Friday, June 20,2014
I have a friend, Joe, that I have known for 35 years. We have treated each other to lunch on our birthdays in all the period of time. Joe is now retired so this year I suggested dinner. I made reservations at Delius, www.deliusrestaurant.com, for Friday night. Menu looked good for the Prix Fixe Room. I was hoping he would be impressed and he was. Joe has never done Prix Fixe dining before and he became a big fan of it right away. No rush, no noise.
We started out with a Heirloom Tomato Salad, House Made Tuscan Flatbread and Buratta Cheese. I am not a big fan or raw tomatoes but I did eat the small grape tomatoes. At least they are not acidic.Joe finished off the rest of my tomatoes. Burrata cheese was wonderful. They paired this dish with a NV Grendin Sparkling Rose from the Loire Valley. It was a very good pairing.
Second course was Spicy Shredded Pork Sopes, Goat Feta, Baby Arugula and Cilantro Pesto. Sopes is a corn cake. This dish had loads of flavor and the wine poured was a 2013 Purato Nero D'Avola. Decent pairing, not perfect but decent.
Next was a Pan Seared Ivory Salmon with Morocccan Spiced Preserved Lemon Polenta. Polenta was very good. I had never heard of Ivory Salmon before. After googling it up apparently it is not common but is starting to become the darling of chefs. I found it exceedingly good. Wine was a 2012 Hill Family Albarino from Napa Valley. Wine went well with the salmon.
Fourth course was a Mushroom Crusted Hangar Steak, Blue Cheese Butter and Hassleback potatoes. Loved the potatoes. Steak had good flavor and was very tender. A 2012 Equinox Crozes-Hermitage from France was the wine choice. Good pairing.
We finished the meal with a Summer Nectarine Almond Crisp with House Made Ice Cream.
As usual by time I get to this point I am stuffed. Portions are small but so packed with flavor.
My friend really enjoyed his first experience with Prix Fixe dining. Loved the food. A good birthday present for him. He lives in Altadena so it is a bit of a ride for him to come to Long Beach but I have an idea he may want to try dinner again.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Issara Thai in Huntington Beach
Saturday, June 21, 2014
This month for Margie's Wine Activity we went to Issara, www.Issarathaicuisine.com, Margie negotiated the price with David Hoon the owner and for a nine course meal it came to $25 inclusive. Menu was preset which was smart for this type of restaurant. 16 of us tonight for dinner so we were split in 3 tables. Personally I am not in favor of this type of dining for a small group. It seems like there were 3 group of people. Conversations were limited to those at you table. I would prefer to keep the group to 8 people so you can all sit together. But I am probably in the minority when it comes to this thought. This time Margie did have everyone pass the bottles of wine clockwise so we all got a chance to drink the different wines. Unfortunately a couple of wines didn't get passed when the should. The persons excuse was they hadn't tasted all the wines on their table yet so they didn't want to pass them on yet. The bottles eventually get back to where they started originally. The concept works well when everyone cooperates. Knowing one of the two bottles that I brought would never get back to me with anything in it, I poured myself a real hefty pour before passing it on. Of all the wines brought there were only 5 red wines. I was so glad I poured my red heavy. Way too many white wines on the table.
We started out with Vegetable Egg Rolls. My Tercero Mouverde Rose was an excellent pairing with this dish. Then came a plate of Beef Satay. My Yung with Sticky Rice was set down. This is a grilled pork dish but the sticky rice was non-existent. Pork had excellent flavor. A Shrimp and Herb Salad was next. Shrimp was good. One per person though. Herb salad is not my forte so I passed on all that stuff.
Yellow Curry Chicken with Crispy Roti came before us. This is an excellent dish. But we had to ask for rice. They were very slow in getting bowls of plain white rice out but once it started then a dish was always on the table. Roti is similar to pita bread but thinner and crispier.
The favorite dish of the evening came out. A Crispy Sole with Spicy Apple Salad. This is a great dish. Fish is moist and the breading is very crisp. Next was Pad Thai with Shrimp. It was good and a bowl of Issara Special Fried Rice with Chicken. For some reason this fried rice was not as good as it was a few weeks ago.
Meal ended with Thai Tea Ice Cream which was freshly made. This ice cream had excellent flavor.
A wide array of wines were brought. Most went well with the food but a couple of reds I really questioned myself silently of why someone would bring that type of red to a Thai meal.
2008 Sea Smoke Botella. Sta. Rita Hills
2013 Tercero Mouvedre Rose, Santa Ynez
2012 Patricia Green Cellars Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
2012 Gundlach Bundschu Estate, Gerwurztraminer, Sonoma
NV Mailly Grand Cru Brut Reserve
NV Berberana Gran Tradicion Cava Brut, Spain
2012 Chateau St. Michelle. Gerwurztraminer, Columbia Valley, WA
2011 Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler, Riesling, Germany
2011 Joel Gott, Riesling, Columbia Valley, WA
2010 Tobin James, Primitivo, Paso Robles
2012 Bridgman, Riesling, Columbia Valley, WA
2011 Domaine Alsace, Zind Humbrecht, Pinot Gris, Germany
2009 Huber Cellars, Estate, Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills
2013 Solistz, Lune et Soliel, Sauvignon Blanc
2011 Domaine de Malavielle Charmille Rose, France
2011 Monchhof Urzig Wurzgarten, Riesling Spatlese, Germany
2011 Huber Cellars Estate, Dornfelder, Sta. Rita Hills
2012 Weins, Viognier
2007 McKeon-Phillips, Belles' Nebbiolo, Santa Maria
This month for Margie's Wine Activity we went to Issara, www.Issarathaicuisine.com, Margie negotiated the price with David Hoon the owner and for a nine course meal it came to $25 inclusive. Menu was preset which was smart for this type of restaurant. 16 of us tonight for dinner so we were split in 3 tables. Personally I am not in favor of this type of dining for a small group. It seems like there were 3 group of people. Conversations were limited to those at you table. I would prefer to keep the group to 8 people so you can all sit together. But I am probably in the minority when it comes to this thought. This time Margie did have everyone pass the bottles of wine clockwise so we all got a chance to drink the different wines. Unfortunately a couple of wines didn't get passed when the should. The persons excuse was they hadn't tasted all the wines on their table yet so they didn't want to pass them on yet. The bottles eventually get back to where they started originally. The concept works well when everyone cooperates. Knowing one of the two bottles that I brought would never get back to me with anything in it, I poured myself a real hefty pour before passing it on. Of all the wines brought there were only 5 red wines. I was so glad I poured my red heavy. Way too many white wines on the table.
We started out with Vegetable Egg Rolls. My Tercero Mouverde Rose was an excellent pairing with this dish. Then came a plate of Beef Satay. My Yung with Sticky Rice was set down. This is a grilled pork dish but the sticky rice was non-existent. Pork had excellent flavor. A Shrimp and Herb Salad was next. Shrimp was good. One per person though. Herb salad is not my forte so I passed on all that stuff.
Yellow Curry Chicken with Crispy Roti came before us. This is an excellent dish. But we had to ask for rice. They were very slow in getting bowls of plain white rice out but once it started then a dish was always on the table. Roti is similar to pita bread but thinner and crispier.
The favorite dish of the evening came out. A Crispy Sole with Spicy Apple Salad. This is a great dish. Fish is moist and the breading is very crisp. Next was Pad Thai with Shrimp. It was good and a bowl of Issara Special Fried Rice with Chicken. For some reason this fried rice was not as good as it was a few weeks ago.
Meal ended with Thai Tea Ice Cream which was freshly made. This ice cream had excellent flavor.
A wide array of wines were brought. Most went well with the food but a couple of reds I really questioned myself silently of why someone would bring that type of red to a Thai meal.
2008 Sea Smoke Botella. Sta. Rita Hills
2013 Tercero Mouvedre Rose, Santa Ynez
2012 Patricia Green Cellars Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
2012 Gundlach Bundschu Estate, Gerwurztraminer, Sonoma
NV Mailly Grand Cru Brut Reserve
NV Berberana Gran Tradicion Cava Brut, Spain
2012 Chateau St. Michelle. Gerwurztraminer, Columbia Valley, WA
2011 Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler, Riesling, Germany
2011 Joel Gott, Riesling, Columbia Valley, WA
2010 Tobin James, Primitivo, Paso Robles
2012 Bridgman, Riesling, Columbia Valley, WA
2011 Domaine Alsace, Zind Humbrecht, Pinot Gris, Germany
2009 Huber Cellars, Estate, Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills
2013 Solistz, Lune et Soliel, Sauvignon Blanc
2011 Domaine de Malavielle Charmille Rose, France
2011 Monchhof Urzig Wurzgarten, Riesling Spatlese, Germany
2011 Huber Cellars Estate, Dornfelder, Sta. Rita Hills
2012 Weins, Viognier
2007 McKeon-Phillips, Belles' Nebbiolo, Santa Maria
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Maderia Wine Dinner at Delius
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Wine Country in Signal Hill, www.thewinecountry.com and Delius restaurant, www.deliusrestaurant.com, hosted a dinner tonight with dishes paired with Maderia wines and a two Portuguese red wines. I was looking forward to this unusual pairing of food and wine.. I sat with Vince the local wine distributor rep, Randy and Dale Kemmner and one of their staff from the Wine Country and Ruy, the Winery rep from Portugal. This was another sold out dinner for Delius.
Patrick Gallardo their Sous Chef has been put in charge of all the menus for these wine dinners and he is doing an excellent job. He started out slow a couple of years ago but quickly learned from his mistakes and has really turned out to be a gem for Delius. Not overly complicated dishes like Daniel used to do. Patrick does clean, simple and fabulous flavors.
We started out with what tuned out to be my absolute favorite dish of the night. Fig, Pistachio and Orange Zest Crusted Halibut, with Sercial Bur Blanc and Rainbow Carrots.The crust was so light and delicate, almost like a crystalized sugar and the halibut was cooked to perfection. A 5 Year Old Blandy's Sercial Maderia was paired with this dish and it was a perfect pairing.
Louise made Shallot bread for tonight. Used to be the house standard but it is not only for special occasions.. This bread is so good. I ate two pieces becuse I just couldn't say no.
Second course was Duck Consomme with Carmelized Onions and Beach Mushrooms. Consomme had excellent flavor and the onions were in a canelle shape. They were so sweet. I was a toss up which was sweeter the onions or the 10 Year Old Blandy's Verdelho Maderia. Again a great pairing.
Third course was set in front of us. Braised Boneless Beef Shortribs, Portobello Mushroom Risotto and Sauteed Black Kale. The meat was tender and loaded with flavor.The risotto was perfect but I was not a fan of the black kale. It seemed to be more bitter than green kale. Two red wines were served with this dish. A 2009 Prats and Symington Prazo de Roriz and a 2011 Prats and Symington Post Scriptum. Both dark and inky and loaded with flavor. The Post Scriptum having a bigger fruit forward taste and the Roriz having a more subtle balanced finish.. People do not give enough respect to Portugese wines. They have some very good wines, both white and reds and the prices are still reasonable.
A tray of Artisan Cheese was served. All cheeses came form the Cheese Connection in Belmont Shore. Brillat Savarin, a soft triple cream, from Normandy. Prima Donna, a Gruyere Style, Holland. Midnight Moon, aged goat cheese from Monterey, CA and a Point Reyes Blue cheese from San Francisco. Also on the plate were figs soaked in Maderia, poached pears, nuts and crackers. a 15 Year Old Blandy's Bual Maderia and a 10 Year Old Blandy's Malmsey Maderia were paired with the cheese plate.
Dinner was finished with a Sticky Toffee Pudding and a canelle of house made ice cream. This dinner was a bargain at $79. It was hard for me to envision pairing Maderia with dinner food dishes but I was so surprised. Again another great dinner at Delius.
Wine Country in Signal Hill, www.thewinecountry.com and Delius restaurant, www.deliusrestaurant.com, hosted a dinner tonight with dishes paired with Maderia wines and a two Portuguese red wines. I was looking forward to this unusual pairing of food and wine.. I sat with Vince the local wine distributor rep, Randy and Dale Kemmner and one of their staff from the Wine Country and Ruy, the Winery rep from Portugal. This was another sold out dinner for Delius.
Patrick Gallardo their Sous Chef has been put in charge of all the menus for these wine dinners and he is doing an excellent job. He started out slow a couple of years ago but quickly learned from his mistakes and has really turned out to be a gem for Delius. Not overly complicated dishes like Daniel used to do. Patrick does clean, simple and fabulous flavors.
We started out with what tuned out to be my absolute favorite dish of the night. Fig, Pistachio and Orange Zest Crusted Halibut, with Sercial Bur Blanc and Rainbow Carrots.The crust was so light and delicate, almost like a crystalized sugar and the halibut was cooked to perfection. A 5 Year Old Blandy's Sercial Maderia was paired with this dish and it was a perfect pairing.
Louise made Shallot bread for tonight. Used to be the house standard but it is not only for special occasions.. This bread is so good. I ate two pieces becuse I just couldn't say no.
Second course was Duck Consomme with Carmelized Onions and Beach Mushrooms. Consomme had excellent flavor and the onions were in a canelle shape. They were so sweet. I was a toss up which was sweeter the onions or the 10 Year Old Blandy's Verdelho Maderia. Again a great pairing.
Third course was set in front of us. Braised Boneless Beef Shortribs, Portobello Mushroom Risotto and Sauteed Black Kale. The meat was tender and loaded with flavor.The risotto was perfect but I was not a fan of the black kale. It seemed to be more bitter than green kale. Two red wines were served with this dish. A 2009 Prats and Symington Prazo de Roriz and a 2011 Prats and Symington Post Scriptum. Both dark and inky and loaded with flavor. The Post Scriptum having a bigger fruit forward taste and the Roriz having a more subtle balanced finish.. People do not give enough respect to Portugese wines. They have some very good wines, both white and reds and the prices are still reasonable.
A tray of Artisan Cheese was served. All cheeses came form the Cheese Connection in Belmont Shore. Brillat Savarin, a soft triple cream, from Normandy. Prima Donna, a Gruyere Style, Holland. Midnight Moon, aged goat cheese from Monterey, CA and a Point Reyes Blue cheese from San Francisco. Also on the plate were figs soaked in Maderia, poached pears, nuts and crackers. a 15 Year Old Blandy's Bual Maderia and a 10 Year Old Blandy's Malmsey Maderia were paired with the cheese plate.
Dinner was finished with a Sticky Toffee Pudding and a canelle of house made ice cream. This dinner was a bargain at $79. It was hard for me to envision pairing Maderia with dinner food dishes but I was so surprised. Again another great dinner at Delius.
Bistro St. Germaine
Friday, June 13, 2014
Met a friend of mine who is a independent wine rep at the new place in town to check out the food. In Seal Beach on Main St at Electric Ave., The restaurant took over the space that used to be Main Street Wine Shop. Named Bistro St. Germaine. website is, www.Bistrostgermaine.com. Run by Pascale Chheng and Armand Chheng. Vietnamese of Chinese ancestry born in France. Hence the Asian / French influence in the food.
This place still has some kinks to work out in the service area and "selling" their products. The waitstaff that we had was the daughter of one of the investors and she had never waited tables before. She also was from France and they do have a different way of taking care of customers. There were no suggestions on food or wine unless you specifically asked. Otherwise not pushy but they still need to work on this. While waiting for Susan to arrive I would have ordered a glass of bubbly 10 minutes before I did if she had suggested it. Wine list was on the back of the menu and it was not pointed out to me
Susan brought about a dozen bottles of wine in various stages of age. What was not in the best shape she gave to the restaurant for cooking. She had a couple of bottles of sparklings which were quite good. I tried to write down the wines but after while it got to be a hassle.
I started out with the French Onion Soup which had excellent flavor but it was warm not hot. Susan had a salad that was good also. Butter lettuce at her request with very fresh cooked shrimp, red grapefruit, teardrop tomatoes and cucumber slices. The dressing was excellent and had a slight touch of a fennel taste.
We both ordered crepes. I am not a crepe fan but the fillings on these were so intriguing I had to try one. The crepes came out on the plate just folded in half. Not rolled. Very large. Mine was the St. Tropez crepe filled with artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, cheese and a basil cream sauce. Asked for a small bowl of extra sauce because I really could not taste it in the crepe itself. We shared a Chocolate Mousse which was very good.
The food is good, again a few tweaks to be made. But the restaurant has only been open about a month. I would go back and try it a few more times and hope they get the kinks worked out. It has great potential. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Met a friend of mine who is a independent wine rep at the new place in town to check out the food. In Seal Beach on Main St at Electric Ave., The restaurant took over the space that used to be Main Street Wine Shop. Named Bistro St. Germaine. website is, www.Bistrostgermaine.com. Run by Pascale Chheng and Armand Chheng. Vietnamese of Chinese ancestry born in France. Hence the Asian / French influence in the food.
This place still has some kinks to work out in the service area and "selling" their products. The waitstaff that we had was the daughter of one of the investors and she had never waited tables before. She also was from France and they do have a different way of taking care of customers. There were no suggestions on food or wine unless you specifically asked. Otherwise not pushy but they still need to work on this. While waiting for Susan to arrive I would have ordered a glass of bubbly 10 minutes before I did if she had suggested it. Wine list was on the back of the menu and it was not pointed out to me
Susan brought about a dozen bottles of wine in various stages of age. What was not in the best shape she gave to the restaurant for cooking. She had a couple of bottles of sparklings which were quite good. I tried to write down the wines but after while it got to be a hassle.
I started out with the French Onion Soup which had excellent flavor but it was warm not hot. Susan had a salad that was good also. Butter lettuce at her request with very fresh cooked shrimp, red grapefruit, teardrop tomatoes and cucumber slices. The dressing was excellent and had a slight touch of a fennel taste.
We both ordered crepes. I am not a crepe fan but the fillings on these were so intriguing I had to try one. The crepes came out on the plate just folded in half. Not rolled. Very large. Mine was the St. Tropez crepe filled with artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, cheese and a basil cream sauce. Asked for a small bowl of extra sauce because I really could not taste it in the crepe itself. We shared a Chocolate Mousse which was very good.
The food is good, again a few tweaks to be made. But the restaurant has only been open about a month. I would go back and try it a few more times and hope they get the kinks worked out. It has great potential. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Dinner at The Seafood Palace
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Since CJ has not been able to make the last few Dim Sum's we have done, we opted for dinner. There were 7 of us tonight. Terry is still recovering from hip surgery so his daughter Elizabeth drove him and joined us That meant instead of me and the boys it was us and the boys. The restaurant was crowded tonight because of all the graduation celebrations.
Started off with Sweet & Sour Soup followed by Chinese BBQ pork. Meat was tender and had very good flavor. Next a plate of Salt & Pepper Calamari was set down in front of us. This is always a big favorite of ours.
Beef and Broccoli and then Peking Duck appeared. I do like the duck at the Golden Star better but the seafood here is the best.
We needed something with vegetables so Henry ordered a Tofu dish that had salted fish along with chicken, mushrooms, carrots, snow peas. The sauce was so good and that little kick that the salted fish gave was perfect.
Ended up with Seabass with carrots, and Chinese broccoli. Fish was outstanding. Dessert was a mango pudding with fruit cocktail.
Everyone outdid themselves tonight on the wine selection. Maybe because we had not really done a dinner lately, just Dim Sum.
I brought a 2006 Roar, Garys Vineyard, Pinot Noir. Showed very well and was one of the first bottles emptied.
2003 Altamura, Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 P2, Momtazi, Pinot Noir
2007 Sea Smoke, Southing, Pinot Noir
2009 Saxum Paderwski Vineyard, Zinfandel blend
2009 McKeon-Phllips BPR, Cabernet Sauvignon
2010 Miramar, Don Miguel Vineyard, Russian River, Chardonnay
So another Chinese dinner has bit the dust. Have to start planning another Dim Sum soon. Next Monday that I take off work will probably be it. When I start taking every other Monday off I am sure we will get a lot of Dim Sums in. Can't beat the price. Best deal in town.
Since CJ has not been able to make the last few Dim Sum's we have done, we opted for dinner. There were 7 of us tonight. Terry is still recovering from hip surgery so his daughter Elizabeth drove him and joined us That meant instead of me and the boys it was us and the boys. The restaurant was crowded tonight because of all the graduation celebrations.
Started off with Sweet & Sour Soup followed by Chinese BBQ pork. Meat was tender and had very good flavor. Next a plate of Salt & Pepper Calamari was set down in front of us. This is always a big favorite of ours.
Beef and Broccoli and then Peking Duck appeared. I do like the duck at the Golden Star better but the seafood here is the best.
We needed something with vegetables so Henry ordered a Tofu dish that had salted fish along with chicken, mushrooms, carrots, snow peas. The sauce was so good and that little kick that the salted fish gave was perfect.
Ended up with Seabass with carrots, and Chinese broccoli. Fish was outstanding. Dessert was a mango pudding with fruit cocktail.
Everyone outdid themselves tonight on the wine selection. Maybe because we had not really done a dinner lately, just Dim Sum.
I brought a 2006 Roar, Garys Vineyard, Pinot Noir. Showed very well and was one of the first bottles emptied.
2003 Altamura, Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 P2, Momtazi, Pinot Noir
2007 Sea Smoke, Southing, Pinot Noir
2009 Saxum Paderwski Vineyard, Zinfandel blend
2009 McKeon-Phllips BPR, Cabernet Sauvignon
2010 Miramar, Don Miguel Vineyard, Russian River, Chardonnay
So another Chinese dinner has bit the dust. Have to start planning another Dim Sum soon. Next Monday that I take off work will probably be it. When I start taking every other Monday off I am sure we will get a lot of Dim Sums in. Can't beat the price. Best deal in town.
Mini Wine Cellar Cleaning
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Decided that I needed to "get rid of" some wine. I have way too much and it is started to really crowd by living space. So what better way than to invite people to bring food and I supply all the wine. Invited 13 people and put out 16 bottles. I knew that when people heard about this they would be upset that they were not on the invitation list. Early on I made the decision that it would be a mixed group of people, not just my "winos". Aside from a few neighbors, my criteria was to invite people that invite me to their homes for extra events or to join them for dinner. Being a single for so long I have found that couples invite other couples, not singles to join them. Most women are by nature insecure and the man does not want to be put in a position of upsetting the little woman. So I first choices were people that have included me often, not just for our monthly wine gatherings.
When my father died my mother could not understand why all the couples that they socialized with dropped her fast. I tried to explain it to her but I do not think she ever "got it".
So lots of food showed up and I put out a couple of pizzas. No one went hungry.
I will not list all the wines that I opened, 3 whites and 13 reds, but a couple of the favorites were the 2008 Chamisal Pinot Noir, 2009 Huber Pinot Noir and the 2010 Clos Pepe Pinot Noir.
May try another cellar cleaning later in the year and use the same criteria for invitees.
Decided that I needed to "get rid of" some wine. I have way too much and it is started to really crowd by living space. So what better way than to invite people to bring food and I supply all the wine. Invited 13 people and put out 16 bottles. I knew that when people heard about this they would be upset that they were not on the invitation list. Early on I made the decision that it would be a mixed group of people, not just my "winos". Aside from a few neighbors, my criteria was to invite people that invite me to their homes for extra events or to join them for dinner. Being a single for so long I have found that couples invite other couples, not singles to join them. Most women are by nature insecure and the man does not want to be put in a position of upsetting the little woman. So I first choices were people that have included me often, not just for our monthly wine gatherings.
When my father died my mother could not understand why all the couples that they socialized with dropped her fast. I tried to explain it to her but I do not think she ever "got it".
So lots of food showed up and I put out a couple of pizzas. No one went hungry.
I will not list all the wines that I opened, 3 whites and 13 reds, but a couple of the favorites were the 2008 Chamisal Pinot Noir, 2009 Huber Pinot Noir and the 2010 Clos Pepe Pinot Noir.
May try another cellar cleaning later in the year and use the same criteria for invitees.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
At Last Cafe and the Long Beach Symphony Season Finale
Douglas drove Cindy and I tonight - reminiscent of Mr. Toads Wild Ride. If his brakes ever go out he is in deep pucky.
Started out with dinner at the At Last Cafe in Long Beach, www.atlastcafelb.com. Met up with 6 others to dine before headed for the concert. I have been wanting to try this place ever since it was featured on Guy Fieri's, Diners, Drive Ins and Dives television show. Had reservations to sit outside which was good. Corkage is $7. Cafe is very, very small and way too crowded and very warm inside. Would never sit inside. Parking is impossible. Located in a residential neighborhood with a lot of apartment complexes. Place was packed tonight and a long line waiting to be seated. Unless someone else was driving I would not come back here because of the lack of parking. If you have to park 3 to 4 blocks away it is not worth it for me.
Food was very good. Large diverse menu. I had a Crostini topped with Buffalo, bacon and greens, Very good. Other appetizers ordered were Escargots, Portabella Mushrooms with Polenta and Grilled Artichoke.
For dinner I ordered the whole deep fried Seabass. Came with potatoes and vegetables which I ended up taking home. Consumed the entire fish. Others ordered the French Pot Roast, Wild Boar Stroganoff, Prime Rib and Center Cut Pork Chop. Everyone was very happy with their selections.
Food is good but, OH, the parking and crowds.
Off to downtown Long Beach for the Seasons Finale Symphony concert. Rachmaninoff is the composer for tonight and it was beautiful and rousing.This was the final appearance for Enrique Arturo Diemecke, the conductor for the last 14 years.. Wine reception afterwards was held with speeches given.
Looking through the program I came across a full page for the "Conductor's Circle Wine Sponsor" which was Tercero Wines. Congrats to Larry Shaffer, owner and winemaker for his support. Just received a case of Tercero Rose of Mouvedre. Larry foot stomps the grapes for this wine. Very good and sells out early every year. Will be taking a bottle to dinner next month when we go back to Issara.
Great evening, weather was perfect, good food, good friends and great music.
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