Tuesday, May 23, 2017
The Playgound restaurant in downtown Santa Ana decided to do another breakfast dinner. I had done one there last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. www.playgrounddtsa.com, This was held in the 2.0 room that holds 18 people. Everything is cooked and plated in front of you. Went with 4 others and had a great time. 13 courses paired with wine. I loved every dish except one. The Pea Tendril Fritatta. I like pea tendrils and order them in Asian restaurants but for some reason the taste in the Fritatta turned me off.
Started off with "Bryan Voltaggio" biscuits and gravy. Thin biscuit with holes to absorb the wild mushroom gravy. and a bellini. Apricot and vanilla bellini made with Absinthe wash and Champlou Vouvray Brut. Quite tasty and refreshing. Gravy was decadent.
Cured ocean trout, smoked egg aioli, spicy bagel chips. Devoured the trout (similar to salmon) and the aioli was a perfect match This and a Sourdough pancake with ricotta and peas was paired with a 2016 Jolie-Laide, Rorick Heritage Vineyard Pinot Gris. Again the pancake was excellent. I have a hard time finding fault in any dish they Playground males. But it does happen at times.
Red and yellow beets with a maple yogurt, granola and frisee. Their take on yogurt with fruit. Beets were sweet and the maple yogurt was to die for.
Doushy hash browns with creme fraiche. Shredded potatoes, deep fried and then molded into a "rectangle" and fried again.
A 2015 Cruse Wine Co, Rorick Hertitage Vineyard Chardonnay was poured. So with several dishes I went went back and forth between the Pinot Gris and the Chardonnay.
Grilled slab bacon, adult apple sauce. Had a punch to it and you can never go wrong with bacon.
Next was my "do not like" dish. A pea tendril fritatta. Just could not get into it.
White cheddar grits, (really decadent) with smoked tomato butter and shrimp with cornbread crumble. Taste was really "up there". One of my favorites of the evening.
A 2016 Arnot-Roberst, North Coast Trousseau Noir was served along with a 2004 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonto. Both red wines to finish out the dinner.
Chicken Chillaquilles were some of the best I have ever had.
Steak and Eggs was served. Thin slices of Wagu beef, egg, Blumental cheese and a Chimmichurri sauce. A bit of a bite but so good.
A plate of jumbo grilled asparagus with a dynamite Hollandaise sauce.
Desserts were Brulled grapefuit with whipped cream and a French toast, vanilla ice cream, banana, caramel, white chocolate and macadamian nut concoction. What can I say. The bread was house made, the grapefuit was like candy.
A Domaine Dupont, Cuvee Colette, traditional method Cider was paired .
Dinner was excellent. A couple of the wines were not to my taste but you go with the flow. Everything is house made. They do not use "packaged" items. Dishes are set up for 3 people to share. You never get shorted because you take smaller portions. There is a lot of food and toward the end of the meal you are full. And you can take the leftovers home which makes it nice.
Looking forward to a new "theme" in a couple of weeks - Hugh Brow White Trash Food. I have my ticket for that already
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Monday, May 22, 2017
Road Trip with Margie
Friday, May 19, 2017
For the month of May, Margie arranged for her "wine activity" a road trip to the San Diego area to visit numerous wineries. It consisted of Escondido, Ramona Valley and for those who stayed on Sunday the Warner Springs and Northern Wine Trail,
I left work at 1:00 pm for an approximate 3 hour trip. 5-1/2 hours later I arrived in Rancho Bernardo. Seems there was a major accident at Oso Parkway on the 405 freeway in the morning and it shut down the entire south bound side. Big rigs, haz mat, the whole works. Needless to say I was exhausted when I arrived and checked in to hotel. I had about 40 minutes before showing up for dinner.
Out first dinner was at Pegasus Café. Family run Greek restaurant. I ordered the lamb shank which seemed to be popular with others at the table. It was very good, lots of flavor and very tender. Vegetables and sauces was excellent. Ate the meat but just could not finish the plate. Hated to see it be taken away but with leftovers not being in the game plan not much else I could do. I did not bring any bottles of wine with me for this trip. I could always order by the glass which I did. Had a glass of a Greek red wine which paired well with the lamb. I did have a pour of a Lancaster Cab that was brought along with an Albarino. But being so exhausted from the ride down I really did not have the energy to get into drinking that evening.
There were a few wines brought by others. 2011 Puma Road Chardonnay, 2015 Turonia Albarino, 2015 Tablas Creek, Patelin de Tablas Rose and a 2009 Lancaster Cabernet Sauvignon.
Saturday morning we boarded a mini bus to take us to 3 wineries. First stop was Hungry Hawk Vineyards in Escondido. Small family run, less that 1,200 cases. I thought thy were the best wines of all we ended up tasting today. We did a barrel tasting of a blueberry wine that they are making into a sparking. You would not think that this was a fruit wine. I would be interested in tasting it once it is bottled. They offered a vineyard tour which a few people did partake in. I just wanted to be inside. 90 degrees today and heat is my enemy.
Then off to Cordiano Winery for lunch. Somehow this establishment really messed up the reservation. Nothing was taken care of ahead of time. No one seemed to know what was going on. Finally the manager showed up and admitted it was his fault. He comped those who had ordered salads and gave us free desserts. They do not have a tasting room here. Seems it is set up as a destination for pizza etc. But the view is beautiful. The wines were not.
Last stop was Turtle Rockridge winery in Ramona. The wines were just OK, the view outstanding, the owner delightful and the entertainment was good. Lots of young people showing up for a "destination event". It was the most enjoyable. It also was staring to cool just a bit and they did have adequate shade.
Dinner tonight was at Le Bistro de Louisa. I was absolutely wined out so I ordered a cocktail which really tasted good. There were two wines brought,( $20 corkage), a 2013 Cake Bread Pinot which I did not taste and a 2009 Chateau Lynch-Bages, Pulliac (Bordeaux). I did taste this wine. Big Cabernet and needed a big piece of red meat for it. I ordered a bowl of onion soup and a Foie Gras Ravioli for dinner. Both very good.
On Sunday morning I left to return home. Made it in 90 minutes. So much nicer than Fridays trip. This adventure was good but I think the heat really did a number on all of us. It was nice to try the wines of the area. I wasn't expecting anything stellar but they were drinkable. On the same line of Temecula style wines. They also bring in fruit from other areas so it is not all estate grown. Interesting to try but this area would not be a destination for me for regular wine tasting.
For the month of May, Margie arranged for her "wine activity" a road trip to the San Diego area to visit numerous wineries. It consisted of Escondido, Ramona Valley and for those who stayed on Sunday the Warner Springs and Northern Wine Trail,
I left work at 1:00 pm for an approximate 3 hour trip. 5-1/2 hours later I arrived in Rancho Bernardo. Seems there was a major accident at Oso Parkway on the 405 freeway in the morning and it shut down the entire south bound side. Big rigs, haz mat, the whole works. Needless to say I was exhausted when I arrived and checked in to hotel. I had about 40 minutes before showing up for dinner.
Out first dinner was at Pegasus Café. Family run Greek restaurant. I ordered the lamb shank which seemed to be popular with others at the table. It was very good, lots of flavor and very tender. Vegetables and sauces was excellent. Ate the meat but just could not finish the plate. Hated to see it be taken away but with leftovers not being in the game plan not much else I could do. I did not bring any bottles of wine with me for this trip. I could always order by the glass which I did. Had a glass of a Greek red wine which paired well with the lamb. I did have a pour of a Lancaster Cab that was brought along with an Albarino. But being so exhausted from the ride down I really did not have the energy to get into drinking that evening.
There were a few wines brought by others. 2011 Puma Road Chardonnay, 2015 Turonia Albarino, 2015 Tablas Creek, Patelin de Tablas Rose and a 2009 Lancaster Cabernet Sauvignon.
Saturday morning we boarded a mini bus to take us to 3 wineries. First stop was Hungry Hawk Vineyards in Escondido. Small family run, less that 1,200 cases. I thought thy were the best wines of all we ended up tasting today. We did a barrel tasting of a blueberry wine that they are making into a sparking. You would not think that this was a fruit wine. I would be interested in tasting it once it is bottled. They offered a vineyard tour which a few people did partake in. I just wanted to be inside. 90 degrees today and heat is my enemy.
Then off to Cordiano Winery for lunch. Somehow this establishment really messed up the reservation. Nothing was taken care of ahead of time. No one seemed to know what was going on. Finally the manager showed up and admitted it was his fault. He comped those who had ordered salads and gave us free desserts. They do not have a tasting room here. Seems it is set up as a destination for pizza etc. But the view is beautiful. The wines were not.
Last stop was Turtle Rockridge winery in Ramona. The wines were just OK, the view outstanding, the owner delightful and the entertainment was good. Lots of young people showing up for a "destination event". It was the most enjoyable. It also was staring to cool just a bit and they did have adequate shade.
Dinner tonight was at Le Bistro de Louisa. I was absolutely wined out so I ordered a cocktail which really tasted good. There were two wines brought,( $20 corkage), a 2013 Cake Bread Pinot which I did not taste and a 2009 Chateau Lynch-Bages, Pulliac (Bordeaux). I did taste this wine. Big Cabernet and needed a big piece of red meat for it. I ordered a bowl of onion soup and a Foie Gras Ravioli for dinner. Both very good.
On Sunday morning I left to return home. Made it in 90 minutes. So much nicer than Fridays trip. This adventure was good but I think the heat really did a number on all of us. It was nice to try the wines of the area. I wasn't expecting anything stellar but they were drinkable. On the same line of Temecula style wines. They also bring in fruit from other areas so it is not all estate grown. Interesting to try but this area would not be a destination for me for regular wine tasting.
Monday, May 15, 2017
If it's Monday then it's Dim Sum at the Seafood Palace
Monday May 15, 2017
It has been a few months since I have joined the boys for Dim Sum. Timing and illness interfered. Five of us today to celebrate CJ's birthday. 39 + and still with us. Lots of pluses.
We started out with a few dishes off the cart. Two we had not had before. Not sure what to call them but they were tasty.
A ground pork and vegetable wrapped in dried tofu. Non descript. Take it or leave it. Also a round of crispy tofu with a mix of fish and meat paste on top. Another non descript.
The came the sticky sweet rice with Chinese sausage wrapped in Lotus leaf and some Shu Mai. Then off to the good stuff.
Bowl of the sweet, sour soup was on the house.
Shrimp with a special egg noodle. Shrimp were fresh and sweet. Sautéed with a very light coating on them. New dish and very good.
Beef with black bean sauce and fat noodles. Lots of red wine today so this was a must dish.
Last dish was deep fried scallops. Very fresh and very good, sweet taste to them, Exceptional flavor.
Finished with the Egg Tarts which is a must have. We get our order in at the beginning so we don't do without.
Wines were bigger today. Fortunately someone brought a bubbly which really helped on the seafood dishes.
2005 McKeon Phillips BPR, Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 McKeon Phillips BPR
2008 Kosta Browne Russian River, Pinot Noir
2013 Firestone, Sta Rita Hills, Pinot Noir
NV Lucien Albrecht, Brut Rose, Cremant d'Alsace
All the wines were good. Nice to try the 05 and 08 BPR side by side. So similar but the 05 held a slight lead.
A fun time with the boys and we will be doing Dim Sum again very soon.
It has been a few months since I have joined the boys for Dim Sum. Timing and illness interfered. Five of us today to celebrate CJ's birthday. 39 + and still with us. Lots of pluses.
We started out with a few dishes off the cart. Two we had not had before. Not sure what to call them but they were tasty.
A ground pork and vegetable wrapped in dried tofu. Non descript. Take it or leave it. Also a round of crispy tofu with a mix of fish and meat paste on top. Another non descript.
The came the sticky sweet rice with Chinese sausage wrapped in Lotus leaf and some Shu Mai. Then off to the good stuff.
Bowl of the sweet, sour soup was on the house.
Shrimp with a special egg noodle. Shrimp were fresh and sweet. Sautéed with a very light coating on them. New dish and very good.
Beef with black bean sauce and fat noodles. Lots of red wine today so this was a must dish.
Last dish was deep fried scallops. Very fresh and very good, sweet taste to them, Exceptional flavor.
Finished with the Egg Tarts which is a must have. We get our order in at the beginning so we don't do without.
Wines were bigger today. Fortunately someone brought a bubbly which really helped on the seafood dishes.
2005 McKeon Phillips BPR, Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 McKeon Phillips BPR
2008 Kosta Browne Russian River, Pinot Noir
2013 Firestone, Sta Rita Hills, Pinot Noir
NV Lucien Albrecht, Brut Rose, Cremant d'Alsace
All the wines were good. Nice to try the 05 and 08 BPR side by side. So similar but the 05 held a slight lead.
A fun time with the boys and we will be doing Dim Sum again very soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)