Spago Restaurant - Dine in LA Week

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Back to Spago for the Winter Dine in LA Week. 6 of us tonight. Actually sat at the exact same table as we did on the last Dine in LA Week dinner last year.  Got to meet Wolfgang Puck. He came to our table and conversed with each of us. Seems a film crew was there. They are doing a documentary on Wolfgang Puck's life.

Started out with a few Amuse Bouches. 4 this year , 6 last year. 

 Parmigiano, Reggiano Cloud. A marshmallowy concoction rolled in the cheeese. Melt in your mouth one biter 

"Terotot"a square "tatertot" with  creme fraiche and Kaluga caviar

Maple Macaroon with Applewood smoked bacon and coffee. One of my favorites that they make here.

Tuna Tartar in a Sesame, Miso Tuille Cone. 2 bites.  Presentation is everything

First up is Japanese Hamachi, with ginger, Thai basil, crispy rice, Kaffir lime & Kalamansi (Filipino  Lime).  Extremely flavorful and the fish was raw, sweet and tender

Maine Diver Scallop,  fennel, capers, Meyer lemon, pomello and celery hearts. So succulent, Cooked to perfection.

Charred Octopus, pomegranate, mole and pumpkin seed.. Tender and good. But Playground's beat it out.

Hand made Agnolotti pasta with celery root, French black truffles and Mascarpone.. Very tasty and the truffle added the punch to the dish. I had 2 very large slices on my plate. Think I got the most of all at the table. Matter of luck.

Liberty Farms Duck brast, , Savoy cabbage, cipolinni, (onion) juniper and currants.. Needed a tad of salt. But overall a good dish.

Snake River Farms, Wagyu New York steak with Weiser Farms parsnips, black garlic and bone marrow.  This was much better than last year. Steak was tender and juicy.

Crottin de Chavignol, (goat cheese)   Fuji apple compote, Miele di Castagno,(Chestnut Honey)  and Rye. A really nice palate cleaning bite.

Mud Creek Farms grapefruit, smoked yogurt, wild flower honey and lavender.

Spago has a limit on 3 bottles per table that you can bring in.($50 corkage).  So a couple were bought off the wine list. I had brought a 2010 Clos Pepe VS that I recorked and took back home. Several bottles did not make it out of the wine bags.  I know the Rioja was bought off the list but not sure which ones

2013 Domaine Aimelle et Bernard, Nuits-Saint-George. 1st Cru

Domaine Lejeune, Pommard Les Rugiens. 1st Cru

2008 Pierre Paillard, Le Grand Recolte, Bouzy-Grand Cru

1995 Charles Heidsieck , Blanc de Millenaries

2007 Marquesde Murriette, Rioja.