Thursday, October 16, 2014
Trekked over to Hobbit in Orange for dinner tonight . www.hobbitrestaurant.com, I was surprise that it only took me 70 minutes to drive from Torrance to Orange in work traffic. Big surprise. Six of us tonight to sample the wines and wares.
Started out in the cellar for appetizers and Champagne, the Hobbits own label. Their appys are always top notch. Could make a meal from them alone. Checked out the wines laying in the cellar racks. They do have an extensive collection and a high price. But tonight we are having Martinelli Wines. Julie Martinelli is representing her family tonight and gave up a little run down on the history of the family. Acreage has been in the family for over a hundred years.
Kelly took numerous photos which will soon be blasted all over Facebook. I am one of the most unphotogenic people and I am sure that will show in the pictures. I did not inherit my fathers great trait.
Dinner was being served upstairs so off we went - started out with a Crayfish Ravioli with Fennel Custard. Not a fan of fennel but this was a light touch. Good flavor and paired very nicely with the 2010 Martinelli Road Chardonnay - a bit oaky but went well with the custard sauce.
Next plate set in front of us was a Roulade of Kurobuta Pork Loin and Black Forest Ham with a Fig Reduction. Very good flavor to the pork, not sure where the ham was but the Fig reduction as just the right touch for this dish. I did think the portion was a bit small or maybe needed a starch or another vegetable. Tasted like some spinach underneath but not a lot of it. Two wines were poured for this dish, a 2012 Martinelli Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and a 2012 Martinelli Moonshine Ranch Pinot Noir, Russian River. Took awhile for the Sonoma Coast to open up but in the end I did prefer that wine over the Moonshine. Both were good but I think the Moonshine being a bit bigger could have used a couple more years before opening
Intermission was upon us so we took our wine outside the grape arbor. This gives the kitchen a chance to start the next dishes and the waitstaff an opportunity to clear up a bit. The Hobbit does take a lot of care with service.
A sorbet of blackberry and star anise was served to clean the palate. Really did like the flavor. Would have never thought to add star anise to a sorbet but it did work.
Main dish was a Wild Mushroom Stuffed Filet Mignon with Banana Squash, Haricot vert and Creme Fraiche Mash. Meat was very tender, mushrooms added just the right contrast, squash had a glaze on it and the mash had good flavor. The green beans were added for color I suppose. There was another small vegetable on the plate. took turns trying to figure out what it was. Turned out to be a cooked radish. Very sweet. May have to try this sometime. Wine poured was a Martinellei 2012 Jackass Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River. Fruit comes from 100 year old vines. It was at 17.1 % alcohol. Big wine. I like Martinellis zins but I think for my palate it fell off the mark. I was not overly impressed with the wine. Other at the table liked it. I do not like big wines with dinners. I feel they can over power the food especially with a high alcohol percent.
Dessert was a Montrachet Fruit Tart - crisp dough. Custard was excellent. Paired with a 2012 Martinelli Jackass Hill Muscat of Alexandria. Not overly sweet and a nice ending to the evening.
I am beginning to suspect that all restaurants are cutting back slightly on portion size due to the high cost of meat right now. Keep the prices the same but shirnk the size.
Everyone seemed to have a good time, even Marc. Looking forward to next week. Monthly Winos, Dim Sum, Lebanese, and Delius. Makes me a happy and busy old broad
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