Arte Cafe and Chinese New Year with Stags Leap Winery

Friday, February 1, 2019

A big sold out dinner tonight at Arte Cafe in Cerritos.   Over 90 people. Lot of Chinese celebrating the Year of The Pig. Women dressed in red, me included. The Lucky color.

Started out with an appetizer of Vegetable Spring Rolls paired with  two sparkling wines. A Gancia Prosecco and a Desiderio, Jeio, Prosecco. Spring rolls were quite good.

First course is a Alaskan King Crab Salad, Asian Pear, Candied Walnuts, Wild Honey, Yuzu Vinaigrette. Nice piece of crab that was deep fried with a very light panko crust. The pear and walnut just added a real nice contrast.. Wine was a 2017 Stags Leap, Napa Valley, Chardonnay. Clean Chardonnay, very minor oak. Paired very well with the crab.

Second course is a Seared Shrimp and Scallop, Crispy Pancetta, Heirloom Tomatoes, Soy and Butter Sauce.  Shrimp and scallop are cooked perfectly. Richard does have a touch for seafood.  Paired with the same Chardonnay as the Crab.

Our Entree is a Pepper Crusted Prime New York Steak with Herb Fingerling Potatoes. Truffle Butter Mushrooms, Asparagus and Ginger Peppercorn.  Everything was good and tasty except the steak.  Mine was a bit pink on the inside but to me overcooked. Flavor was OK.   Richard does not do steak well. He even came around after dinner asking about the steak and suggested himself that is was overcooked. So he is at least aware of this short coming. Paired with a 2015 Stags Leap, Napa Valley Caberent Sauvignon. Decent wine, not spectacular  All the wines seem to be estate and not single vineyard.

Dessert was a big hit. Caramel Sticky Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream. Also the best wine of the evening. A 2015 Stags Leap, Napa Valley, Petite Syrah.  I enjoyed this wine. deep, dark fruit, well balanced.

Lots of raffle prizes tonight. I am sure because of the New Year Celebration.  Price has gone up to $53 for dinner and wine. Still a bargain in today's market. I enjoy these dinners in spite of the steak short comings. The seafood is always top notch and cooked perfectly.