Wine Dinner at Arte Cafe

Saturday, September 26, 2020 This is the first wine dinner that Arte Cafe has had since January. Covid restrictions were lifted for restraurant has a large fenced patio area with a fireplace and an area for a band which they did have tonight. Tables were set up with 6 ft spacing. I had no qualms about being here. We started off with a glass (several) of Scharffenberger Cellars Brut Excellence. Then onto the first course which was a Smoked Salmon Toast. Two very large pieces. I took one home because of the size. Flavor was wonderful. Light smoke and not fishy at all. Next came a Red Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and spicy Cajun Shrimp. Shrimp were cooked perfectly. Beets were very tender and seet. The wine was a Louis Latour Chardonnay, Grand Ardche. I did not like this wine. It did pair well with the beets and goat cheese but it just was not my style of Chardonnay. Which for being French was odd to me. Tasted more like a California wine. Third course is a Petit Filet Mignon with Lobster Medallion, scalloped potatoes and braised Swiss Chard. Beef was cooked perfectly. Rare to Medium which is my style, good flavor. Lobster was very succulent and tender. Only issue is I felt the potatoes needed a bit more salt. Wine poured was a Justin Isoceles. Decent but not a blockbuster. Dessert was a very delicate and light Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. Excellent dessert. Loads of delicate flavor and very light on the palate. The wine was The Calling Monterey Pinot Noir. OK but a little lackluster. It was so nice to be able to get out and socialize and feel normal again. Food was good, wines were OK but for $59 it was a a bargain. Have signed up for the Prisoner Wine dinner in October and the Grgich Wine dinner in November.