Hyatt & Hartford Court Wines

Friday, October 5, 2012

The Hyatt Huntington Beach (3/4 mile long resort) hosted a Hartford Court wine dinner tonight. 7 of us ventured out for this dinner. It was Paul & Margies anniversary so they got a suite for the night and Ray & Barbara stayed over also  instead of driving back  home that evening. Since I live 15 minutes away it would have been wasted money to book a room. This place is not inexpensive.

The reception was held outside and the weather was comfortable. No breeze but not hot like last week. They poured the 2010 Russian River Valley Chardonnay and had several appetizers to go with it. A crostini with cream cheese and olive tapenade, a gorgonzola stuffed grape and a stack with watermelon, pesto and topped with goat cheese.

This was a smaller crowd in attendance that the last dinner we did at the hotel. But it really made for better seating arrangements. We at least could get our legs under the table. Last time we had our knees hitting the side of the table.

They brought out bread (they do have really good bread)  with small dipping bowls filled (to the brim) with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Problem being one bowl shared with another person. So if you like to double dip this was not an accepptable arrangement. We tried pouring the oil from the bowl on the small bread plate which turned out to be a real mess. Then you did not get the balsamic. If they dodn't want to bother with cruets they should have place a bowl at each persons setting.

First up  was a Chef's Amuse which turned out to be a wine poached mini pear  with a goat cheese filling and a tart red tomato jam. Very good and had a bite to it. They repoured the 2010 Russian River Chardonnay with it.

First course was a Smoked & Seared Shetland Island Salmon with a celery root and apple mint slaw , horseradish dressing. Salmon was excellent and cooked perfectly. It is flown in from Scotland for the hotel. The "slaw" was ok - the horeseradish in the dressing was very light. A 2000 Four Hearts Russian River Valley Chardonnay was paired with this dish. I personally preferred the other Chardonnay to this one.

Second course they served a Duck Prosciutto and Argula Salad, Cherry Gastrique, Pistachios, & Drake Farm's Chevre Crouton.  I did find the duck after decomposing the salad. But you really had to look for it. The gastrique was good and the crouton was excellent.  I am not a big fan of "salads" with wine dinners. They generally do not pair well with wine and this was no exception. The wine was a 2010 Russian River Pinot Noir. Its bad enough to get a white wine with a salad but a red wine - really. And a "slaw" followed by a "salad" - odd

Main course was a Pinot Braised Beef Cheek with polenta bianca, cultivated mushrooms (as to wild ????)\,  beets, ( I thought is was butternut squash cubes) baby carrots, spicy granola and Natural Jus.  OK - beef cheeks were excellent, the granola topping interesting, the polenta was "rustic" not creamy. A good dish but not fantastic.  Wine paired with this dish was a 2009 Lands Edge Vineyards, Sonoma Coat, Pinot Noir. Decent wine. But I liked the Russian River Pinot more.

Dessert was a carmelized gala apple, rose creme fraiche, hazelnut crumble. Good flavors and the Rose Cream had a very interesting taste to it. Served with a 2010 Ole Vine , Russian River Zinfandel. I still prefer dessert wines with savory - sweet on sweet is overkill. Altho this zin was not real sweet but very fruity as most old vine grapes turn out to be.

Decent dinner - not to Michaels or Deluis' quality. And the pricing is about the same. Fortunately they validated parking with the dinner. Otherwise $19 valet parking and there is no street parking unless you want to try the street in front of the beach and walk a distance to the hotel.