555 East Steakhouse Dinner

Wednesday. June 12, 2018

6 of us gathered tonight to have a great dinner at 555 in Long Beach. Traffic was really good so several of us were at least 30 minutes early for our reservation. It was great that they seated us instead of waiting for the others to arrive.  It takes a bit to get all the paraphernalia out with the glasses, wines etc.,  We all bring our own glasses even though the restaurant provides them. With no corkage it best to be a good guest.

Started out with six oysters. Wellfleet and Padanaram from Massachusetts.  Nice briny slippery things.

I shared an aged Chateaubriand with 2 others. 35 ounce cut of meat at $4.35 per ounce. They do not have this cut of meat on the regular menu. Only the daily aged list. So it does vary when it is available. Split 3 ways it becomes affordable. Meat was excellent. Ordered medium rare and that is how it came out. I had a side of sauteed spinach and some mushrooms with it.  Was good and ate no bread or rolls. Fills you up to soon. 

Unfortunately they did not have any kind of cheese plate on the menu. None of us ordered desserts but we would have loved to have some cheese to go with the Sauternes that I brought. So it did not get opened and I put it back in the cooler when I got home. Another time will come up to open it.

We had quite an array of wine tonight.

2008 Bollinger, La Grande Annee, Champagne - always good - both champagnes were emptied.

2012 Louis Roederer Rose Champagne - always good

1984 Special Selection, Caymus Vineyard, Napa , Cabernet Sauvignon - took quite awhile to open up - a bit on the downside but interesting and enjoyable.

2000 Blanket Estate, Paradise Hill Vineyard, Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon - good. full, light fruit, no tannins

2010 Saxum, James Berry Vineyard, Paso Robles, Grenache, Syrah. Mouvedre (Mataro) , Wine Spectators Wine of The Year 2010.  Big, plush, heavy fruit. I would guess it will much softer the next day after sitting.  I had to take my wines to work with me so I did not get a chance to decant. I think several hours in the decanter would have been best. That is why I think it will be fabulous the next day.

2012 Liparita, Grand Prize, V Block, Yountville, Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon - slightly off the peak. Could have been that particular bottle as it is only 7 years old

2012 Highlands, Napa, Zinfandel - big. fruity, lush on the palate