New Year & The Seafood Palace

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

One of our favorites. 7 of us gathered around the lazy susan this evening. Terry was under the weather so he did not make it.

We started off with the Salt & Pepper Calamari and the fried Tofu for Margie. Calamari was excellent. I did not taste the Tofu but it is always good. Told Margie she could have my piece because there were some more seafood dishes coming up.

Next was the Spicy Sour Soup.  Always good and since it was really cold (at least to us in So Cal) it hit the spot.

Peking Duck appeared. Bob ended up taking the head home. It was cooked dry so he thought it would be interesting to have it hang around his house for awhile.

Next up was a really good dish. Scallops with the Chef's Sauce. Slightly sweet and caramelized. Made a great mouthful. Its really too bad Margie did not try this dish. She said she could smell the scallop. But it was sweet and exceptionally good.

Shrimp with Chinese Broccoli, Sauteed Pea Shoots with Garlic and Beef with Chives rounded out the meal. The Pea Shoots were exceptional tonight.

Our wines went all over the place tonight. I brought a 2005 AP Vin Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir and the 011 Castellani Vernaccia Di San Gimignano that I had bought Tuesday night at the dinner at Finbar's.

CJ brought a 2000 Battaglini Twin Pines Ranch, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir which was excellent.

2006 Huber, Sta Rita Hills Pinot Noir, 2007 Lachini Cuvee Giselle, Chehlam Mtns., Pinot Noir,  Carmody McKinght, Art of The Vineyard, red blend, 2012 Artiste Skyline, blend and a NV Saint Chament, Blanc de Blanc Champagne made the balance of the wines.

The Champagne was excellent. Margie usually does a good job on  her bubblies.

Another good dinner with good friends and good wines. Doesn't get much better. Now if the weather would just warm up a little.