Buttonwood Dinner at Chef Louise's Backyard

 Saturday, September 18, 2021

Another backyard dinner at Dave and Louise's house. This time it is Buttonwood Winery and Karen Steinwachs the winemaker was in attendance.. Another beautiful night, a bit breezy but as soon as the sun went down it was calm.  Dave and Louise have bought outdoor heaters and hope to have another winemaker dinner in October. Keeping my fingers crossed. These dinners are limited to 30 people and so far this year every one has sold out within a a few days.

All Buttonwood wines are estate grown in Santa Ynez except for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay which are sourced from the Hibbits vineyard which is located just before you get into Lompoc. Not sure if that area is in the Sta, Rita Hills AVA.

Buttonwood also grows numerous varieties of peaches on their acreage and sell them at the stand next to the tasting room on Alamo Pintado road between Solvang and Los Olivos.

Started out with a Scallop Mousse and herb drizzle. This was such a big hit that Louise is going to put in her regular menu rotation. This was so silky and rich.  Paired with a 2019 Buttonwood Sauvignon Blanc. 92 % Sau Blanc and 8% Semillon. Wine was not overly acidic and tart. Nice wine and great pairing. 

Second course is a Prosciutto, Ricotta and Arugula Tart. Smooth and creamy Arugula gave it a slight bitter taste which woke up the taste buds. Wine is a 2020 Buttonwood Syrah Rose. A really good Rose. Had some body to it and wasn't overly fruity.  You knew you were drinking wine and not strawberry soda.  I did order a few bottles of this wine.

Next is a Duck Confit and Pork Ragout Cassoulet. Great blend of flavors. Meats were fork tender. Paired with a 2018 Buttonwood Classic Cuvee. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet France, Merlot and Mouvedre. , This was another wine which I ordered a few bottles of. Easy drinking and a great blend.

Main course is a Dry Rubbed Tri Tip with Warm Potato Salad. .Meat was tender and moist, good flavors. Loved the warm potato salad. A 2018 Buttonwood Malbec was the wine. Another good pairing. 

Dessert is a Spiced Apple Cake with Praline Frosting and a extra praline on the plate. Fall flavors. A 2014 Buttonwood Posh dessert wine  was the pairing. 100% Syrah. Not overly sweet and paired well with the dessert. 

Jolie brought at 2010 Buttonwood Solo Trevia red wine.  49% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec. She shared her bottle with a few of us.  This wine was outstanding and has quite a few years ahead of it.

Another good dinner in the backyard. Really good wines and great dining companions. Sat at the table with the singles, the winemaker and wine rep. Beautiful weather, wines and food.   Can't get any better than that.

Margie's Dinner at Prime Cut Cafe

 Saturday, September 11, 2021

10 of us tonight at Prime Cut Cafe in Orange for Margie's monthly wine dinner. We had our own private room away from the other diners.

CJ and I split a  marinated beet and avocado salad. Made just the right portion for me. Red beets and orange beets. Very good and not heavy at all.

I ordered the Prime Rib which is their specialty. Good flavor, very tender. Served with Yorkshire Pudding.  I also had a side order of mushroom's.  I will have a good lunch tomorrow. 

Followed by a Creme Brulee for dessert.  

I brought a 2010 Stoplman, Ballard Canyon, Angeli, Syrah - showing really well. Glad there was some left in the bottle to take home for tomorrow. 

2003 BV Tapestry Reserve, Napa Valley, Red Blend. Magnum - Tasting really good.

2015 Merry Edwards Olivet Lane, RRV, Sonoma County, Chardonnay - did not taste

2013 Cartograph, Leonardo Julio Vineyard, Brut Rose - interesting flavor and color

1974 Stag's Leap Wine cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon  - good color and showed quite well

NV Gruet, New Mexico, Blanc de Noirs - never can go wrong with this sparkling

2019 Paso Point, Paso Robles, Cabernet Sauvignon - a bit on the light side

2017 Rasmussen, Cabernet Sauvignon Bang - OK, 

2020 Cinquain, Mesa Del Rio Vineyards, Monterey County, Pinot Blanc - did not taste

NV   Roederer, Anderson Valley, Brut Rose - always a good choice

2016 Les Cadrans de Lassegue, Red Blend - did not taste

2018 Williams Selyem, Gruner Veltliner - a nice Gruner

320 Main

 Friday, September 10, 2021

Impromptu dinner tonight. 3 of us. Decided on 320 Main because of their cocktails.  I started out with a "Detroiter" Lairds Bonded Apple Brandy, Cyner, (which is an Italian aperitif made with 13 varieties of herbs and plants)  Lemon, Honey syrup  and Stone IPA. Quite good.

We shared a full platter of Kumamoto Oysters.

I ordered the half rack of lamb and the loaded mashed potatoes. Lamb was tender and flavorful. Potatoes were really good, 

I had a second cocktail, can't remember the name but it was a jacked up Whiskey Sour. It was quite good also.

We sat outside on the parklet. Weather was perfect for outdoor dining. Tonight Main street is packed with cars and people.  It is so nice to start being alive again.

Additional Comment of Dinner at Sebastianni's

 I took home the beef dish from dinner at Sebastianni's on the 31st.  Menu had said Italian Beef  Au Jus with Garlic potatoes.  I opened the container up to heat for lunch. No potatoes but another pasta and no Au Jus. Beef was extremely dry and void of any seasoning. Nothing the restaurant should brag about. In retrospect 4 dishes of pasta is overkill and if you can't cook beef and plate it correctly then don't put it on your menu.

I stand by my remark that this was a $70 dinner at the most and not a $90 dinner.

San Felice Wines at Sebastianni's Italian Bistro

Tuesday,. August 31, 2021

A large group tonight for a mid week wine dinner at Sebastianni's. This restaurant attracts a lot of locals and has a big local following.  Not quite sold out but a good showing. I think a bit overpriced for what was offered. $90 + tx/tip.  I felt it was a $75 dinner. I know food prices along with everything else has taken a hike but I always look at the quality, quantity for the dollar amount.  One thing that has not changed at the restaurant in all these years is the quality of the glasses. They may be large format but they are thick glass. One glass for white to start with and then they bring the red glass at the start of the 3rd course. No chance to keep several wines in front of you to taste with different dishes although I did manage to keep a bit of white white.  The winery was represented by Francesco Riviera. Personable man, heavy Italian accent and a great laugh.

We started out with Olive Orcchetti Pasta Salad which was excellent. Paired with a 2018 San Felice Ancherona, Maremma, Tuscany Chardonnay $18.  Crisp clean wine and went well with the pasta.

Second course is Crab Filled Arranchini in a light red sauce. Large portions and good quality. A 2019 San Felice, Maremma, Tuscany, Vermentino, $18,  was the wine selection. A nice, clean, semi tart wine.

Next was a Filet di Pomodora, Four Cheese Ravioli, very small diced fresh tomatoes and shaved Parmesan.I did scrape the tomatoes off because of the high acidity, which is not my friend. Pasta had good flavor. But this is the third pasta / rice dish and I am filling up. Wine paired is a 2015 San Felice Gran Selezione Il Grigo, Chianti, Tuscany $42.  80% Sangiovese grape and 20% indigenous grapes. Those were what I was interested in.  I did pick up 2 new grape varietals, Mazzese and Pugnitello.  I was not a big fan of this wine.  I did find it flat and dry. Might improve with a few more years cellaring.  I did have a bit of Vermentino left and I found that it went well with the tomatoless pasta. 

Main course is Roasted Italian Beef on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes and Au Jus. I did not have one bite of this dish because I just could not eat anymore. Had it boxed up to take home. It looked like a cheaper cut of beef braised for a long time. Paired with 2018 San Felice Bell'Aja, Bolgheri, Tuscany, $32. A blend of Cabernet and Merlot. This was a good wine

Dessert is a Chocolate Armaretto, Panna Cotta with Chocolate Frangelico Sauce.  Had a few bites. Very good but boxed it to take home. I just cannot put in a another bite of food. The wine selection was a 2015 San Felice Brunello Di Montalcino Campogiovanni, Montalcino, Tuscany, $56.. Very good Brunello. Although I felt a big too big for the dessert.

A good dinner, bit overpriced, no acoustics to  soften sound, otherwise it was noisy. But a good time with my dining companions.  Glad to see restaurants start up with the wine dinners again.