Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Met 4 others at Taste in Long Beach for a wine dinner. www.taste-wbk.com. Parking is a real problem in this area. At least I was able to parking in a 30 minute zone and wait until 6:00 to get out of the car. No parking police today. Winery tonight was Tamber Bay in the Napa area. It is a horse farm that makes wine on the side. Dinner was sold out so the restaurant is very noisy.
First course served was a Late Summer Stone Fruit Salad with peaches, figs, pulots, Burrata Cheese and arugula, basil and lemon oil. Nice selection of fruit, all very good and just ripe enough. Paired with a 2016 Lizzy's Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. 50% Acacia wood barrels and 50% stainless steel. Not to my liking. A bit too "new zealandy" for me. $ 32 a bottle.
Nest was a Carmelized Wild Caught Sea Scallops with lime buerre blanc, warm corn and Hatch chiles and cilantro. Excellent dish, scallops cooked perfectly and the corn salad was exceptionally good. A 2016 unoaked Younville Chardonnay was served. It was OK but again not to my palate. $36 a bottle.
Third course is a Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin, smoked grits, Earl Grey plum compote. Very good dish. the rub was good and the smoked grits were unusual and very good. Paired with a 2014 Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast, Sun Chase Vineyard, Pinot Noir. After a weekend of Sta Rita Hills pinots this was not cutting it for me. $70 a bottle.
Main course is a Tomato and Red Wine Braised Brisket, roasted garlic pommes puree, black pepper glazed carrots. Again a very good dish. Brisket had great flavor and was tender. Paired with a 2013 Rabicano Bordeaux blend. Good wine. Finally found something I liked. $50 a bottle.
Dessert was a Dark Chocolate Roasted Beet Cake with blue cheese ice cream and Italian Saba. Sounds strange but both were good. The cake was not overly sweet and the blue cheese was a very light flavor in the ice cream. They did go really well together The wine poured was a 2014 Yountville, Deux Chevaux Vineyard, Merlot. Best wine of the night. $75 a bottle.
Altogether a very good dinner. But the restaurant still is a very noisy place and the parking is awful. I would do another wine dinner here but it won't become a regular stop on my way home which is too bad because the food is excellent.
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Wine & Fire Weekend
Saturday, August 19 to Monday, August 21, 2017
Left early Saturday morning to make the trek north to the Sta. Rita Hills for the annual Wine & Fire fest. I have been doing this for over 15 years.We made the trip in 2 hours, traffic was light and good driving all the way. Headed down Santa Rosa Road looking for the entrance to this years seminar and lunch at El Jabli vineyards. After going many miles down the road and the numbers are getting higher we decided we must have missed the signage. Turning around on a narrow two lane curvy road is interesting. As we headed back looking at the road numbers we came to the entrance for Alma Rosa. No signage, no balloons, nothing to indicate this was the stop. Asked a field worker where El Jabli vineyards were and he pointed to where he was standing. After pointing up the hill we took off and after cresting the small hill we saw the white tent and the big BBQ rig from Hitching Post.
Had a great seminar on the wineries and vineyards on the Santa Rosa Road area of the Sta. Rita Hills. Last years seminar was on the Route 246 producers. Lunch was good as always. Lots of wine flowing and good talks by the participants. This all was headed by Matt Kellerman from Wine Enthusist magazine.
At 5:00 we at the entrance to the big grand tasting at the La Purisma Mission. Beautiful grounds. They cut back on the amount of tickets available this year and it was a much better venue. Not nearly as crowded and no long lines at the tasting tables. Hope they do this again next year.
Sunday morning after having breakfast at the hotel we were at the door of the Taste of Sta. Rita Hills tasting room when they opened. Left with 6 bottles of a very good Proseco that Antonio Moretti makes. Next was Fiddlehead for a quick tasting before heading down the road. In Buellton we stopped at Buscador. A new place for me . I was impressed with his wines and bought a couple of bottles. I will make it a point to stop in here next time I am in town.
Leaving Buellton we drove into Los Olivos. Tercero's tasting room was packed so we went around the corner to Dragonette. Brandon Gilles was pouring at the seminar. A Pinot from Radiance vineyard which was exceptionally good. Then popped into Stolpman for a quick taste and walked out with 6 bottles of their Rose.
Back to Solvang for dinner at First & Oak. A restaurant in the Mirabelle hotel. Owned by the same person that has the Sky Room in Long beach. I can never remember the name of the winery he owns. Starts with a "C" like Cloqcouiet or something along that order. But do not like the wines at all. The food at dinner was very good but the wines by the glass were all his winery. I would dine there again but would order a bottle of something else and share it at dinner.
Up bright and early to head home. After a brief stop at watch the eclipse we veered off the freeway to visit the Hubers and their new home in Newbury Park. Had a nice vist with Norman and Traudl then off again. Cindy needed to get home by 2:00 to do a webinar for work. About 1:30 I reached for my purse and it was not in the car. I had left it at the Hubers. So we pulled over and found a shady spot so Cindy could d the webinar on her cell phone. At 2:45 we turned around and headed back to Newbury Park.. Traudl made us a dinner to go. A nice sandwhich, fresh blueberries and a homemade brownie.. Norm threw in a couple bottles of wine and Perrier water.
Got back to Cerritos at 6:30. 9-1/2 hours after we left Lompoc. Long day. Went up with the intention of not buying any wines but came home with 17 bottles. I have no will power. But a good trip overall and looking forward to next years festival.
Left early Saturday morning to make the trek north to the Sta. Rita Hills for the annual Wine & Fire fest. I have been doing this for over 15 years.We made the trip in 2 hours, traffic was light and good driving all the way. Headed down Santa Rosa Road looking for the entrance to this years seminar and lunch at El Jabli vineyards. After going many miles down the road and the numbers are getting higher we decided we must have missed the signage. Turning around on a narrow two lane curvy road is interesting. As we headed back looking at the road numbers we came to the entrance for Alma Rosa. No signage, no balloons, nothing to indicate this was the stop. Asked a field worker where El Jabli vineyards were and he pointed to where he was standing. After pointing up the hill we took off and after cresting the small hill we saw the white tent and the big BBQ rig from Hitching Post.
Had a great seminar on the wineries and vineyards on the Santa Rosa Road area of the Sta. Rita Hills. Last years seminar was on the Route 246 producers. Lunch was good as always. Lots of wine flowing and good talks by the participants. This all was headed by Matt Kellerman from Wine Enthusist magazine.
At 5:00 we at the entrance to the big grand tasting at the La Purisma Mission. Beautiful grounds. They cut back on the amount of tickets available this year and it was a much better venue. Not nearly as crowded and no long lines at the tasting tables. Hope they do this again next year.
Sunday morning after having breakfast at the hotel we were at the door of the Taste of Sta. Rita Hills tasting room when they opened. Left with 6 bottles of a very good Proseco that Antonio Moretti makes. Next was Fiddlehead for a quick tasting before heading down the road. In Buellton we stopped at Buscador. A new place for me . I was impressed with his wines and bought a couple of bottles. I will make it a point to stop in here next time I am in town.
Leaving Buellton we drove into Los Olivos. Tercero's tasting room was packed so we went around the corner to Dragonette. Brandon Gilles was pouring at the seminar. A Pinot from Radiance vineyard which was exceptionally good. Then popped into Stolpman for a quick taste and walked out with 6 bottles of their Rose.
Back to Solvang for dinner at First & Oak. A restaurant in the Mirabelle hotel. Owned by the same person that has the Sky Room in Long beach. I can never remember the name of the winery he owns. Starts with a "C" like Cloqcouiet or something along that order. But do not like the wines at all. The food at dinner was very good but the wines by the glass were all his winery. I would dine there again but would order a bottle of something else and share it at dinner.
Up bright and early to head home. After a brief stop at watch the eclipse we veered off the freeway to visit the Hubers and their new home in Newbury Park. Had a nice vist with Norman and Traudl then off again. Cindy needed to get home by 2:00 to do a webinar for work. About 1:30 I reached for my purse and it was not in the car. I had left it at the Hubers. So we pulled over and found a shady spot so Cindy could d the webinar on her cell phone. At 2:45 we turned around and headed back to Newbury Park.. Traudl made us a dinner to go. A nice sandwhich, fresh blueberries and a homemade brownie.. Norm threw in a couple bottles of wine and Perrier water.
Got back to Cerritos at 6:30. 9-1/2 hours after we left Lompoc. Long day. Went up with the intention of not buying any wines but came home with 17 bottles. I have no will power. But a good trip overall and looking forward to next years festival.
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
With The Boys Again
Monday, August 14, 2017
Another Dim Sum with the boys at the Seafood Palace, www.seafoodpalacerestaurant.com,. We started out with the normal offerings from the carts, Shrimp Shu Mai, Sweet Rice with Chinese Sausage in Lotus Leaf, and a Soy Bean Wrapped concoction of Pork, Mushrooms and Vegetables. We consider these items appetizers before our main dishes.
Then our complimentary bowl of Sour Spicy Soup. Followed with a platter Beef and Vegetables with Fat Noodles, Salt and Pepper Calamari and Basil Clams. When we reached this state we are ready to stop. A nice Egg Tart for dessert.
We each had a taste of a Fried Radish Cake that Henry ordered to take home to his wife Evan. A light radish flavor, not too much and it was interesting. I would eat it again,
Good selection of wines today. For a $12 each lunch we do drink well.
I brought a 2009 Williams Selyem Russian River Pinot Noir which I decanted for about 90 minutes. Drinking really nicely. A 2012 Stags Leap Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Melville Sta. Rita Hills Syrah and a 2011 Touraine, Val de Loire Pinot Noir Rose.
Another Dim Sum with the boys at the Seafood Palace, www.seafoodpalacerestaurant.com,. We started out with the normal offerings from the carts, Shrimp Shu Mai, Sweet Rice with Chinese Sausage in Lotus Leaf, and a Soy Bean Wrapped concoction of Pork, Mushrooms and Vegetables. We consider these items appetizers before our main dishes.
Then our complimentary bowl of Sour Spicy Soup. Followed with a platter Beef and Vegetables with Fat Noodles, Salt and Pepper Calamari and Basil Clams. When we reached this state we are ready to stop. A nice Egg Tart for dessert.
We each had a taste of a Fried Radish Cake that Henry ordered to take home to his wife Evan. A light radish flavor, not too much and it was interesting. I would eat it again,
Good selection of wines today. For a $12 each lunch we do drink well.
I brought a 2009 Williams Selyem Russian River Pinot Noir which I decanted for about 90 minutes. Drinking really nicely. A 2012 Stags Leap Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 Melville Sta. Rita Hills Syrah and a 2011 Touraine, Val de Loire Pinot Noir Rose.
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Baci Restaurant
Saturday, August 12, 2017
Margie's choice for dinner this month was Baci in Huntington Beach. www.bacirestaurant.com, Loads of murals on the walls but a bit noisy for me. But when you have 12 people at a long table the noise level does go up. But I was on a far end so I had a least one quiet side.
A variety of foods was order. I started out with a shrimp, artichoke heart, percorino cheese appetizer. It was decent, but the 4 shrimp were very small. But my lamb oso bucco was excellent. Loads of flavor and meat was tender. I think I would have preferred risotto instead of pasta as a side but that is always an after thought. The panna cotta for dessert was good. So a good dinner.
Mixed variety of wines. I brought a 2008 Stolpman LaCroce which is a blend of Sangiovese and Syrah . Decanted it for 3 hours and to me was the best wine on the table. Very well balanced, nice fruit without being too fruity, semi dry with a good mouth feel. I did taste some of the other wines. A few good and a few not. But that is the reality of life.
2011 Pio Cesare, Barolo - good (second favorite)
NV Valdobbiadrene, Brut Prosecco - good
2015 Turley, Sauvignon Blanc - good not to acidic
2015 Francis Ford Coppola, Sophia , Blanc de Blanc - decent
2016 Trump, Monticello, VA, Sauvignon Blanc - I dumped it
2012 Carpineto Vino Nobile de Montepulciano - good
2014 Seal Beach Winery, Estelle Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon did not taste
2003 Chumeia, Barbera - did not taste
2004 Pedroncelli, Sangiovese - sharp mouth feel, it should have been much smoother for a 13 year old wine. - was not impressed
2015 Moretti, Bianchetto - did not taste but I have earlier years of this wine and they have been good
2014 Palmina Dolcetto - did not taste
2013 Tabalas Creek, Full Circle, Pinot Noir - decent
2014 Kosta Browne, SLH, Pinot Noir - good but too young to drink
Margie's choice for dinner this month was Baci in Huntington Beach. www.bacirestaurant.com, Loads of murals on the walls but a bit noisy for me. But when you have 12 people at a long table the noise level does go up. But I was on a far end so I had a least one quiet side.
A variety of foods was order. I started out with a shrimp, artichoke heart, percorino cheese appetizer. It was decent, but the 4 shrimp were very small. But my lamb oso bucco was excellent. Loads of flavor and meat was tender. I think I would have preferred risotto instead of pasta as a side but that is always an after thought. The panna cotta for dessert was good. So a good dinner.
Mixed variety of wines. I brought a 2008 Stolpman LaCroce which is a blend of Sangiovese and Syrah . Decanted it for 3 hours and to me was the best wine on the table. Very well balanced, nice fruit without being too fruity, semi dry with a good mouth feel. I did taste some of the other wines. A few good and a few not. But that is the reality of life.
2011 Pio Cesare, Barolo - good (second favorite)
NV Valdobbiadrene, Brut Prosecco - good
2015 Turley, Sauvignon Blanc - good not to acidic
2015 Francis Ford Coppola, Sophia , Blanc de Blanc - decent
2016 Trump, Monticello, VA, Sauvignon Blanc - I dumped it
2012 Carpineto Vino Nobile de Montepulciano - good
2014 Seal Beach Winery, Estelle Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon did not taste
2003 Chumeia, Barbera - did not taste
2004 Pedroncelli, Sangiovese - sharp mouth feel, it should have been much smoother for a 13 year old wine. - was not impressed
2015 Moretti, Bianchetto - did not taste but I have earlier years of this wine and they have been good
2014 Palmina Dolcetto - did not taste
2013 Tabalas Creek, Full Circle, Pinot Noir - decent
2014 Kosta Browne, SLH, Pinot Noir - good but too young to drink
Thursday, August 10, 2017
The Playground and Steak
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Time to go the the Playground again for their Ultimate Steak dinner which is their bread and butter dinner. www.playgrounddtsa.com, They feature 5 cuts of Wagu beef. 4 cuts from a Wagu beef from a cattle grower in Nebraska which butchers 20 Wagu beef cattle a month and the Playground takes 10 of them. The ribeye at the end of the meal is Grade 5 Wagu beef from Miyazaji, Japan.
Traffic was unusually heavy and it took me and hour and 50 minutes to get there from work. If there was a red light I hit it. Two fire trucks, one accident and one ambulance interfered also.. Walked into the restaurant at 6:10. Fortunately I was not the only late arrival.
A nice sparkling Vouvay was poured which really hit the spot since I was a bit frazzled . We were then served a house made salted brioche roll with house made butter Then onto a salad of mixed greens, pickled cranberries, candied walnuts and a sherry Dijon vinaigrette. The dressing was light and it not cover the flavors of the cranberries and walnuts.
Next a dish of heirloom tomatoes, tahini, nectarines, plums, pistachios and Baller seasame seeds. Loads of flavors and the tomatoes have very little acid to them. Made for a very pleasant dish for me.
The first steak appeared - sirloin, cut in small strips, red just to my liking. This is not the place for people who want their meat cremated. Jason refuses to overcook meat. So if you are a medium to well done person this dinner is not for you.
A bowl of crispy brussel sprouts, carmelized onions was set in front of us. Again a dish with a lot of flavors. The cut of steak with this dish was Flank. Extremely tender. Then a plate of a cut called Picanha was set down. Had never heard of this cut of beef. Apparently it is popular in South America, There is only one cut on a beef and it is approximately 3 lbs, Jason has specific butchering guidelines that he gives to the cattle grower. I found it slightly chewy but that is the way South Americans like their beef.
A plate of "Tater Tubes" appeared. Fried tubes made with potatoes and stuffed with Pommes Puree. I could have eaten a lot of these tasty little morsels.. An outside skirt steak was chosen for the accompaniment.
Next was a dish with corn and some herb mixed in. Not sure what is was as it was not on the menu. But the Miyazaki Ribeye was the meat for this dish. It was so tender and the fat tasted like butter. $115 a pound is what is costs the restaurant.
Dessert was macerated peaches and a Semi Fredo. Good close to a very rich dinner.
We had 5 wines besides the sparkling to go with the dishes. So another dinner bites the dust. Considering how much we get to eat, 5 wines and a sparkling the price is reasonable. I have never been disappointed in the Playground. It is not for everyones taste and budget. But every two months I have to go.
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
10 Year Vertical of Clos Pepe Wines
Saturday, August 5, 2017
I wandered down the freeway to Venice Saturday afternoon for a Clos Pepe wine tasting. The host had told Wes he could invite two extra people so Wes decided on Jolie and I. We were both ecstatic to be the chosen ones. This was a 10 year vertical of wines.
Unfortunately Wes had to cancel at the last minute due to personal issues. But Cameron the host welcomed us with open arms. Andrew who is still with Clos Pepe until the wines runs out was there pouring for us.
I was too difficult to keep notes as space was limited I did remember that the 2001 HTC Chardonnay was interesting Had a sherry quality to it, Caramel and nutty. I liked it enough to try a second pour. And somehow in my notes I may have missed some of the wines. If I find a complete list I will edit this post because there was between 39 and 40 bottles on the table. I do remember that the 2006 Estate Pinot was off.
HTC Chardonnay - 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
BF Chardonnay - 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Estate Pinot - 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
VS Pinot - 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
Signature - 2012
Dark Side - 2012
Sparkling - 2010
I wandered down the freeway to Venice Saturday afternoon for a Clos Pepe wine tasting. The host had told Wes he could invite two extra people so Wes decided on Jolie and I. We were both ecstatic to be the chosen ones. This was a 10 year vertical of wines.
Unfortunately Wes had to cancel at the last minute due to personal issues. But Cameron the host welcomed us with open arms. Andrew who is still with Clos Pepe until the wines runs out was there pouring for us.
I was too difficult to keep notes as space was limited I did remember that the 2001 HTC Chardonnay was interesting Had a sherry quality to it, Caramel and nutty. I liked it enough to try a second pour. And somehow in my notes I may have missed some of the wines. If I find a complete list I will edit this post because there was between 39 and 40 bottles on the table. I do remember that the 2006 Estate Pinot was off.
HTC Chardonnay - 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
BF Chardonnay - 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Estate Pinot - 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
VS Pinot - 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
Signature - 2012
Dark Side - 2012
Sparkling - 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)