Chinese New Year Dinner at Arte Cafe

Thursday, January 23, 2019

Odd assortment of dinner guests tonight. Saw  a few people that are regulars but a lot of new faces.  First clue that this was going to be different was a 3 piece band was setting up right inside the main entrance. Picked out a table as far away as possible.  No wine rep tonight. These wines will all be Richard's pick and not over pricey. 

Started off with a appetizer plate of Pork Belly, Egg Rolls and Chicken Wing. These are Richard's specialties and all were good.  They poured a Cupcake Sparkling Prosecco. Cloying sweet.

Next was a Won Ton soup with bok choy and Shitake mushrooms. Soup was very good and filling. I now have no more room for food. This was a large bowl. A Liquid Light Sauvignon Blanc was the pairing. The wine I would not be able to handle on its own. Way to citrusy for me but it did balance out with the soup.

Third course is a Salt & Pepper Sea Bass on cabbage. Excellent flavors. Took a couple of bites to taste and had them box it up for take out. A Erath Resplendent, Pinot Noir was the choice of wine. Not impressed. Seemed flat.

Main was choice of Duck Breast or Pork Belly. I opted for the Pork Belly with Long Line Noodles and Chinese Broccoli. Never tasted it, boxed it up to take home and have for dinner Friday night. That soup was so filling. A 2017  Intrinsic Red Blend, Malbec & Merlot, was the wine .  OK wine but again not impressed. Just didn't have a lot going for it.

Dessert was strange. I am not Chinese so maybe I did not appreciate it. Sweet Bean, Taro Root and Boba. Like a warm soup. Just could not get into it especially for dessert.

Music was loud but could have been worse. Songs were great, 50's & 60's. Everyone got a red envelope with money inside. Tossed mine into the musicians bucket.. They did give away a few bottles of wine, same as we had tonight. For once I was glad I did not win.