Thursday, October 24, 2019

Washington Wines at Arte Cafe

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Chateau St. Michelle was the wine house for tonight's dinner. They have numerous labels under their roof so tonight's dinner featured several of them.  Richard has gone up a bit on his price for dinner. It is now $65 which is still a bargain in today's market. Always has raffle items, bottles of wine etc., included.  

Started out with  appetizers of a Shrimp in pastry and Mushroom & Cabbage Spring Roll. Both were quiet good. Wine was a Domaine Ste. Michelle Sparkling Brut. Good choice to start dinner with.

Then onto a Shredded Chicken with apples on arugula with a Riesling , Olive Oil dressing and Parmesan cheese. Nice flavor. Chicken was moist. About half way through I decided I was starting to fill up so I took the remainder home.   A 2016 Chateau Ste. Michelle, Canoe Ridge Estate, Horse Heaven Hill, Chardonnay was the paired wine. Again a very nice pairing. Wine was not oaky and had a nice restrained crispness to it.

Second course is a Butternut Squash Gratin with Leeks, Duck Confit and Thyme. Excellent flavor, heavy dish as it is fall and time for the heavier foods for our hibernation.  I forced myself to eat the entire dish. But I am really full for some reason and I did not have any bread or rolls. Paired with a Spring Valley Vineyards, "Nina Lee" Syrah, Walla Walla, WA. Apparently "Nina Lee" was a vaudevillian  who married the founder of Spring Valley Vineyards. Nice catch. Good pairing also. 

Third Course is a Filet Mignon with Lump Crab Meat, fresh Asparagus, Truffled mashed potatoes and a Bernaise Sauce. Ate about one third of this dish and boxed it up to take home. A first vintage, 2015 Col Solare, Cabernet Sauvignon was the selection. This is a wine made in conjunction with Antinori from Italy.  Very good wine and it was a 94 pointer from Wine Advocate.

Dessert is a Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Pecan Praline Topping. Heavy duty. Great flavor but so rich I could only get through about two thirds of it. This entire meal was on the heavy side. Paired with a Eroica Gold Riesling. Not fond of the pairing. Two much acidity in the wine and it was a sharp contrast to the creaminess of the cheesecake.

Lots of raffle prizes. No winner here but someone did get a Riedel decanter along with a bottle of the Cabernet.

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