Margies Monthly Dinner at Fish In A Bottle

 Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Fish In A Bottle Restaurant

First of Margie's monthly dinners for the new year.  I did miss the Christmas dinner at 555 East so I was glad to get together again.

A wide selection of Sushi, Bento Boxes and other non Japanese dishes. Something for everyone.  I ordered the Beef Bento Box. A lot of food in the box. I ate the tempura vegetables and the Miso soup. Those items do not do well being taken home. The next day at home I ate the beef which was very good. Tender and full of flavor. It seems to me the food was better than last time I ate here several years back and the restaurant looked a lot cleaner.  Our waiter was great and we rewarded him with very generous tips.

An array of wines this evening. I tasted a couple of the whites and most of the reds. A few really stood out. 

The real stand out of the evening was a NV, Antucum."Cherie" Sparkling Rose of Pinot Noir from Argentina. The bottle was emptied quickly. A really very good wine and the price point was very good also - $19. Wish I could have more than a few sips of bubbly right now, I would stock up

2022 Caymus, Napa , "Club 50" Anniversary, Cabernet Sauvignon - good wine, would have been better if cellared for a few years. A bit young for a cab.

2022 Jan Jacques, Santa Barbara, Sancerre - did not taste

NV Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley, Brut Sparkling - always a consistent wine.

2023 ???  Santa Barbara, Grenache Blanc. I couldn't read the hand writing of the person who brought it. But I did not taste it.

2022 Michael Davis, Lodi, Sauvignon Blanc - did not taste

2019 Chappelet, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon - a very nice wine

2021 Presqu'ile, Santa Maria, Pinot Noir - good

2016 Nalle, Dry Creek, Cabernet Sauvignon - I liked this wine a lot

2023 Groth, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc - did not taste

2016 Rusack, Los Olivos, Solomon Hills, Pinot Noir - I brought this wine and it was showing very well

2022 Merry Edwards, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir - good wine, a bit young

2021 Brooks, Dundee Hills, Meyer Vineyard. Riesling - good wine

NV Fableist Wine Co., Paso Robles, 087 Reserve Sparkling Rose - did not taste

Christmas Eve Dinner at Masala Wines

 December 24, 2024

Dinner at Masala Waves

Back to Masala Waves for our last lunch of the year. Sal the owner welcomed the 4 of us. The restaurant was a bit busy today and also doing a big business in take out. Good lunch and great company. 

We started out with the Spinach Cheese Stuffed Naan . Always a hit. I was careful to only have one piece. Did not want to fill up before the other dishes arrive.

A new dish we had nor tried before, Papadum Shrimp. Excellent. Sorry to have missed ordering this before. Definitely on the must have on list from now on. 

Paneer Saag,. Lamb Korma and Yak Chow Mein rounded out the rest of the dishes.  Lamb seemed to be extra tender today. Basmati Rice and Garlic Naan are always complimentary. 

Interesting group of wines today. All excellent. Enjoyed every one of them

2022 Navarro, Paso Robles,  Gewurztraminer

2012 Clos Pepe , Sta Rita Hills, VS Pinot Noir

2010 Kosta Brown, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir

2010 Saxum, Paso Robles, James Berry, Blend