Austin Hope Wine Dinner at Arte Cafe

 Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Seven at the table tonight for dinner. Restaurant looked very full. Sales rep direct from Austin Hope winery was the host. Exceptionally good food and good wines. 

Started out with an appetizer of Seared Scallops, Cauliflower Puree, Crispy Prosciutto, Meyer Lemon Beurre Glaze and Chive Oil. Excellent flavors. A fellow diner does not eat scallops so I ended up with a double plate of them. Paired with Austin Hope Paso Chardonnay. I am not a big California Chardonnay fan. This was not buttery or oaky but had an odd taste to it and I was not the only one who noticed that. It wasn't bad but the flavor profiles seemed strange and not suited to a Chardonnay. 

Next up Wild Mushroom Ravioli, Roasted Wild Mushrooms, Parmesan Fonduta, Crispy Sage and Balsamic Glaze. An interesting wine was served and it was a very good pairing. Austin Hope Troublemaker Refresca which was a Grenache. 

Second course is Herb Crusted Lamb Loin, Mint & Rosemary Gremolata, Parsley Puree, Roasted Baby Carrots and Cabernet Franc Jus. Loads of flavor. And an excellent pairing with Austin Hope Quest, Cabernet Franc

Main course is a Braised Beef Short Rib with Truffle Potato Puree, Charred Asparagus, Roasted Garlic and Cabernet Reduction. Wine served was Austin Hope Treanna Red Blend, 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah. Again an excellent dish and pairing.

Dessert is a Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Tarte, Dark Chocolate Grenache, Raspberry Coulis, Fresh Raspberries, Vanilla Marscapone and Cocoa Crumble. Wine that I would never have paired with dessert myself but went exceptionally well was a 2024 Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon.

Good food, good wines and good dining companions. Nice treat mid week to break the boredom.

Cafe Corelone

 Saturday, October 31, 2026

7 tonight for dinner at Cafe Corleone in Paramount for dinner. Second time for me to dine here. Restaurant is less than a block away from a small apartment I lived in behind a commercial building in 1977. I could see the building from the window of the restaurant. The whole city of Paramount has changed significantly. Dinner was basically "family style" with everyone ordering a dish to share. I broke the norm and ordered lamb chop (4) dinner for me for me. I did ask if anyone wanted a chop and only one person took me up on it. 

Reading my scribbly notes before posting I came across a chicken dish that I could not decipher my own handwriting. Went to their online menu but could not find anything resembling what I wrote. So it was "Chicken" something. I did not taste whatever it was so a mystery. I did not taste the majority of the dishes listed. I happened to see one of people at our table licking their fingers after handling some dishes. That was such a turnoff.. Not sure how far the fingers went into the dish so I bypassed them.

I did taste the Fried Calamari, which was light and had a couple of the Tortellini.  My lamb chops came with mixed vegetables and fried potatoes. Chops were thick, meaty and very tender.

Other dishes on the table - Sausage & Peppers, Garlic Bread, Pizza Corleone, Manicotti, Lasagna, Edamame Antipasto Salad,

Needless to say the wines were all Italian varietals. I think there was one wine that did not make my list but not sure. I brought a 2012 Stolpman, Ballard Canyon, Gli Angeli, Sangiovese which I felt was very good,. Other wines were.

NV   Antucura, Cherie Sparkling Rose, Pinot Noir

NV  Ferrari, Brut

2020 Palmina, 27 Vine Vineyard, Los Olivos, Sangiovese

2021 Poderi Aldo Conterno, Bussia, Barolo

2021 Lugibaudana, Barolo

2022 Soda Rock, AV, Lytton Station, Primitivo

2023 Silvestri, Barbera

An Evening of Iconic Wines

 Wednesday, September 30, 2026

 BV and Penfolds wine dinner at Arte Cafe this evening.  Richard the chef/owner really outdid himself tonight on the food selections and creativity. Everything had great flavors and the wine pairing was perfect. Could not get much better. 

Started out with Organic Spinach / Jerusalem Artichoke Dip Stuffed Chicken Breast, Celery Root Puree, Charred Carrots, Demi Avocado Cream.  Paired with a 2023 BV Sauvignon Blanc.  Not too grassy, a great choice.

First course is a Sweet Potato / Parmesan Crowned Mahi, Crispy Green Tomato, Maine Lobster Succotash, Gorgonzola Pesto. Needless to say this was good. A 2022 Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay was paired. Not a big Chad fan but this had clean lines. Not the oaky, buttery CA style. Another very nice pairing.

Second course is a Hoisin Duck Breast, Coconut Creamsickle Confit Wonton, Baby Bok Choy, Plum Sauce, Ginger / Wasabi Finisher Again another really good dish. Well balanced paired with a 2021 Penfolds Bin 600 Cabernet / Shiraz. 

Last course is a Brined New Zealand Rack of Lamb, Broccolini, Rosemant Gnocchi, Peppered Lamb Reduction, Fresh Mint. Again a very good pairing with a 2021 BV Georges De Latour Cabernet Sauvignon

Dessert is a Tropical Souffle paired with a Charles de Cazanove Rose Champagne. Light tropical fruit flavors, still warm and puffy from the over. Light and airy. A very good selection to end the meal.

Sake Dinner at Arte Cafe

 August 28, 2026

A bit of a twist for dinner tonight at Arte Cafe. Sake has replaced the wine. Six of us at the table and only two had drank any appreciable amount of Sake before.  After dinner was over the other four decided Sake was really not for them. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the Sake but the Azumatsuru Junmai Ginjo Black was very good and my favorite. 

Started out with Oyster ponzu and jumbo shrimp with wasabi sour cream. Sake was a Yamawa for Oyster.  Oysters were fresh and slightly briny which paired well with the Sake.  The shrimp was very large cut in half. I had a very difficult time getting the meat out of the half shell. It just didn't want to slide out like the others. Flavor was great but what a pain and messy. Frankly I was a bit frustrated as that should not happen in a restaurant. 

Next is a Salad consisting of romaine lettuce, orange bits, walnuts and large pieces of scallop. Very good flavor combination and the scallops were extra tender.  The Sake was Azumatsuru Junmai Ginjo White. Good pairing.

Entree was a Medallion of fresh king salmon with dill cream and broccoli puree. Exceptionally good. Paired with a Abekan Jumnai Ginjo Karakuchi Sake.  Another good pairing.

Main course was American Wagu Ribeye with golden potatoes and Sake Demi-glace sauce. Again a very good dish, meat was exceptionally tender with excellent flavor and paired with my favorite Sake of the evening. Azumatsura Junmai Ginjo Black Sake.  One of the others at the table kept pouring his Sake into my glass. I was a happy camper.

Dessert is a Fruit Tart with Sawanohana Beau Michelle Sake. Nice ending to a very good dinner. But I don't think the Sake will replace the wine. 

Lunch with the boys at Masala Waves

Lunch today. Been a few months since Henry was able to join us. I brought two bottles of wine to share. Need to move a few out of my cellar.  2020 Stolpman, Ballard Canyon, Syrah which was drinking very well and a 2014 Clos Pepe, SRH, Pinot Noir, which was beyond good.

Started off with our usual selection, Spinach Dip Naan. Then the house treated us to a plate of Momo Chicken Dumplings, Both very good as usual. 

Then two dishes that are becoming favorites of ours.  Tandorri White Fish and Lamb Korma.

Rounded out with Garlic Naan and Basmati Rice. 

Sal the owner of Masala Waves has opened a specialty grocery store a few blocks away from his restaurant. Called Waves. Anxious to see what delights they have available.

Italian Dinner at Arte Cafe

 July 30, 2026

Theme tonight was Italian.  Wines from several vineyards. Six of us dining in main area. Too noisy. Prefer the side area. Acoustics are better. Will have to ask for a table in quiet area next reservation.

I normally do not eat the bread served at the beginning but yielded tonight. Don't know what style the bread was but it was exceptionally good. Could have eaten the entire basket and not shared

Started off with a Caprese Salad, Heirloom Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella,  Fresh Basil and Olive Oil. Gave my plate away because of the tomatoes. Way too much acid for me right now.  Wine paired was a 2024 Tomasi, Lugana.  Wine was good which I did not give away. 

Next was a Smoked Salmon Capaccio, Fried capers, Herbs, Red Onion, Dijon Mustard and Cheese. Served with a couple of slices of a baguette. Never would have thought to have Dijon mustard with salmon but it worked out very well. Ate every bite. A 2024 Santa Margarita, Eterna White Blend wine was paired. Nice pairing.

Second course is a Wagyu Bolognese, Linguine Pasta with Cabernet reduction. Flavor was good but I felt it was a bit dry. Paired with a 2021 Volpaia, Chianti, Classico Riserva.

Main was a Slow Braised Lamb Shank, Crushed Tomatoes, Pancetta, Garlic and Fresh Rosmary. Meat was very tender and flavorful.  Wine is a 2020 Tenuta Sette, Cieli Indaco, Toscana Rosso. 

Dessert is a Panna Cotta with Strawberry Sauce. Served with a cocktail. French 76 made with Vodka. 

Dinner at Nirvana

 July 16, 2026

Stopped at Nirvana restaurant in Laguna Beach before attending the Pageant of The Masters. Seems to be a semi "healthy style" restaurant.  Food was very good. Very busy.

I had the Grilled Artichoke Hearts with a non-GMO Baguette with organic butter. Bread is all cooked on site.   Companion had the Short Rib Ravioli which they said was very good also. Shared a bottle of 2022 Brewer-Clifton, SRH, Pinot Noir. Food and wine both were a hit. 

A nice small place, perfect before the pageant which was just a few blocks away.