Birthday Dinner at Five Crowns

 Friday,  February 10, 2023

5 of us tonight for dinner celebrating 3 birthdays. Again the entire tab was picked up by one person. Extremely generous twice within 2 weeks.  Restaurant was packed, glad we had reservations. It has been over 20 years since I dined at Five Crowns. It is located in Corona Del Mar a good 35 to 40 minute drive along the coast highway. Our host had never been to Five Crowns. 

Five Crowns is part of Lawry's group of restaurant's and they specialize in Prime Rib.  But no silver cart here. Tables are way too close to wheel a large cart around so you can select your cut of beef.

I ordered the lamb chops. Double cut. Excellent flavor. But I ordered medium rare and they were on the rare side. Had issues at Ruth's Chris as those chops were close to medium well.  Came with two excellent sauces and carrots. The carrots were diced and barely cooked. This shouldn't happen. I could had sent the plate back but the restaurant was slammed tonight and it just was not worth the hassle. 

Did not order any wine with dinner. I am limiting myself to 2 to 3 ounces and need to stick with that until I get my gastric problems solved. 

The staff was excellent as far as going overboard on service. 

I was going to order Creme Brulee for dessert but they brought us a raspberry trifle cake with a candle on top.  It was good. 

A nice dinner but a bit on the disappointing side. Especially for the price they charge.  I still think 555 East is the best bet. 

Margies Monthly Wine Dinner at The Red Table

 Saturday, February 4, 2023

Red Table Restaurant

This was probably not the best dinner that I have attended since Margie started her monthly gigs. We had been to this restaurant several times before and I have eaten here numerous times myself.   The restaurant had moved the "red table" from the middle of the room to closer to the front entrance. Made it much nosier. Tonight the restaurant was full which added to the din. Service was slower and there was a big issue with the food. Several of the plates were cold to lukewarm.  I ordered lobster thermidor and half was warm and the other half cold. Have no idea why. It did not make sense. I told the waiter about the problem and also told him I wouldn't send it back. I felt sorry for him as he was over loaded. They seemed to be short staffed tonight. A bit chaotic. Hope they work it out since I had planned on being back this coming Saturday.  

We had 13 people at our table and the food came out piece meal. Nothing seemed to be coordinated.

The restaurant seemed to be cooler than normal. I had to keep my jacket on all night. We were close to the side door leading to the patio area and every time someone went out they did not close the door. CJ got up numerous times to shut it. 

17 wines tonight - way overkill. No way to taste them all much less have a glass of something. If you have 2 ounces of each wine to taste that would be 34 ounces - way over a bottle total. Almost a bottle and half.  I tasted only 5 as I still have some gastric issues. I have only made a comment of the few I did taste.

2017 Epiphancy, Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley, Syrah

NV   Rose de Vigne Cremant de Bourgogone Brut, Fernand Cherot  - tasted but not for me

2021 Cakebread Cellars, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc

2020 Corton-Perrieres, Grand Cru, Caveau (Burgundy) Red Wine - young but opened up nicely

2016 Doubleback, Walla Walla Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon

2013 En Garde Adamas, Diamond Mtn Dist., Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Denner, Paso Robles, Dirt Worshipper, Syrah

NV   Mumm, Sparkling Pinot Noir - always a good choice

2018 Long Meadow Ranch, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir

2021 Monte Xanic Bodega Vinicola, Valle de Guadalipe, Chenin Blanc

2019 Shafer, One Point Five, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon

2020 Chateau St Michelle, Columbia Valley, Pinot Gris

NV   Chateau St Jean, Blanc De Noirs, Sparkling

2019 Sycamore Ranch, Paso Robles, Viognier

2018 Brander, Los Olivos Dist., Merlot

2012 Sinor-LaValle, Arroyo Grande Valley, Talley Ricon Vineyard, Pinot Noir - this is the wine I brought. - felt it was showing quite well

2019 Bergerie de L'Hortus, Pic Sant Loup, France, Rose - very good - went well with the lobster

Dinner at Ruth's Cris Steak House

 Tuesday. January 31, 2023

To celebrate Sunny's 75 again and again and again birthday she treated 7 of us to dinner at the new Ruth's Chris Steak House in Long Beach. They opened in August. No views except of the patio area which I am sure will be filled during the warmer months and some business way across Ocean Ave. Very corporate feeling to the restaurant. I felt we were in the dining room of an upscale hotel. Personnel dressed in all black.  We were seated by the very high windows so it was a bit on the chilled side and it didn't help to have the a/c outlet right above us.  The staff decorated the table for the birthday celebration which was a nice touch. Service was excellent. 

Food was very good as it always is at Ruth's Chris. All meat entrees came on very hot plates.  Most everyone ordered steak and the double steak at that. They were huge and people shared them between themselves.  I ordered the lamb chops. Very thick and large. Ordered the medium rare. They were served medium. I did not bother to return them. I did not get into the medium rare until close to the bone.  I noticed that all the steaks seemed to be a bit overcooked from what was ordered.  No one seemed to mind or notice but then several people were feeling no pain. Between the wine and martinis it was an interesting evening.  Everything is al la carte so I had an order of sauteed mushrooms.  The baked potatoes were very large and had several add ons. Aspargus, french fries and mashed potatoes rounded out the sides. 

Most people ordered the creme brulee for dessert. It was good. One person ordered the cheesecake. That was interesting. The graham cracker crust was made into a round bowl and filled with the cheesecake mixture. They said it was good but to me there was way too much crust. 

The person who ordered the wine was more interested in the price. Really did not know the labels. Ended up with a bottle of Sixty-Five and Broad. A Cabernet from Washington. I was not impressed. Also a bottle of Jabobs Creek Cabernet from Australia which turned out to be a far better wine but not stellar. Both of these wines were in the mid $50 range on the wine list and both retail for about $14 in a store.  But it didn't seem to matter that they were ordering Martinis that ranged from $14 to $17 each. 

A nice evening with friends I have not seen in several years. But for my money I will patronize 555 East for steaks. Like the atmosphere better. Feel far more comfortable and have never had meat not cooked the way I ordered it. Plus they have the artichokes.