Annual Christmas Soirée

 Saturday, December 2022

My annual Christmas get together tonight. Was not sure when I made plans the first of the year if it would pan out after my accident. Did not get my Christmas tree nor the house decorated this year but party went off as scheduled.  It did lift my spirits a lot to have the group in. 12 of us tonight. Same group every year. Very compatible. Some people I had not seen since 2021's party. It has been a slow recovery and not much socialization. It was so good to see them again. Only one missing and he was babysitting his grandson. 

I put out shrimp, smoked salmon, mini meatballs, cheese, dip and other small nibblies. A charcuterie board was brought by Tim & Maria and CJ made Samosas. Greg brought seared Ahi.  Big hit of the evening was the two pizzas Stan and Karen brought from Domino's. So simple but so good, Handmade dipped chocolates from Bob, Panettone from Kelly & Dimitry along with chocolates and chocolate covered strawberries which were to die for and cookies from Marc & Judy. A feast board. 

A lot of wine for us to choose from bubblies to port. The two Terravox wines from Missouri I put out was to be able to open and taste. They were drinkable but not stellar. But I needed the 16 different grape varietals that were in them. I now have 582 grape varietals tasted. (we all have our quirks) A Lemoncello was brought but not opened. In the freezer waiting for the next martini night. 

NV   Gruet, Blanc de Noirs

NV   Domaine Allimant-Laugner,  Cremant d'Alsace

2012 Moet & Chandon, Champagne, Grand Vintage

2020 Peake Ranch, Chardonnay

2002 Chateau St Jean, Sonoma, Cinq Cepages

2010 Elio Grasso, Italy, Barolo

2012 Stolpman, Ballard Canyon, Angeli

2016 INum Cellars, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

???? Kistler, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir

2016 Longoria, SBC, Blues Cuvee

2020 Terravox, Missouri, Chateauneuf du Platte

1991 Croft, Portugal, Vintage Porto

2016 Terravox, Missouri, Norton Report

Dim Sun Lunch With The Boys at Seafood Cove # 2

 Tuesday, November 29

We had a hankering for Dim Sum so off to Seafood Cove # 2.  Which is in the heart of Little Saigon. # 1 does not serve Dim Sum but the rest of the menu is the same.

We arrived at 11:00 and the place was half filled. Seems they start serving Dim Sum at 8:30 am. Large dining area on second floor. Parking was a nightmare. They did have an elevator (dirty)  so that helped me a lot.

All of the food was good and Henry said it was on par with the Dim Sum places in the San Gabriel Valley area which is heavy Asian population.

We started out with Siu Mai which is a shrimp, pork and vegetable steamed dumpling. Then on to Har Gow which is shrimp and vegetables wrapped in a thin, translucent dough and steamed.

Then came Black Mushroom Sui Mai, pork ribs, and steamed BBQ pork dumplings.  Highlight for me was the Turnip cake. Henry explained how it is made and it seemed like a long process. But it was really good.   Egg tarts for dessert. These tarts had a heavier crust than the one we got at Duong Son when it was open. 

I brought a 2015 Lando, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir which was showing very well. Other wines were a 2020 Daou, Cabernet Sauvignon. Nice wine but a bit too young and a Gruet Cuvee 89 sparkling Rose. The Rose went very well with the Dim Sum.

On the way out I noticed a small freezer with a translucent lid that had bags of frozen dumplings in it.  Next time I plan on buying a bag. Also had small containers of sauces.