Sea Smoke Southing Magnum Dinner at The India Restaurant

 March 23, 3024

The India Restaurant

CJ donated the wines for tonight's dinner. A 2007, 2009 and 2010 Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir. All magnums. 9 of us for this dinner.  I personally thought the 07 and 09 were very close in structure and taste. The 09 seemed to be a bit more elegant but not by much.  Everyone must have liked the 09 best as it was the first bottle emptied.  The 2010 lacked depth. It was good but you kept waiting for something that never came. But an excellent showing of Sea Smoke. Different years and different winemakers. 

Started out with a few appetizers.  Papadam with sauces.  This is an item I avoid. Just cannot get into it, so I never eat it.  To me it is eating thin cardboard. But that is a personal preference Samosas, Chicken Tikka Masala Sauce and Chicken Tandoori along with the must have Garlic Naan.  I had a Samosas, which were very good along with the Naan. but no Masala sauce. Also did not eat any of the chicken. It did look good but I am so burned out on chicken. I cook it 2 to 3 times a week at home and just cannot bring myself to eat it when dining out. 

Main dishes started arriving.  Navratan Korma which is vegetables in a yogurt cream sauce. This dish was very good. Sauce was excellent.

Chicken Tikka Masala.  Did not taste - again it is chicken. Maybe next time it shows up on a dinner I will be over my distaste for chicken when dining out. 

Lamb Saag. Pieces of lamb in a spinach curry. Excellent dish. Meat was very tender and had very good flavor. Would have liked a bit more meat in ratio to the sauce. It was serving 4 to5 people so a bit skimpy on the meat especially when I was not eating any of the chicken. But that is on me. 

Also the traditional Basmati Rice which taste like nothing until you add the sauces etc. That goes for all plain rice. It is a filler. 

A very enjoyable evening. Talked with people that I had not seen in a very long time. Good conversation, good food and excellent wine. What more is there ? 

Dinner at Baci

 Saturday, February 10, 2024

Baci Restaurant

Another one of Margie's Monthly Wine Dinners. at Baci Italian Restaurant. Been a couple of years since we have been to Baci. Attended by 17 hungry and thirsty people. A larger group as the restaurant had not limit on the amount of people that could attend.  Seated in the back dining area away from the main area with the bar and entertainment. 

I ordered the Mushroom Risotto. It was OK but nothing overly exciting. I felt the amount of mushrooms was skimpy since they were the "protein" for the dish and for the price. Did not have any appys or dessert. Still have issues with the amount of food I can consume at a time. At least the weight is staying off. 

17 people 20 wines. And most were empty bottles by nights end. I did taste numerous ones but since this posting is late I can't remember them all and what I liked or disliked about them. So if no comment after name of wine means I just can't remember if I tasted it or not. I brought a 2019 Laccento, di Castagnole Montferrato, Italy, Ruche. For a less expensive, $25, wine I thought it was showing quite well.  Someone must have liked it as there was none left to take home.

NV Launois Le Mesnil Sur Oger, France, Valentine Brut Rose - very good

NV Europa, Vienza, Italy, Prosecco

2017 Freemark Abbey, Napa Valler, Cabernet Sauvignon - good wine

NV Mionette, Valdobbiadeve Superiore DOCG, Brut Procescco

2022 Daou, Adeladia District, Paso Robles, Reserve Rose

2022 Elena Watch, Tramin, Italy, Lagrein

2017 Husch, Anderson Valley, Late Harvest Gewurztraminer - did not taste

2018 Castoro Cellars, Paso Robles. Whate Rock Vineyards, Primitivo - did not taste

2013 Williams Selyem, Russian River, Papera Vineyards, Zinfandel

2017 Beringer, Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon

2021 Monteverro, Italy, Vermintino

2021 O'Connell, Russian River Valley, Pratt Vineyard-Irwin lake, Chardonnay - did not taste

2019 Marchesi Antinori. La Braccesca, Maggiarino, Vino Nobile di Montepulcino, DOCG< Toscano, Italy

???? Maraia, Maranzana, Piedmont, Italy, Barbera del Monferrito

???? Mezzacorona, Italy, Pinot Grigio -  did not taste

NV Mionette, Valdobbiadene, Italy, Prosecco

2020 Nals Margreido, Alto Adige, Italy, Sirmian, Pinot Blanc - did not taste

???? San Fekice IIL Grigio, Tuscany, Chianto Classico Reserva

2021 Vadiaperti Montefredine, Campania, Italy, Fiano de Avellino - interesting

Lunch at The Fresh Green Olive with the boys

 Tuesday.  March 12, 2024

Decided to try a Mediterranean restaurant next to Masala Waves.  The Fresh Green Olive. The owner was at one time affiliated with The Green Olive in Long Beach. Large open area with a side area for large parties. Clean and neat.  Music was a bit too loud for my taste and after awhile the "Mediterranean" beat got to me.  

We ordered a variety of small dishes to get an inkling of the quality of their food.  Hummus was very good.  Baba Ghanouj was also good and I am not an eggplant fan.  The Tabouli looked good but had too many ingredients that I cannot eat so I passed.

We had an order of Falafel. Not to my taste as it had way too much cilantro for me. It also was very salty. When the owner asked about it we told him the salt issue and he went back into the kitchen to check the mix.  Yes it was too salty he said. Two people added salt not knowing the other had. Thanked us for pointing it out to him.

We had two platters of meat. Gyro and Chicken Shawarma. Very small, thin slices but they were moist which was a good sign. So many middle eastern restaurants cremate their meat so it is so dry it becomes inedible to me. 

Rounded out the meal with pita chips and fresh pita bread.

Two bottles of wine were on the table. A 2014 Clos Pepe VS Pinot Noir which was showing exceptionally well and a 2021 Educated Guess, Oakville, Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon which turned out to be surprisingly good for an inexpensive wine.