Lunch With The Boys at Masala Waves

 Tuesday, March 25, 2025

A last minute decision to have lunch today. We chose Masala Waves because it was close to where my appointment was and we really like this restaurant.

Started off the out favorite Spinach and Cheese stuffed Naan bread.  As always very good.

Waiter brought us bowls of soup on the house.  Aloo Tama Bodi. Made with bamboo shoots, potatoes, black eyed peas and lemon. I was not a fan of this soup. Found the taste very off putting. 

Next up was Lamb Korma. A favorite. Along with Basmati rice and Garlic naan.

A new dish called Vegetable Sabzi Curry.  This I definitely did not like. Again it is the flavor profile. Not for my taste buds.

Rounded out lunch with a dessert on the house. Kulfi - pistachio ice cream. I have had this before and it is always refreshing. 

Two wines today. A 2023 Precision, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine was way too young to drink. Needs several more years of cellaring. A  2009 Copain, Kiser "En Haut". Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir. This wine was drinking quite well. A treat.  There was a 2009 Huber, Sta Rita Hills, Pinot Noir opened but it was way over the hill.

Arte Cafe and Quattro Theory Wine Dinner

 Thursday, March 6, 2025

Arte Cafe - Bellflower

A new Arte Cafe opened in Bellflower November 2024. First time I was able to go. Richard, the owner had Arte Cafe in Cerritos for years but lost his lease several years ago. Glad he finally found a suitable building. Interior decor was my style. Black, white and grays. For a store front style building he did a great job .  Biggest issue is the lack of convenient parking. Two lots nearby by but not next to. Limited street parking. But the food and service here is so good parking becomes a minor issue. I just wish I was still able to drive and not rely on generous friends. I would be at Arte Cafe a lot.  

Through the course of the evening, I saw and talked with several people I knew. Nice to see everyone supporting the new restaurant location.   Also talked with Dina the local wine rep. Had not seen her in several years. Still bubbly as ever.

Since I still have major gastric issues, I talked with the wait staff. I was going to have the first two courses served. The mains and dessert I would be taking home. They packed up everything in the kitchen ahead of time. Also told them my limits on the wine and that was accommodated also. No use in wasting wine if it is poured and I do not drink it.  I justified everything by the price of the dinner and the type of food being served. Dinner was $95 for 5 courses with 5 wines. If it had been $195 I would not have attended.

We started off with Hamachi Poke on a Corn Tosada with Miso Black Bean Puree and Avocado/Mango Puree. Very good but to me the tostado was difficult to cut and I wasn't about to pick it up with my fingers. I was only about 4 inches in diameter but a bit messy.   Paired with a Quattro Theory Sauvignon Blanc which I did not taste.

Second Course was Excellent.  Fresh Lump Crab Risotto with English Peas and Crisp Pancetta.  This is what I nibbled on all evening. Wine was a Quattro Theory Chardonnay. Did not taste that wine also.

Next was a Coco Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Blueberry -Merlot Reduction and Charred Brussels Sprouts with Warm Blue Cheese and Pickled Onions.  This was packed for take home and I will be tasting it tomorrow. But I did drink the wine. A Quattro Theory Merlot. A nice wine not stellar but solid.

Fourth Course was packed for take home also. Grilled Wagu Rib Eye with peppercorn-Cabernet Sauce and Roasted Root Vegetables.  Looked really good.  Will know tomorrow.  Wine paired was a 2022 Quattro Theory Cabernet Sauvignon. A good drinking wine.

Dessert is a Basque Cheesecake with Orchard Fruit Compote and Toasted Nut Crumble. This was taken home also for a treat tomorrow.  Wine paired was a NV, I Vignaioli di Santov Stefano-Ceretto Moscato. Others at the table said it was a good wine. 

Quattro Theory is owned by Trinchero which bought Sutter Home. First winery to make "White Zinfandel" They have a variety of labels in their portfolio. With a big range in pricing and quality. 

I passed on the white wines and dessert wine. Acidity and bubbles are not my friend now days. A very good dinner, a great night of socialization. I really miss doing these wine dinners. It was so good to get out and do one again. I do get out for dinners and lunches where we bring our own wines but it is different having everything set up professionally for you and have the food, wine and service set up in advance.  No decisions and everything is good. 

Lunch with The Boys at Seafood Cove # 1

 Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Back to the Seafood Cove for lunch today. Surprised on a Tuesday how crowded it was. Also noticed price increases in menu. Fresh Lobster tank was priced at $32.99 lb. Last time here it was $27.99 lb. Also noticed that several items on their display boards had stickers on them as "not available". Do not know if it is a supply issue or wholesale prices have risen too much. 

Started out with Hot and Sour Soup. Complimentary with all lunches.  Then onto Salt and Pepper Fried Fish Fillet. I have been ordering this lately because it is easy on my digestive system and it is good. 

Next was a plate of String Beans with Ground Pork and Basil.  Not a big fan of this dish. Not into Basil to begin with and the pork was too finely ground to be able to taste. 

Beef with Bamboo Shoots, Mushrooms and Broccoli was served. Good flavor. Meat was tender. Excellent choice. 

3 wines today.  2010 Kosta Brown, Keefer Ranch, RRV, Pinot Noir which was very good.  I brought a 2014 Lando, RRV, Pinot Noir which was showing quite well. An Oblivion, Paso Robles, Cabernet Sauvignon. A new label for me.  Did not get the year on that one but I would say it was probably a 2022. It was very young and would do well with a couple of years of cellaring. A nice wine. 

Another enjoyable lunch with the boys. AKA Two Asians and a White Chick. 

Margie's Monthy Dinner at Red Table

 Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Red Table

12 of us dining tonight at Red Table restaurant. Surprised on a rainy Wednesday evening that the place was packed. Diners cleared out about 8:00 but the bar area remained full. Our table was very congenial and chatty. Made for a very pleasant evening. I did notice other patrons "eyeballing" our table. Maybe it was the dozens of glasses and the 16 bottles of wine that made them envious. 

A lot of appetizers were ordered so actual dinner did not start until about 7:30 which made it very late for me to start eating with my medical issues. Should have had lunch at 3:30 and it would have helped. My fault for not adhering to my schedule.  Next time I will order an appetizer and forget dinner. Can't eat both. It would have really helped to have a basket of bread or crackers on the table. I may have to start bringing a small bag of such to tide me over until food arrives.

I had ordered the "Filet" for dinner.  About 7:15 to 7:30 I was told they ran out of filets. Seems early to run out of a cut of beef. But who knows how they order, Substituted a Rib Eye. Did not know it came with a sauce all over it. I scrapped as much sauce as I could off the meat. It was a decent steak but I was not impressed. Would not order it again. 

With 16 wines I did not taste at least half of them.  I brought a 2015 Williams Selyem, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir. In my opinion one of the best wines on the table. There was about 2 ounces left in it when I brought it home, Numerous compliments on the wine.

NV   Bohigas, Spain, Brut Reserva, Cava - very good wine

2023 Piero Macini, Olbia, Italy, Vermentino de Gallura - did not taste

2017 Croad, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, Mouvedre - did not taste

2019 Heitz Cellar, St. Helena, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon - nice, not a fruit bomb

2022 Eifrig, Alexander Valley, Chardonnay - did not taste

2018 Tenuta Cucco, Serralunga D'Alba, Barolo - did not taste

2022 Lando, Sta Rita Hills, Pinot Noir - not impressed, lacked any characteristics 

2023 Paul Lato, Santa Ynez, 2 Wolves, Sauvignon Blanc - did not taste

NV Scharffenberger, Anderson Valley, Sparkling - did not taste

2019 Birchino, Central Coast, Besson Vineyards, Old Vines Grenache - a very nice wine

2009 Ken Brown, Sta Rita Hills, Rancho LaVina Vineyards, Pinot Noir - a big disappointment

2020 Graziano, Redwood Valley, Coro Mendocino, Zinfandel Blend - did not taste

2020 Denner, Paso Robles, Mother of Exiles, Bordeaux Blend - did not taste

2019 Champalon "LaCuvee des Fondraux, Loire, Vouvray - nice clean wine

2018 Brunier Lynch, Les Pallieres, Rhone - did not taste

Lunch With The Boys at Masala Waves

 Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Masala Waves

An impromptu lunch today. Holiday rush is over and back to the routine. 

Started out with our favorite, Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Naan.  This is so good. You could make an entire meal of this one dish. 

Then onto to Samosa's.   These today were exceptionally good. Nice crispy outside.

A new dish Namche Lamb. It was good but I prefer some of the other lamb dishes. This dish did have cauliflower and broccoli in the sauce. And the meat itself wasn't quite as tender as other times we ordered lamb. Win some, loose some.

Last was Yak Chow Mein. This dish has always been a favorite. The Yak is raised in the US but limited supply.  Lunch was rounded out with Basmati Rice and Garlic Naan.

Wines today were mixed.  A Circumference, Dry Creek Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon. Didn't get the year but would guess at 2022. It was a young wine, a bit on the sweet side. 

2005 Chateau Calon, St Georges-St. Emilion (Merlot) - excellent wine. For 20 years old it has many years ahead of it. 

I brought a 2013 Ken Brown, Sta Rita Hills, Ritas Brown, Pinot Noir. Showing very well. A bit on the light side, bright cherry. A very nice wine. 

A nice enjoyable lunch with good friends. Made for a really good day.

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