Olive Oil Tasting and Dinner at Preveza

Saturday, August 14, 2013

A new place has opened in Los Alamitos. Antcia. They sell Olive Oils, Balsamic Vinegars and Spices. We had a class on tasting the products which was quite interesting and informative. I did learn quite a few new things about oils and vinegars.

I bought a Honey-Ginger Balsamic,  Dark Chocolate Balsamic and a Garlic Olive Oil. It was temping to buy more but the store is close and easy for me to go back to. They have a recipe and pairing  paper that gives you much needed information.

This a definite return place. Prices are reasonable for the quality

Afterwards we headed down one block and across the street to have dinner at Preveza. It has been over year since I ate here. I probably will not go back. The quality of the food has declined quite a bit. I had the "Aegean Sea"  which is pasta with white wine sauce and clams, mussells and shrimp. \The shrimp were either frozen or old. They used to put scallops and white fish in the dish. I also noticed that restaurant was not that busy on a Saturday night. It used to be packed with people waiting outside.

There were 12 of us and they had a very long rectangular table set up for about 20. If they would have taken the smaller table at the end and moved it elsewhere then the seating would have worked better. As it was because it was so tight to get in and out people who came in late were on the other side way at the end.

 So I think that whatever was happening with the universe Wednesday was till in force tonight. A bottle of opened wine got knocked over, a wine glass with wine in it,  got broken. I lost my Nuance wine pourer and a very good ink pen. I also had a bad bout of acid reflux and had to dash to the restroom. That has not happened in awhile.

I brought a 2007 Lucia, Santa Lucia Highlands, Pinot Noit - was disappointed as it was corked. So into the vinegar jar it goes to make wine vinegar for next year.

Other wines brought:
2011 Tobin James, James Gang Reserve, Chardonnay
32003 Tobin James, Silver Reserve Syrah
2011 Pecchenino ,San Lugi Dogliani red Wine
2011 Hart, Huis Vineyard, Temecula, Sangiovese
2011 Meiomi, Pinot Noir
2011 Lynmar, Laguna Ridge Pinot Noir
2012 Cakebread Cellars, Savignon Blanc
2011 Two Hands Gnarly Dudes, Barossa Valley, Shiraz
NV Private Cuvee, Danza del Sol Winery Espumosa , Lodi Sparkling
2011 Weingut Geil, Gerwurztraminer, Kabimett
200 Chateau St Jean, Cing Cepages
2010 Rombauer,  Zinfandel

So a very good day for Margie's Fun Wine Activity for August in spite of a few mishaps. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the Olive Oil place because they bought a lot  of product