Thursday, March 31, 2016

Playground vs. Chianina

Two dinners in two nights. Both at very good restaurants. 

 One all steak the other all lamb. 

One at $125 and the other at $130 inclusive.

One at a quiet higher end decor venue and the other at a noisy old reclaimed bar.

My overall vote goes to the Playground,  www.Playgrounddtsa.com.

Edged out by the quality of the food , overall taste and flavors,  the number of plates served and the innovation of the food dishes.  

Chianina, Bianchi Wines and Spring Lamb

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Chianina in Naples  hosted another wine dinner.  www.chianina.com,  Decided that this might be an interesting dinner.  All courses are "spring lamb". (Margie knows why she was asked to join us  LOL).  

Met Beau Bianchi who is at the helm of the winery now. His grandfather founded the winery in the Paso Robles area about 75 years ago. Beau indicated they made their wines "heavy on the brix" which means overly fruity to me. That turned out to be right.

Started the dinner with a Chilled English Pea Custard. Tasted much better than is sounds. The custard had Lamb Cracklings on top which gave it crunch and texture.  They poured a 2013 Bianchi "El Camino Vineyard", Chardonnay. Some oak but the fattiness of the custard cut the oak quite well. A decent pairing.

Second course was a Lamb Crepinette. Ground lamb with spices rolled like a sausage but with no casing on it. Had excellent flavor. Also on the plate was green garlic, chickpeas and fennel. Tasted the fennel (one of the few foods I do not care for) It was alright. Not to much of a licorice taste to it. The wine was a 2012 Bianchi "Garey Vineyard", Pinot Noir. Way too fruity. Was not that good of a wine. Definitely not my style of Pinot.

Braised Lamb Shank and Neck with mint, parsley, cavatelli, fava beans and pecorino romano cheese was next. Very good flavor. The cavatelli was "al dente" so it was not over cooked which made a better dish. The best wine of the evening was paired with this dish. A 2011 Bianchi "Geste" GSM. 

Fourth course is a Roulade of Lamb Loin and Belly with fiddlehead ferns, asparagus, morel mushrooms, spring onion and pea puree. Again excellent flavors. Wine was decent. A 2012 Bianchi "Lakeside Ranch" Merlot.

By the end of roulade I was stuffed and we had one more course to go. Bet I take it home.

Fifth course served was a Roasted leg of Lamb, olive tapenade, baby artichokes, spring onion and rancho gordo beans. Had one bite to taste the lamb  which again was excellent and had them box it up for me to take home. The wine was a 2012 Bianchi Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. I was not impressed.. Did not finish the glass of wine.

Dessert was very good. A Vanilla Panna Cotta with rhubarb and strawberry. Light enough to eat without being overfilling. a 2014 Bianchi Estate Moscato was paired with the dessert and it was the best pairing of the dinner.

 

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

The Playground and Wagu Steak

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Had reservations for the 6:00 seating at the Playground in Santa Ana, www.playgrounddtsa.com
This was the Ultimate Steak Dinner in the 2.0 Room.  5 different cuts of grade 5 Wagu beef .  $125 included tax, tip and the wine pairings

Started out with a house made biscuit, 1" x 1" x 3" high with a medallion of honey, thyme,  butter. I could have eaten a dozen of these. Crispy outside and very flaky inside.  Several glasses of a Los Pilares, sparkling Cabernet Sauvigon from San Diego was served.

Next a salad with Little Gem Lettuce, Fuji Apples, garlic and a buttermilk dressing. Excellent flavor.

First steak of the evening was a grilled tri tip. Again excellent flavor, tender cooked medium rare which it should be.

Next glass of wine was the 10th release of Cain Cuvee, non-vintage. Benchland Vineyard, blend of Merlot, Cab France and Petit Verdot.

A Wagu beef tartare was set before us. Spicy on the back palate was very good.  Had some chiles in it along with their house made puffed rice which added a nice crunch to the tartare. 

A plate of grilled asparagus on a bed of mashed English peas with Quiona, brown butter, garlic, thyme and pixie tangerines was served.. Again excellent flavors

Second steak was a Hangar Steak. Sliced thin. Wine was a 2009 Altrovin, Merlot, Cab  Franc from Tuscany.

Next plate was sauteed mushrooms with pea tendrils, caramelized shallots and red wine vinegar. Again excellent flavors. It just keeps getting better.

Third steak was a cut called Picahna. Similar to Hangar steak but I like this cut better. Never heard of it before. Apparently there is one per  beef.

Interesting plate of Sunchokes  with brown butter on a bed of pureed celery root with parsley and toasted almonds.  Cannot get enough of these great flavors

Next wine was a 2012 La Colima Vineyard, Cabernet Franc. I cannot read my own hand writing but I think my  notes say the winery was Oro en Paz.

Fourth steak of the evening is a Outside Skirt Steak.  Very tender almost a butter like flavor.

A glass of 2012 Brown Family, Columbia Valley, Merlot was served. 

Then the boneless Rib Eye. Justin the chef sent the uncooked steak around for everyone to get a look or take a picture of it.  Most beautiful piece of meat I have seen in a long time. Perfect marbling 

A glass of Mansville Chocolate Malt Stout was served with our dessert. Housemade Profiterole's with house made peanut butter ice cream and sauteed bananas, chocolate sauce, carrot cake crumble, pecan crunch and French Chantilly cream. Words cannot describe.  It was the ultimate.

This sound like a tremendous amount of food. But the plates are made up each  for 3 people  and set in front of you. Everyone takes what they want Fortunately there was a younger man sitting 2 places down from me that had a bottomless pit for a stomach. After the 3 of is served what we wanted from the plate he was happy to have us offer the rest to him. The steaks are all cut into slices and set on a plate for 3. Works out great for me because this way I can adjust my food consumption for me personally.  I was fully satisfied at the end of the evening. In fact too full. But totally happy.

All the food was excellent. The steaks were some of the best I have ever had. There is no menu so you do not know what the chefs are cooking besides steak. I like this kind of dining. It's an adventure. The 2.0 Room sits 17 people at a long bar. Stools are high bar style. All cooking and plating are done in front of you. The cooks interact with you throughout the evening. A really unique experience.

When I left a little after 8:00 the line was starting for the 8:30 seating and at the main restaurant there were a least 10 people waiting to get in.  Obviously they did not make reservations and it was too cold and windy to sit outside on the patio area. And this was on a Tuesday night.

Looking forward to dinner at the Playground  2.0 Room next week.  Breakfast for dinner. 



Monday, March 28, 2016

March's Gathering of The Winos

Sunday,  March 27, 2016

Even tho it was Easter Sunday the winos did not stay home. Weather was decent for March . Nice day turning to cooler in  the evening. 

Today's theme was Malbec, 2013 and older.  I was looking forward to what Stan might pull out of his cellar. But when he arrived he informed us that he could find no older Malbec wine. With 5,000 bottles that was hard to comprehend.  Turned out that my 2007 bottle that I brought turned out to be the oldest. 

Hosts grilled  handmade sausages along with a mushroom noodle.  Good side dishes. Henry's mustard greens with ground chicken was exceptionaly good.

There was several desserts. I only tried one, a shortbread tart with fresh strawberries which was very good.   The peeps on the carrot cake turned me off of that one. 

Two days in a row of heavy red wine and loads of food has done me in.  So another wino event down and not sure if I should be looking forward to April or not. The hosts said something about Kosher wines because of Passover.




Dinner in Tuscany

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Arrived at Chez Lomita Villa for an invitation only dinner.  Followed the music coming from the courtyard and saw the rolling hills of Tuscany in the background. Candles lit the way.  Long table was set for 14 people  This looks like a good start to an enjoyable evening. 21 wines being served

Started out with a plate of appetizers. Prosciutto wrapped canteloupe, smoked peppered turkey breast, roasted red and yellow peppers, fig paste, cornichons, sweet bread pickles, capers, almonds, cashews, walnuts,  truffle cheese, Gruyere cheese, Asiago cheese, red pepper hummus,  olive oils and balsamics along with assorted breads,  After this plate I have no need for any more food.

A salad of shredded lettuce with Brocconcini and Green Olive Tapenade followed. I know this is the end of the line for me.

Took a small break from eating and went into the back courtyard by the pool for fireworks.

A long table full of chafing dishes awaited us upon our return for the fireworks display. Penne and Meatballs, Sausage with Peppers, Mostaccioli with meat sauce and Cavatappi Pasta with Grilled Chicken. Food was good but since I had reached my capacity after the salad I probably did not enjoy it as much as I should have. 

Another break awaited us and we filled the main salon for games and prizes.

Dessert was next on our agenda. A nice tiramisu and short bread cookie.

Lots of food, wine and good company. A delightful evening at Chez LomitaVilla,

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Sinor-La Valle and Ancient Peaks Wine Dinner

Saturday. March 19, 2016

Normally "Wine Getaways" does their dinners mid week and usually on the west side of town which is not freeway friendly for me. When I saw the flyer on this dinner on a Saturday and with a winery I buy from I jumped at it. Had not seen Peter and  Bart since the last dinner at Restaurant Christines in Torrance about 18 months ago.

It was a 40 miles trek down the freeway for me. Took me about 70 minutes as traffic was heavy but only 30 minutes to get home. Dinner was held at the Barbianca Restarunt at the Hotel MDR in Marina Del Rey. This was their first wine dinner. Restaurant was typical hotel style.  Next to the open bar and noisy. Acoustics were bad. Had delightful dining companions along with being seated next to Peter Kerr. Most people attending the dinner are followers of Wine Getaways. Their dinners are always $89 inclusive which makes them a bargain. And always lot's  of prizes to be given away. I got a Sinor-La Valle wine opener to add to my collection of openers,  Have not paid for one yet.

Talked with Mike Sinor for quite awhile. He was very surprised to see me. Mike  is the co-owner and wine director  at Ancient Peaks . www.ancientpeaks.com and he and his wife own Sinor-La Valle,  www.sinorlavalle,com which recently bought the old Bassi Vineyard in Avila Beach. I started buying his wines years ago (at least 13 years ago)  after reading an article in Wine Spectator about up and coming winemakers. They had listed about 10 new winemakers and I got on the email list for a few of them and started buying their wines. I dropped a few but kept Sinor-LaValle and Kosta-Browne. Not bad choices I would say. 

We started out with a glass (several) of  2014 Ancient Peaks Sauvignon Blanc. They served a Tuna Tartare on toast and a Artichoke Bruschetta with Charred Asparagus for appetizers. Wine did not pair well with the raw fish. Actually really clashed. The wine itself was good for a Sau Blanc. Not to mineraly  and light citrus.

First course of the evening was a Arugula and Pan Seared Spinach Gnocchi Salad with Baby Eggplant, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Green Olive Compote. Good flavors and paired well with the 2013 Sinor-La Valle Chardonnay. Wine has a hint of oak which was cut by by the salad,

Three-Pepper Crusted Atlantic Salmon with Wild Mushroom Ratatouille and Lime Sage Butter Sauce was served next. Very good dish and the pairing with the 2012 Sinor-La Valle Talley Rincon Pinot Noir was perfect. 2012 was the last year for Mike to buy grapes from Talley. Glad I have a stash of various years of this wine.

Main course was a Oso Bucco with Chive Mashed Potatoes, Braised Fennel, Red Chard, Buttered Baby Vegetables and Natural Jus.  Good flavors. Wine served was a 2012 Ancient Peaks. Margarita Vineyards, Zinfandel. Wine was fruity but not jammy. Good flavors and a perfect match for the food.

Dessert was a Wine Poached Pear Panna Cotta with Wild Berry Sauce. OK, not great and it was served in a plastic cup which was a turnoff for me.

A good dinner. Will have to check out the next Wine Getaway dinner at Sausal. Need to check how freeway friendly it is. It is on a weeknight so I would go directly from work but I always like to see how to get home easily. I know Ray and Barbra are doing this dinner but they can walk to the restaurant from their house. 

Friday, March 18, 2016

Mid Week at Kashiwa

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Met friends at the sushi bar at Kashiwa in Signal Hill for dinner. kashiwajc.com,  Most of us ordered the Omakase dinner.  12 pieces of sushi for $45. Bargain for good sushi. Dinner was served as 3 pieces of sushi per plate and a total of 4 plates. We started out with a seafood salad that was very similar to Poke. Excellent flavor and as always the fish was the freshest it could be. Then a cucumber salad, very thinly sliced slices of small cucumber marinated in rice vinegar. Next were were served a bowl of Miso and after that the sushi started arriving. 

First plate had  a tuna from Spain, Salmon belly and Kamachi.  Second plate was Stripe Jack, Amber Jack and Scottish trout. Third plate was Snapper, Halibut and Toro. Last was the Uni,  Pompano and Scallop.  All  exceedingly fresh and full of flavor.

Followed by hot tea and fresh orange slices which were very sweet and palate cleansing. I had a half bottle of sake with my dinner. A few opted for beer. No wine at all was ordered. Not even sure if they have wine on the menu.

Kashiwa's owners name is Kei and he is the one who opened  Kinokawa in Long Beach years ago. He sold that place and opened Kashiwa about 5 years ago. Besides sushi they do serve other traditional Japanese dishes for the non fish people. But the sushi is the star here.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Another Dim Sum with The Boys

Monday, March 14, 2015

It has been awhile since I got together with the "boys" for Dim Sum. Only 4 of us singles today. Terry is still in rehab. Hopefully he will be able to rejoin us soon for our next adventure at the Seafood palace. www.seafoodpalaceresturant.com., 

Nice to have Mr. Do back. He has always taken very good care of us. Always lets Henry know what is the freshest that day and what to avoid. 

Started out with a couple of items off the carts. Siu Mai - open top dumpling with shrimp and Cheong Fan - rolled rice noodles with shrimp.

Then on to the really good stuff. Stir fried lobster with thin noodles. This is always good no matter what type of noodle it is served with. I do prefer the fat noodles myself. The sauce the lobster makes when being cooked in the shell if finger licking good. 

Next was our complimentary bowl of sweet sour soup.

French style beef with asparagus was especially good today. Extremely tender and loads of flavor.

Stir fried scallops with snow peas, carrots and water chestnuts - again the scallops were like butter.

Last dish before dessert was Lo Mai Gai,  Lotus leaf wrapped sweet, sticky rice with Chinese sausage.

Dessert is always Daan Taat - egg custard tarts. We also received a complimentary bowl of a almond pudding with fruit.

4 wines today. Veuve Cliquot Champagne,  2011 Whitehall Lane, Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon,  2008 Ken Brown,  Rancho Vina, Pinot Noir (excellent)'

 I brought a 2009 Des Deaux Comtes. a collaboration of two wine makers, Larry Shaffer and John Cabot. Made with 50% Humbolt County grapes  and 50% Santa Barbara County grapes.  72% Syrah, 25% Granache and 3% Viognier. This wine took a long time to open, Should have decanted it. But once it opened it really showed well. Will finish the bottle tomorrow night and see how much it improves.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Sea Legs Dinner

Saturday, March 12, 2016

This month Margie chose a place in Huntington Beach for dinner. I had heard about but never eaten there before. For several reason I will never go back. Place is called Sea Legs Wine Bar.  www.sealegswinebar.com, . It does get mixed reviews on Yelp, now I know why. Food was good. No problem there. Service was a real downfall. I was only half way through my appetizer when they brought out my entree. Ten minutes later the other entrees came out. This is a big no no. Order for entree should not be put in until your customer is close to being finished with their appetizer and all entrees for your table should come out of the kitchen  about the same time. By time I got to my entree, which was a flat iron steak, the meat was cold. I would venture to say it was not to hot when it came from the kitchen to begin with.

This place caters to the younger crowd. Noisy, loud, blaring music. Not what I want to a nice dinner out. When you have to yell at the person sitting next to you to be heard it is too noisy. So if you are over 35 this is not the place you want to frequent unless you are a sugar daddy looking for a young conquest.

There was variety of foods ordered and everyone seemed happy with their choices. No complaints regarding flavors. 

I brought a 2011 Loring,  Russian River, Pinot Noir. It was drinking OK, not the greatest but OK. Maybe needs another couple of years.

Wines that rounded out the evening were 2013 Wildhaven, Pinot Gris, 2012 Molly Dooker, Blue Eyed Boy, Shiraz, NV Graham Beck Brut, 2008 Neyers, Old Lake Road, Sonoma Coast Syrah, 2012 Saxon Brown, Carneros, Chardonnay. NV Perrier Jouet Grand Brut, 2012 Kosta Browne, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir, 2013 Tablas Creek, Viognier and a 2009 Three Rivers Winery, Svelte, Red Blend.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Paella & Wine

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Nothing better than friends, paella and wine at the beach. And my partner and I won the wine trivia game.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Arte Cafe Leap Year Dinner

Monday. February 29, 2016

Arte Cafe in Cerritos , www.artecamellia.com,  held a dinner for $29. The menu that was sent out by e-mail had 1 appetizer 1 main course and 1 dessert listed along with 2 wines . The menu at the table was different, Two selections for each course but the wines was the same.

Choice of Ahi Nachos or a Smoked Salmon Bruschetta. I opted for the nachos which were quite good. The people that had the salmon were happy also. Wine was a 2014 Oberon Chardonnay. A tad oaky, but a very mediocre wine.

Main course was a choice of scallops or tri tip. I opted for the tri tip which had good flavor and was very tender and cooked the way I liked it. The wine was a substitution. Originally it was a Tre Leoni red and they replaced it with a 2013 Hess, Shirttail Ranches, Lake County, Cabernet. Why would you want a cabernet with scallops ? The Hess according to the label is made for restaurants only. Another mediocre wine.

I had ordered a glass off the menu of a Meomi Pinot Noir so I would have something drinkable.

Dessert was a choice of green tea ice cream or a Green Tea Tiramisu. Opted for the Triamisu. Decent dessert.

For $29 you could not beat the deal even if the wines were so so.  Upon receiving the bill the waitress rang up the dinner at $53. When pointed out she had no explanation. I know she was rushed as she was the only waitstaff besides two busboys for that section of the restaurant.  Service has always been a short coming of Arte Cafe.