Orin Swift Wine Dinner at Arte Cafe

February 11, 2026

After dinner a few weeks ago at Arte Cafe I was really looking forward to this one.  Unfortunately it just did not live up to my expectations. Aggressive menu that did not live up to its description and wines that were OK but nothing to write home about. I think this is the first time in all the years of attending wine dinners at Arte Cafe that I felt so disappointed. Granted a lot of dinners don't live up to some of the exceptional ones but they were all good.

Started off with Citrus-Poached Scallops with Fennel-Apple Slaw and Micro Herbs. Scallopes were very tender and sweet.  Barely cooked and served cold. Very good. Paired with Orin Swift "Blank Stare" Sauvignon Blanc.  Had a small pour because of the acidity in Sau Blanc. Nice wine, clean and refreshing.

Second course is a Butter Poached Lobster Tail with Sweet Corn Risotto, Vanilla Bean Aioli and Olive Creme Fraiche. Excellent dish. especially the risotto. Lobster was perfect.  Wine was a Orin Swift "Mannequin" Chardonnay. I am not a Chardonnay fan so it was OK but not outstanding. But that is my personal taste.

Next was Herb-Crusted Rabbitt with Cherry-Fig Reduction, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Wilted Frisee, and paired with an Orin Swift "Abstract" Red Blend.  Hard to believe this was young rabbit. Pieces were on the tough side and hard to cut. I have raised rabbit and know what it should be like. This was not it.  Perhaps the purveyor sold Richard old rabbit instead of young or wild.  Don't know but it was no where close to being tender and having good flavor as it should have had. A huge disappointment. Wine served was an Orin Swift "Abstract" Red Blend. 

Dessert is a Green Tea Creme Brulee which was good. Paired with Orin Swift "6 Years in The Desert" Red Zinfandel Blend. Personally I did not like the pairing. Wine was way too big for the food dish

Wines were OK but not stellar. Nothing stood out. Dinner was half and half. Just an off day.

Michael - David Wine Dinner at Arte Cafe

 Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Arte Cafe

So glad to get back to doing dinners at Arte Cafe. Missed Richards culinary expressions. Also the fact that these dinners are reasonably priced compared to other restaurants and to me the food is far superior in most cases. The wine rep Heidi was personable and made for an enjoyable evening. 

Started out with a glass of Charles de Cazanove Champagne. Nice to have a bubbly to start the festivities.

First course is a Shrimp Cocktail with Remoulade Sauce. Served in a non-stemmed wine glass. 3 large shrimp. Personally I found it a bit messy to eat with my fingers. If the shrimp were smaller it may have been easier but these were large. Would have preferred them on a plate so I could cut them. But the flavor was very good.  This dish was served with a 2024 Michael David Legacy Sauvignon Blanc. I had a very small pour of this wine because of the acidity of it. It did pair well with the shrimp.

Second course is a Romaine Salad with Toasted pecans, Feta Cheese, Cherry Tomatoes and a Balsamic Maple Dressing. Again a very large serving.  Dressing was very tasty. Wine was a 2024 Michael David Legacy Rose. Nice, light and complimented the salad,

Third Course is a Roast Pheasant with Plum Sauce and Butternut Squash Puree, Green Beans were cut in very small pieces and curved around one side of the plate. Beautiful presentation. Good flavor. Last time I had Pheasant I had to pick the bird shot out of it. But these were farmed raised so not a problem.  A 2022 Michael David Ancient Vine Cinsault was the choice for this dish. I thought this was the best wine of the evening.  Cinsault grows well in hot climates and this winery is in Lodi. The vines were over a 100 years old. I did order a couple of bottles of the Cinsault. 

Main Course is A5 Japanese Wagyu Beef Filet with a Cabernet Sauce, Roasted Baby Vegetables and Yukon Potatoes.  Excellent meat. Exceptionally tender which you expect for Wagyu. Wine choice was a 2022 Michael David Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. My least favorite wine of the night. Personally, I don't think Lodi is the best place to grow cabernet because of the hotter temperatures.  The wine wasn't bad but it just did not have much going for it. At least for me. 

Dessert is a Fruit Tart. Nice and light to finish the meal. Paired with a 2024 Michael David Symphony. A clean white wine and the grape varietal is named "symphony".  Add that to my list and now I am at 611 grape varietals tasted. 

The bottles that Michel David wines are in are beautiful. They have an old mold from France that they use for their bottles. 

A good dinner and usurpingly good wines. Best of all it was only $105 which in todays climate is a bargain, Richard has always been very fair with his pricing and his food is always good.

Dinner at Amaravatic

 January 3, 2026

Amaravati Indian Restaurant

10 of us tonight for dinner. A new restaurant for me in Los Alamitos. Small place tucked in a small strip mall. Doubt if it holds more than 35 customers at a time.   Service from the staff which was pleasant was very good. Food came to the table hot. Due to continuing stomach issues, I did not try all the dishes but what I did eat was all very good. If you are into Indian food I would highly recommend Amaravati. I will list the foods and the wines and then make a statement about the experience.

Spring Rolls, Onion Pakoda, Amaravati Paneer, Tandoori Chicken, Masala Dosa, Palin Vada, Peshawari Naan, Garlic Naan, Shrimp Curry. Chicken Tikka Masala.

List of wines is incomplete. Not good pictures and several missing.

2018 Cascinu Bucicchi, Barbaresco

2024 Resting Roots, The Jester

2022 Dovecote, Thompson Estate, Grenache Blanc

???? Saxum. James Berry

2014 Lando, Sonoma County, Pinot Noir

2021 Herman Story, Casual Encounters

2010 Clos Pepe, Sta Rita Hills, VS Pinit Noir (magnum)

???? Husch, Dry Gewurztraminer

NV   Alexandrie, Brut

Comments: 10 people is too much for this restaurant. It felt like the table was split into 2 group.  I found the wine did not flow easily nor the food. I do take pictures of the food and wine so I have the information I need. But tonight a lot of the pictures are of near empty dishes.  This table seemed to latch onto the food as soon as it was put down. Reminded me of teenagers grabbing pizza. A few of the dishes never made it down to me. Granted I was sitting at the very end because of my physical issues BUT.  Also the wine seemed to homestead in front of people. Like they might be scared to share. I think this particular restaurant would be much better with 6 people I realize that makes not having a large selection of food dishes but as far as conversation and sharing it would have advantages. I was sitting next to and across from very congenial people. Which made the evening very pleasant