Margie's Dinner at Taboon

 Saturday, March 11, 2023

 The restaurant was very crowed tonight. Glad we had a private room. Ten people and 14 wines tonight.  There is no way to taste and enjoy them all. At least you can weed out the varietals you don't care for to bring it down to a reasonable number to manage.  Still not drinking a lot but I did bring a bottle and tasted a few of the wines. Company was good tonight.

Waitress took orders for the appetizers along with the dinners.  They brought the appetizers out and within a few minutes the dinners showed up. Not sure what the thinking of the staff was on this but it was not a good decision. 

I did not have appetizers but I ordered the lamb chops for dinner. Surprisingly enough they came out medium rare as I ordered. Most Mediterranean restaurants over cook the meat no matter what way you order it, Everything for the meal was on a large platter. Personally this is an irritant for me. I just don't like my salad next to hot food. But tonight I did not eat much beyond a couple of chops and some rice. Their hummus had good flavor but they did not grind it smooth and it had chunks of chick peas that did not grind up smooth.

Lamb was good, pita bread was good, rice was good. Did not eat the salad, grilled onion or the grilled tomato and did not take them home. Chops, rice hummus and pita bread made the take home box. 

I only tasted a few wines as I did not want to push my luck with the gastric issues. 

NV   Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley Brut - did not taste

NV   Lucien Albrecht, Cremant D'Alsace Brut - did not taste

2007 Darma Lane, Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon - did not taste

2010 Kosta Browne, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir - showing very well, a really  wine

2012 Darma Lane, Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon - did not taste

2012 Initales, Marc Chaouet, France Champagne - did not taste

2014 Williams Selyem. Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir - I brought this wine. Did not decant, should have. Showing well but improved dramatically a few days later at home

2018 Calera, Mt. Harlan, Hollister, Chardonnay - did not taste

2020 J. Lohr, Arroyo Seco. Monterey, Chardonnay - did not taste

2020  Foley, Sta Rta Hills, JA Ranch, Pinot Noir - did not taste

2020 My Favorite Neighbor, Cabernet Sauvignon - did not taste

2021 Clos Henri, Marlborough, New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc - did not taste

2021 Heros, Paso Robles, Viognier - did not taste

There was an extra bottle set out. A 2016 Saxum Heartstone I believe - I did taste it. Showing nicely, could have used several more years of cellaring. Big wine.  

 

Impromptu Lunch with The Boys at Seafood Cove # 1

 Thursday, February 16, 2023

Forgot to post this lunch last month. That is what happens when you have "brain fog" from Covid along with numerous other side effects. 

Had to park in back lot. All the parking was taken and we thought the restaurant would be packed. Have no idea where all those people from the cars were but the restaurant was not busy at all. 

Started off with the usual sour, spicy soup which hit the spot today because it was cold outside.

Then onto Sauteed White Fish Fillet with baby corn, peapods and mushrooms. Still have stomach issues so I needed something mild. As usual it was very good.

String beans with sauteed beef. Very small pieces of beef and frankly they were on the dry side. Not appealing to me at all. The string beans were good. 

Pork Peking Style was very good. Had a few pieces but didn't want to push my luck.

Sliced oranges for dessert today. Their oranges are never acidic like the ones I buy in the regular grocery store. 

Two wines today. I did not bring one as I am not drinking much at all.  A 2008 Le Brun de Neuville Champagne. I did not like this at all. Could be my taste buds but CJ who brought it wasn't taken with it either. 

2019 Spy Glass, Monterey, Pinot Noir. Needed time to open and needed to be on the shelf for a few more years.  It had potential but way too young.