Brunch at The Arte Cafe

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Wine Country in Signal Hill,  www.TheWineCountry.com, in Signal Hill hosted a brunch today at Arte Cafe, www.artecamellia.com, in Cerritos. It has been several years since this duo got together.

Got there early to secure seating and glad I did. Past years it has been open seating. This time it was assigned tables and most of them outside on the patio in the sun. There were umbrellas but it was not 100% sun free. Because of my medical condition I did get a table for 4 inside. There were several other tables inside also including the Wine Country staff. No dummies they.

They were generous with their pours. I had 3 glasses of the sparkling.

Started off with Eggs Benedict with Country Smoked Ham. Eggs were cooked perfectly and the sauce was good. But needed  seasoning.  This was paired with a 2013 Mas de Daumas Gassac Rose Frizant.

Second course was Crab Cakes with Mixed Baby Greens. Crab cakes were very good. Greens were ok. Again why should I have to cut the damm things. They weren't as big as last night but anything that needed to be cut I left on the plate.  Served with a risotto. Wine poured was a 2013 Moulin de Gassac Picpoul de Pinet. Pleasant wine, not spectacular but paired well with the crab.

Third course served was Sea Bass with Beurre Blanc Sauce. Favorite dish of the day. Sea Bass was cooked to perfection. Brussel sprout leaves that had been seasoned and fried added a nice touch. Wine poured was a 2013 Mas de Daumas, Gassac Blanc. Beautiful wine and a great pairing.

Main course was Short Ribs with Cabernet Sauce. Good flavor, moist and a potato puree rounded out the dish Only red wine of the day - a 2011 Mas de Daumas Gassac Rouge. Had two glasses of this wine. Excellent pairing.

Dessert was a Raspberry Creme Brulee. Apparently they ran out of the larger ramekins because we each got two small ramekins . I could have done with one. I was really full by this time.

A nice Sunday afternoon. Food was good, wine was good and the company was good.