red Blend
2008 Arnot Roberts, Santa Cruz, Cabernet ( great wine after it opened up)
2008 McKeon-Phillips, Santa Maria BPR Cabernet
2009 Sea Smoke Ten, Sta Rita Hills Pinot Noir
2010 Denner, Teresa Vineyard, Paso Robles White Rhone Blend
2010 Longoria Albarino
Duong Son opens up Friday. It will be next month before we have a dinner there. Need to let them get their legs under them first. So who knows we may be back to the Seafood Palace again soon.
Yes we did manage to get one more dinner in. Table of eight tonight. I prefer six people but sometimes the invite list grows.
Seafood Palace was busy tonight so we were at a smaller table. We always try to get a larger table because of all our wines and extra wine glasses we bring. The wine and food gets put on the turntable so at times its quite a load.
John had this week off of work so he got to join us. He was happy.
We started out with the sweet-sour soup. Unfortunately it was luke warm which Henry was not happy about. I think he had a few words with the management.
Next two dishes came out. Salt & Pepper Calamari and Beef with Chinese Broccoli. Both standards with us. Always good. Then the deep fried Tofu and Shrimp with Bok Choy and Fat Noodles.
Mark & Erin were in the group. Erin doesn't eat meat. Mark is allergic to shellfish. This was not known to us ahead of time. So naturally next was Lobster and Noodles and Cooked Oysters with Ginger & Scallions.
Last two dishes were Spicy Pork Strips with Fish Sauce and Kung Pao Chicken. Best Kung Pao around. By this time I am stuffed. Just ate a very small portion of each.
A good selection of wines were on the table.
NV Graham Beck Brut, South Africa
NV Chateau de Pampelone Cotes de Provence ( excellent with the oysters)
2005 Niner Fog Catcher, Paso Robles, Red Blend
2008 Arnot Roberts, Santa Cruz, Cabernet ( great wine after it opened up)
2008 McKeon-Phillips, Santa Maria BPR Cabernet
2009 Sea Smoke Ten, Sta Rita Hills Pinot Noir
2010 Denner, Teresa Vineyard, Paso Robles White Rhone Blend
2010 Longoria Albarino
Duong Son opens up Friday. It will be next month before we have a dinner there. Need to let them get their legs under them first. So who knows we may be back to the Seafood Palace again soon.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Seafood Palace
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Last dinner here I thought would be the last one but Duong Son still has not opened. Supposed to be this week but we are still waiting.
There was 7 of us tonight. Terry & Cora were there in spite of the fact that Cora cannot eat much because of the effects of her chemo and her liver cancer. She put up a great front. Wants to see everyone and say her good byes. I hope when it is my time I can be as gracious.
As usual we had the salt & pepper calamari. Best calamari around. Followed by Manila clams in black bean & jalapeno sauce. Excellent dish.
Pekin duck, Beef with greens, garlic green beans and a spicy soup. Cora had requested the sauteed lobster with noodles. Good as always. Dinner was followed by a Mango pudding.
CJ & I both brought sparklings. I brought a Francois Chidaine Mount Louis Sur Loire and CJ brought a Louis Bouillet Brut Rose of Pinot. They were empty by time we got finished.
I also brought a 2004 Clos Pepe VS Pinot Noir. A 2006 Clos Pepe Pinot, 2004 McKeon-Phillips BPR Cabernet, NV Stella Rosso, 2005 Testarossa Fritschen Russian River Pinot Noir and a 2005 Levendi Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Cabernet rounded out the selection.
CJ was disappointed in his Testarossa Pinot. Good nose, great front palate but then it went nowhere . Fell off fast. For the price of Testarossa wines this should not happen. I tasted all the wines except the Stella Rossa. Not my style at all. All were excellent. Impressed with the Levendi that Terry brought. If I had been at home with this wine I would have drank more.
Since John has next week off work we are going to try and schedule another dinner right after Christmas so he can join us. Don't know if it will be Seafood Palace or the new Doung Son. Looking forward to it in a big way. Can never have too much good Chinese food along with good wine and great company.
Last dinner here I thought would be the last one but Duong Son still has not opened. Supposed to be this week but we are still waiting.
There was 7 of us tonight. Terry & Cora were there in spite of the fact that Cora cannot eat much because of the effects of her chemo and her liver cancer. She put up a great front. Wants to see everyone and say her good byes. I hope when it is my time I can be as gracious.
As usual we had the salt & pepper calamari. Best calamari around. Followed by Manila clams in black bean & jalapeno sauce. Excellent dish.
Pekin duck, Beef with greens, garlic green beans and a spicy soup. Cora had requested the sauteed lobster with noodles. Good as always. Dinner was followed by a Mango pudding.
CJ & I both brought sparklings. I brought a Francois Chidaine Mount Louis Sur Loire and CJ brought a Louis Bouillet Brut Rose of Pinot. They were empty by time we got finished.
I also brought a 2004 Clos Pepe VS Pinot Noir. A 2006 Clos Pepe Pinot, 2004 McKeon-Phillips BPR Cabernet, NV Stella Rosso, 2005 Testarossa Fritschen Russian River Pinot Noir and a 2005 Levendi Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Cabernet rounded out the selection.
CJ was disappointed in his Testarossa Pinot. Good nose, great front palate but then it went nowhere . Fell off fast. For the price of Testarossa wines this should not happen. I tasted all the wines except the Stella Rossa. Not my style at all. All were excellent. Impressed with the Levendi that Terry brought. If I had been at home with this wine I would have drank more.
Since John has next week off work we are going to try and schedule another dinner right after Christmas so he can join us. Don't know if it will be Seafood Palace or the new Doung Son. Looking forward to it in a big way. Can never have too much good Chinese food along with good wine and great company.
Christmas Open House
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Attended an annual open house today in site of the rain. Getting into the holiday spirit. Lots of nibblies. I brought a 2005 York Petit Verdot. Glad I have a few more bottles of this stashed away.
Stayed longer than I expected so I must have had a good time. Kept the drinking down to bare minimum.
Too many police out this time of the year and with all the budget cuts the cities are really hurting for money. I have a firm belief that the police are writing more tickets than a few years ago. I see them everywhere now
Attended an annual open house today in site of the rain. Getting into the holiday spirit. Lots of nibblies. I brought a 2005 York Petit Verdot. Glad I have a few more bottles of this stashed away.
Stayed longer than I expected so I must have had a good time. Kept the drinking down to bare minimum.
Too many police out this time of the year and with all the budget cuts the cities are really hurting for money. I have a firm belief that the police are writing more tickets than a few years ago. I see them everywhere now
Franco's
Thursday, December 15, 2011
We have not been to Franco's in quite awhile. On a Thursday night the place was full. in spite of the rain. 7 of us gathered for dinner. I did not make any notations about food or wine. I was brain dead from the traffic and the drive from Torrance to Cypress.
I did bring a NV Clos Pepe Sparkling Rose of Pinot which was excellent. Along with a 2004 Stolpman LaCroce. La Croce is my favorite wine that Stolpman makes. A blend of Syrah & Sangiovese. It was the first bottle emptied. Always a good sign that the wine was top notch.
There was Champagne, a French white that Jan & Bob brought back from France, A Brunello, Nebiollo, another Italian red, a Pinot Grigio and a couple more reds on the table.
Bob & I ordered the lamb shank and neither of us were disappointed. Margie had the pork chop, Paul the Flounder, Jan had Salmon, Steve had the Steak Diane and I cannot remember what John ordered. We all ate hearty. The food at Franco's is really good. Must make a point to get back there soon.
We have not been to Franco's in quite awhile. On a Thursday night the place was full. in spite of the rain. 7 of us gathered for dinner. I did not make any notations about food or wine. I was brain dead from the traffic and the drive from Torrance to Cypress.
I did bring a NV Clos Pepe Sparkling Rose of Pinot which was excellent. Along with a 2004 Stolpman LaCroce. La Croce is my favorite wine that Stolpman makes. A blend of Syrah & Sangiovese. It was the first bottle emptied. Always a good sign that the wine was top notch.
There was Champagne, a French white that Jan & Bob brought back from France, A Brunello, Nebiollo, another Italian red, a Pinot Grigio and a couple more reds on the table.
Bob & I ordered the lamb shank and neither of us were disappointed. Margie had the pork chop, Paul the Flounder, Jan had Salmon, Steve had the Steak Diane and I cannot remember what John ordered. We all ate hearty. The food at Franco's is really good. Must make a point to get back there soon.
Cakebread Cellars Wine Tasting
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
ABC Fine Wines in Long Beach hosted at Cakebread Cellars tasting this evening, They normally do a higher end tasting every month to 6 weeks. I have been going to the majority of these tastings. The price is a little higher than the weekly events at other wine stores but their quality is always higher. Since I no longer do all these weekends tastings I prefer to spend more to have higher quality .
Tonight's line up was 2009 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Decent wine, better than most California Sau Blancs but I have had better at a lower price. Priced at $32
2010 Napa Valley Chardonnay - a clean wine, nice balance. Again a nice wine but at $46 - sorry Charlie.
2008 Napa Valley Carneros, Reserve Chardonnay, A little oaky for my taste. It did blow off with a little cheese. Again a nice wine but at $70 - No Way Jose.
2009 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. A light Pinot, good balance but too light on the end finish. At $60 - No No Nannette.
2008 Napa Valley Cabernet. I felt this was the weakest wine of the evening and several others agreed with me. $84 - Are you kidding.
2008 Red Hills, Lake County Zinfandel - personally I felt this was the best wine of the evening. Good fruit, balanced, good, clean finish and the price was OK - $32.
We all know that Cakebread Cellars is over priced for what it is. They have a big following. Do I buy - No - but I will drink if someone else puts out the money. For me there is too much good wine out there at decent prices. To pay a higher price your quality better be equal.
ABC Fine Wines in Long Beach hosted at Cakebread Cellars tasting this evening, They normally do a higher end tasting every month to 6 weeks. I have been going to the majority of these tastings. The price is a little higher than the weekly events at other wine stores but their quality is always higher. Since I no longer do all these weekends tastings I prefer to spend more to have higher quality .
Tonight's line up was 2009 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Decent wine, better than most California Sau Blancs but I have had better at a lower price. Priced at $32
2010 Napa Valley Chardonnay - a clean wine, nice balance. Again a nice wine but at $46 - sorry Charlie.
2008 Napa Valley Carneros, Reserve Chardonnay, A little oaky for my taste. It did blow off with a little cheese. Again a nice wine but at $70 - No Way Jose.
2009 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. A light Pinot, good balance but too light on the end finish. At $60 - No No Nannette.
2008 Napa Valley Cabernet. I felt this was the weakest wine of the evening and several others agreed with me. $84 - Are you kidding.
2008 Red Hills, Lake County Zinfandel - personally I felt this was the best wine of the evening. Good fruit, balanced, good, clean finish and the price was OK - $32.
We all know that Cakebread Cellars is over priced for what it is. They have a big following. Do I buy - No - but I will drink if someone else puts out the money. For me there is too much good wine out there at decent prices. To pay a higher price your quality better be equal.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Christmas The California Way
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Attended a party in Huntington Harbour to watch the annual boat parade. Donna lives on a corner lot which means the boats go down the main channel past her place and then come back and turn down another channel in front of her. So we get to see the decorated boats 4 times. Could not ask for a better viewing spot.
They block off entrance to the complex because of the parking problem. Donna and some of her neighbors got together and arranged for a shuttle bus to take us from the shopping center to the complex. Unfortunately the bus was running late. It was supposed to make its first pickup at 6:00 and it was 6:40 before it showed up. Then it did run every ten minutes.
All of the Harbour was decorated to the hilt. They run special sight seeing boats through the channels to view the decorated houses during the holidays. A spectacular sight.
An abundance of food was served along with free flowing drinks of every kind. Bruce, who is the fish buyer for The Fish Company restaurant brought a beautifully decorated slab of salmon. Quite the show piece. It was the talk of the evening. And tasted equally good.
There must have been 70 people in attendance tonight. Huge crowd but we had a lot of outdoor space to hang around in and watch all the beautifully decorated boats.
I did leave right after the parade's completion. I am still fighting this head cold and did not want to get overtired or overly cold. It does get cold living right on the water.
A great party and hopefully it will happen again next year. Donna has had health problems for the past few years so no party for awhile.
Attended a party in Huntington Harbour to watch the annual boat parade. Donna lives on a corner lot which means the boats go down the main channel past her place and then come back and turn down another channel in front of her. So we get to see the decorated boats 4 times. Could not ask for a better viewing spot.
They block off entrance to the complex because of the parking problem. Donna and some of her neighbors got together and arranged for a shuttle bus to take us from the shopping center to the complex. Unfortunately the bus was running late. It was supposed to make its first pickup at 6:00 and it was 6:40 before it showed up. Then it did run every ten minutes.
All of the Harbour was decorated to the hilt. They run special sight seeing boats through the channels to view the decorated houses during the holidays. A spectacular sight.
An abundance of food was served along with free flowing drinks of every kind. Bruce, who is the fish buyer for The Fish Company restaurant brought a beautifully decorated slab of salmon. Quite the show piece. It was the talk of the evening. And tasted equally good.
There must have been 70 people in attendance tonight. Huge crowd but we had a lot of outdoor space to hang around in and watch all the beautifully decorated boats.
I did leave right after the parade's completion. I am still fighting this head cold and did not want to get overtired or overly cold. It does get cold living right on the water.
A great party and hopefully it will happen again next year. Donna has had health problems for the past few years so no party for awhile.
Christmas Brunch
Sunday, December 4, 2011
I hosted my annual Christmas Brunch today. About 30 people attended. We lost 5 people at the last minute due to illness and other reasons. But picked up 2 that didn't rsvp until the day before.
I did my usual menu, ham, sausages & peppers, green chile egg & cheese casserole and a gouda cheese & artichoke egg casserole. A lot of great appetizers and desserts were brought to load the table with food. Along with bottles of wine. I put out the "inexpensive" bubbly to make mimosa's etc. Anyone that wants something better brings it themselves.
I did out out a magnum of Chardonnay that I got at a silent auction. Gave it to William and Patte to take home afterwards as it was so oaky I could not handle it. They like oak so they took home the opened bottle. Also put out a "box" wine. A blend of four red varietals that I picked up at Chateau Margene in Paso Robles. Frankly it tasted better at the winery . But I did find after a week sitting on my counter the taste had changed quite a bit. There really should have been no change because it is sealed with no possibility of air getting in. But it did change.
Came down with a nasty head cold just before Thanksgiving so it took it's toll on me. Had to have help from my sons decorating this year. Between the cold and "old age" I found it increasing difficult to get up and down the ladder to decorate. I keep thinking it may be that I should give up doing so much but then I don't want to be bored with life. Or maybe I should just have the knee replacement and get it over with. I am waiting for them to perfect the recovery time.
I hosted my annual Christmas Brunch today. About 30 people attended. We lost 5 people at the last minute due to illness and other reasons. But picked up 2 that didn't rsvp until the day before.
I did my usual menu, ham, sausages & peppers, green chile egg & cheese casserole and a gouda cheese & artichoke egg casserole. A lot of great appetizers and desserts were brought to load the table with food. Along with bottles of wine. I put out the "inexpensive" bubbly to make mimosa's etc. Anyone that wants something better brings it themselves.
I did out out a magnum of Chardonnay that I got at a silent auction. Gave it to William and Patte to take home afterwards as it was so oaky I could not handle it. They like oak so they took home the opened bottle. Also put out a "box" wine. A blend of four red varietals that I picked up at Chateau Margene in Paso Robles. Frankly it tasted better at the winery . But I did find after a week sitting on my counter the taste had changed quite a bit. There really should have been no change because it is sealed with no possibility of air getting in. But it did change.
Came down with a nasty head cold just before Thanksgiving so it took it's toll on me. Had to have help from my sons decorating this year. Between the cold and "old age" I found it increasing difficult to get up and down the ladder to decorate. I keep thinking it may be that I should give up doing so much but then I don't want to be bored with life. Or maybe I should just have the knee replacement and get it over with. I am waiting for them to perfect the recovery time.
Novembers Wino's Gathering
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Today's "gathering of the flock" was a vertical of McKeon-Phillips Baileys Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Years from 1998 to 2008. Terry also brought some other older McKeon-Phllips varietals to round out the selection. 20 reds along with a couple of whites, a blush and some extra bottles just in case we ran out of wine. Oliver "ole eagle eye" did spy 2 really good bottles that I had put in the back, so they were opened. A 1998 Silver Oak, Alexander Valley and a 2005 Krupp Brothers Stage Coach Napa Valley.
Since Terry & Cora provided all the wines everyone else was to furnish the food. I had asked people to make their appetizers substantial and did they. We had so much food and all of it good. Big group turned out for this special tasting and we were all thankful for the generosity of T & C.
Terry's two daughters helped him as Cora was not feeling well. They did a great job in helping "ole dad".
I wish all of our monthly tastings were of this caliber. We would be so spoiled which I have no objection to at this stage of my life.
No tasting in December because of all the holiday events.
Today's "gathering of the flock" was a vertical of McKeon-Phillips Baileys Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Years from 1998 to 2008. Terry also brought some other older McKeon-Phllips varietals to round out the selection. 20 reds along with a couple of whites, a blush and some extra bottles just in case we ran out of wine. Oliver "ole eagle eye" did spy 2 really good bottles that I had put in the back, so they were opened. A 1998 Silver Oak, Alexander Valley and a 2005 Krupp Brothers Stage Coach Napa Valley.
Since Terry & Cora provided all the wines everyone else was to furnish the food. I had asked people to make their appetizers substantial and did they. We had so much food and all of it good. Big group turned out for this special tasting and we were all thankful for the generosity of T & C.
Terry's two daughters helped him as Cora was not feeling well. They did a great job in helping "ole dad".
I wish all of our monthly tastings were of this caliber. We would be so spoiled which I have no objection to at this stage of my life.
No tasting in December because of all the holiday events.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Pinot & Paella
Saturday, November 19, 2011
John & Remy hosted a Paella & Pinot dinner tonight. Remy does great Paella and the pinots flowed. Good group of people, not all the wine group. A mixed bag of people. Some great appetizers brought by the guests. I went by La Espanola a Spanish deli and market for cheese and pates. Defying tradition I brought a Rose and an Albarino. The albarino was the first bottle emptied. It was a Longoria from the Lompoc/Santa Ynez area and was showing really well. There were at least 20 bottles of Pinot on the table and some really good ones. Dessert was flan which Remy makes from a old family recipe. Nice evening and much enjoyment.
John & Remy hosted a Paella & Pinot dinner tonight. Remy does great Paella and the pinots flowed. Good group of people, not all the wine group. A mixed bag of people. Some great appetizers brought by the guests. I went by La Espanola a Spanish deli and market for cheese and pates. Defying tradition I brought a Rose and an Albarino. The albarino was the first bottle emptied. It was a Longoria from the Lompoc/Santa Ynez area and was showing really well. There were at least 20 bottles of Pinot on the table and some really good ones. Dessert was flan which Remy makes from a old family recipe. Nice evening and much enjoyment.
Champagne Dinner at Delius
Friday, November 18, 2011
Another dinner I cannot find my notes on. I do remember we had oysters, sweetbreads, and several other dishes. When I find my notes I will edit this posts.
Another dinner I cannot find my notes on. I do remember we had oysters, sweetbreads, and several other dishes. When I find my notes I will edit this posts.
Vacation Time
Took my annual trip to Avila Beach. Cut it short my two days this year. My sister came in from St. George, Utah for her high school reunion so I had dinner with her before I left the next day. Had not seen her in 5 years. Returned early because of the Champagne dinner at Delius.
Only spent one day on Paso Robles. Spent most of my time this trip in the Edna Valley, San Luis Obispo area and the Santa Ynez/Lompoc area. Did not rush anything and came back with 2 cases of wine. Two cases more than I wanted to but everything was tasting good.
Weather was perfect. Got some Christmas shopping done. Only downer was two episodes of my acid reflux which knocked me out for two afternoons.
Lots of new wineries and it's impossible to get to all of them. Asked a few winemakers that I knew for suggestions. At least it keeps me away from the "run of the mill" type wineries that are not worth the stop.
Only spent one day on Paso Robles. Spent most of my time this trip in the Edna Valley, San Luis Obispo area and the Santa Ynez/Lompoc area. Did not rush anything and came back with 2 cases of wine. Two cases more than I wanted to but everything was tasting good.
Weather was perfect. Got some Christmas shopping done. Only downer was two episodes of my acid reflux which knocked me out for two afternoons.
Lots of new wineries and it's impossible to get to all of them. Asked a few winemakers that I knew for suggestions. At least it keeps me away from the "run of the mill" type wineries that are not worth the stop.
Lobster Season is Open
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Stan went diving last night and got lobsters. He called me at work in the afternoon and invited me to dinner that night. Can never turn down an offer of lobster with Stan. Since I had no bottle of wine with me I brought dessert. Can never miss with something from the Hawaiian Bakery in Torrance.
Freeway wasn't bad tonight and made it to Santa Monica in about and hour.
A bottle of 2007 Kosta Browne Kanzler Vineyard was brought out. Really showing well. There also was a champagne, a chardonnay (high end) that was way to oaky for me and another red on the table. Did not keep notes and am posting this 4 weeks later so my memory has faded a lot.
Another great dinner and good company. Life is good.
Stan went diving last night and got lobsters. He called me at work in the afternoon and invited me to dinner that night. Can never turn down an offer of lobster with Stan. Since I had no bottle of wine with me I brought dessert. Can never miss with something from the Hawaiian Bakery in Torrance.
Freeway wasn't bad tonight and made it to Santa Monica in about and hour.
A bottle of 2007 Kosta Browne Kanzler Vineyard was brought out. Really showing well. There also was a champagne, a chardonnay (high end) that was way to oaky for me and another red on the table. Did not keep notes and am posting this 4 weeks later so my memory has faded a lot.
Another great dinner and good company. Life is good.
Heidsick-Monopole Tasting
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Cannot find my notes on this tasting, along with others. In the rush for vacation and decorating for the holidays I have misplaced them When things settle down I will revise this post.
The tasting had to be good because I bought 2 bottles of champagne that night.
Cannot find my notes on this tasting, along with others. In the rush for vacation and decorating for the holidays I have misplaced them When things settle down I will revise this post.
The tasting had to be good because I bought 2 bottles of champagne that night.
October Meeting of The Winos
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Our monthly meeting of the flock was held today and the theme was Carneros Whites ands Howell Mountain Reds. Along with bring yourself and /or your bottle in costume. I am not a Halloween person so I brought myself and bottle "as is". Some costumes were quite clever, The house and outdoor area was decorated and made for a very "spooky" atmosphere. All the wines were good. The theme dictated that. When a person choose a "generic" theme to their tasting you have a certain portion of people who will take the cheapest way with a bottle.
The food was supposed to be "spooky" also. We had mummified meatloaf, mummy fingers etc., The tasting was such a hit that the hosts will be doing the Halloween theme next year.
Our monthly meeting of the flock was held today and the theme was Carneros Whites ands Howell Mountain Reds. Along with bring yourself and /or your bottle in costume. I am not a Halloween person so I brought myself and bottle "as is". Some costumes were quite clever, The house and outdoor area was decorated and made for a very "spooky" atmosphere. All the wines were good. The theme dictated that. When a person choose a "generic" theme to their tasting you have a certain portion of people who will take the cheapest way with a bottle.
The food was supposed to be "spooky" also. We had mummified meatloaf, mummy fingers etc., The tasting was such a hit that the hosts will be doing the Halloween theme next year.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Domanine de Montille Wine Tasting
Friday, October 21, 2011
Wine Country, www.TheWineCountry.com, in Signal Hill hosted Michael Sullivan from Beaune Imports and Etienne De Montille head of the family estate Domaine de Montille in Volnay tonight for a burgundy tasting. This was one of the better tasting I have done in quite awhile. Etienne is also the wine maker and manager at Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet.
We tasted 6 reds and 5 whites tonight. Etienne was very informative about his wines and the Burgundy area of France. These were all Grand Cru wines tonight. Makes you want to take a trip just to Burgundy to taste all that is available.
I ended up purchasing a 2008 Domaine de Montille Beaune 1er Cru Les Sizies, 2008 Domaine de Montille Pommard 1er Cru Les Pezerolles and a 2007 DEuxMontille Auxey-Duresses (white burgundy).
This tasting was sold out and they added extra seats and really pushed people close together, As usual I got there early so I could grab a seat at the front. When I sit in the back area I have a hard time hearing when the noise level gets high after a few glasses of wine. I am glad I signed up for this tasting weeks ago.
Wine Country, www.TheWineCountry.com, in Signal Hill hosted Michael Sullivan from Beaune Imports and Etienne De Montille head of the family estate Domaine de Montille in Volnay tonight for a burgundy tasting. This was one of the better tasting I have done in quite awhile. Etienne is also the wine maker and manager at Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet.
We tasted 6 reds and 5 whites tonight. Etienne was very informative about his wines and the Burgundy area of France. These were all Grand Cru wines tonight. Makes you want to take a trip just to Burgundy to taste all that is available.
I ended up purchasing a 2008 Domaine de Montille Beaune 1er Cru Les Sizies, 2008 Domaine de Montille Pommard 1er Cru Les Pezerolles and a 2007 DEuxMontille Auxey-Duresses (white burgundy).
This tasting was sold out and they added extra seats and really pushed people close together, As usual I got there early so I could grab a seat at the front. When I sit in the back area I have a hard time hearing when the noise level gets high after a few glasses of wine. I am glad I signed up for this tasting weeks ago.
Autumn Wine Dinner at Utopia
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Utopia restaurant on Long Beach hosted a Autumn wine dinner this evening. Their pricing is always good, $45, so it becomes an OK dinner to attend. The wines are never high end but the food is decent and its a chance to get together for dinner.
The City of Long Beach has decided to dedicate more street space to the bicycle riders which is probably great if you are one of them. But in doing so they have taken away numerous parking spaces for cars Parking in downtown Long Beach is always a hassle but now its worse. I found a spot close to the restaurant after only one trip around the block. My dining companions found a spot over four blocks away after 3 trips around the block. The food at Utopia is alright but to me not worth the longer walk to get there.
We started off with "Stuffed Roasted Roma Tomatoes with Pesto Goat Cheese, Chopped Black Olives and Fresh Herbs. Good dish, the stuffing was tasty Served with a 2010 Jacob's Creek Chardonnay. Decent Chardonnay for a cheap wine and it paired well with the dish.
Next was a Seared Ahi With Fresh Ginger, Garlic & Fresh Thyme Sesame Sauce. They poured a 2010 Stoneligh Sauvignon Blanc. It was terrible and did not pair well with the dish at all. Do not know whose idea that was but is was a disaster, I had them take the Sau Blanc away and replace it with the Chardonnay which was a much better pairing. Margie had substituted deep fried artichoke hearts for the ahi and the Sau Blanc was much better with that dish.
Main course was a Grilled Filet Mignon with Chopped Shallots, mushrooms and Balsamic Reduction Sauce. Flavor of the sauce was good. I had asked for my filet to be "just this side of dead" and it came out medium. Hate to think what it would be alike if I had ordered it medium rare. The wine poured was a 2009 Stoneleigh Pinot Noir. It was a decent wine.
Dessert was the best dish of today's meal. Homemade Crispy Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream. They could have kept the wine which was a Sandeman Ruby Port. Cheap Port and not that good tasting.
If the parking situation does not improve this may be the last dinner at Utopia. Their food is OK but not the quality that I would be inconvenienced for.
Utopia restaurant on Long Beach hosted a Autumn wine dinner this evening. Their pricing is always good, $45, so it becomes an OK dinner to attend. The wines are never high end but the food is decent and its a chance to get together for dinner.
The City of Long Beach has decided to dedicate more street space to the bicycle riders which is probably great if you are one of them. But in doing so they have taken away numerous parking spaces for cars Parking in downtown Long Beach is always a hassle but now its worse. I found a spot close to the restaurant after only one trip around the block. My dining companions found a spot over four blocks away after 3 trips around the block. The food at Utopia is alright but to me not worth the longer walk to get there.
We started off with "Stuffed Roasted Roma Tomatoes with Pesto Goat Cheese, Chopped Black Olives and Fresh Herbs. Good dish, the stuffing was tasty Served with a 2010 Jacob's Creek Chardonnay. Decent Chardonnay for a cheap wine and it paired well with the dish.
Next was a Seared Ahi With Fresh Ginger, Garlic & Fresh Thyme Sesame Sauce. They poured a 2010 Stoneligh Sauvignon Blanc. It was terrible and did not pair well with the dish at all. Do not know whose idea that was but is was a disaster, I had them take the Sau Blanc away and replace it with the Chardonnay which was a much better pairing. Margie had substituted deep fried artichoke hearts for the ahi and the Sau Blanc was much better with that dish.
Main course was a Grilled Filet Mignon with Chopped Shallots, mushrooms and Balsamic Reduction Sauce. Flavor of the sauce was good. I had asked for my filet to be "just this side of dead" and it came out medium. Hate to think what it would be alike if I had ordered it medium rare. The wine poured was a 2009 Stoneleigh Pinot Noir. It was a decent wine.
Dessert was the best dish of today's meal. Homemade Crispy Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream. They could have kept the wine which was a Sandeman Ruby Port. Cheap Port and not that good tasting.
If the parking situation does not improve this may be the last dinner at Utopia. Their food is OK but not the quality that I would be inconvenienced for.
Delius Annual Passport Tasting
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Delius Restaurant in Signal Hill hosts a "Passport" wine tasting the 2nd Sunday in October. I have been attending these tastings for well over ten years. This is the first time that I did not get to taste the majority of the wines. The set up was good , the food was great so it was not the restaurants fault. Our "group" was sitting in the Prix Fixe dining room away from the "action". Not a good choice for me. So next year I will be out in the main room even if I sit alone.
Delius Restaurant in Signal Hill hosts a "Passport" wine tasting the 2nd Sunday in October. I have been attending these tastings for well over ten years. This is the first time that I did not get to taste the majority of the wines. The set up was good , the food was great so it was not the restaurants fault. Our "group" was sitting in the Prix Fixe dining room away from the "action". Not a good choice for me. So next year I will be out in the main room even if I sit alone.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
ABC Fine Wines and Spirits in Long Beach was having a Stag's Leap Wine Cellars tasting this evening. This is the higher end "Stag's Leap". Frankly I could never remember which label was what unless I looked at the prices. Very confusing. The cheaper of the two is Stags Leap Cellars, no aposthrope between the g and s in the word "stag" and it has the leaping deer. The higher end label is Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and has a standing deer. I still don't think I will remember 1 year from now.
Mike Gallo from Southern Wines was pouring. He asked if I had heard of Justin. They just took it on as a client. My comment was a nice wine but very overpriced for what is was. He looked a little taken back. But I speak what I think. Its my personal opinion and a lot of people do not agree with me.
They poured 6 wines tonight. A sau blanc & a chardonnay were the whites, OK but. The 2007 Merlot was next. At $46 for tonight's pricing - not worth it.
Next came the 2007 Artemis Cab, 2008 Fay Cab and the 2008 SLV Cab. I have had all of these wines before. Nice wines , overpriced. The Artemis was lacking a back finish. I felt it was weak. The Fay Cab was a little better but at $80 it should have been really good and it wasn't. The SLV was the best of the night but it still lacked what I expect in a $120 bottle.
My way of thinking is if you as a winery, expect to get top dollars then produce a wine that deserves it. Don't lie on your laurels from previous years.
ABC Fine Wines and Spirits in Long Beach was having a Stag's Leap Wine Cellars tasting this evening. This is the higher end "Stag's Leap". Frankly I could never remember which label was what unless I looked at the prices. Very confusing. The cheaper of the two is Stags Leap Cellars, no aposthrope between the g and s in the word "stag" and it has the leaping deer. The higher end label is Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and has a standing deer. I still don't think I will remember 1 year from now.
Mike Gallo from Southern Wines was pouring. He asked if I had heard of Justin. They just took it on as a client. My comment was a nice wine but very overpriced for what is was. He looked a little taken back. But I speak what I think. Its my personal opinion and a lot of people do not agree with me.
They poured 6 wines tonight. A sau blanc & a chardonnay were the whites, OK but. The 2007 Merlot was next. At $46 for tonight's pricing - not worth it.
Next came the 2007 Artemis Cab, 2008 Fay Cab and the 2008 SLV Cab. I have had all of these wines before. Nice wines , overpriced. The Artemis was lacking a back finish. I felt it was weak. The Fay Cab was a little better but at $80 it should have been really good and it wasn't. The SLV was the best of the night but it still lacked what I expect in a $120 bottle.
My way of thinking is if you as a winery, expect to get top dollars then produce a wine that deserves it. Don't lie on your laurels from previous years.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Oktoberfest at Delius
Friday. September 30, 2011
A celebration started by King Ludwig for his upcoming marriage to some broad. Undoubtedly a "princess". The Germans have perfected this into a mass marketing fest. Good thing to. What we we do in October if we didn't have this month long party leading up to Halloween ?
This was a last minute reservation for me. Delius had some cancellations so they sent a email out in the afternoon. In a few hours it was sold out again.
We started out with a Savory Fig & Goat Cheese Tart served with a Hofbrau Oktoberfest. A liitle bitterness to the beer but a good pairing.
Second Course was an Arugula Salad, Smoke Trout, Beer Vinaigrette and Rubarb Gelee. My trout still had fine bones in it and that did not make me happy. But the beer did, a Bitburger Pils. I have had this beer before and it is good.
Third Course: Veal Mushroom Stew, Polenta Cakes and Beer Focaccia. This was my favorite dish of the evening. Full of flavor and the focaccia really sopped up the gravy. A Schneider Hopfenweiss was served. Not for me. Too hoppy.
Fourth Course was a Leg of Lamb, Mint Pesto and Heirloom Tomato Risotto. The risotto needed some more cooking time. Flavor was excellent but just slightly "al dente" for me. Served with a Weihenstephaner Festbier. This brewery was started in the year 1040.
Dessert was a Hazelnut Tart, Beer Scented Ice Cream and Caramel. Served with a Weihenstephaner Dopplebock. Dopplebocks are always good. They can be dessert themselves.
Everyone got to take their glass home. There was a variety on the tables. I had a "Old Speckled Hen" glass which I think Dave & Fred gave to me deliberately. So I now have a new glass to add the my beer glass collection. Different beers call for different glasses, same as wine.
A celebration started by King Ludwig for his upcoming marriage to some broad. Undoubtedly a "princess". The Germans have perfected this into a mass marketing fest. Good thing to. What we we do in October if we didn't have this month long party leading up to Halloween ?
This was a last minute reservation for me. Delius had some cancellations so they sent a email out in the afternoon. In a few hours it was sold out again.
We started out with a Savory Fig & Goat Cheese Tart served with a Hofbrau Oktoberfest. A liitle bitterness to the beer but a good pairing.
Second Course was an Arugula Salad, Smoke Trout, Beer Vinaigrette and Rubarb Gelee. My trout still had fine bones in it and that did not make me happy. But the beer did, a Bitburger Pils. I have had this beer before and it is good.
Third Course: Veal Mushroom Stew, Polenta Cakes and Beer Focaccia. This was my favorite dish of the evening. Full of flavor and the focaccia really sopped up the gravy. A Schneider Hopfenweiss was served. Not for me. Too hoppy.
Fourth Course was a Leg of Lamb, Mint Pesto and Heirloom Tomato Risotto. The risotto needed some more cooking time. Flavor was excellent but just slightly "al dente" for me. Served with a Weihenstephaner Festbier. This brewery was started in the year 1040.
Dessert was a Hazelnut Tart, Beer Scented Ice Cream and Caramel. Served with a Weihenstephaner Dopplebock. Dopplebocks are always good. They can be dessert themselves.
Everyone got to take their glass home. There was a variety on the tables. I had a "Old Speckled Hen" glass which I think Dave & Fred gave to me deliberately. So I now have a new glass to add the my beer glass collection. Different beers call for different glasses, same as wine.
Last Stand at The Seafood Palace (maybe)
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
6 of us ended up at the Seafood Palace in Westminister tonight. We keep thinking that this will be the last dinner here but we might squeeze one more in before Doung Son reopens.
We started off with Salt & Pepper Calamari with Jalapenos. Went well with the sparkling wines. Then shrimp with Chinese broccoli. A new soup came. I looked at the liquid which was grey with green something floating . The green was cilantro and it had diced 1000 year old eggs and finely sliced pork. It definitely tasted much better than it looked. I ended up having two bowls of it. Never judge something by the looks you might be surprised.
Beef with soft noddles and vegetables appeared along with Shredded Pork with fish sauce, Boneless chicken with spinach and Thin Rice noodles Singapore Style with curry rounded out the meal. I am not a curry fan and this was over heavy with the curry. I had a taste and that was it. The others seemed to like it.
We had a Von Buhl Riesling Brut sparkling along with a Louis Bouillot Rose of Pinot Sparkling. Both were good choices for the meal. 2008 Joseph Swan Saralees Vineyard, Roussane/Marsanne blend. I am not a big fan of Rhone whites so I did not even taste this wine.
I brought a 2005 Kosta Browne Russian River Pinot Noir along with the Von Buhl sparkling. The KB was really showing well. It was one of the first bottles to be emptied.
2007 Rusack Santa Maria Piniot Noir, 2006 Argeano Brunello (thought for sure John would bring a Cab) , 2003 Turner Road Caberent Sauvignon which was very nice. And there was another bottle of red but for some reason did not get on the list.
As normal we closed the place up. I like these dinners for 6 people. Smaller tables, better conversations. Maybe one more before the end of October.
6 of us ended up at the Seafood Palace in Westminister tonight. We keep thinking that this will be the last dinner here but we might squeeze one more in before Doung Son reopens.
We started off with Salt & Pepper Calamari with Jalapenos. Went well with the sparkling wines. Then shrimp with Chinese broccoli. A new soup came. I looked at the liquid which was grey with green something floating . The green was cilantro and it had diced 1000 year old eggs and finely sliced pork. It definitely tasted much better than it looked. I ended up having two bowls of it. Never judge something by the looks you might be surprised.
Beef with soft noddles and vegetables appeared along with Shredded Pork with fish sauce, Boneless chicken with spinach and Thin Rice noodles Singapore Style with curry rounded out the meal. I am not a curry fan and this was over heavy with the curry. I had a taste and that was it. The others seemed to like it.
We had a Von Buhl Riesling Brut sparkling along with a Louis Bouillot Rose of Pinot Sparkling. Both were good choices for the meal. 2008 Joseph Swan Saralees Vineyard, Roussane/Marsanne blend. I am not a big fan of Rhone whites so I did not even taste this wine.
I brought a 2005 Kosta Browne Russian River Pinot Noir along with the Von Buhl sparkling. The KB was really showing well. It was one of the first bottles to be emptied.
2007 Rusack Santa Maria Piniot Noir, 2006 Argeano Brunello (thought for sure John would bring a Cab) , 2003 Turner Road Caberent Sauvignon which was very nice. And there was another bottle of red but for some reason did not get on the list.
As normal we closed the place up. I like these dinners for 6 people. Smaller tables, better conversations. Maybe one more before the end of October.
Lunch at Prime Cut
Orange County Wine Week is in full swing. Paul & Margie and I decided to try lunch at a place called "Prime Cut" in Anaheim. Next to the Honda Center. There is a complex that is nothing but movie theaters and restaurants. The restaurant itself is very "art deco" and looks like it should be on the west side of Los Angeles, It is a single owned establishment not a chain. They list a 3 course lunch for $20 but since we got there at 2:00 we could also order the 3 course dinner for $45. Paul & Margie opted for the lunch and I went for the dinner. 3 wines (3 ounces each) came with the meals and there also was no corkage so I brought on a bottle of Von Buhl Riesling Brut sparkling and Paul & Margie brought a Merry Edwards Pinot Noir.
Paul ordered the string onions off the appetizer menu to start. They were very good. Went well with the sparkling.
Margie selected the menu with Tomato Bisque soup with 2009 Leese Fitch, Sonoma Merot, Filet Mignon Tacos with 2008 Chateau De Bel Caberbet Sauvignon, Bordeaux Superior and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies for dessert with NV Alvear, Pedro Jiminez Sherry, Montilla-Moriles, Solera 1927.
Paul had the Mixed Greens salad with2010 Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand. The Prime Cut Cheeseburger with the same Cabernet as Margie and the cookies with sherry same as Margie.
Both said their food was good. They were nice sized portions.
Since I went for the dinner I started with a Cheese Fondue and it came with a Segura Viudas, Cava, Spain. So both the sparklings went well with this dish. Main course was Braised Short Ribs with Marscarpone Polenta and roasted root vegetables. A 2008 Treana Caberent/Syrah blend form Paso Robles was served. Not a big fan of Treana wines so I was glad I had the Merry Ewards Pinot to drink. For dessert I choose Creme Brulee and it was served with the same sherry that Paul & Margie had.
The sherry went well with the cookies but not with the creme brulee. The sparkling was a better choice.
Nice restaurant, service was slow but the servers were extremely pleasant. They have a room set for up the 12 people for private dining. Their regular menu looked good. They age all their beef up to 3 weeks. I think getting a group to go that distance from the Long Beach area would be difficult. I am about 20 minutes closer than they would be. But some day maybe we will try.
Paul ordered the string onions off the appetizer menu to start. They were very good. Went well with the sparkling.
Margie selected the menu with Tomato Bisque soup with 2009 Leese Fitch, Sonoma Merot, Filet Mignon Tacos with 2008 Chateau De Bel Caberbet Sauvignon, Bordeaux Superior and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies for dessert with NV Alvear, Pedro Jiminez Sherry, Montilla-Moriles, Solera 1927.
Paul had the Mixed Greens salad with2010 Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand. The Prime Cut Cheeseburger with the same Cabernet as Margie and the cookies with sherry same as Margie.
Both said their food was good. They were nice sized portions.
Since I went for the dinner I started with a Cheese Fondue and it came with a Segura Viudas, Cava, Spain. So both the sparklings went well with this dish. Main course was Braised Short Ribs with Marscarpone Polenta and roasted root vegetables. A 2008 Treana Caberent/Syrah blend form Paso Robles was served. Not a big fan of Treana wines so I was glad I had the Merry Ewards Pinot to drink. For dessert I choose Creme Brulee and it was served with the same sherry that Paul & Margie had.
The sherry went well with the cookies but not with the creme brulee. The sparkling was a better choice.
Nice restaurant, service was slow but the servers were extremely pleasant. They have a room set for up the 12 people for private dining. Their regular menu looked good. They age all their beef up to 3 weeks. I think getting a group to go that distance from the Long Beach area would be difficult. I am about 20 minutes closer than they would be. But some day maybe we will try.
All "Hog" Dinner & Croatian Wines at Michaels
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Michales of Naples, www.michaelsofnaples.com, hosted a all "HOG" dinner this evening. Every dish was pork. This old broad was in Seventh Heaven. Stetson Robbins of Blue Danube Wines was pouring Croatian wines tonight and the biggies from the Croatian embassy were there. The dinner sold out.
We started out with a Crostini of Headcheese with Peppadew Peppers. Peppers were slightly sweet, crostini was thin and the headcheese divine. A 2009 Daruvar, Grasevina (grape) from Slavonia was the wine. This wine really came alive after warming up a bit. When it was cold it had an acidic taste to it which seemed to disappear after it warmed up a few degrees. Similar to a Sauvignon Blanc.
Next up was Braised Pork Belly with Poached Duck Egg and Arugula Salad. Nice dish but I still prefer Delius' pork belly. The wine was a 2009 Krajancic, Intrada, Posip (grape) from the island of Korcula. This was a white wine also. This was a nice pairing.
A plate of Potato Gnocchi with Slow Cooked Pork Ragu appeared. This was my favorite dish of the evening. The ragu was excellent, great flavor and the gnocchi was cooked to perfection. Light and delicate. Not the lead anchors that The Factory served. If Michael's served nothing else that night I would have been happy. A 2009 Dingac Winery, "Peljesac", Plavac Mali (grape), from the Peljesac Peninsula on the Dalmatian Coast was poured with this dish. An excellent pairing.
Main course was a Mixed Grill with Whole Leg, Smoked Tenderloin and Garlic Sausage served with slow roasted Cannellini Beans and Caramelized Brussel Sprouts. This was another outstanding dish. We were dissecting the brussel sprouts trying to figure of how they cooked them. We decided that they must have been caramelized whole and then very thinly sliced. At this point I was getting full so have the this plate boxed up for take out. The sausage reeked of garlic which I loved. I need to find out where the bought the sausage. The wine with this dish was a 2009 Terzolo, Teran (grape) from Porec, Istria.
Dessert was a cheese plate drizzled with honey. Nothing to get to excited about. I wasn't even over enthused with the selection of cheeses. They poured a 2006 Milos, Plavac Mali, with this course.
At the beginning of the dinner, a couple of people that I was sitting with complained about the small sizes of the potion. By the end of the meal everyone had "doggie" bags to take home.
Michales of Naples, www.michaelsofnaples.com, hosted a all "HOG" dinner this evening. Every dish was pork. This old broad was in Seventh Heaven. Stetson Robbins of Blue Danube Wines was pouring Croatian wines tonight and the biggies from the Croatian embassy were there. The dinner sold out.
We started out with a Crostini of Headcheese with Peppadew Peppers. Peppers were slightly sweet, crostini was thin and the headcheese divine. A 2009 Daruvar, Grasevina (grape) from Slavonia was the wine. This wine really came alive after warming up a bit. When it was cold it had an acidic taste to it which seemed to disappear after it warmed up a few degrees. Similar to a Sauvignon Blanc.
Next up was Braised Pork Belly with Poached Duck Egg and Arugula Salad. Nice dish but I still prefer Delius' pork belly. The wine was a 2009 Krajancic, Intrada, Posip (grape) from the island of Korcula. This was a white wine also. This was a nice pairing.
A plate of Potato Gnocchi with Slow Cooked Pork Ragu appeared. This was my favorite dish of the evening. The ragu was excellent, great flavor and the gnocchi was cooked to perfection. Light and delicate. Not the lead anchors that The Factory served. If Michael's served nothing else that night I would have been happy. A 2009 Dingac Winery, "Peljesac", Plavac Mali (grape), from the Peljesac Peninsula on the Dalmatian Coast was poured with this dish. An excellent pairing.
Main course was a Mixed Grill with Whole Leg, Smoked Tenderloin and Garlic Sausage served with slow roasted Cannellini Beans and Caramelized Brussel Sprouts. This was another outstanding dish. We were dissecting the brussel sprouts trying to figure of how they cooked them. We decided that they must have been caramelized whole and then very thinly sliced. At this point I was getting full so have the this plate boxed up for take out. The sausage reeked of garlic which I loved. I need to find out where the bought the sausage. The wine with this dish was a 2009 Terzolo, Teran (grape) from Porec, Istria.
Dessert was a cheese plate drizzled with honey. Nothing to get to excited about. I wasn't even over enthused with the selection of cheeses. They poured a 2006 Milos, Plavac Mali, with this course.
At the beginning of the dinner, a couple of people that I was sitting with complained about the small sizes of the potion. By the end of the meal everyone had "doggie" bags to take home.
September's Monthy Gathering of The Flock
Sunday, September 18, 2011
This months theme was interesting for some and a turn off for others. Bring your favorite wine (varietal). They were then put in random numbered brown bags. You received a piece of paper with the numbers on it and boxes to check of the different features of the wine, along with what type and the cost. Out of 17 wines I got 8 correct. Stan got 11 correct. After the unveiling of the wines it was interesting to see what I missed. I got all the pinots correct. But a few I really should have and did not. I think I got into a tunnel vision mode and concentrated on the list of varietals that William had listed on the sheet of paper and did not stray from there. That was a big mistake. I just was not thinking. I feel this happened to several people. I will say it is difficult to tell the difference between Zinfandel and Sryrah in some bottles. They are so similar.
There were some very nice wines brought to this tasting. And it turned out quite well. William had built two long stands for the bottles with shelves and holes for the bottles to sit. He had the room for this type of table. Most people would not.
Patte got kabobs for the Olive Pit where she works, beef, chicken and shrimp. So we had a really good meal. As usual we had a nice variety of food and lots of it. Along with good wine and a very pleasant sun shiny day we all agreed it was a lot of fun.
This months theme was interesting for some and a turn off for others. Bring your favorite wine (varietal). They were then put in random numbered brown bags. You received a piece of paper with the numbers on it and boxes to check of the different features of the wine, along with what type and the cost. Out of 17 wines I got 8 correct. Stan got 11 correct. After the unveiling of the wines it was interesting to see what I missed. I got all the pinots correct. But a few I really should have and did not. I think I got into a tunnel vision mode and concentrated on the list of varietals that William had listed on the sheet of paper and did not stray from there. That was a big mistake. I just was not thinking. I feel this happened to several people. I will say it is difficult to tell the difference between Zinfandel and Sryrah in some bottles. They are so similar.
There were some very nice wines brought to this tasting. And it turned out quite well. William had built two long stands for the bottles with shelves and holes for the bottles to sit. He had the room for this type of table. Most people would not.
Patte got kabobs for the Olive Pit where she works, beef, chicken and shrimp. So we had a really good meal. As usual we had a nice variety of food and lots of it. Along with good wine and a very pleasant sun shiny day we all agreed it was a lot of fun.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Pasta & No Corkage
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Spaghettini's in Seal Beach is running a special on Sunday night. Half off their pasta dishes, no corkage or 50% of their wine list up to $100.
Eight of us decided to try this. Turned out much better than expected and we will be going back.
7 of us ordered the pasta dishes and one ordered halibut. No complaints were heard. I had the pasta shells with seafood and a chardonnay cream sauce. Loaded with seafood and 3 very large scallops.Excellent dish. It went well with my 2008 Clos Pepe Chardonnay. I ate half and boxed it up for dinner on Monday night. I also had a side of spinach, artichoke heats and olives. GOOD.
I ordered a cheese plate for dessert since I brought a Port. Plate was brought out and had a whole wheel of Brie cut in half with honey drizzled on it. Who wants to eat all of the same kind of cheese. Cheese plates are supposed to have variety. After discussions with the waiter on what a cheese plate should be I finally ended up with a plate with 3 cheeses, nuts, dried fruits and toast. They serve Maytag blue cheese with their salads so I cannot understand why it was not on the plate. The website indicated honeycomb. I got drizzled honey - not the same.. A restaurant of this caliber and the do not know how to make a cheese plate. The first plate out was ridiculous.
Wines were really good tonight. NV Pommery Brut, NV Francois Chidaine Montlouis Sur Loire Brut, 2008 Clos Pepe Chardonnay, 2009 Palmini Arneis, 2009 Patricia Greene Aita Pinot Noir, 2005 Parris Sangiovese, 2006 Villa de Ceggialno Chianti Classico Reserva, 2006 Coro Graniano, 2008 Huber Dornfelder Hafen (port), a white dessert wine that did not get on my list. I must have missed some wines because the count does not add to the people. I brought 3 wines. Paul & Margie brought at least 2, maybe 3. There was a Sauvignon Blanc on the table but I did not get the information on it.
This was a good dinner for the price. With no corkage it made it great. This is a definite go back to on Sunday night. A little noisy even in the back room where we were. Seated at a long table so it was hard to have conversation with other than the ones on both sides and across from you. This might be a better place for 6 people not 8. We did have a good time and everyone was impressed with what we got for the money.
Spaghettini's in Seal Beach is running a special on Sunday night. Half off their pasta dishes, no corkage or 50% of their wine list up to $100.
Eight of us decided to try this. Turned out much better than expected and we will be going back.
7 of us ordered the pasta dishes and one ordered halibut. No complaints were heard. I had the pasta shells with seafood and a chardonnay cream sauce. Loaded with seafood and 3 very large scallops.Excellent dish. It went well with my 2008 Clos Pepe Chardonnay. I ate half and boxed it up for dinner on Monday night. I also had a side of spinach, artichoke heats and olives. GOOD.
I ordered a cheese plate for dessert since I brought a Port. Plate was brought out and had a whole wheel of Brie cut in half with honey drizzled on it. Who wants to eat all of the same kind of cheese. Cheese plates are supposed to have variety. After discussions with the waiter on what a cheese plate should be I finally ended up with a plate with 3 cheeses, nuts, dried fruits and toast. They serve Maytag blue cheese with their salads so I cannot understand why it was not on the plate. The website indicated honeycomb. I got drizzled honey - not the same.. A restaurant of this caliber and the do not know how to make a cheese plate. The first plate out was ridiculous.
Wines were really good tonight. NV Pommery Brut, NV Francois Chidaine Montlouis Sur Loire Brut, 2008 Clos Pepe Chardonnay, 2009 Palmini Arneis, 2009 Patricia Greene Aita Pinot Noir, 2005 Parris Sangiovese, 2006 Villa de Ceggialno Chianti Classico Reserva, 2006 Coro Graniano, 2008 Huber Dornfelder Hafen (port), a white dessert wine that did not get on my list. I must have missed some wines because the count does not add to the people. I brought 3 wines. Paul & Margie brought at least 2, maybe 3. There was a Sauvignon Blanc on the table but I did not get the information on it.
This was a good dinner for the price. With no corkage it made it great. This is a definite go back to on Sunday night. A little noisy even in the back room where we were. Seated at a long table so it was hard to have conversation with other than the ones on both sides and across from you. This might be a better place for 6 people not 8. We did have a good time and everyone was impressed with what we got for the money.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Can't Get Enough Chinese
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
A quick, inpromtu dinner tonight at The Seafood Palace. Small table just 4 of us and it turned out great. Everyone brought really good wines
Maybe 30 days to the opening of the new Duong Son restaurant. Perhaps we will get another quick last minute dinner in at the Seafood Palace before then.
Wines brought tonight were, NV Francois Chidaine Montlouis Sur Loire Brut, 2004 Ca Crois Domaine Robert Demogente Pouilly Fuisse, 2006 Testarossa Garys Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2006 Roar Rosella's Vineyard Pinot Noir and a 2007 Frank Family Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. There were some back up wines but we did not need to open any of them.
Started out with Shrimp with Broccoli and cooked Oysters with Chives and Ginger. These dishes are a staple with us. Always fresh and good.
This was followed by a Tofu and Daikon Radish soup. Interesting comes to mind. The tofu is a harder consistency than the fried tofu we have. Probably so it does not break down in the broth. The radish did not have that much of a flavor. More texture. Would I order this myself ? No. I ate it but I prefer the spicy/sour soup they make.
Then came out a fresh, whole, red fish, steamed. Flesh was excellent and sauce outstanding. Henry took the head and I took the tail. I would have this dish again. It is only good for small groups because of the size. More than 4 people and there would be several additional fish needed.
Next was beef with soft noodles and bok choy followed by Fungus with string pork. The pork dish was different. I think I like the spicy pork dish better or maybe it was the fact that I was really full by now and the dish add a disadvantage being last.
Dessert was honeydew melon. Always refreshing to have something very light after a heavy meal.
Could not have asked for better food.Wines were excellent and the company great. We closed the place.
A quick, inpromtu dinner tonight at The Seafood Palace. Small table just 4 of us and it turned out great. Everyone brought really good wines
Maybe 30 days to the opening of the new Duong Son restaurant. Perhaps we will get another quick last minute dinner in at the Seafood Palace before then.
Wines brought tonight were, NV Francois Chidaine Montlouis Sur Loire Brut, 2004 Ca Crois Domaine Robert Demogente Pouilly Fuisse, 2006 Testarossa Garys Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2006 Roar Rosella's Vineyard Pinot Noir and a 2007 Frank Family Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. There were some back up wines but we did not need to open any of them.
Started out with Shrimp with Broccoli and cooked Oysters with Chives and Ginger. These dishes are a staple with us. Always fresh and good.
This was followed by a Tofu and Daikon Radish soup. Interesting comes to mind. The tofu is a harder consistency than the fried tofu we have. Probably so it does not break down in the broth. The radish did not have that much of a flavor. More texture. Would I order this myself ? No. I ate it but I prefer the spicy/sour soup they make.
Then came out a fresh, whole, red fish, steamed. Flesh was excellent and sauce outstanding. Henry took the head and I took the tail. I would have this dish again. It is only good for small groups because of the size. More than 4 people and there would be several additional fish needed.
Next was beef with soft noodles and bok choy followed by Fungus with string pork. The pork dish was different. I think I like the spicy pork dish better or maybe it was the fact that I was really full by now and the dish add a disadvantage being last.
Dessert was honeydew melon. Always refreshing to have something very light after a heavy meal.
Could not have asked for better food.Wines were excellent and the company great. We closed the place.
Monday, September 5, 2011
German Wine Dinner at Delius
Friday, August 26, 2011
The Wine Country in Signal Hill and Rudi Wiest Imports co-hosted a German wine dinner this evening at Delius Restaurant. The dining room was booked with a waiting list of 18. hey even had 6 people in the Wine cellar room for the dinner.
Toby and I sat at the table with Randy from the Wine Country and Nancy from Rudi Wiest Imports. Even though they circulated the room talking with people when you sit at their table you get a lot more information.
We started out with a glass of 2009 Von Buhl Riesling Brut Sket, Pfalz. This was a nice dry wine with just a touch of sweetness. Pleasant enough for me to buy some.
First Course: Smoked Salmon with Red Onion, Cucumber, Micro Herbs and Cream Cheese Foam - The salmon was smoked in house that morning. This was a really good dish and paired extremely well with a 2009 Ziiliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Kabinnett, Saar. The cream cheese foam was thick and held its texture. I feel it was my favorite of the night as far as pairing well. Also this was the only dish of the evening that had micro greens on it. Past dinners have had almost all the dishes enhanced the "micros" and it was starting to get old.
Second Course: Braised Pork Belly with Spicy Green Papaya, Cliantro, Mint and Yuzu Gelle. As for the meat itself I like the pork belly and on the appetizer menu in the dining area better. I feel it is much more tender. This pork was good but not quite the same. The "salsa" that it was served with was superb. The wine paring was a 2007 Von Hovel Oberemmler Hutte Riesling Spatlese, Saar. Again and excellent pairing.
Third Course: Duck Breast with Duck Confit-Swiss Chard Terrine, Beet Gelee and Crispy Fried Beets. I thought the Terrine was the showcase of this dish. The breast was good but the Terrine really stood on its own. Add the crispy beets added just the right touch. We were served a 2009 Becker Estate Pinot Noir. Again a good pairing. The German Pinots are not big so they tend to go very well with food.
Fourth Course: Roasted Lamb Loin with Sweet Potato Spaetzle, Braised Cabbage and Lamb Jus. Wine was a 2008 Salwey Red Wine Blend, "16 Degrees", Baden, a Pinot and St. Laurent Blend. I did not taste this dish at the dinner. If I wanted dessert I would have to forgo something. I had Fred pack the plate up before it even got to me. I ate it the next day and it was excellent. Especially the Sweet Potato Spaetzle. I did drink the wine without food. It was my least favorite of the night. I got a strange, odd taste in my mouth from it. Perhaps it would have been better with the food. But that is not what I did. So it would be hard for me the venture an opinion.
Dessert: Black Forest Cake, - dark chocolate cake with cherry gelee and caramelized white chocolate foam. Delius has a new pastry chef so it will interesting to see what comes out of the kitchen in the next few months.
I did purchase the sparkling and the 2 Rieslings. I felt they were the best wines of the evening. Dinner again was excellent. A couple of minor things that personally for me weren't there. But I would do it again with no complaints. Rieslings are underrated wines in the United States. A lot of people consider them "sweet" but the run from very dry to very sweet with a lot of levels in between. Excellent food wines.
The Wine Country in Signal Hill and Rudi Wiest Imports co-hosted a German wine dinner this evening at Delius Restaurant. The dining room was booked with a waiting list of 18. hey even had 6 people in the Wine cellar room for the dinner.
Toby and I sat at the table with Randy from the Wine Country and Nancy from Rudi Wiest Imports. Even though they circulated the room talking with people when you sit at their table you get a lot more information.
We started out with a glass of 2009 Von Buhl Riesling Brut Sket, Pfalz. This was a nice dry wine with just a touch of sweetness. Pleasant enough for me to buy some.
First Course: Smoked Salmon with Red Onion, Cucumber, Micro Herbs and Cream Cheese Foam - The salmon was smoked in house that morning. This was a really good dish and paired extremely well with a 2009 Ziiliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Kabinnett, Saar. The cream cheese foam was thick and held its texture. I feel it was my favorite of the night as far as pairing well. Also this was the only dish of the evening that had micro greens on it. Past dinners have had almost all the dishes enhanced the "micros" and it was starting to get old.
Second Course: Braised Pork Belly with Spicy Green Papaya, Cliantro, Mint and Yuzu Gelle. As for the meat itself I like the pork belly and on the appetizer menu in the dining area better. I feel it is much more tender. This pork was good but not quite the same. The "salsa" that it was served with was superb. The wine paring was a 2007 Von Hovel Oberemmler Hutte Riesling Spatlese, Saar. Again and excellent pairing.
Third Course: Duck Breast with Duck Confit-Swiss Chard Terrine, Beet Gelee and Crispy Fried Beets. I thought the Terrine was the showcase of this dish. The breast was good but the Terrine really stood on its own. Add the crispy beets added just the right touch. We were served a 2009 Becker Estate Pinot Noir. Again a good pairing. The German Pinots are not big so they tend to go very well with food.
Fourth Course: Roasted Lamb Loin with Sweet Potato Spaetzle, Braised Cabbage and Lamb Jus. Wine was a 2008 Salwey Red Wine Blend, "16 Degrees", Baden, a Pinot and St. Laurent Blend. I did not taste this dish at the dinner. If I wanted dessert I would have to forgo something. I had Fred pack the plate up before it even got to me. I ate it the next day and it was excellent. Especially the Sweet Potato Spaetzle. I did drink the wine without food. It was my least favorite of the night. I got a strange, odd taste in my mouth from it. Perhaps it would have been better with the food. But that is not what I did. So it would be hard for me the venture an opinion.
Dessert: Black Forest Cake, - dark chocolate cake with cherry gelee and caramelized white chocolate foam. Delius has a new pastry chef so it will interesting to see what comes out of the kitchen in the next few months.
I did purchase the sparkling and the 2 Rieslings. I felt they were the best wines of the evening. Dinner again was excellent. A couple of minor things that personally for me weren't there. But I would do it again with no complaints. Rieslings are underrated wines in the United States. A lot of people consider them "sweet" but the run from very dry to very sweet with a lot of levels in between. Excellent food wines.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
August Gathering of The Flock
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Our monthly meeting the "winos" was held today. Normally it would be on a Sunday but a few people like to host on Saturdays. Their choice but the attendance is usually down on Saturdays.
The host made a brisket and grilled corn on the cob. Corn was good. Barbara brought baked beans which were excellent. Need to get the recipe for those. Henry brought a Tofu, Tomato and pork dish which was quite good.
Today's theme was Zinfandels and Pinot based Rose's Sparklings and Champagnes. The weather today was mild for August. Usually I roast at Doug's but today was quite pleasant and I did taste all the wines. I do not do well in hot weather with heavy red wines.
A couple of the wines I really enjoyed were the 2010 Domaine Phillippe Gilbert, Monetou-Salon from the Loire. and the 2007 Gambia Old Vines, Russian River Valley Zinfandel.
On to next months gathering.
Our monthly meeting the "winos" was held today. Normally it would be on a Sunday but a few people like to host on Saturdays. Their choice but the attendance is usually down on Saturdays.
The host made a brisket and grilled corn on the cob. Corn was good. Barbara brought baked beans which were excellent. Need to get the recipe for those. Henry brought a Tofu, Tomato and pork dish which was quite good.
Today's theme was Zinfandels and Pinot based Rose's Sparklings and Champagnes. The weather today was mild for August. Usually I roast at Doug's but today was quite pleasant and I did taste all the wines. I do not do well in hot weather with heavy red wines.
A couple of the wines I really enjoyed were the 2010 Domaine Phillippe Gilbert, Monetou-Salon from the Loire. and the 2007 Gambia Old Vines, Russian River Valley Zinfandel.
On to next months gathering.
Weekend in the Sta Rita Hills - Futures Tasting at The Clos
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Today was the futures tasting and release party at Clos Pepe. Bash started at 11:00 so we had "Breakfast" pizzas from the wood burning oven, along with fresh fruit and homemade cookies. Tasted the "Library" wines from 1999 on up and all the 2010 barrel tastings. Looks like another great year for Clos Pepe. Picked up my wines I ordered last year. Placed my order for the 2010 and ate and drank again. What a weekend.
Jan & Bob had to leave early so they could not attend. Clyde & Libby went as my guests. CJ & John came up this morning for the event.
Left the Clos and went into Santa Ynez to pick up wine at Stolpman Vineyards. They produce excellent Rhone varietals along with Sangiovese. One of my favorite wineries. Tasted at Tecero and bough a few wines there. On the way out I stopped at Buttonwood but they were completely sold out of their peaches. They have some of the best peaches I have ever tasted.
I was supposed to go to dinner with CJ & John at AJ Spurs but by time I got back to my room in Lompoc I was to tired to dive back 20 plus miles to Buellton to eat dinner. Wish we could have stopped on the way out of the area for dinner. It would have worked better for me. Clyde & Libby and I want back to the Jalama restaurant and had dinner. By this time I was so wined out I had a Blue Moon beer instead.
Need to get some rest as I will be getting up early on Monday and driving back. Bringing back 11 cases of wine. Glad to say 7 of them are for other people. 4 cases is bad enough and I have absolutely no room for storing them now.
Great weekend. A lot of fun. Very tiring but I would do it again
Today was the futures tasting and release party at Clos Pepe. Bash started at 11:00 so we had "Breakfast" pizzas from the wood burning oven, along with fresh fruit and homemade cookies. Tasted the "Library" wines from 1999 on up and all the 2010 barrel tastings. Looks like another great year for Clos Pepe. Picked up my wines I ordered last year. Placed my order for the 2010 and ate and drank again. What a weekend.
Jan & Bob had to leave early so they could not attend. Clyde & Libby went as my guests. CJ & John came up this morning for the event.
Left the Clos and went into Santa Ynez to pick up wine at Stolpman Vineyards. They produce excellent Rhone varietals along with Sangiovese. One of my favorite wineries. Tasted at Tecero and bough a few wines there. On the way out I stopped at Buttonwood but they were completely sold out of their peaches. They have some of the best peaches I have ever tasted.
I was supposed to go to dinner with CJ & John at AJ Spurs but by time I got back to my room in Lompoc I was to tired to dive back 20 plus miles to Buellton to eat dinner. Wish we could have stopped on the way out of the area for dinner. It would have worked better for me. Clyde & Libby and I want back to the Jalama restaurant and had dinner. By this time I was so wined out I had a Blue Moon beer instead.
Need to get some rest as I will be getting up early on Monday and driving back. Bringing back 11 cases of wine. Glad to say 7 of them are for other people. 4 cases is bad enough and I have absolutely no room for storing them now.
Great weekend. A lot of fun. Very tiring but I would do it again
Weekend In The Sta Rita Hills - Wine & Fire
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Hit the Wine Ghetto in Lompoc before heading over to the La Purisima Mission for the big wine bash this afternoon. This is put on by the Sta Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance. Tasted at several tastings rooms (free tastings if you had the passport). Lots of good wine being made in the area. Worth a look at. Closer to home than Napa and Sonoma. Went to lunch with friends in Lompoc and then headed out to the Mission for more food and wine. All the Pinot producers in the area were there. Even a few from the Santa Ynez area who buy Pinot grapes from the Sta Rita Hills producers.
Ran into several people I knew. Everyone loves to come out to this event. It did not disappoint . Food was abundant. Great barbecue. Whole roasted pig, great ribs, beautiful beef sliders shrimp tacos. roasted duck. Lots and lots of wine. 30 Wineries pouring their juice.
They had a silent auction which it seemed most people did not know about. I bid and won 4 items.
This has been a long day. Great but tiring.
Weekend in the Sta Rita Hills -Dinner at The Clos
Friday, August 12, 2011
Looking forward to this big, busy weekend. Dinner at the Clos at 6:00 on Friday. Glad I left work at 11:00am. It took me 4 and half hours to make the drive to Buellton. 3 accidents and 3 road closures. I had planed on making a couple of stops on my way into Lompoc but those would have to wait. Had enough time to check in and get ready to leave for dinner.
Clos Pepe has not had a dinner in a few years so I was really looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint. We started out with appetizers pizzas in the courtyard (most people would say patio but not at the size of this one). They have a woodburning pizza over built in and those pizzas were really flying out. New West Catering was again in charge and they are really good. And these pizzas are not ordinary. Epoisses (cheese) with Summer Truffle. (lets hope Frankie got her fill of truffles). Dandelion, Pancetta & Quail Egg. Carmelized Onion, Gorgonzola Dolce and Arugula. Sheep's Milk Ricotta with La Quercia Prociutto and Bone Marrow, Rapini with Fontina. These were all washed down with the 2009 Clos Pepe Rose of Pinot Noir.
Just before we entered the house for dinner they passed around a Roasted Peach - Chardonnay popsicle to cleanse the palate. This was Divine. Apparently very easy to make. Roasted peaches, chardonnay wine and some sugar - cook to reduce and freeze.
As in years passed the house was filled with tables in different rooms. I sat at a table set up on Cathy Pepe's office. Cathy and her son Rob were seated there also. The hosts all sit at different tables so to mingle with their guests. The table in the office was set for 10 people. 60 wines glass were on the table also. It really sparkled and glimmered when you went in. Very festive. If you figure 50 people in attendance that would be 300 glasses on the tables that night.
We started out with "Kumamoto Oysters with Avocado, Sea Urchin and Steelhead Roe" (caviar). Wines with this dish were the 2009 and 2005 Clos Pepe Homage to Chablis Chardonnay.
Second course was"Crispy Duroc Pork Belly with Chanterelles and Flageolets" (beans). Served with 2009 Clos Pepe Estate Vigneron Select Pinot Noir and a 2009 Loring Wine Company Clos Pepe Vineyard Pinot Noir.
Third course was "Smoke Roasted Wild Antelope with Duck Fat Fries, Blackberries and Thyme". Wines poured were the 2006 Clos Pepe Estate Vigneron Select Pinot Noir and 2005 Loring Wine Company Clos Pepe Vineyard Pinot Noir.
Fourth course was a cheese plate. San Andreas, La Tur, & Fourme D'Ambert with Honeycomb, Sweet Butter and baguette. Again more wine. 2008 Axis Mundi Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Syrah and 2008 Loring Wine Company Divergence (Mouvedre/Caberent).
Dessert plate was filled with Brown Butter Peach Ice Cream Sandwich, Lemon Raspberry Tart and Salted Caramel Truffle. This was served with Wes' Home Roasted Coffee - Costa Rica San Martin de Leon Cortes. The coffee smelled wonderful but I cannot drink it anymore.
Dinner as always was excellent. My only "flaw" would be the pork belly - good but not up to Delius ' pork belly (which is the best I have ever had).
People at the table I sat with were all great. Good conversation. Great food and wine. Beautiful surroundings. Perfect evening.
Looking forward to this big, busy weekend. Dinner at the Clos at 6:00 on Friday. Glad I left work at 11:00am. It took me 4 and half hours to make the drive to Buellton. 3 accidents and 3 road closures. I had planed on making a couple of stops on my way into Lompoc but those would have to wait. Had enough time to check in and get ready to leave for dinner.
Clos Pepe has not had a dinner in a few years so I was really looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint. We started out with appetizers pizzas in the courtyard (most people would say patio but not at the size of this one). They have a woodburning pizza over built in and those pizzas were really flying out. New West Catering was again in charge and they are really good. And these pizzas are not ordinary. Epoisses (cheese) with Summer Truffle. (lets hope Frankie got her fill of truffles). Dandelion, Pancetta & Quail Egg. Carmelized Onion, Gorgonzola Dolce and Arugula. Sheep's Milk Ricotta with La Quercia Prociutto and Bone Marrow, Rapini with Fontina. These were all washed down with the 2009 Clos Pepe Rose of Pinot Noir.
Just before we entered the house for dinner they passed around a Roasted Peach - Chardonnay popsicle to cleanse the palate. This was Divine. Apparently very easy to make. Roasted peaches, chardonnay wine and some sugar - cook to reduce and freeze.
As in years passed the house was filled with tables in different rooms. I sat at a table set up on Cathy Pepe's office. Cathy and her son Rob were seated there also. The hosts all sit at different tables so to mingle with their guests. The table in the office was set for 10 people. 60 wines glass were on the table also. It really sparkled and glimmered when you went in. Very festive. If you figure 50 people in attendance that would be 300 glasses on the tables that night.
We started out with "Kumamoto Oysters with Avocado, Sea Urchin and Steelhead Roe" (caviar). Wines with this dish were the 2009 and 2005 Clos Pepe Homage to Chablis Chardonnay.
Second course was"Crispy Duroc Pork Belly with Chanterelles and Flageolets" (beans). Served with 2009 Clos Pepe Estate Vigneron Select Pinot Noir and a 2009 Loring Wine Company Clos Pepe Vineyard Pinot Noir.
Third course was "Smoke Roasted Wild Antelope with Duck Fat Fries, Blackberries and Thyme". Wines poured were the 2006 Clos Pepe Estate Vigneron Select Pinot Noir and 2005 Loring Wine Company Clos Pepe Vineyard Pinot Noir.
Fourth course was a cheese plate. San Andreas, La Tur, & Fourme D'Ambert with Honeycomb, Sweet Butter and baguette. Again more wine. 2008 Axis Mundi Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Syrah and 2008 Loring Wine Company Divergence (Mouvedre/Caberent).
Dessert plate was filled with Brown Butter Peach Ice Cream Sandwich, Lemon Raspberry Tart and Salted Caramel Truffle. This was served with Wes' Home Roasted Coffee - Costa Rica San Martin de Leon Cortes. The coffee smelled wonderful but I cannot drink it anymore.
Dinner as always was excellent. My only "flaw" would be the pork belly - good but not up to Delius ' pork belly (which is the best I have ever had).
People at the table I sat with were all great. Good conversation. Great food and wine. Beautiful surroundings. Perfect evening.
Another Dinner at The Himilayn
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
We started out tonight with an appetizer platter which included Samosas, Vegetable Pokorma, Grilled Lamb and Chicken and a platter of meat momo's. I really have to watch with appetizers as I will eat these only and not really want dinner afterwards. And usually at the start of the meal you are hungry and "pork" out.
We all ordered a separate dish and shared family style. Works better with this type of cuisine. There were 3 new people to the group tonight. Nothing new but all good dishes.
Lamb Chau Chau, Mixed Grill, Chicken Tiki Masala, Lentils Dahl, Vegetable Korma and Cheese Paneer.
Usually at these dinners we get a lot of Pinot Noir wines brought. But not tonight. The closest was a 2009 Clos Pepe Rose of Pinot and a Francois Childaine Touraine. The bubbly which always shows up when Margie is around was a NV Mas Daumas Gassae Rae Frizant.
There was a 2008 Tabalas Creek Roussane but I am not a big fan of Rhone Whites so I did not taste that one. I brought a 2004 Stolpman La Croce which was showing exceptionally well. The rest of the lineup included 2002 Hunt Ovation Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Lancaster Sophies Hillside Cuvee which was tasting well, 2006 Salvestrin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2005 Primus Sierra Foothill Syrah. All the wines were good.
Interesting evening with the 3 new faces at the table. Excellent food and wine.
We started out tonight with an appetizer platter which included Samosas, Vegetable Pokorma, Grilled Lamb and Chicken and a platter of meat momo's. I really have to watch with appetizers as I will eat these only and not really want dinner afterwards. And usually at the start of the meal you are hungry and "pork" out.
We all ordered a separate dish and shared family style. Works better with this type of cuisine. There were 3 new people to the group tonight. Nothing new but all good dishes.
Lamb Chau Chau, Mixed Grill, Chicken Tiki Masala, Lentils Dahl, Vegetable Korma and Cheese Paneer.
Usually at these dinners we get a lot of Pinot Noir wines brought. But not tonight. The closest was a 2009 Clos Pepe Rose of Pinot and a Francois Childaine Touraine. The bubbly which always shows up when Margie is around was a NV Mas Daumas Gassae Rae Frizant.
There was a 2008 Tabalas Creek Roussane but I am not a big fan of Rhone Whites so I did not taste that one. I brought a 2004 Stolpman La Croce which was showing exceptionally well. The rest of the lineup included 2002 Hunt Ovation Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Lancaster Sophies Hillside Cuvee which was tasting well, 2006 Salvestrin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2005 Primus Sierra Foothill Syrah. All the wines were good.
Interesting evening with the 3 new faces at the table. Excellent food and wine.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Birthday Party
Sunday August 7, 2011
Busy day today. Brunch at noon, Birthday party for Dave Solzman, owner of Delius Restaurant in Signal Hill at 3:00.
Party was held at Dave & Louise's home. Approximately 50 people in attendance. Since this was not a restaurant event those in attending were mostly good friends and neighbors. But then a lot of these people frequent the restaurant so it was a lot of familiar faces.
Lots of wine, beer and a very good Sangria which I drank. I had enough wine earlier in the day.
Food was abundant. Fabulous grilled shrimp with a spicy garlic sauce. Pulled pork, sausages, grilled chicken, Excellent potato salad. A lot of food on that table.
I have over consumed this day. Left about 6;30 and the party was still in full swing. I have a huge week coming up and leaving Friday for 3 days of dinners and wine tasting in the Sta Rita Hills area
Busy day today. Brunch at noon, Birthday party for Dave Solzman, owner of Delius Restaurant in Signal Hill at 3:00.
Party was held at Dave & Louise's home. Approximately 50 people in attendance. Since this was not a restaurant event those in attending were mostly good friends and neighbors. But then a lot of these people frequent the restaurant so it was a lot of familiar faces.
Lots of wine, beer and a very good Sangria which I drank. I had enough wine earlier in the day.
Food was abundant. Fabulous grilled shrimp with a spicy garlic sauce. Pulled pork, sausages, grilled chicken, Excellent potato salad. A lot of food on that table.
I have over consumed this day. Left about 6;30 and the party was still in full swing. I have a huge week coming up and leaving Friday for 3 days of dinners and wine tasting in the Sta Rita Hills area
Sunday Brunch at Arte Cafe
Sunday August 7, 2011
Wine Country in Signal Hill hosted a Sunday Brunch at Arte Cafe in Cerritos today. 80 people in attendance. In the past there has been a problem with the service at this establishment but today they seemed to have enough servers to handle the crowd
The wines today were from Francois Chidaine in France. The rep from Beaune Imports was on hand.
They poured freely with the first course of Eggs Benedict with Country Smoked Ham. Small potion which was good. The ham was julienned so it was easy eating. The wine was a NV Montliouis Brut. Dry yet had a light fruitiness to it. I did order 3 bottles of this one. My egg was slightly undercooked but the Hollandaise sauce was good.
Second Course was Dungeness Crab Cakes with Mixed Greens. The crab cake was very good. Not to much binder or filler. Just lots of crab. Served with 2010 Touraine Sauvignon Blanc. Nice pairing.
Next up was Seabass with Saffron Beurre Blanc and Asparagus. My fish was slightly overcooked. It still had moistness to it but it was headed to being over cooked in a few more seconds. Flavor was good. Sauce was good. The wine pairing was excellent. 2009 Vouvray Les Argiles.
Main Course was Short Ribs with Thai Barbeque Sauce. Served with mashed potatoes. Good flavor, meat was moist and very tender. Pulled away from the bone nicely. Paired with a 2009 Touraine Rouge. A blend of Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit d' Aunis. Again a nice pairing.
I took most of my seabass and short rib home. A lot of food and wine for $45. A bargain in today's market.
Dessert was fresh diced mangos on top of mango sherbert. A refreshing way to end a meal.
I will say my opinion of Arte Cafe was better today than in the past. Service was good. No long wait for food. Food and wine paired well. Hope they keep this up.
Wine Country in Signal Hill hosted a Sunday Brunch at Arte Cafe in Cerritos today. 80 people in attendance. In the past there has been a problem with the service at this establishment but today they seemed to have enough servers to handle the crowd
The wines today were from Francois Chidaine in France. The rep from Beaune Imports was on hand.
They poured freely with the first course of Eggs Benedict with Country Smoked Ham. Small potion which was good. The ham was julienned so it was easy eating. The wine was a NV Montliouis Brut. Dry yet had a light fruitiness to it. I did order 3 bottles of this one. My egg was slightly undercooked but the Hollandaise sauce was good.
Second Course was Dungeness Crab Cakes with Mixed Greens. The crab cake was very good. Not to much binder or filler. Just lots of crab. Served with 2010 Touraine Sauvignon Blanc. Nice pairing.
Next up was Seabass with Saffron Beurre Blanc and Asparagus. My fish was slightly overcooked. It still had moistness to it but it was headed to being over cooked in a few more seconds. Flavor was good. Sauce was good. The wine pairing was excellent. 2009 Vouvray Les Argiles.
Main Course was Short Ribs with Thai Barbeque Sauce. Served with mashed potatoes. Good flavor, meat was moist and very tender. Pulled away from the bone nicely. Paired with a 2009 Touraine Rouge. A blend of Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit d' Aunis. Again a nice pairing.
I took most of my seabass and short rib home. A lot of food and wine for $45. A bargain in today's market.
Dessert was fresh diced mangos on top of mango sherbert. A refreshing way to end a meal.
I will say my opinion of Arte Cafe was better today than in the past. Service was good. No long wait for food. Food and wine paired well. Hope they keep this up.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Justin Wine Dinner at Sebastiani's
Thursday, August 3, 2011
Sebastiani's in Huntington Beach hosted a Justin Wine dinner tonight. They had one last week but it sold out immediately so they decided to add another. This dinner was 90% sold out. Big following for Justin Wines. The dinner was $75 so it was a good but compared to some of the other restaurants that are having a Justin Wine dinner at $125. The food at Sebastiani's is decent and a few times darn good. But they are not consistent in their quality. I do not frequent them too much because of that.
We walked in and the room was set up with high "bistro" tables with high stools. I found it a big turnoff. I want to dine not nibble in a bar. This I cannot do and neither could Toby. They did bring in a normal table for us and a few other people.
We started off with a 2010 Sauvignon Blanc. A little to acidic for me. I had to end up taking a Prevacid so I could continue dinner. I found the Duckhorn Sau Blanc last night was far more to my liking. The dish we were served was a Salmon Ripiene. Cooked Salmon rolls filled with goat cheese, chives and asparagus. Had a Sau Blanc reduction and served on a bed of spinach leaves.This was good. I could have stopped there and had dessert. I will say that the portions here at Sebastiani's are always good size.
Second course was Duck Ravioli with a Porcini mushroom and Pancetta sauce. This was the best dish of the night. Had nice earthy flavors. Sauce was very good. Unfortunately they served it with a 2009 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon. Doesn't anyone ever taste the wine with the food before making a menu ???? It was such a clash. At least in my mind and Toby's. Others in the room were raving. I sometimes wonder if people really know what they are tasting or are so enamored with the wines that they think the winery can do no wrong. I saved my wine and after finishing my Ravioli I drank the wine. The wine was so so to me. I did not feel it was ready to drink. It needed a few more years of aging. It also lacked something in its makeup. I have had so many other Cabs that were far superior to this one and better priced.
Main course was a grilled fillet in a peppercorn sauce. Not choice meat but you could cut it. It did not have a lot of flavor so the sauce helped a lot. It came with seasoned vegetables. The wine was a 2008 Justin Justification which is mostly Cab Franc. Much more to my liking.
Dessert was Vanilla Bean ice cream with fresh strawberries drizzled with chocolate grenache. A good ending to a meal. The Raviolis and dessert would have been enough for me. A glass of 2008 Justin Obtuse was served. Again I waited until I finished my dessert before having the Obtuse. I just do not care for sweet with sweet. It's overkill.
I took a lot of my steak and vegetables home. Far too much food for me. The wines were OK. But I am not a cult follower of Justin. They made their mark years ago with the Iccosoles and have been riding those coattails lately. Overpriced for what they are but if you are a big fan of Justin you would have been gushing like the others in the room. To those people that winery can do no wrong.
It took us over 45 minutes to finally get our check. We asked twice for it. We were the last ones to pay up. One person was handling all the transactions. So once in awhile I need to go back to Sebastiani's to remind me of why I do not frequent this establishment to often. Not overly bad but not the greatest also. Was it worth $75 - NO. They got that price because of the overpriced wines. But is better than paying $125 and getting almost the same quality.
Sebastiani's in Huntington Beach hosted a Justin Wine dinner tonight. They had one last week but it sold out immediately so they decided to add another. This dinner was 90% sold out. Big following for Justin Wines. The dinner was $75 so it was a good but compared to some of the other restaurants that are having a Justin Wine dinner at $125. The food at Sebastiani's is decent and a few times darn good. But they are not consistent in their quality. I do not frequent them too much because of that.
We walked in and the room was set up with high "bistro" tables with high stools. I found it a big turnoff. I want to dine not nibble in a bar. This I cannot do and neither could Toby. They did bring in a normal table for us and a few other people.
We started off with a 2010 Sauvignon Blanc. A little to acidic for me. I had to end up taking a Prevacid so I could continue dinner. I found the Duckhorn Sau Blanc last night was far more to my liking. The dish we were served was a Salmon Ripiene. Cooked Salmon rolls filled with goat cheese, chives and asparagus. Had a Sau Blanc reduction and served on a bed of spinach leaves.This was good. I could have stopped there and had dessert. I will say that the portions here at Sebastiani's are always good size.
Second course was Duck Ravioli with a Porcini mushroom and Pancetta sauce. This was the best dish of the night. Had nice earthy flavors. Sauce was very good. Unfortunately they served it with a 2009 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon. Doesn't anyone ever taste the wine with the food before making a menu ???? It was such a clash. At least in my mind and Toby's. Others in the room were raving. I sometimes wonder if people really know what they are tasting or are so enamored with the wines that they think the winery can do no wrong. I saved my wine and after finishing my Ravioli I drank the wine. The wine was so so to me. I did not feel it was ready to drink. It needed a few more years of aging. It also lacked something in its makeup. I have had so many other Cabs that were far superior to this one and better priced.
Main course was a grilled fillet in a peppercorn sauce. Not choice meat but you could cut it. It did not have a lot of flavor so the sauce helped a lot. It came with seasoned vegetables. The wine was a 2008 Justin Justification which is mostly Cab Franc. Much more to my liking.
Dessert was Vanilla Bean ice cream with fresh strawberries drizzled with chocolate grenache. A good ending to a meal. The Raviolis and dessert would have been enough for me. A glass of 2008 Justin Obtuse was served. Again I waited until I finished my dessert before having the Obtuse. I just do not care for sweet with sweet. It's overkill.
I took a lot of my steak and vegetables home. Far too much food for me. The wines were OK. But I am not a cult follower of Justin. They made their mark years ago with the Iccosoles and have been riding those coattails lately. Overpriced for what they are but if you are a big fan of Justin you would have been gushing like the others in the room. To those people that winery can do no wrong.
It took us over 45 minutes to finally get our check. We asked twice for it. We were the last ones to pay up. One person was handling all the transactions. So once in awhile I need to go back to Sebastiani's to remind me of why I do not frequent this establishment to often. Not overly bad but not the greatest also. Was it worth $75 - NO. They got that price because of the overpriced wines. But is better than paying $125 and getting almost the same quality.
Duckhorn Tasting
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
ABC Liquor & Fine Wine in Long Beach hosted a Duckhorn tasting tonight. I was lucky to find a parking space immediately. This area of Long Beach is almost to Belmont Shore and is notorious for the lack of parking. And I did really want to avoid parking under lamp posts and trees. The birds are notorious here also.
For some reason tonight's tasting seemed in a little bit of insanity. Too much noise, not enough talking from the rep.
Imre the wine buyer for ABC was flitting away constantly. It seems several of those in attendance had been on a wine trip with Imre and they visited Duckhorn so the conversations were running that way. The rep from Duckhorn was accommodating but the situation was not in her control.
We started out with a 2010 Duckhorn Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Excellent wine, not to acidic and muted tropical flavors. Next was a 2009 Migration Russian River Valley Chardonnay. Nice Chard but I have had many as good and lower priced. It also was on the oaky side. Drinkable for me but I would never buy it.
2008 Migration Anderson Valley Pinot Noir was poured. It had the smokey taste to it. That year there was a large fire in Mendocino County and it affected the flavor of some of the wines. This particular wine showed it.It also was a little one dimensional to me. Weak after finish. Then they poured the 2007 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. What a difference. This wine was complex, lots of layers, well balanced. But it also was $20 more than the Migration.
The 2007 Paraduxx Napa Valley Red Wine was tasted. I frankly thought this was the best wine of the evening. A 2008 Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot was next. Nice Merlot if that is your wine. Not mine so I won't judge. Those who were Merlot fans really seemed to like it. And of course every time a rep pours a Merlot the movie "Sideways" is always referenced, Its time to that movie a burial.
All in all a good tasting and I did stay for awhile afterwards talking with several people. Enjoyable evening.
ABC Liquor & Fine Wine in Long Beach hosted a Duckhorn tasting tonight. I was lucky to find a parking space immediately. This area of Long Beach is almost to Belmont Shore and is notorious for the lack of parking. And I did really want to avoid parking under lamp posts and trees. The birds are notorious here also.
For some reason tonight's tasting seemed in a little bit of insanity. Too much noise, not enough talking from the rep.
Imre the wine buyer for ABC was flitting away constantly. It seems several of those in attendance had been on a wine trip with Imre and they visited Duckhorn so the conversations were running that way. The rep from Duckhorn was accommodating but the situation was not in her control.
We started out with a 2010 Duckhorn Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Excellent wine, not to acidic and muted tropical flavors. Next was a 2009 Migration Russian River Valley Chardonnay. Nice Chard but I have had many as good and lower priced. It also was on the oaky side. Drinkable for me but I would never buy it.
2008 Migration Anderson Valley Pinot Noir was poured. It had the smokey taste to it. That year there was a large fire in Mendocino County and it affected the flavor of some of the wines. This particular wine showed it.It also was a little one dimensional to me. Weak after finish. Then they poured the 2007 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. What a difference. This wine was complex, lots of layers, well balanced. But it also was $20 more than the Migration.
The 2007 Paraduxx Napa Valley Red Wine was tasted. I frankly thought this was the best wine of the evening. A 2008 Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot was next. Nice Merlot if that is your wine. Not mine so I won't judge. Those who were Merlot fans really seemed to like it. And of course every time a rep pours a Merlot the movie "Sideways" is always referenced, Its time to that movie a burial.
All in all a good tasting and I did stay for awhile afterwards talking with several people. Enjoyable evening.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Single Malt Scotch Tasting
Thursday, July 28, 2011
I have drank Scotch for years and have always preferred single malt over blended without really knowing the difference. I just never got into the research of Scotch like I did wine.
ABC Fine Wines & Spirits in Long Beach hosted at Balvenie tasting tonight. The right time to go and learn.
What I did learn is the Scotch is made with three ingredients, Barley, water and yeast. Blended Scotch is made with whiskeys from several different sources. A single malt is made at a single source (Scotch House). They do not bring in any outside Scotch to blend with their own. I also assumed (and we know what assuming can be) that since it said single malt it had something to do with the grains.
I just pray that I keep liking Scotch but not become fascinated with it. At $100 and up for good single malt I could be in trouble. Granted you do not drink a bottle in a couple of days like you do wine. The bottle would probably last you months. At least that what I am trying to convey to my brain.
The casks/barrells that Scotch is aged in come "used bourbon" from the US and Europe. We tasted Scotch that had been aged in Maderia casks and Sherry casks. It was interesting to taste how the whiskey takes on a slight flavor from these casks. We also tasted one that was Peat smoked. The peat from the bogs is set on fire and since it is dense it smokes instead of burns. They do that with the sprouting grain to impart that peaty flavor to it. It did not show up on the nose but it was very predominant on the palate.
We tasted (I think, it was dark I could not read what was put in front of me - ABC really needs better lighting) The Balvenie, 12 Year Old Doublewood, 15 Year Old Single Barrell, 21 Year Old PortWood and the Peated Cask. Prices for a bottle ranged from $60 to $200.
They gave each of us a eye dropper to added a drop or two of distilled water to the scotch. I did try it and it seems to really take the heat away. Just 2 small drops changed the taste completely. We came away the glasses, dropper, pens. I always like a few freebie's .
So now I will have to do some research and learn more about this whiskey and hope I do not get to addicted to it
We could have second tastes if we wanted. But being my own designated driver I deferred. Do not need a DUI for any reason at all.
I have drank Scotch for years and have always preferred single malt over blended without really knowing the difference. I just never got into the research of Scotch like I did wine.
ABC Fine Wines & Spirits in Long Beach hosted at Balvenie tasting tonight. The right time to go and learn.
What I did learn is the Scotch is made with three ingredients, Barley, water and yeast. Blended Scotch is made with whiskeys from several different sources. A single malt is made at a single source (Scotch House). They do not bring in any outside Scotch to blend with their own. I also assumed (and we know what assuming can be) that since it said single malt it had something to do with the grains.
I just pray that I keep liking Scotch but not become fascinated with it. At $100 and up for good single malt I could be in trouble. Granted you do not drink a bottle in a couple of days like you do wine. The bottle would probably last you months. At least that what I am trying to convey to my brain.
The casks/barrells that Scotch is aged in come "used bourbon" from the US and Europe. We tasted Scotch that had been aged in Maderia casks and Sherry casks. It was interesting to taste how the whiskey takes on a slight flavor from these casks. We also tasted one that was Peat smoked. The peat from the bogs is set on fire and since it is dense it smokes instead of burns. They do that with the sprouting grain to impart that peaty flavor to it. It did not show up on the nose but it was very predominant on the palate.
We tasted (I think, it was dark I could not read what was put in front of me - ABC really needs better lighting) The Balvenie, 12 Year Old Doublewood, 15 Year Old Single Barrell, 21 Year Old PortWood and the Peated Cask. Prices for a bottle ranged from $60 to $200.
They gave each of us a eye dropper to added a drop or two of distilled water to the scotch. I did try it and it seems to really take the heat away. Just 2 small drops changed the taste completely. We came away the glasses, dropper, pens. I always like a few freebie's .
So now I will have to do some research and learn more about this whiskey and hope I do not get to addicted to it
We could have second tastes if we wanted. But being my own designated driver I deferred. Do not need a DUI for any reason at all.
Seafood Palace - Maybe The Last Dinner Here
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Doung Son still has not reopened so eight of us made a spur of the moment last minute decision to have dinner at the Seafood Palace again.
Cora is starting chemo again so this would be her last wine dinner for several months. In fact she had a treatment Tuesday but it does take a while for the chemicals to build up in your body so she still was feeling decent and had not lost her taste buds yet.
We started out with 4 seafood dishes all served at the same time. Salt & Pepper Calamari with jalapenos, Fried Oysters with ginger and scallions , shrimp with Chinese broccoli and Lobster with noodles. I was in seventh heaven. I could have had seafood for the entire meal. These dishes paired exceptionally well with a Chablis that T & C brought. There was a Sauvignon Blanc on the table but I am finding that I have to stay away from these wines. The acidity is starting to really bother me,
Next up was a dish, "choice beef" with spinach. I took one piece of beef and by time the dish made its way back to me all the meat was gone. What I did have was very good. It was cubed instead of sliced like we normally get.
Shredded spicy pork with noddles, Tofu with spinach and chicken with soft fat noddles (great sauce) rounded out the meal.
Dessert was Flan with a coffee sauce. This was a new one.
The table next to us was celebrating a special occasion. They had a whole sucking pig brought to the table. It was on a silver tray surrounded by flowers. It even had a bid red flower on its head. Now I am talking "whole" pig. Reminded me of a movie years ago. Can't remember the title right now or the name of the young model/actress that was brought out on a large tray and showed off to the potential clients. The highest bidder would be the first to get her virginity. It was a bordello and her mother worked there. So the pig looked innocent also. What I found fascinating was they cut the skin from the top of the backbone and made like it was Peking Duck.. Put the skin inside these dough "pillows" and added shredded scallions and added a sauce. All this table did was eat the skin. All the meat was taken off the bones and packed for them to take home.
The wines that were brought tonight are as follows:
2005 Loring, Russell Vineyard, Pinot Noir
2007 Williams Selyem, Sonoma County, Pinot Noir
2008 Justin, Paso Robles, Sauvignon Blanc
2006 Talley, Arroyo Grande, Pinot Noir
1997 Kalin Cellars , Livermore, Semillion
2001 Rosenthal, Malibu Newton Canyon Meritage
2007 McKeon-Phillips, BPR, Caberenet Sauvignon
2008 McKeon-Phillips, BPR, Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Domaine Clos De L'eglise, Macon, Albert Bicholt, Chablis
Doung Son still has not reopened so eight of us made a spur of the moment last minute decision to have dinner at the Seafood Palace again.
Cora is starting chemo again so this would be her last wine dinner for several months. In fact she had a treatment Tuesday but it does take a while for the chemicals to build up in your body so she still was feeling decent and had not lost her taste buds yet.
We started out with 4 seafood dishes all served at the same time. Salt & Pepper Calamari with jalapenos, Fried Oysters with ginger and scallions , shrimp with Chinese broccoli and Lobster with noodles. I was in seventh heaven. I could have had seafood for the entire meal. These dishes paired exceptionally well with a Chablis that T & C brought. There was a Sauvignon Blanc on the table but I am finding that I have to stay away from these wines. The acidity is starting to really bother me,
Next up was a dish, "choice beef" with spinach. I took one piece of beef and by time the dish made its way back to me all the meat was gone. What I did have was very good. It was cubed instead of sliced like we normally get.
Shredded spicy pork with noddles, Tofu with spinach and chicken with soft fat noddles (great sauce) rounded out the meal.
Dessert was Flan with a coffee sauce. This was a new one.
The table next to us was celebrating a special occasion. They had a whole sucking pig brought to the table. It was on a silver tray surrounded by flowers. It even had a bid red flower on its head. Now I am talking "whole" pig. Reminded me of a movie years ago. Can't remember the title right now or the name of the young model/actress that was brought out on a large tray and showed off to the potential clients. The highest bidder would be the first to get her virginity. It was a bordello and her mother worked there. So the pig looked innocent also. What I found fascinating was they cut the skin from the top of the backbone and made like it was Peking Duck.. Put the skin inside these dough "pillows" and added shredded scallions and added a sauce. All this table did was eat the skin. All the meat was taken off the bones and packed for them to take home.
The wines that were brought tonight are as follows:
2005 Loring, Russell Vineyard, Pinot Noir
2007 Williams Selyem, Sonoma County, Pinot Noir
2008 Justin, Paso Robles, Sauvignon Blanc
2006 Talley, Arroyo Grande, Pinot Noir
1997 Kalin Cellars , Livermore, Semillion
2001 Rosenthal, Malibu Newton Canyon Meritage
2007 McKeon-Phillips, BPR, Caberenet Sauvignon
2008 McKeon-Phillips, BPR, Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Domaine Clos De L'eglise, Macon, Albert Bicholt, Chablis
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Utopia
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Utopia Restaurant in Long Beach hosted a "Summer Wine Dinner" tonight. They used to do a lot of wine dinners but have really scaled back in the past year or so. Could be the economy or the fact that every restaurant within the LA/Orange County area has decided this is the way to go. I feel we are completely saturated with dinners.
I was glad to get parking. Since Long Beach has put in all those bicycle lanes on the streets it has taken away close to 40% of the avialable parking spaces. It was great for the city ot understand the needs of the cyclist's but they forgot the needs of the car people. Not everyone lives downtown and not everyone is capable of riding a bicycle. And there is not enought parking structures or lots to make up the difference.
There were just two of us tonight at the table. Margie and me. It was a nice break not to have a larger group.
We started out with a Seafood Ceviche. I have had this before here and it is well prepared and good. Probably because of the Mexican cooks. Margie does not eat seafood . Utopia has always been good about substitutions. She was served fried artichoke hearts. This course was paired with a 2009 Sofia, Rose from Napa Valley. Nice wine. Perfect combination.
Next course was a Grilled Portabella Mushroom with a herb/shallot/balsamic reduction sauce. Idea was good but the sauce was so way over with the vinegar. It tasted like several people in the kitchen added vinegar not knowing someone else did before them. It really detracted from the mushroom. This was served with a 2010 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. This wine is always a good wine. But they were selling it for $15 and you can get it around $12 to $14 almost anyplace else.
Main course was Grilled Filet Mignon with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and grilled vegetables. My steak was cooked the way I liked it. Margie said hers was a little more done than medium. Flavor was ok. The grilled vegetables had herbs and pepper on them. The potatoes were potatoes. Decent but nothing special. The wine for this dish was a 2006 Franciscan Napa Valley Merlot. Nice wine if you like Merlot. It did pair well with the meat.
Dessert was the best of the meal. A Chocolate Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce. I tried to eat all of mine but did leave one bite on the plate. This was so rich it was all I could be to get as far as I did. They served a Sandeman Ruby Port. Overkill on the sweet. I really prefer my port with savory, like cheese. I waited until after dessert to drink the port.
This dinner was $45 with the wine. Compared to The Factory at $30 and you bring the wine, this was a better deal. Yes we get small portions compared to if we had ordered off the regular menu. But I don't eat large portions anymore anyway. So the size is good for me.
Utopia plans on doing another wine dinner in September. I will sign up for it if I do not have any conflicts. Amir was glad to see us and asked where we had been. Explained to him we seemed to have been dropped form the email list for some reason and only saw the dinner listed at Localwineevents.com. He took our email addresses again so hopefully it will straighten the matter out. But frankly I would not put money on it.
Margie won a bottle of wine and everyone was given tickets to the Laugh Factory in Long Baech.
Utopia Restaurant in Long Beach hosted a "Summer Wine Dinner" tonight. They used to do a lot of wine dinners but have really scaled back in the past year or so. Could be the economy or the fact that every restaurant within the LA/Orange County area has decided this is the way to go. I feel we are completely saturated with dinners.
I was glad to get parking. Since Long Beach has put in all those bicycle lanes on the streets it has taken away close to 40% of the avialable parking spaces. It was great for the city ot understand the needs of the cyclist's but they forgot the needs of the car people. Not everyone lives downtown and not everyone is capable of riding a bicycle. And there is not enought parking structures or lots to make up the difference.
There were just two of us tonight at the table. Margie and me. It was a nice break not to have a larger group.
We started out with a Seafood Ceviche. I have had this before here and it is well prepared and good. Probably because of the Mexican cooks. Margie does not eat seafood . Utopia has always been good about substitutions. She was served fried artichoke hearts. This course was paired with a 2009 Sofia, Rose from Napa Valley. Nice wine. Perfect combination.
Next course was a Grilled Portabella Mushroom with a herb/shallot/balsamic reduction sauce. Idea was good but the sauce was so way over with the vinegar. It tasted like several people in the kitchen added vinegar not knowing someone else did before them. It really detracted from the mushroom. This was served with a 2010 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. This wine is always a good wine. But they were selling it for $15 and you can get it around $12 to $14 almost anyplace else.
Main course was Grilled Filet Mignon with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and grilled vegetables. My steak was cooked the way I liked it. Margie said hers was a little more done than medium. Flavor was ok. The grilled vegetables had herbs and pepper on them. The potatoes were potatoes. Decent but nothing special. The wine for this dish was a 2006 Franciscan Napa Valley Merlot. Nice wine if you like Merlot. It did pair well with the meat.
Dessert was the best of the meal. A Chocolate Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce. I tried to eat all of mine but did leave one bite on the plate. This was so rich it was all I could be to get as far as I did. They served a Sandeman Ruby Port. Overkill on the sweet. I really prefer my port with savory, like cheese. I waited until after dessert to drink the port.
This dinner was $45 with the wine. Compared to The Factory at $30 and you bring the wine, this was a better deal. Yes we get small portions compared to if we had ordered off the regular menu. But I don't eat large portions anymore anyway. So the size is good for me.
Utopia plans on doing another wine dinner in September. I will sign up for it if I do not have any conflicts. Amir was glad to see us and asked where we had been. Explained to him we seemed to have been dropped form the email list for some reason and only saw the dinner listed at Localwineevents.com. He took our email addresses again so hopefully it will straighten the matter out. But frankly I would not put money on it.
Margie won a bottle of wine and everyone was given tickets to the Laugh Factory in Long Baech.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Sta Rita Hills Wine Dinner at The Factory
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Theme tonight at the Factory was Sta Rita Hills. This would be mainly Pinots and Chardonnays. Dishes were taken from a restaurant menu in the Santa Ynez area. Why they felt it was compatible with wines from another area is beyond me. Dinner was 40 minutes late in starting. They know how many people are coming. They advertise it at 7:00 so I cannot understand how they cannot have something ready to go with 15 minutes. I know for $30 I can't expect much but how hard is it get an appetizer on the table. As I have indicated before, quit being so creative and get back to basics.
We started out with a pizza - had a lemon sauce and grilled cherry tomatoes on it. Flavor was good but the crust was soft. Some kind of whole wheat thing.
Grilled eggplant showed up. Two rounds of eggplant that was breaded and fried. Not greasy, had good flavor and was served with a Pesto sauce and Marinara sauce.
Main course was Rigatoni Bolognese - at this point I felt this dinner was far better suited with last months Italian wine theme than this months theme. The Bolognese sauce had Spanish Pork Loin in it. Sauce was good. Way to much Rigatoni on the plate for the amount of sauce. First time I have taken food home from this restaurant.
Dessert was supposed to be a Fresh Blackberry and Lemon Curd. I was really looking forward to this after such a heavy meal. But no - Natalie decided to be inspired - so we had a corn pancake/crepe thing stuffed with Mozzarella and a Blackberry sauce with Marscapone cheese. This was good but at this point we were really carbed out. I think that instead of Mozzarella inside if she would have out some Marscapone cheese it would have been lighter in taste. The sauce was very good. This was probably the best dish of the evening.
The theme tonight was Sta Rita Hills. One person who seems to think he knows everything brought a Jaffurs Mouvedre and a Santa Barbara Winery Chardonnay. His reasoning was they sourced grapes from the Thompson Vineyard and he thought it was close to the Sta Rita Hills because it was near the Melville property. I did not say much as I wanted to double check that I was right and he was dead wrong. Next month at the dinner I will tell him my findings. He is way off base. If he wasn't so much of a pompous "a--" I would let it go. But sometimes you just have to get in someones face.
Some other wines tonight were 2007 & 2008 Huber Chardonnays, 2006 Loring Clos Pepe Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2007 Flying Goat Rio Vista Pinot Noir, 2006 Longoria Pinot Noir, 2009 Clos Pepe Chardonnay, 2004 Curran-D'Alfinso Tancho La Vina Pinot Noir and a Flying Goat "Goat Bubbles". A few other wines were there but I seemed to have missed them
Theme tonight at the Factory was Sta Rita Hills. This would be mainly Pinots and Chardonnays. Dishes were taken from a restaurant menu in the Santa Ynez area. Why they felt it was compatible with wines from another area is beyond me. Dinner was 40 minutes late in starting. They know how many people are coming. They advertise it at 7:00 so I cannot understand how they cannot have something ready to go with 15 minutes. I know for $30 I can't expect much but how hard is it get an appetizer on the table. As I have indicated before, quit being so creative and get back to basics.
We started out with a pizza - had a lemon sauce and grilled cherry tomatoes on it. Flavor was good but the crust was soft. Some kind of whole wheat thing.
Grilled eggplant showed up. Two rounds of eggplant that was breaded and fried. Not greasy, had good flavor and was served with a Pesto sauce and Marinara sauce.
Main course was Rigatoni Bolognese - at this point I felt this dinner was far better suited with last months Italian wine theme than this months theme. The Bolognese sauce had Spanish Pork Loin in it. Sauce was good. Way to much Rigatoni on the plate for the amount of sauce. First time I have taken food home from this restaurant.
Dessert was supposed to be a Fresh Blackberry and Lemon Curd. I was really looking forward to this after such a heavy meal. But no - Natalie decided to be inspired - so we had a corn pancake/crepe thing stuffed with Mozzarella and a Blackberry sauce with Marscapone cheese. This was good but at this point we were really carbed out. I think that instead of Mozzarella inside if she would have out some Marscapone cheese it would have been lighter in taste. The sauce was very good. This was probably the best dish of the evening.
The theme tonight was Sta Rita Hills. One person who seems to think he knows everything brought a Jaffurs Mouvedre and a Santa Barbara Winery Chardonnay. His reasoning was they sourced grapes from the Thompson Vineyard and he thought it was close to the Sta Rita Hills because it was near the Melville property. I did not say much as I wanted to double check that I was right and he was dead wrong. Next month at the dinner I will tell him my findings. He is way off base. If he wasn't so much of a pompous "a--" I would let it go. But sometimes you just have to get in someones face.
Some other wines tonight were 2007 & 2008 Huber Chardonnays, 2006 Loring Clos Pepe Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2007 Flying Goat Rio Vista Pinot Noir, 2006 Longoria Pinot Noir, 2009 Clos Pepe Chardonnay, 2004 Curran-D'Alfinso Tancho La Vina Pinot Noir and a Flying Goat "Goat Bubbles". A few other wines were there but I seemed to have missed them
July's Gathering
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Our monthly get together was held today. Theme was White wines from South America and Reds from New Zealand & Australia. Good selection but nothing really stood out as outstanding. Three people brought the same white wine. That's why if I do not have a wine that fits the theme in my cellar I go someplace away from the area to purchase the wines. Too many people are fans of Bev Mo and Total Wines. They like convenience and don't really want to be put out into finding something unique. Good appetizers and the host made a really good pork tenderloin with a Chipolte sauce. Did not try desserts as I was stuffed by then. The weather was a little warmer than at my place and I could feel the heat. I do not do well in heat with red wines. I did leave a little earlier than usual but sometimes ---- happens.
On to next month and another batch of heavy red wines in August in the heat.
Our monthly get together was held today. Theme was White wines from South America and Reds from New Zealand & Australia. Good selection but nothing really stood out as outstanding. Three people brought the same white wine. That's why if I do not have a wine that fits the theme in my cellar I go someplace away from the area to purchase the wines. Too many people are fans of Bev Mo and Total Wines. They like convenience and don't really want to be put out into finding something unique. Good appetizers and the host made a really good pork tenderloin with a Chipolte sauce. Did not try desserts as I was stuffed by then. The weather was a little warmer than at my place and I could feel the heat. I do not do well in heat with red wines. I did leave a little earlier than usual but sometimes ---- happens.
On to next month and another batch of heavy red wines in August in the heat.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Annual Bus Trip to Wine Country
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Our annual bus trip with Delius Restaurant started out about 8:00. An hour earlier than in the past. Since we were going to the Wine Ghetto in Lompoc they wanted to get on the road early. Instead of having a "Champagne Breakfast" in the restaurant before departure we were served breakfast on board. They did have pastries and coffee inside the restaurant for early arrivals. Fresh fruit cups, mimosa's bubbly, breakfast burritos were served on the bus. Concept was good but execution did not work out well. The bus was a rougher ride than normal. You had to balance your drink cups along with your food. They ran out of bubbly right away. I got one glass. I know they had coffee but I did not see anyone at the front of the bus getting any. The breakfast burritos were good but it was impossible to add the salsa to them and hold your cup and burrito at the same time. Louise said that doing the breakfast this way was far more work for her than serving it in the restaurant. Perhaps this will be a one time event.
We arrived at the Ghetto a few minutes early. Most of the tasting rooms open at 11:00. Our first stop was Flying Goat Cellars. Norm Yost the owner and winemaker gave us a short description of the Sta Rita Hills wine area. We tasted, bought and then were free to wander the Ghetto. We had tickets for no charge tastings at Ampeolos, Palmini. La Vie, Loring and Samsara. I made it to Ampelos, Loring, Samsura and La Vie. I get free tastings at Palmini & Loring both of which I will be at in August. La Vie I was very disappointed in. I did stop into the Taste of Sta Rita Hills to pick up a case of wine I had ordered from Clos Pepe. I also bought some Moretti Bianchetto. Very good white wine with an attractive price. Antonio Moretti makes very good, true to the variety Italian wines. The tasting room also features several different wineries.
Evening Land was recommended to me but I did not get a chance to get to it. I will do that in August.
I felt we needed another hour at the Ghetto. But at 1:30 we left to go to Foley for lunch and a tasting. The setting was nice. Foleys wines are overpriced for what they are. After that we headed to Cold Heaven & Prodigal. By this time I was wines out so I wasn't too keen on these wines. Maybe another time with a fresher palate I may feel different.
All in all a decent day. But I prefer breakfast in the restaurant. I felt rushed on this trip for some reason. I hope next year they break the mold for lunch and so something different. Its been the same sandwiches and salads for the last 5 or 6 years now. One year they had lunch catered at one of the wineries. An off site company came in and did a barbecue with tri tip and chicken with all the sides, It was great. It would be nice to have that again.
Traffic was good the way up and back. No slow downs. Perfect for traveling. Weather cooperated. A good day.
Our annual bus trip with Delius Restaurant started out about 8:00. An hour earlier than in the past. Since we were going to the Wine Ghetto in Lompoc they wanted to get on the road early. Instead of having a "Champagne Breakfast" in the restaurant before departure we were served breakfast on board. They did have pastries and coffee inside the restaurant for early arrivals. Fresh fruit cups, mimosa's bubbly, breakfast burritos were served on the bus. Concept was good but execution did not work out well. The bus was a rougher ride than normal. You had to balance your drink cups along with your food. They ran out of bubbly right away. I got one glass. I know they had coffee but I did not see anyone at the front of the bus getting any. The breakfast burritos were good but it was impossible to add the salsa to them and hold your cup and burrito at the same time. Louise said that doing the breakfast this way was far more work for her than serving it in the restaurant. Perhaps this will be a one time event.
We arrived at the Ghetto a few minutes early. Most of the tasting rooms open at 11:00. Our first stop was Flying Goat Cellars. Norm Yost the owner and winemaker gave us a short description of the Sta Rita Hills wine area. We tasted, bought and then were free to wander the Ghetto. We had tickets for no charge tastings at Ampeolos, Palmini. La Vie, Loring and Samsara. I made it to Ampelos, Loring, Samsura and La Vie. I get free tastings at Palmini & Loring both of which I will be at in August. La Vie I was very disappointed in. I did stop into the Taste of Sta Rita Hills to pick up a case of wine I had ordered from Clos Pepe. I also bought some Moretti Bianchetto. Very good white wine with an attractive price. Antonio Moretti makes very good, true to the variety Italian wines. The tasting room also features several different wineries.
Evening Land was recommended to me but I did not get a chance to get to it. I will do that in August.
I felt we needed another hour at the Ghetto. But at 1:30 we left to go to Foley for lunch and a tasting. The setting was nice. Foleys wines are overpriced for what they are. After that we headed to Cold Heaven & Prodigal. By this time I was wines out so I wasn't too keen on these wines. Maybe another time with a fresher palate I may feel different.
All in all a decent day. But I prefer breakfast in the restaurant. I felt rushed on this trip for some reason. I hope next year they break the mold for lunch and so something different. Its been the same sandwiches and salads for the last 5 or 6 years now. One year they had lunch catered at one of the wineries. An off site company came in and did a barbecue with tri tip and chicken with all the sides, It was great. It would be nice to have that again.
Traffic was good the way up and back. No slow downs. Perfect for traveling. Weather cooperated. A good day.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Back to The Himilayan
Thursday, July 7, 2011
A few people had those noses out of joint because they were not included in last weeks dinner at the Himilayan so we ventured back this week. Again we had 3 people that had not been to this rrestaurant before. Everyone said they would be back.
The only new dish that was ordered was the Mango Chicken. Everything else we have had in prior trips. We started out with Samosa's which are the best around. The rest of the dishes were Rogan Josh Lamb, Shrimp Tandorri, Chicken Vindaloo, Tibetian Fish, Lamb Saag.
W e have never ordered dessert here but 2 of the females decided to try the Pistachio ice cream. It was a very good quality ice cream..
Interesting group of wines tonight. I found that the Cabs went best with the food.
2007 McKeon-Phillips BPR Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 Coelho Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
2007 Provence Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 St. Francis Old Vine Sonoma Zinfandel
2009 Margerum Sybarite Happy Canyon Sauvignon Blanc
2008 Dumol Russian River Syrah
A few people had those noses out of joint because they were not included in last weeks dinner at the Himilayan so we ventured back this week. Again we had 3 people that had not been to this rrestaurant before. Everyone said they would be back.
The only new dish that was ordered was the Mango Chicken. Everything else we have had in prior trips. We started out with Samosa's which are the best around. The rest of the dishes were Rogan Josh Lamb, Shrimp Tandorri, Chicken Vindaloo, Tibetian Fish, Lamb Saag.
W e have never ordered dessert here but 2 of the females decided to try the Pistachio ice cream. It was a very good quality ice cream..
Interesting group of wines tonight. I found that the Cabs went best with the food.
2007 McKeon-Phillips BPR Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 Coelho Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
2007 Provence Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 St. Francis Old Vine Sonoma Zinfandel
2009 Margerum Sybarite Happy Canyon Sauvignon Blanc
2008 Dumol Russian River Syrah
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Himilayan Grille
Thursday, June 30, 2011
6 of us gathered tonight at The Himilayan Grille in Sunset Beach for dinner. There were 3 people who had never been to this restaurant before but I think they will be back.
Since everyone orders a dish or two and we share we had a few new ones tonight. We started out with Samosa's which are always good here. Very light and not greasy. Then came a chicken dish. Can't remember the name but since Oliver ordered it we referred to it as "Chicken Nuggets". Small pieces of chicken with a light batter and fried. They were very good.
We also tried the eggplant dish and the lentil dish. None of which I had before. Not two of my favorite foods but these were actually good and I would have no problem ordering them again We rounded it out with Rack of Lamb, Shrimp Saag, Lamb Vindaloo, Garlic Chicken, Tibetan Shrimp, Vegetables Korma and Lamb Chou Chou.
Wines brought tonight were interesting.
2006 McKeon-Phillips Cab Franc Reserve
2005 Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
2008 Hitching Post Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
2007 Lewelling White Vineyard Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (Robert Parker 97)
2010 McKeon-Phllips Sauvignon Blanc
???? Beckman Syrah
6 of us gathered tonight at The Himilayan Grille in Sunset Beach for dinner. There were 3 people who had never been to this restaurant before but I think they will be back.
Since everyone orders a dish or two and we share we had a few new ones tonight. We started out with Samosa's which are always good here. Very light and not greasy. Then came a chicken dish. Can't remember the name but since Oliver ordered it we referred to it as "Chicken Nuggets". Small pieces of chicken with a light batter and fried. They were very good.
We also tried the eggplant dish and the lentil dish. None of which I had before. Not two of my favorite foods but these were actually good and I would have no problem ordering them again We rounded it out with Rack of Lamb, Shrimp Saag, Lamb Vindaloo, Garlic Chicken, Tibetan Shrimp, Vegetables Korma and Lamb Chou Chou.
Wines brought tonight were interesting.
2006 McKeon-Phillips Cab Franc Reserve
2005 Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
2008 Hitching Post Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
2007 Lewelling White Vineyard Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (Robert Parker 97)
2010 McKeon-Phllips Sauvignon Blanc
???? Beckman Syrah
Monthly Gathering of The Flock
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Our monthly wino get together was held today. Theme was Red French Bordeauxs and French Champagnes. People went out for this tasting. The theme was a good one. Some people have a knack for picking out a good theme and others have no imagination. Small group today. A lot of people on vacations. We had 12 reds and 4 champagnes
A couple of exceptional wines were the 2004 Crystal Champagne and the 1989 Chateau Leoville Barton Saint Julien Bordeaux. The 2003 Chateau Ferriere-Margux stood in there also,
All the wines were very good and this tasting was really a pleasure to attend.
Our monthly wino get together was held today. Theme was Red French Bordeauxs and French Champagnes. People went out for this tasting. The theme was a good one. Some people have a knack for picking out a good theme and others have no imagination. Small group today. A lot of people on vacations. We had 12 reds and 4 champagnes
A couple of exceptional wines were the 2004 Crystal Champagne and the 1989 Chateau Leoville Barton Saint Julien Bordeaux. The 2003 Chateau Ferriere-Margux stood in there also,
All the wines were very good and this tasting was really a pleasure to attend.
In Search of More Varietals
Thursday, June 23, 2011 I have 4 people in that are active in the Winecentury.com quest for tasting numerous varietals of wine grapes.
I have my 200 certificate and they all have their 100 certificate. I purchased a bottle from Italy that supposedly had 152 varietals in it. I also put out a few other odd bottles I picked up in the last few weeks.
Steve Delong of Winecentury.com says that the bottle of Cento Uve I bought has many duplicates. After I submitted my list for the 300 certificate he said to double check. A little disappointing but since I had 277 varietals already I have no doubt that I will surpass the 300 mark. Now I just need "hours" free to be able to do this.
I have my 200 certificate and they all have their 100 certificate. I purchased a bottle from Italy that supposedly had 152 varietals in it. I also put out a few other odd bottles I picked up in the last few weeks.
Steve Delong of Winecentury.com says that the bottle of Cento Uve I bought has many duplicates. After I submitted my list for the 300 certificate he said to double check. A little disappointing but since I had 277 varietals already I have no doubt that I will surpass the 300 mark. Now I just need "hours" free to be able to do this.
Mid Week Wine Tastings
Normally I do not post about the wine tastings I do on a regular basis but I have done two in the past weeks that were exceptional.
On Tuesday, June 21, 2011 I stopped at Wine Country before going to The Factory for dinner. They had a special German Riesling tasting that night. Two winemakers from Germany were showcasing their wines. all were very good and the exceptional one was a 1985 Auslese. It had such depth to it. I can see why people can get hooked on older Rieslings.
On Wednesday, June 29, 2011 I went to ABC Liquor & Fine Wines in Long Beach. This place is a block off the beach and just at the beginning of Belmont Shore. Theu were tasting Dragonnette wines. I have tasted these wines a few weeks back at the Santa Barbara future's tasting at the Wine House in Los Angeles. Small winery. Sources most of their grapes from other vineyards. I was very impressed. So much so I paid $160 for 3 bottles. Their Fiddlestix Pinot was outstanding. Had a very chocolate, black cherry thing going on. The other was "MJM" a blend of 4 varietals. Both of these wines will cellar nicely for a few years.
I will definitely have to check on Dragonnette at the "Wine & Fire" event in August.
On Tuesday, June 21, 2011 I stopped at Wine Country before going to The Factory for dinner. They had a special German Riesling tasting that night. Two winemakers from Germany were showcasing their wines. all were very good and the exceptional one was a 1985 Auslese. It had such depth to it. I can see why people can get hooked on older Rieslings.
On Wednesday, June 29, 2011 I went to ABC Liquor & Fine Wines in Long Beach. This place is a block off the beach and just at the beginning of Belmont Shore. Theu were tasting Dragonnette wines. I have tasted these wines a few weeks back at the Santa Barbara future's tasting at the Wine House in Los Angeles. Small winery. Sources most of their grapes from other vineyards. I was very impressed. So much so I paid $160 for 3 bottles. Their Fiddlestix Pinot was outstanding. Had a very chocolate, black cherry thing going on. The other was "MJM" a blend of 4 varietals. Both of these wines will cellar nicely for a few years.
I will definitely have to check on Dragonnette at the "Wine & Fire" event in August.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Piedmont Wines & The Factory
Tuesday, 21, 2011
Missed last months dinner at the Factory due to their changing the date. Heard it was good so decided to try again. This place is always such a hit and miss.
Again late getting the first course out. Crostini with homemade mozzarella and fresh diced tomatoes with basil and balsamic vinegar. Crostini is getting old. Its being overdone. My piece of toasted bread was odd shaped with a very thick large end. Like they didn't want to waste any part of the loaf. Natalie gushed about making the mozzarella from scratch. Asked her if she bought mozzarella curd but she said no, she made her own curd from skim milk and rennet. I thought is was tough and had very little flavor. Instead of wasting time making it she should have gone to the local market and purchased a round of good mozzarella.
Next came a salad of field greens with chirizo, curds left over from the mozzarella , olives and a dressing made with olive oil and the brine from the olives. The salad was good. But it was served in a square bowl, all the dressing, olives and chirizo went to the bottom and you were constantly having to mix it it be able to get all the flavor. It would have much better on a plate.
After a long wait our "main" course arrived. Gnocchi with asparagus, white truffle oil, a green asparagus puree and a red bell pepper puree. Both of the purees were very good. I could not taste any "truffle" which is to bad because Piedmonte, Italy is known for its truffles. Natalie hand made the Gnocchi. This pasta should be cut evenly for cooking. It was not. Various sizes and what looked like the uneven ends of the roll of pasta. My Gnocchi on the outside of the plate was cold and in the middle luke warm. It was also heavy and Gnocchi is supposed to be light. They actually talked about it being heavier and prided themselves on it.
Dessert was a chocolate mousse with baked red cherries and cannoli whipped cream with chopped pistachios. This was good.
This was an OK dinner. It again was hit and miss. I sometimes wonder if in doing this BYOB dinners they try to get too creative on the food dishes. Sometimes it is much better to stay in your comfort zone and cook what you are really good at. A little more attention to detail on the crostini and the gnocchi would have been a good thing. If you can't get your plates out to your customers in a timely manner than you are taking on too much. They have upped the price of dinner to $30 which would be OK in light of the fact that everything has taken a jump in price lately. But this was not a $30 dinner. I could have had braised lamb shank at Delius with the sides for less money
The big "problem" with this dinner is NO PROTEIN. The only protein we had was a few slivers of chirizo in the salad. They could have added some chicken pieces to the main dish and it would have solved the problem. Natalie had left but we pointed this out to Eric her husband. He looked like he was shocked and did not realize what had happened. I think they were so busy trying to be creative they lost sight of the basics. We also pointed out to him that it would be nice to have the menu posted a few days in advance so we knew what types of wines to bring. Natalie has said she likes to be inspired by the Farmers Market that day. But does she have to be inspired for the entire menu ? A little less inspiration and more thought would be a big help.
Like Steve said if he had known there was not meat on the menu he wouldn't have opened a $70 bottle of Barolo. There were some good wines on one end of the table. Do not know what was on the other end as they seemed to hording them. They did pass down a Asti but I passed on it. Too sweet for my taste. We had a nice assortments of red & white. The wines passed the test but the dinner ????
Will try again next month and then re-evaluate if it worth the $30.
Missed last months dinner at the Factory due to their changing the date. Heard it was good so decided to try again. This place is always such a hit and miss.
Again late getting the first course out. Crostini with homemade mozzarella and fresh diced tomatoes with basil and balsamic vinegar. Crostini is getting old. Its being overdone. My piece of toasted bread was odd shaped with a very thick large end. Like they didn't want to waste any part of the loaf. Natalie gushed about making the mozzarella from scratch. Asked her if she bought mozzarella curd but she said no, she made her own curd from skim milk and rennet. I thought is was tough and had very little flavor. Instead of wasting time making it she should have gone to the local market and purchased a round of good mozzarella.
Next came a salad of field greens with chirizo, curds left over from the mozzarella , olives and a dressing made with olive oil and the brine from the olives. The salad was good. But it was served in a square bowl, all the dressing, olives and chirizo went to the bottom and you were constantly having to mix it it be able to get all the flavor. It would have much better on a plate.
After a long wait our "main" course arrived. Gnocchi with asparagus, white truffle oil, a green asparagus puree and a red bell pepper puree. Both of the purees were very good. I could not taste any "truffle" which is to bad because Piedmonte, Italy is known for its truffles. Natalie hand made the Gnocchi. This pasta should be cut evenly for cooking. It was not. Various sizes and what looked like the uneven ends of the roll of pasta. My Gnocchi on the outside of the plate was cold and in the middle luke warm. It was also heavy and Gnocchi is supposed to be light. They actually talked about it being heavier and prided themselves on it.
Dessert was a chocolate mousse with baked red cherries and cannoli whipped cream with chopped pistachios. This was good.
This was an OK dinner. It again was hit and miss. I sometimes wonder if in doing this BYOB dinners they try to get too creative on the food dishes. Sometimes it is much better to stay in your comfort zone and cook what you are really good at. A little more attention to detail on the crostini and the gnocchi would have been a good thing. If you can't get your plates out to your customers in a timely manner than you are taking on too much. They have upped the price of dinner to $30 which would be OK in light of the fact that everything has taken a jump in price lately. But this was not a $30 dinner. I could have had braised lamb shank at Delius with the sides for less money
The big "problem" with this dinner is NO PROTEIN. The only protein we had was a few slivers of chirizo in the salad. They could have added some chicken pieces to the main dish and it would have solved the problem. Natalie had left but we pointed this out to Eric her husband. He looked like he was shocked and did not realize what had happened. I think they were so busy trying to be creative they lost sight of the basics. We also pointed out to him that it would be nice to have the menu posted a few days in advance so we knew what types of wines to bring. Natalie has said she likes to be inspired by the Farmers Market that day. But does she have to be inspired for the entire menu ? A little less inspiration and more thought would be a big help.
Like Steve said if he had known there was not meat on the menu he wouldn't have opened a $70 bottle of Barolo. There were some good wines on one end of the table. Do not know what was on the other end as they seemed to hording them. They did pass down a Asti but I passed on it. Too sweet for my taste. We had a nice assortments of red & white. The wines passed the test but the dinner ????
Will try again next month and then re-evaluate if it worth the $30.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Walts Wharf & Copper River Salmon
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
6 of us met at Walt's Wharf in Seal Beach to get a taste of Copper River Salmon before the short season ends. Parking is always a problem in downtown Seal Beach but as luck had me I found a parking spot right by the back door of the restaurant.
We all brought higher end Pinot Noirs to share. Corkage was $10 which I was surprised that it wasn't more seeing as Walt's Wharf has an extensive wine list. The restaurant is owned by Dr. Babcock of Babcock Wines in the Sta Rita Hills area.
I brought a 2003 Clos Pepe Vigernon Select. There was a 2001 Williams Selyem Rochioli Vineyard. Both of these wines were excellent. Also brought was a 2005 and 2007 Sea Smoke Southing. Nice to compare the years. The 2005 was showing beautifully. The 2007 was good but could use a few more years aging. Rounded out with a 2008 Dundee Hills, 4 Graces, Black Family and a 2007 Abiouness Stanly Ranch.
Dinner was good., A bit pricey at $36 a plate but Copper River salmon is not cheap. It sells for about $26 + a pound in the fish markets.
The restaurantt was busy all night. Not packed but a constant turn over of tables. That is a good sign. Maybe the economy is starting to loosen slightly.
6 of us met at Walt's Wharf in Seal Beach to get a taste of Copper River Salmon before the short season ends. Parking is always a problem in downtown Seal Beach but as luck had me I found a parking spot right by the back door of the restaurant.
We all brought higher end Pinot Noirs to share. Corkage was $10 which I was surprised that it wasn't more seeing as Walt's Wharf has an extensive wine list. The restaurant is owned by Dr. Babcock of Babcock Wines in the Sta Rita Hills area.
I brought a 2003 Clos Pepe Vigernon Select. There was a 2001 Williams Selyem Rochioli Vineyard. Both of these wines were excellent. Also brought was a 2005 and 2007 Sea Smoke Southing. Nice to compare the years. The 2005 was showing beautifully. The 2007 was good but could use a few more years aging. Rounded out with a 2008 Dundee Hills, 4 Graces, Black Family and a 2007 Abiouness Stanly Ranch.
Dinner was good., A bit pricey at $36 a plate but Copper River salmon is not cheap. It sells for about $26 + a pound in the fish markets.
The restaurantt was busy all night. Not packed but a constant turn over of tables. That is a good sign. Maybe the economy is starting to loosen slightly.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Pinot Noir Tasting
Friday, June 10, 2011
Decided to do another Friday night seminar at the Wine Country is Signal Hill. Tonight is is Pinot Noirs. As I indicated at my last post on these seminars I have not been overly thrilled with them so I stopped going.
The person conducting this seminar was a lot more interesting than the last. What did I learn ? Not much but I did get to taste a lot of Pinots that I had not had before. So it was a $35 tasting of 13 wines with a small amount of new information.
The wines I particularly liked were the 2008 Mt. Eden, 2008 Nalle, 2008 Domaine Drouhin and of course the 2006 Clos Pepe which is one of my favorite wineries.
The other wines were good but not to my palate as much. 2010 Cardwell Hill Rose, 2007 Matthew D. Taylor Michaud Vineyard, 2006 Joseph Swan Saralee's Vineyard, 2009 Antica Terra, 2009 Felton Road. 2007 Pyramid Valley, 2007 Belle Pente, 2007 Rippon and the 2009 Copain Wentzel Vineyard.
As always in these seminars after a few tastes of wine the noise level rises and the "chatter" from the females increases, If it was about the wines it would be OK, but it was not about the wines. It becomes very distracting. It was an interesting evening. I would go back and do anothet seminar with this person but it would be a pick and choose situation.
Decided to do another Friday night seminar at the Wine Country is Signal Hill. Tonight is is Pinot Noirs. As I indicated at my last post on these seminars I have not been overly thrilled with them so I stopped going.
The person conducting this seminar was a lot more interesting than the last. What did I learn ? Not much but I did get to taste a lot of Pinots that I had not had before. So it was a $35 tasting of 13 wines with a small amount of new information.
The wines I particularly liked were the 2008 Mt. Eden, 2008 Nalle, 2008 Domaine Drouhin and of course the 2006 Clos Pepe which is one of my favorite wineries.
The other wines were good but not to my palate as much. 2010 Cardwell Hill Rose, 2007 Matthew D. Taylor Michaud Vineyard, 2006 Joseph Swan Saralee's Vineyard, 2009 Antica Terra, 2009 Felton Road. 2007 Pyramid Valley, 2007 Belle Pente, 2007 Rippon and the 2009 Copain Wentzel Vineyard.
As always in these seminars after a few tastes of wine the noise level rises and the "chatter" from the females increases, If it was about the wines it would be OK, but it was not about the wines. It becomes very distracting. It was an interesting evening. I would go back and do anothet seminar with this person but it would be a pick and choose situation.
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