Oldies but Goodies

 December 13, 2025

Had a few people in for my annual "Christmas Soiree".  No theme for the wine, so it is always interesting to see what people bring to be in a festive mood. This year was very interesting. Older seems to be the theme. There was not a disappointing bottle in the mix.  Some were very good.

NV    Banshee, Ten of Cups, Brut Sparkling

1993 Robert Mondavi, Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon

2000 Dow, Vintage Port

2001 d'Arenberg, Australia, The Dead Arm, Shiraz

2003 Domaine Roland Schmitt, Alsace, Pinot Gris

2008 Bessenal. Cuveedes Moines, Champagne

2010 Clos Pepe, Sta Rita Hills, VS Pinot Noir

2013 Stolpman, Ballard Canyon, Angeli Sangio

2014 Clos Pepe, Sta Rita Hills, Estate Pinot Noir

Christmas Eve Lunch at Masala Waves

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 

Seven of us today for lunch at Masala Waves. An Indian-Nepalese restaurant. It was a rainy, windy morning but everyone showed up. Weather did improve over the course of the lunch which helped. The stomach has been acting up a bit so I did not taste everything. Which by the looks of it was my loss. 

Started out with lots of appetizers.  3 different stuffed Naan bread, Spinach and Cheese, Chicken Tikka and Aloo.  I had the Spinach Naan. Would have liked to try the others but needed room for the other dishes. 

Then onto Johoi Momo Chicken. Looked good but did not taste.

Papadum Shrimp - these had good flavor.  Nice sauce was served with them.

Next was Loaded Fries. French fried potatoes topped with shredded chicken, cheese and Masala sauce.  Did not taste and somehow, they just did not look that appetizing to me. Others enjoyed them

Tandoori white fish showed up, great flavor. This is   becoming a favorite of mine.

A new dish we had not ordered before - Aloo Gobi which was cauliflower, potatoes in an Indian curry sauce. I did not taste this dish either. Maybe next time.

I did top of my dinner with a bowl of Pistachio Kulfi which is ice cream.

Interesting collection of wines brought.

A magnum of a 2010 Williams Selyem, Eastside Road Neighbors, Pinot Noir. This was really a good wine. I did indulge a bit. Drinking exceptionally well.

NV Boulard Bauguaire, Brut Champagne. Nice and crisp with a bit of tartness. Had quite a few sips of this one.

2022 Adelaida, Picpoul Blanc. Did not taste. I assumed it would be a bit tart. Others said it went well with the food but I was shying away from anything too tart. 

2020 Guillermo, Swartland, Painted Wolf, Pinotage. Interesting wine. Did not get the overly muddy taste that I usually do with reds from South Africa.

2023 Last Week Tonight's Cabernet Sauvignon John. This was a new one for me. Will have to research it.  A nice Cab. 

A nice lunch, good food and wines. And good company. A very enjoyable afternoon.

Lunch At Seafood Cove # 1

 Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Back to Seafood Cove # 1 in Westminister for lunch. One person is not drinking today so only two bottles of wine.  A 2014 Clos Pepe, Sta. Rita Hills, Pinot Noir which was drinking really well and a 2013 Bogle Phanthom. This wine is always a hit, inexpensive but really good. 

Started off with the complimentary bowl of Sweet - Sour soup. Always good but different, depends on the cook that day. I did like todays version.

Next was Beef with Thai Rice noodles and broccoli. Good choice. Beef was tender and noodles had good flavor.

Onto Peking Style Pork Chops. Seemed to be exceptionally good today. Great flavor.

Last was Salt & Pepper Fried Fish Filet. A favorite of mine. 

Complimentary dessert was Green Pea warm Tapioca. 

Good lunch, good company. Always good to get together with the boys.

Margie's Monthly Dinner at Buon Gusto

Wednesday August 13,2025

Buon Gusto

A small group tonight, only 7 of us.  Lots of reasons why, Covid, hospitalizations etc., Seems it all happens at once.  This is my first dinner out since my abdominal surgery in May. Restricted diet and no alcohol for several months. Tonight will be the test.  Read through the menu numerous times before coming. Did not want to take forever in deciding what to order because of restrictions.

I choose the Osso Bucco. I have had this dish before so I thought knew what to expect. But I found out it was a bit different. The dish was OK but to me lacked something. Also felt the meat was not as tender as it should have been.  But I am also finding out that my stomach has different issues and I have to wait until it adjusts to normal eating. So probably not a fair description of the food. A very large serving. Took left overs home and got several more meals of from it.

I did taste most of the wines that were brought. 3 wines did not make my list for some reason. Will not comment on wines because of my delay in posting. Frankly I can't remember much about them. But aside from one being a bit old and decrepit they were all good.

I brought a 2016 Wolff Vineyards, Edna Vally, Teraldego. It was showing quite well. Have one bottle left.

2015 Perazzeta, Montecucco, Sangiovese

2019 Avignonesi, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

2022 Terese de Maimbrody, Pascal de ncrolas Revered 7

2013 LaVoix Satisfactin, SRH

2021 Brooks Winery, Terue, Eola-Amity Hills, Sparkling Muscat

2023 Tres Sabores, Sonoma Mtn. St Helena, Sauvignon Blanc

2007 Sea Smoke, SRH, Ten, Pinot Noir

Lunch at Masala Waves

Friday, May 16, 2025

My last meal out for a couple of months. Surgery next week and will be on a very restricted diet and no alcohol for approximately 2 months. So off to Masla Waves which is becoming one of our favorite places to eat. We did not order heavy as I am not eating much at all. Seems my intake, swallowing capabilities   and tolerance for food is getting smaller. 

Started off with the Spinach and Cheese stuffed Naan. It seemed to be exceptional today. Maybe because it was comped by the restaurant. Free always has a good taste. 

Our normal sides, Garlic Naan and Basmati rice.

Ordered Lamb Korma. A big favorite dish for Henry. Very good as usual.

A new dish. Tandoori Fried White Fish on a sizzling platter. Served with grilled onions and cabbage. A bit spicy but flavor was excellent. We definitely will order this again.  This dish is on their takeout menu but not on a sizzling platter. Half the fun is hearing the food sizzle and smoke coming from it.

Two wines today.  I am forgoing the alcohol at this point in time.  A 2009 Melville, Terraces, Pinot Noir. Showing well. A lighter style Pinot, opened up nicely.  Also a 2022 Windemere, Dry Creek Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon. A nice clean wine. Will cellar well.

A nice lunch. The boys will just have to go without me for awhile. Maybe luck will be on my side and I will heal faster than expected. I can only hope. 

Margie's Monthly Wine Dinner at Mahe

 Saturday, May 10, 2025

14 of us tonight at Mahe in Seal Beach.  It is a Saturday and the place was packed. Not the best choice of nights. Mothers Day tomorrow, warm weather today and the crowds are out. Saturdays are very rarely good for large groups.  Parking was a challenge, even at 5:30 in the afternoon. We were in a back room which was good but unfortunately our single waiter was also handing some tables in the front. Not a good management decision. This ended up being a four hour dinner. But a very enjoyable time with good conversation on our end of the table. A good night of socialization. 

I had the Seafood Pasta which had an array of seafood. It was good but not any better than I make at home. But since I am very limited to what I can eat right now it was an OK decision

17 wines tonight. Quite a variety. I only got to taste the wines that were on the end of the table where I was seated. Big disconnect tonight in sharing. 

I brought a 2014 Tercero, Verbiage Rouge. Nice blend and a bit on the lighter side. It has several more years on it.

NV   Pannier Selection, France, Brut Champagne. Excellent wine. Did not get to taste any of the other bubblies which was OK because this was so good

2020 Lucien, Crochet, Sancerre, France Rose - did not taste

2018 Soliste, Torte, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir - pleasant wine

2016 Reniert, Brunello di Montalcino, Riserva - did not taste

2021 B Cellars, Richard Dinner Vineyard, Sonoma Mtn., Chardonnay - did not taste

2019 Halter Ranch, Paso Robles, Grenache Blanc - did not taste

2019 Navarro, Anderson Valley, Sparking Brut - did not taste

2018 PNW, Quisy, WA, Red Bland - did not taste

2023 Dog Point, New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc - did not taste

NV   Veuve Clicquot, France Champagne - did not taste

2019 Ledge MCA Cuvee, Paso Robles - did not taste

2021 Brooks, Bois Joli Vineyards, Eola-Amity Hills, OR, Riesling - did not taste

NV   Sea Smoke, Sta Rita Hills, Sea Spray, Blanc de Noirs, Sparking - did not taste

2023 Gundlach Bundschu, Sonoma Cst., Pinot Noir - nice clean wine

2022 Brecon, Central Cst., Zinfandel - a bit lighter zin which was refreshing

2008 Chappelet, St. Helena, Signature Cabernet Sauvignon - good wine. improved with sitting out for awhile

Lunch With The Boys at Seafood Cove

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Back to Seafood Cove # 1 for lunch. Noticed prices are creeping up. Guess it is the norm now.  

We started off with Hot Sour Soup and then onto the entrees. We each ordered one dish to share.

Salt & Pepper White Fish Filet. This is starting to become a favorite of mine. It is digestible and lately that has been the requisite. 

Next was Thai Style Green Beans with Beef. The beans were plump and very fresh. The beef was tender. But for some reason I could do without this dish. Just have not been enamored with it. 

Peking Style Pork Chops was up next. Great flavor in the sauce. But a knife and fork is required for me   - not chop sticks. Pieces were very large. This is a very good dish. The sauce makes it. 

Dessert is always on the house and today it was warm Tapioca with Green Beans and Red Dates.

Two wines today. Seems we are not drinking as much as we used to.

2014 Roar, Garys Vineyard, Pinot Noir and a 2008 Stolpman, Degli Angeli Sangiovese. Both were very good but the Stolpman was excellent. 

Another nice afternoon with the boys.