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.