Saturday, August 30, 2014
Small group tonight. Terry is back in rehab and Steve had other plans, so just 4 of us . Henry did say we can plan a dinner with a maximum of 10 people because so many people have been asking. Most of the regulars (the boys) will not be asked to this dinner, as we do Chinese quite frequently Will open it up to everyone else. So with Henry and I, there will be room for 8 people. I will start working on that for either September or October.
We started out with fresh clams in a scrumptious sauce. Had some jalapeno peppers in it so there was a slight bite to it. When you have a Chinese restaurant in a Vietnamese community you get spicy food.
Next was a plate of garlicy green beans with Sea Bass. Excellent dish. Followed by a soup made with ham, pork, chicken, squash and who knows what else. But it had really good flavor. Probably all the leftovers from the day before but that's the way I make soup.
Then a plate of stir fry scallops, Managers Style. Otherwise who knows what all the green stuff was but a great dish, good flavor. Henry ordered a beef dish, prime beef strips, stir fry French style with greens and along side it a bowl of fat noodles in a broth. Meat was excellent and I am a sucker for fat noodles.
Finally to top off the meal large segment of nectarines with a Green Bean Tapioca.
We had a Segura Viudas Cava which paired nicely with the fish dishes. A 2008 Roar, Garys Vineyard, Pinot Noir, 2006 Kosta Browne, Russian River, Pinot Noir and a 2010 Gemstone, blend from Yountville in Napa Valley. All the wines were very good and showing well.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
German Wine Dinner at Delius
Friday, August 29, 2014
I have done this German Wine dinner for quite a few years at Delius Restaurant. www.deliusrestaurant.com. I will say this is the first time I have had some disappointment in the wines and food pairing. Apparently part of the wine problem was that the distributor couldn't get what was originally selected from the warehouse in Napa because of the earthquake. So they had to use what was available locally.
We started out with a glass of 2012 Von Buhl Riesling Sekt Brut - very nice sparkling.
First course: Seared Scallops, Salad of Sea Beans, Enoki Mushrooms and Daikon Sprouts. Paired with a 2013 Wirsching Silvaner Dry Estate. Wine was good and went well with the salad but not with the scallops. Maybe just a little too crisp of a wine for meaty scallops. The sea beans were interesting. Looked like mini seaweed and had a salty taste to them. My problem with these salads that are so finely shredded it is difficult to get onto your fork and when you get them in your mouth you have small spears sticking out They are not "date food". The salad had great flavor and looked really nice on the plate but a pain to eat.
Second Course: Caramelized Gnocchi, Alle-Pia Ruspante Sausage, Roasted Baby Heirloom Tomatoes and English Peas. The Gnocchi was excellent, the sausage was a chicken and turkey with fennel (Alle-Pia is the brand and available on line) was wonderful. Could have ditched the tomatoes, they seemed out of place and did not add anything to the dish. Too acidic. Wine was a 2011 WHS Heger Pinot Gris Estate. Pinot Gris is not in my top likes of wine. This one paired well with the sausage and nothing else.
Third Course: Crispy Skin Red Snapper with Pickled Shallots, Curried Cauliflower. Snapper had good flavor but was a bit salty and mine was a little dry. The cauliflower had great flavor but needed a few more minutes cooking. Just a little to "al dente", almost raw. The wine paired was a 2013 Becker Pinot Blanc Dry Estate. Very light weight wine but clean. I think I would have preferred a very light red wine with this dish.
Fourth Course: Duck Breast, Creamy Polenta, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Pearl Onions, Green Peppercorn Demi-Glace. Duck was perfect. Paired with a 2011 Becker Family Pinot Noir. The wine was herbal and too warm. It needed a slight chilling. But a good pairing. Best dish of the evening and best wine pairing.
Dessert: Pine Nut Lemon Sabayon Tart with Honey Marscapone Cream and Fresh Raspberries. Excellent tart. Not to heavy and a great lemon tartness to it.
A good dinner but not up to the standards I have come to expect from Delius. Every restaurant has an off night, menu, food pairing etc., so you don't hold it against them. In all the years I have been patronizing Delius (since the late 1990's) this is my first real disappointment in the wine and food together.
I have done this German Wine dinner for quite a few years at Delius Restaurant. www.deliusrestaurant.com. I will say this is the first time I have had some disappointment in the wines and food pairing. Apparently part of the wine problem was that the distributor couldn't get what was originally selected from the warehouse in Napa because of the earthquake. So they had to use what was available locally.
We started out with a glass of 2012 Von Buhl Riesling Sekt Brut - very nice sparkling.
First course: Seared Scallops, Salad of Sea Beans, Enoki Mushrooms and Daikon Sprouts. Paired with a 2013 Wirsching Silvaner Dry Estate. Wine was good and went well with the salad but not with the scallops. Maybe just a little too crisp of a wine for meaty scallops. The sea beans were interesting. Looked like mini seaweed and had a salty taste to them. My problem with these salads that are so finely shredded it is difficult to get onto your fork and when you get them in your mouth you have small spears sticking out They are not "date food". The salad had great flavor and looked really nice on the plate but a pain to eat.
Second Course: Caramelized Gnocchi, Alle-Pia Ruspante Sausage, Roasted Baby Heirloom Tomatoes and English Peas. The Gnocchi was excellent, the sausage was a chicken and turkey with fennel (Alle-Pia is the brand and available on line) was wonderful. Could have ditched the tomatoes, they seemed out of place and did not add anything to the dish. Too acidic. Wine was a 2011 WHS Heger Pinot Gris Estate. Pinot Gris is not in my top likes of wine. This one paired well with the sausage and nothing else.
Third Course: Crispy Skin Red Snapper with Pickled Shallots, Curried Cauliflower. Snapper had good flavor but was a bit salty and mine was a little dry. The cauliflower had great flavor but needed a few more minutes cooking. Just a little to "al dente", almost raw. The wine paired was a 2013 Becker Pinot Blanc Dry Estate. Very light weight wine but clean. I think I would have preferred a very light red wine with this dish.
Fourth Course: Duck Breast, Creamy Polenta, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Pearl Onions, Green Peppercorn Demi-Glace. Duck was perfect. Paired with a 2011 Becker Family Pinot Noir. The wine was herbal and too warm. It needed a slight chilling. But a good pairing. Best dish of the evening and best wine pairing.
Dessert: Pine Nut Lemon Sabayon Tart with Honey Marscapone Cream and Fresh Raspberries. Excellent tart. Not to heavy and a great lemon tartness to it.
A good dinner but not up to the standards I have come to expect from Delius. Every restaurant has an off night, menu, food pairing etc., so you don't hold it against them. In all the years I have been patronizing Delius (since the late 1990's) this is my first real disappointment in the wine and food together.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Prix Fixe Dinner at Delius
Friday, August 22, 2015
Joined Tim, Maria and Hugh for dinner tonight and Cindy opted to come also. The August Prix Fixe menu at Delius looked good. www.deliusrestaurant.com, They change the menu once a month for that dining room.
Started off with a grilled shrimp, crispy jasmine rice, garlic siracha aioli. Shrimp was cooked perfect, the rice was great and the aioli to die for. Paired with a 2011 Von Hovel Riesling Kabinett.
Next was a Brussel sprout salad, frisee, bacon, very thinly sliced boiled egg and thinly sliced radish. I can do without the frisee, it's just not my thing but the rest of it was really good. Wine was a 2012 Parcel 41, Sauvignon Blanc from Oakville, Napa. Good wine.
A plate of crispy skinned duck with apricot mint chimichurri was sent down in front of us. Again the sauce was so good. And the duck at Delius is always good. A 2011 Sierra Rioja was paired.
Mai course was a Pork tenderloin, potato gnocchi, sherry cream sauce. Ate a few bites to see what is was like and had them pack it to go. After all we have dessert coming. Wine was a little bit of a disappointment. A 2011 Knez Winery, Boonhill, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir. Light weight. Ok wine but nothing to get excited over.
Dessert was a house made S'mores, salted caramel and spicy bittersweet chocolate. Decadent, overly sweet. Ate half and took the balance home. It was good. But too sweet and heavy for me after a big dinner.
A very good dinner. lots of fun, great people at the table. This is the way I like it. Maybe next time we will order our own bottles from the menu instead of having the pairing. Would not cost anymore.
Joined Tim, Maria and Hugh for dinner tonight and Cindy opted to come also. The August Prix Fixe menu at Delius looked good. www.deliusrestaurant.com, They change the menu once a month for that dining room.
Started off with a grilled shrimp, crispy jasmine rice, garlic siracha aioli. Shrimp was cooked perfect, the rice was great and the aioli to die for. Paired with a 2011 Von Hovel Riesling Kabinett.
Next was a Brussel sprout salad, frisee, bacon, very thinly sliced boiled egg and thinly sliced radish. I can do without the frisee, it's just not my thing but the rest of it was really good. Wine was a 2012 Parcel 41, Sauvignon Blanc from Oakville, Napa. Good wine.
A plate of crispy skinned duck with apricot mint chimichurri was sent down in front of us. Again the sauce was so good. And the duck at Delius is always good. A 2011 Sierra Rioja was paired.
Mai course was a Pork tenderloin, potato gnocchi, sherry cream sauce. Ate a few bites to see what is was like and had them pack it to go. After all we have dessert coming. Wine was a little bit of a disappointment. A 2011 Knez Winery, Boonhill, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir. Light weight. Ok wine but nothing to get excited over.
Dessert was a house made S'mores, salted caramel and spicy bittersweet chocolate. Decadent, overly sweet. Ate half and took the balance home. It was good. But too sweet and heavy for me after a big dinner.
A very good dinner. lots of fun, great people at the table. This is the way I like it. Maybe next time we will order our own bottles from the menu instead of having the pairing. Would not cost anymore.
Wine & Fire Weekend in Sta, Rita Hills
Mid August always finds the big event of the Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance. Almost 100% participation from all the winemakers, vineyards and wineries in the area. I have been doing this event for over ten years now. There was a hiatus of a couple of years while they got their act together but it is back in full swing and better than before. They start out with a big "barn" party on Friday night. at the old Sanford barn. Music, food and of course wine. I have not been able to take in this event because of my work schedule but someday is coming.
Left about 6:50 am Saturday morning. Cindy offered to drive and I jumped on that one. No problems with traffic and we pulled into Buellton about 9:10. Gassed up, grabbed a breakfast sandwich from a drive in and took off for Santa Rosa Road and to find Fiddlestix vineyard. First stop for a four hour seminar and catered lunch. Two different panels this year. Very informative. Second part of the seminar we were supposed to discuss the wine. Adam Lee from Siduri was at our table. We decided that we had two red wines and two white wines and that they must be pinot and chardonnay. Batting 100% right now. That was a no brainer because that is the two varietals that are featured this weekend. Then it got a little tougher. Had to figure out which winemaker made which one. Our theory was to give the bigger wine to the younger winemaker. Seemed to work.
Lunch was served and open seating. Norm Yost from Flying Goat graced our table bringing wine with him. He had his Goat Bubbles and a Pinot from the Rio Vista vineyard. Some winemakers came around pouring their offerings. There was a 1997 Foxen, Sanford and Benedict Pinot, 2012 Kessler-Hawk Brut, 2012 Le Montagne, 2011 Clos Pepe sparkling, 2000 Mt. Carmel Chardonnay (can't read my own writing to tell who the winery is). Probably should have kept better notes. But there was a lot of wine flowing.
Off to check into the hotel and head for the Grand Tasting at the LaPurisma Mission. This is always a great event. Almost all the wineries are pouring tonight and the food is always good. Lobster Mac & Cheese, Beef sliders, BBQ ribs and tri tip. Salads, sandwiches. Doesn't get much better. I stayed away from the silent auction. Do not need to buy right now.
Sunday morning after a quick breakfast we headed for Clos Pepe for their annual release party.After sampling the library wines, we headed for the table loaded with a dozen different kinds of cheeses, meats, fig jam, quince etc., Great spread. Then off to taste the new 2013 releases. Another really good year for the Clos. Many things to do today. Left and went across the road to Huber. Need to pick up six cases of wine. Norman offered to let us come by in the morning on our way home to pick up the wine. That is a big deal for us. We are headed over to Los Olivos and it gets really hot in that area. About 15 degrees warmer than the Sta. Rita Hills.
Stopped in at Trecero and tasted then over to Stolpman to pick up six bottles of "Carbonic" Sangiovese. This is the new rage of the winemakers now.
We decided to stop in at Industrial Eats and get take out. Still full from that spread we had at the Clos. I ended up with smoked sturgeon, creme fraiche, avocado and pickled peppers. Cindy opted for a sandwich. Took them back to the hotel and went outside to the pool to eat. Cindy opened a bottle of wine but I stuck with water. By this time I have becomed "wined out". But I definitely want to come back to Industrial Eats and stay and partake in some more goodies.
Monday morning up at had another quick breakfast then off to Huber to pick up wine to bring home. Traudl gave us some squash she had picked earlier. Loaded up and headed towards home. Took a little longer getting back. The traffic in the Valley is always obscene.
This was Cindy's first time doing the Wine & Fire event and she really enjoyed it. Wants to come back. Which is OK with me especially if she drives. What a treat for me to have a driver. I am not sure if I would be in such a good mood if I drove. This weekend really did a number on me. It will take a couple of days to recoup. That's what I go to work for. But I am already marking my calendar for next years event.
Hopefully everyone will come over and get their wine out of my house quickly. I am not looking forward to six cases sitting around for too long.
Left about 6:50 am Saturday morning. Cindy offered to drive and I jumped on that one. No problems with traffic and we pulled into Buellton about 9:10. Gassed up, grabbed a breakfast sandwich from a drive in and took off for Santa Rosa Road and to find Fiddlestix vineyard. First stop for a four hour seminar and catered lunch. Two different panels this year. Very informative. Second part of the seminar we were supposed to discuss the wine. Adam Lee from Siduri was at our table. We decided that we had two red wines and two white wines and that they must be pinot and chardonnay. Batting 100% right now. That was a no brainer because that is the two varietals that are featured this weekend. Then it got a little tougher. Had to figure out which winemaker made which one. Our theory was to give the bigger wine to the younger winemaker. Seemed to work.
Lunch was served and open seating. Norm Yost from Flying Goat graced our table bringing wine with him. He had his Goat Bubbles and a Pinot from the Rio Vista vineyard. Some winemakers came around pouring their offerings. There was a 1997 Foxen, Sanford and Benedict Pinot, 2012 Kessler-Hawk Brut, 2012 Le Montagne, 2011 Clos Pepe sparkling, 2000 Mt. Carmel Chardonnay (can't read my own writing to tell who the winery is). Probably should have kept better notes. But there was a lot of wine flowing.
Off to check into the hotel and head for the Grand Tasting at the LaPurisma Mission. This is always a great event. Almost all the wineries are pouring tonight and the food is always good. Lobster Mac & Cheese, Beef sliders, BBQ ribs and tri tip. Salads, sandwiches. Doesn't get much better. I stayed away from the silent auction. Do not need to buy right now.
Sunday morning after a quick breakfast we headed for Clos Pepe for their annual release party.After sampling the library wines, we headed for the table loaded with a dozen different kinds of cheeses, meats, fig jam, quince etc., Great spread. Then off to taste the new 2013 releases. Another really good year for the Clos. Many things to do today. Left and went across the road to Huber. Need to pick up six cases of wine. Norman offered to let us come by in the morning on our way home to pick up the wine. That is a big deal for us. We are headed over to Los Olivos and it gets really hot in that area. About 15 degrees warmer than the Sta. Rita Hills.
Stopped in at Trecero and tasted then over to Stolpman to pick up six bottles of "Carbonic" Sangiovese. This is the new rage of the winemakers now.
We decided to stop in at Industrial Eats and get take out. Still full from that spread we had at the Clos. I ended up with smoked sturgeon, creme fraiche, avocado and pickled peppers. Cindy opted for a sandwich. Took them back to the hotel and went outside to the pool to eat. Cindy opened a bottle of wine but I stuck with water. By this time I have becomed "wined out". But I definitely want to come back to Industrial Eats and stay and partake in some more goodies.
Monday morning up at had another quick breakfast then off to Huber to pick up wine to bring home. Traudl gave us some squash she had picked earlier. Loaded up and headed towards home. Took a little longer getting back. The traffic in the Valley is always obscene.
This was Cindy's first time doing the Wine & Fire event and she really enjoyed it. Wants to come back. Which is OK with me especially if she drives. What a treat for me to have a driver. I am not sure if I would be in such a good mood if I drove. This weekend really did a number on me. It will take a couple of days to recoup. That's what I go to work for. But I am already marking my calendar for next years event.
Hopefully everyone will come over and get their wine out of my house quickly. I am not looking forward to six cases sitting around for too long.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
555 Steak House
Saturday, August 09, 2014
12 gathered tonight for dinner at 555 in Long Beach for Margie's Monthly Fun Wine Activity. She goes to a lot of trouble to get these organized every month. It is appreciated at least by me.
555 is one of the best chop houses around. We were seated in a private dining area which is much quieter than the open restaurant.
Most everyone ordered steak but I did see salmon and lamb chops in front of people. Everyone had good things to say about their dinners. I had a petite filet oscar and it was cooked to perfection. Margie brought gourmet cupcakes for dessert but I ordered a creme brulee. Those cupcakes are way too sweet for me. I have never been a cupcake fan and it takes a real special cake for me to like it.
Margie had asked everyone to go deep into their cellars for "fine" wine tonight. Some did, some did not. 2011 & 2012 is not deep. I kept mine in the middle because when I saw the list of people attending, I knew what quality of wine they would bring. I am not wasting my really good stuff on them, I did bring three bottles, a red, a sparkling and a port. Maybe that's a negative to feel that way but that is me. I will save my better stuff for a dinner of 8 or less and for people that bring equal.
The 1999 Opus, the 2013 Dom Perignon, 2003 Stags Leap Winery, Fay, Cabernet were the hits of the evening.
Other wines brought were 2008 Chateau Margene Meritage, 2007 Denner Mouvedre, 2011 Grassini Blend, D66 Grenache, Roderer bubbly, 2009 La Vie Late Harvest Riesling, 1992 Quinta Infantado Porto, 2011 Grey Wolf, Alpha Cab, 2012 Grey Wolf, The Big Bad Wolf, Zinfandel, 2011 Williams Selyem Olivet Lane Chardonnay, 2006 Kistler Elizabeth Cuvee Pinot Noir, 2010 TF, Oak Knoll, Cabernet, 2008 Huber Dornfelder Port and a Palmina Luminesse bubbly.
A good selection of wines but some were not what I would expect for this dinner. But it was a good dinner with good people and a really good time was had by all.
12 gathered tonight for dinner at 555 in Long Beach for Margie's Monthly Fun Wine Activity. She goes to a lot of trouble to get these organized every month. It is appreciated at least by me.
555 is one of the best chop houses around. We were seated in a private dining area which is much quieter than the open restaurant.
Most everyone ordered steak but I did see salmon and lamb chops in front of people. Everyone had good things to say about their dinners. I had a petite filet oscar and it was cooked to perfection. Margie brought gourmet cupcakes for dessert but I ordered a creme brulee. Those cupcakes are way too sweet for me. I have never been a cupcake fan and it takes a real special cake for me to like it.
Margie had asked everyone to go deep into their cellars for "fine" wine tonight. Some did, some did not. 2011 & 2012 is not deep. I kept mine in the middle because when I saw the list of people attending, I knew what quality of wine they would bring. I am not wasting my really good stuff on them, I did bring three bottles, a red, a sparkling and a port. Maybe that's a negative to feel that way but that is me. I will save my better stuff for a dinner of 8 or less and for people that bring equal.
The 1999 Opus, the 2013 Dom Perignon, 2003 Stags Leap Winery, Fay, Cabernet were the hits of the evening.
Other wines brought were 2008 Chateau Margene Meritage, 2007 Denner Mouvedre, 2011 Grassini Blend, D66 Grenache, Roderer bubbly, 2009 La Vie Late Harvest Riesling, 1992 Quinta Infantado Porto, 2011 Grey Wolf, Alpha Cab, 2012 Grey Wolf, The Big Bad Wolf, Zinfandel, 2011 Williams Selyem Olivet Lane Chardonnay, 2006 Kistler Elizabeth Cuvee Pinot Noir, 2010 TF, Oak Knoll, Cabernet, 2008 Huber Dornfelder Port and a Palmina Luminesse bubbly.
A good selection of wines but some were not what I would expect for this dinner. But it was a good dinner with good people and a really good time was had by all.
Friday, August 1, 2014
OC India Grille
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Sangiv from the Himalayan Grille in Sunset Beach has opened a new restaurant in Cypress. On Katella at the Costco Plaza. www.ocindiagrill.com, Nice place, furnished well. Lots of room for a wine dinner.
Sangiv did bring one of the cooks from the Himalayan so it will be interesting to see how the two places match up for food.
We started out with Samosa's. Good but I think the crust was a little thick. I do like the Himalayan's better. We then ordered a plate of Vegetable Pakoras. Very good the better of the two places.
A variety of dishes were ordered, Shrimp Saag, Mango Chicken, Chicken Chau Chau, Lamb Marsala, Aloo Gobi and Garlic Naan. And two bowls of basmatic rice. I did like the Chau Chau much better than the Himalayan but the other dishes were on par.
Best news is no corkage for us
Started off with a NV Paul Goerg, France, Blanc de Blanc. Then onto a 2012 Martinelli, Sonoma Coast, Rose. Both good wines and both were a good start to a meal on a hot day
Rounding out the evening:
2008 Sea Smoke, Botella, Sta Rita Hills, Pinot Noir
2008 Duckhorn, Napa, Merlot
2008 Williams Seylem, Bacigalupi Vineyard, Sonoma, Zinfandel
2008 La Vigne, Sanarone, Italy, Barolo
I left a little after 9:00, besides us there were still two tables occupied. The close at 9:30. Open for a buffet lunch everyday. Then reopens in the afternoon for dinner. This place is much larger than the Himalayan and you don't have that cold air rushing in everytime a door is opened. I think this will be our new to go place for Indian food.
Sangiv from the Himalayan Grille in Sunset Beach has opened a new restaurant in Cypress. On Katella at the Costco Plaza. www.ocindiagrill.com, Nice place, furnished well. Lots of room for a wine dinner.
Sangiv did bring one of the cooks from the Himalayan so it will be interesting to see how the two places match up for food.
We started out with Samosa's. Good but I think the crust was a little thick. I do like the Himalayan's better. We then ordered a plate of Vegetable Pakoras. Very good the better of the two places.
A variety of dishes were ordered, Shrimp Saag, Mango Chicken, Chicken Chau Chau, Lamb Marsala, Aloo Gobi and Garlic Naan. And two bowls of basmatic rice. I did like the Chau Chau much better than the Himalayan but the other dishes were on par.
Best news is no corkage for us
Started off with a NV Paul Goerg, France, Blanc de Blanc. Then onto a 2012 Martinelli, Sonoma Coast, Rose. Both good wines and both were a good start to a meal on a hot day
Rounding out the evening:
2008 Sea Smoke, Botella, Sta Rita Hills, Pinot Noir
2008 Duckhorn, Napa, Merlot
2008 Williams Seylem, Bacigalupi Vineyard, Sonoma, Zinfandel
2008 La Vigne, Sanarone, Italy, Barolo
I left a little after 9:00, besides us there were still two tables occupied. The close at 9:30. Open for a buffet lunch everyday. Then reopens in the afternoon for dinner. This place is much larger than the Himalayan and you don't have that cold air rushing in everytime a door is opened. I think this will be our new to go place for Indian food.
Charlie Palmer with Williams Selyem Wines
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Bit the price bullet and signed up for this dinner a few weeks ago. Williams Selyem wines at Charle Palmer at Bloomingdales in Costa Mesa (South Coast Plaza) www.charliepalmer.com. A 75 minute drive from work. Reception was at 6:00. When I walked in a large crowd was all ready there. Bob Cabral the winemaker was hobnobbing with the "beautiful" people. Got my glass of 2008 Williams Selyem Blanc de Blanc Sparkling and found Terry seated already. I will say they were generous in repeat pours and they were pouring from Magnums. This wine is not sold to the lower tier allocation members. Only long term, high volume users are allowed to buy. I think they said 52 cases were made. It was a very nice sparkling, well balanced, good taste. A nice surprise.
We started out with a Kumamoto Oyster Shooter with Ponzu Crumble. Good, clean flavor, Kumamoto is one of the smallest oysters but has a very delicate, light brine taste. I could have done a dozen of these.
First course was a Wild King Salmon Sashima with Crispy Heirloom Tomato, Brown Butter Cream Cheese, Lemon caper Vinaigrette. The salmon was excellent, the brown butter cream cheese also. The tomatoes were non discript, they were so crisp I thought they were kernals of corn. Paired with a 2010 Williams Selyem Drake Estate Chardonnay. Good pairing. Chardonnay was clean with a very slight oak taste to it but paired very well with the salmon.
Second course was served. Slow Cooked Kurobata Pork Tenderloin with Spinach, Clamshell Mushrooms, Green Tea Pork Consomme. Good flavor, my pork had some connective tissue that was a little hard to cut through. The consomme had excellent flavor. I will take the same pork tenderloin I had at Delius last week over this dish. Wine was a 2012 Williams Selyem Westside Road Pinot Noir. When I saw the year 2012 I wondered why they were pouring such a young wine. After I tasted it I knew why. Very weak, light weight wine. Do not think this wine will age more than a couple of years. Their tasting notes disagree with me and they are the experts but they also have a product they need to sell.
Third course on the menu was a Smoked Liberty Farms Duck Breast with Maple Syrup, Coriander, Garlic Chive, Quinoa Cake, Pinot Noir Beurre Rouge. The piece of duck was at least 2 inches thick with a crispy skin. It was hard to cut and I feel it lost a lot flavor by being so thick and also was not that moist. It was ok but close to being dry. The Quinoa Cake was dry. Again I will take Delius's duck breast any day over this. They paired this with a 2006 Williams Selyem Allen Pinot Noir. This wine was good and it showed the age.
Fourth course up was a Balsamic Marinated Prime Skirt Steak with Horseradish Parsnip Puree, Summer Squash, Red Wine Jus. Steak was really good. and very tender. Had great flavor and the puree was just the right touch. As for the squash I am not too sure one very small, about 4 inches, baby squash counts as a vegetable. Paired with a 2012 Williams Seylem Bacigalupi Zinfandel. Very good pairing, the wine was excellent and made a perfect pairing.
Dessert was a White Peach Mousse Cake, Lychee Gelee, Mint, Coconut Lime Sponge Cake. Very light. Perfect end to a dinner. Served with a 2011 Williams Seylem Vista Verde, Late Harvest, Gerwurztraminer. Not overly sweet. decent wine.
I will say they were very generous in their pours and they came around and poured again if you wanted more. Part of the dinner were very good and part left a lot to be desired. Room was noisy and we had to ask them to turn down the music several times. Dinner was in the main dining area next to the bar and lounge so we had that to contend with also. Not an intimate setting.
I was very disappointed that Bob Cabral, the winemaker did not come around to the tables a at least say hello to people. This dinner was over $172 with automatic tip and I felt it should have lived up to the price. May be "beautiful" people don't have the expectations that I do. I think that paying $50 for the Prix Fixe dinner at Delius, www.deliusrestaurant.com, and ordering wine off the wine list would be a better deal. 4 to 5 people and 4 wines would still be cheaper, much better food and more intimate setting.
Bit the price bullet and signed up for this dinner a few weeks ago. Williams Selyem wines at Charle Palmer at Bloomingdales in Costa Mesa (South Coast Plaza) www.charliepalmer.com. A 75 minute drive from work. Reception was at 6:00. When I walked in a large crowd was all ready there. Bob Cabral the winemaker was hobnobbing with the "beautiful" people. Got my glass of 2008 Williams Selyem Blanc de Blanc Sparkling and found Terry seated already. I will say they were generous in repeat pours and they were pouring from Magnums. This wine is not sold to the lower tier allocation members. Only long term, high volume users are allowed to buy. I think they said 52 cases were made. It was a very nice sparkling, well balanced, good taste. A nice surprise.
We started out with a Kumamoto Oyster Shooter with Ponzu Crumble. Good, clean flavor, Kumamoto is one of the smallest oysters but has a very delicate, light brine taste. I could have done a dozen of these.
First course was a Wild King Salmon Sashima with Crispy Heirloom Tomato, Brown Butter Cream Cheese, Lemon caper Vinaigrette. The salmon was excellent, the brown butter cream cheese also. The tomatoes were non discript, they were so crisp I thought they were kernals of corn. Paired with a 2010 Williams Selyem Drake Estate Chardonnay. Good pairing. Chardonnay was clean with a very slight oak taste to it but paired very well with the salmon.
Second course was served. Slow Cooked Kurobata Pork Tenderloin with Spinach, Clamshell Mushrooms, Green Tea Pork Consomme. Good flavor, my pork had some connective tissue that was a little hard to cut through. The consomme had excellent flavor. I will take the same pork tenderloin I had at Delius last week over this dish. Wine was a 2012 Williams Selyem Westside Road Pinot Noir. When I saw the year 2012 I wondered why they were pouring such a young wine. After I tasted it I knew why. Very weak, light weight wine. Do not think this wine will age more than a couple of years. Their tasting notes disagree with me and they are the experts but they also have a product they need to sell.
Third course on the menu was a Smoked Liberty Farms Duck Breast with Maple Syrup, Coriander, Garlic Chive, Quinoa Cake, Pinot Noir Beurre Rouge. The piece of duck was at least 2 inches thick with a crispy skin. It was hard to cut and I feel it lost a lot flavor by being so thick and also was not that moist. It was ok but close to being dry. The Quinoa Cake was dry. Again I will take Delius's duck breast any day over this. They paired this with a 2006 Williams Selyem Allen Pinot Noir. This wine was good and it showed the age.
Fourth course up was a Balsamic Marinated Prime Skirt Steak with Horseradish Parsnip Puree, Summer Squash, Red Wine Jus. Steak was really good. and very tender. Had great flavor and the puree was just the right touch. As for the squash I am not too sure one very small, about 4 inches, baby squash counts as a vegetable. Paired with a 2012 Williams Seylem Bacigalupi Zinfandel. Very good pairing, the wine was excellent and made a perfect pairing.
Dessert was a White Peach Mousse Cake, Lychee Gelee, Mint, Coconut Lime Sponge Cake. Very light. Perfect end to a dinner. Served with a 2011 Williams Seylem Vista Verde, Late Harvest, Gerwurztraminer. Not overly sweet. decent wine.
I will say they were very generous in their pours and they came around and poured again if you wanted more. Part of the dinner were very good and part left a lot to be desired. Room was noisy and we had to ask them to turn down the music several times. Dinner was in the main dining area next to the bar and lounge so we had that to contend with also. Not an intimate setting.
I was very disappointed that Bob Cabral, the winemaker did not come around to the tables a at least say hello to people. This dinner was over $172 with automatic tip and I felt it should have lived up to the price. May be "beautiful" people don't have the expectations that I do. I think that paying $50 for the Prix Fixe dinner at Delius, www.deliusrestaurant.com, and ordering wine off the wine list would be a better deal. 4 to 5 people and 4 wines would still be cheaper, much better food and more intimate setting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)