Wednesday, June 7, 2021
This month Margie chose Sebastiani's Italian Bristo "sebastianis.net" in Huntington Beach as our destination. I had not been back to this restaurant in years. A brother and sister of Italian heritage from Peru owned the place then. New owners name is Phil. Margie chose Wednesday night as there is no corkage this night. Other nights it is $15 per bottle. I am fine with week night dinners. In fact I do prefer them. With a large group you will get better cooperation with restaurants if you don't tie up their facilities on weekend nights.
There was 22 people tonight. Unfortunately we were crammed in two tables that were so close together that when someone needed to get out everyone had to stand and move out of the way. Someone stated that the fire department would close the place down if they came in and saw that. Fortunately I was on an end. I would have had to leave the dinner if I was shoved in the middle of that mess. Another unfortunate thing was the waitstaff announced that the first 22 bottles would be no corkage (one bottle per person) after that it was $15 a bottle corkage This should have been stated when Margie negotiated the reservation. Also someone said that the owner expected everyone to order entrees not just appetizers. Guess to make up for lost revenue during Covid.
CJ and I split orders of Empanada's, chicken and beef. I have never had a "soft" empanada before. I am used to the pie crust type dough. I ate my beef one and took the chicken home. They were good but odd. I had the Veal Gorgonzola for dinner. Very large serving. Two good size pieces of veal and loads of vegetables. It was good. All the other dishes people ordered looked good and there were no complaints.
Since it was Nancy's birthday on the 8th, Stuart got permission to bring in a birthday cake for dessert, It was excellent. He also had a 2016 Husch, Anderson Valley, Late Harvest Gewürztraminer wine to accompany it. Wine was not cloying sweet and it was a treat.
I brought a bottle of 2013 Stolpman degli Angeli Sangiovese and a Moretti, Valdobbiadene. Prosecco Superiore DOCG. Both wines were excellent and bottles were emptied. Needless to say with as many bottles on the tables I only got to taste a few of them. Some I did not know were on the tables until I looked at the list that I had everyone fill in.
2019 Mastrobevavdino, Nova Sevva, Greco di Tuffo - very nice
NV Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso Brut - a light wine but good
2017 Inama Vigneti di Carbunave Soave Classico - did not taste
2016 Isole Olena Estate Chianti Classico - did not taste
NV Ducks Amiss by Deus Amis, Healdsberg - did not taste
2007 Le Vigne Domenico, Paso Robles, Cabernet Sauvignon - did not taste
2018 Alavera Rosso Veronese Corvina - did not taste
2019 Palmina, Pinot Grigio - did not taste
2012 Chateau Margene, Paso Robles, Cabernet Franc - did not taste but would have liked to
2019 Vermentino de Montverro Toscana - did not taste
2019 Carol Shelton, Placer Co Wild Thing Viognier - did not taste
2018 Cooper Vineyards, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County, Sangiovese - did not taste
2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - did not taste
2018 Vigna del Cristo Cavicchioli d'Figli - did not taste
2007 Sea Smoke, Sta Rita Hills, Southing Pinot Noir (magnum) - good wine, typical Sea Smoke
NV Weingut Lothat Kettern, Mosel, Germany Spatburgunder Rose Sket - nice, light German Skets are not appreciated like they should be
2018 Sea Smoke, Sta Rita Hills, Chardonnay - did not taste - I have had it before and not impressed
2014 Chateau Le Dome, France, Saint-Emilion Red wine - blend of Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvigon and Cabernet Franc - excellent wine needs a lot more time aging - I really enjoyed this wine
NV Murari Prosecco Brut - did not taste
2020 Harral Vineyards, (must from Piemonte, Italy) Nebbiolo - did not taste
2016 Ripassa Valpolicella, Ripasso Superiore, Zenato - did not taste
2020 Gemme Cellars, Topazo, Napa Valley, White wine - did not taste
2016 Taylor Noelle, Ballard Canyon, Tempranillo - did not state but would have liked to
