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.

Retro Dinner at Damons

June 20, 2026

Dinner tonight at Damon's in Glendale. Restaurant opened in 1937. Decor is Polynesian which was popular back then. Looks like nothing has changed. Packed house and table turnover was ongoing. Seems to be a very popular place. A bit noisy but tolerable.

I ordered the mixed meat plate. Ribs, Pulled Pork and Brisket. Came with sides of Mac n' Cheese and Cole Slaw. Huge portion. Got two more meals out of the leftovers.  Everything was very good. 

Most of the others at the table ordered Steak or Prime Rib. Lots of Twice Baked Potatoes which you do not see on menus anymore. All said their food was excellent. Dessert was the 10 Layer Chocolate Cake. 

Big assortment of wines. Have no idea which ones I tasted.  It was a bit chaotic at the table. But made for a festive evening.

NV    Avissi, Proseco

NV    Lancelot-Rayer Grand Cru Champagne

20245 Sea Smoke, Botella, Pinot Noir

20223 Perlato del Basco. Toscana Vermentino

2016 Conn Creek, Mt. Veeder. Cabernet Sauvignon

2022 Nyers, Carneros, Chardonnay

2021 Neyers, Vista Norte, Zinfandel

2022 Neyers, Sage Canyon, Red Blend

Appetizer Night at Masala Waves

 Saturday, June 6, 2026

Masala Waves Restaurant

Large group tonight at Masala Waves Indian and Nepalese Restaurant. 12 people seated at a long, narrow table with tight seating. Which became a slight issue doing dinner. With all the wine bottles and wine glasses lined up it wasn't conducive for sending the bottles back and forth. You then had the tendency to drink what was closet to you. A few bottles did make it back and forth. It also made it so the only ones who could easily get out of their chairs and walk around were people on the ends. Closeness in this case made the wine in front of you much fonder and your right next door and right across dinning companions your best friends for dinner. There were eight appetizers dishes pre-selected for the evening. All were very good. It was a good gathering of people, food and wine

We started out with Spinach Dip Naan. This is always a winner. The rest of the dishes did not necessarily come out in order. With such a long table it was hard to keep track. Since there were multiple plates of each food dishes, some started at one end of the table only and a few the waiters brought to both ends. I did take portions off of almost everything. A couple I took a bit of the sauce and tested it then passed. I am still not 100% with my stomach problems so I don't want any issues coming up. I am still being overly cautious. 

Jhoi Momo Veggie - this one dish I skipped.

Loaded Fries with Chicken Tikka Masala - this I skipped just because I personally do not like extra food on my fries. It is a personal thing. Everyone seemed to enjoy them so I assume they were good.

Momo Chili Veggie - was good 

Papadam Shrimp - very good. I could have eaten the entire plate myself.

Tandoori Fish - this is a favorite dish for me. Fish is sweet and loads of flavor.

Tikka Masala Pizza - this dish was ok for me but I personally would not order it - others really dived into it. 

Tikka Masala Wings - another very good dish that I could have eaten the entire plate of it. 

I know I did not get a full list of the wines brought but I think this may be close. Several I did not get to taste so I am not making any comments on any wine. Just the list.

2014 Chateau D'Hanteillan, Haut-Medoc, Cru Bourgeois

2007 Sea Smoke, Sta. Rita Hills, Southing Pinot Noir (Magnum)

NV  Revelation Champagne, Alexandre Le Brun, 100% Petite Meunier 

???? Domaine Roland Schmitt, Alsace, Glintzberg, Gewurztraminer

2010 Maggy Hawk, Anderson Valley, Stormin Estate Vineyard, Pinot Noir

2018 Williams Seylem, Lime Stone Ridge, Chenin Blanc

2007 Hess Collection, Mount Veeder, Napa, 19 Block Cuvee

2018 Lucien Crochet, Sancerre

 NV   Chanoine Freres , Rose Champagne

2011 Williams Seylem, Ferrington Vineyard, Pinot Noir

2009 Clos du Bourg, Domaine Huet, Vouvray

2003 Williams Seylem, Vista Verde, Late Harvest, Gewurztraminer