Sunday, October 13, 2013

Prime Cut

Saturday, October 12, 2013

13 of us gathered tonight in the cellar room at Prime Cut. Near the Honda Center. We have been here before and the food was always good. No corkage for us tonight.

The specialize in prime steaks and prime rib.  I ordered the Ribeye steak. Great flavor but quite a bit of grizzle at one end. Several people indicated the same with their steaks. For the price this not acceptable. I had the creamed spinach for my side and it was very good.

Conversation was lively at my end of the table. But when you have a long table with so many people you always have "Two Tables". Each end becomes separate. The "other" end seemed to be having  a good time but we obviously were  noisier. 

Wines were varied and good. A couple were exceptional to the rest. A couple of people didn't think it was important to list the year of their wines when the notepad was passed around.

2007 Chateau Maegene, Paso Robles, Cabernet Franc
????  Verante, Chile, Chardonnay - this person also brought a red from Walla Walla but did not write it down
????  Arcardian Chardonnay
????  LeCueve Pinot Noir
2009 Stags Leap Wine Cellars, Artemis, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon
2012 Halter Ranch Cotes de Paso, Blanc
NV   Robert Moncuit, Le Mesnile-Sur-Oger Brut Champagne
2011 Anthill Farm, Campbell Ranch, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir
2010 Orin Swift, Papillon
2010 Stolpman, Hilltops, Santa Ynez, Sryah (Ballard Canyon has just received its AVA designation)
2008 Ramazzotti Regale, Alexander Valley Blend (Merlot, Cabernet, Syrah & Cab Franc)\
2008 McKeon Phillips Malbec Reserve, Paso Robles  (last produced)
2008 Williams Selyem, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir

The Williams Selyem, McKeon Phillips and the Orin Swift I think were the really good wines of the ones that I tasted. I did not taste them all

Pouzzoli Winery

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Several of us met at the  Pouzzoli tasting room in Tustin. Sat in the barrel room. Wines were nice. Did not buy and because I am trying to reduce the size of my cellar by a lot and the only way to do that is drink, not buy. 

A little disappointed in the information that was given to us, which is to say was not enough. The son is a soft spoken person, hard to hear unless you are right next to him.

A nice appetizer spread was put out so that was a big plus,

They plan on opening a tasting room in Paso Robles at their winery and continue to keep the one in Tustin.

Gladstones at Shoreline

Met at Gladstones in Shoreline Village. 5 of us for dinner. We sat outside on the patio area. The Santa Ana winds were blowing today so the evening by the water was really nice. Did not bring any wine as the people I was dining with are not "winos" A house brand is always OK for them.

Had the Lobster Sushi roll for dinner. It was very large and filling. Also very good. A couple of people had Fish and Chips along with New England style Clam Chowder. No one had a complaint. Prices weren't too out of line. It is a "tourist" area.

Parking hits you hard. Either valet or self park. Self park for the evening was $8 about the same for valet. But the walk from the self park is nice, past all the boats. And tonight was quite pleasant. Bad weather I would opt for the valet.

Buon Gusto

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Went back to Buon Gusto in Huntington Beach tonight to refresh myself in order to write a small article in out community newsletter. Not formal, unpretentious and a little noisy. The restaurant is clean and service is fast. Get there early because it gets packed with people in the early evening. Portions are huge and take home is the norm.

Two of us had the house salad which was a meal in its self. Crisp lettuce, loaded with marinated vegetables and freshly grated cheese. Bread comes with every meal. I ordered the Veal Marsala. Two large slices of veal on a bed of Rigatoni, Loaded with mushrooms and a good sauce. Other dishes order were the pasta with meat sauce and Gnocchi with marinara sauce. Sauces are made fresh in house.

Since the other two people really did not drink wine I did not bring any tonight. No corkage which is good. Had a glass of the house Chianti which is made by San Antonio Winery in Los Angeles, At $3 a glass is was decent "Diego Red".

Quick Dinner at Golden Star

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

The boys and I met for dinner tonight. Unfortunately, Henry who was very pale when he walked in, continued to get paler and got so sick that we had to drive him home. So dinner was cut very short.

We did order some dishes we have not had for quite awhile. Everything was good but under the circumstances we did not linger. Several of the dishes were boxed up to take home.

We started out with a Pork and Vegetable soup which had great flavor. Then on to Beef & Chinese Broccoli, BBQ ribs which ha a sweet maple taste to them, Pea Shoots, Clams and Fried Bass.

Our wines which everyone took home because the bottles were hardly touched were: 2008 Clos Pepe VS Pinot Noir, excellent. 2008 & 2003  McKeon Phillips BPR Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 Mt Brave Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 AP Vin, Rancho Ontiveras Pinot Noir, again excellent. 2007 P2 Cargassachi Pinot Noir.

A good line up of wines. And food.  There will always be a next time. Henry was feeling much better the next day when I talked with him and thankfully is was not the flu.