Saturday, April 22, 2017

Utopia Spring Wine Dinner

Thursday, April 20, 2016

First wine dinner of the year at Utopia in downtown Long Beach.  Their dinners are nice, not spectacular but reasonably priced. $55 against $125 that most others charge.

The wines were all private label from a tech firm in the south bay area. A different take and very different bottles.

One problem at Utopia is that they never offer bread or rolls. You have to ask for it. I suppose it does save money.

First course was a warm French brie cheese with spicy mango chutney, crisp bread and thin strips of pickled red peppers. Peppers looked pretty but that was it. Brie and chutney were a nice combination They poured a  2016 "Summer Water" rose. A blend of Grenache and Syrah. Very Provence style. Not too thrilled with it. Strange back palate taste.

Second course is a arugula and mixed green salad with cherry tomatoes, roasted walnuts, goat cheese and a house made  balsamic dressing. Not over dressed which was nice for the wine pairing. A 2015 Field Theory Lodi Albarino, Andrus Island Vineyard. This was a good wine.

Third course is  grilled  lamb chops with a port reduction sauce, spring vegetables (two small this slices of zucchini) and mashed potatoes.  The chops were at least pink in the middle but I doubt if they were more than 5/8" inch  thick.  Paired with a 2015 Field Theory Paso Robles Blaufrankisch, Pomar Junction Vineyard. I did like this wine. It is a an Austrian grape varietal.  Not a heavy red but still had some punch to it.

Dessert is a vanilla ice cream with Trentadue chocolate port. A light dessert which was welcomed.

Amir also gave our table a glass of the port.

When we were seated they waitress asked if we wanted still or sparking water. We opted to the still. It came out in a blue bottle with a screwcap. The meal was prepaid. She brought a bill for $13 for two bottles of water. That is why some people had pitchers of water on their tables. We were never told there was a charge to begin with. Told her next time I would bring my own damm water in and that Michaels and Chianina only charge $2 and they are much higher end restaurants.

Next time I am in Utopia I will talk with Amir about the deception.  Do not like that kind of service. I can tell by the dinner that he is trying to hold the prices down and not raise them in spite of everything going up in price. But I would rather pay $60 and have him go back to what the dinners were.  Next wine dinner at Utopia is in June.

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