Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Himilayan

Friday, January 20, 2012

7 of us got together tonight at the Himilayan in Sunset Beach.  Excellent food.

Big disappointment as they had taken the lamb chops off the menu. Sanjiv the owner explained that chops had gotten so expensive that he needed to drop them. I would pay more money for them but many others won't. Always looking for that$60 meal at a $10 price.

I also have come to the conclusion that for this particular restaurant 6 is the max for a table. 5 is ideal.

We started off with Samosa's and Meat Momo's. Always have to have the garlic Naan. Other dishes that were ordered were Vegetables Korma, Lamb Korma, Lamb Vindahloo, Chicken Tiki Masala and rice Biryani. The rice came at the very end of the meal.  I would have liked to to be served at the beginning. We did have plain rice but its not the same.

Wines that graced the table tonight were:
NV Perrier Joulet Grand Brut
2009 Caravan
60/07 blended - Cain Cuvee, Napa
2009 Metier Doyenne (red)
2009 Curran Grenache Blanc
2005 Williams Selyem Russian River Pinot Noir
2004 Zegeshio Old Vine Zinfandel
2006 Lone Madrone Syrah
2006 Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir.

Jnauary 2012 - The Winos

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Today's theme was California Central Coast Rhone Varietals. 23 bottles showed up. Football playoff game was today but Oliver had the TV on for those who could not stay away from it.

One of the better wines today was a 2006 Saxum Broken Stones Syrah from the Paso Robles area. That bottle was consumed and gone before some people knew it was there. And that was with the 1-1/2 oz pourers that we use.

As usual there were the god, the bad and the ugly. Mostly good but a few that should have gone into the vinegar jar,

Lisa & Oliver grilled some nice steaks and Oliver relented and made one rare for a few of us carnivores. Oliver likes his meat well done. Funny thing is at the end of the day the rare meat was gone and the medium and well done still have pieces on the platter.

Cora's Celebration of Life

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Our dear friend Cora's cancer has spread to her liver. We decided to have a "Celebration of Life" or a "wake" for her while she is still with us. She wanted to able to say her goodbyes to friends while she is able.

Terry her husband brought a magnum of McKeon-Phillips CPR Caberent. This bottle was to be emptied because it will become the vessel for her ashes. Some people may think this is off the wall or maybe even morbid. I feel its great tribute to a wonderful person who loved wine, food and friends.

4 of us got together to host this event. Part of it covered by KCET who is doing a documentary on Hospice.

People attending were generous in their contributing wine and food altho we did not ask for it.

Cora gave a very moving "speech".. The tears flowed. We all have great memories with Cora and will always remember her . I think over the years whenever we fill a glass with wine we will offer a toast to Cora.

Start off The New Year at Francos

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Small table tonight at Franco's in Cypress/Los Alamitos. Great family run Italian restaurant. The place was packed. People know good food and support it.

Ordered the shrimp appetizer but it was not what I was expecting. I thought we would be getting the Franco;s Special and it was not. I love the special because the butter/garlic sauce is so good for dipping bread into it. This dish was a tomato based sauce. Good but not the same.

I ordered the filet with gorgonzola . Excellent. Cooked perfect for me. Just this side of dead. There were a couple of other filets ordered, a pork chop and alas another dish I do not remember. But there is never a bad dish at Francos.

Wines were really good tonight:
NV La Saltelle Premier Cru
2001 Stolpman La Croce - perfection
2004 Il Sasso Carignan
2005 Melville Indulgence
2009 Charles Hrug, Younville Cabernet.