Michael - David Wine Dinner at Arte Cafe

 Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Arte Cafe

So glad to get back to doing dinners at Arte Cafe. Missed Richards culinary expressions. Also the fact that these dinners are reasonably priced compared to other restaurants and to me the food is far superior in most cases. The wine rep Heidi was personable and made for an enjoyable evening. 

Started out with a glass of Charles de Cazanove Champagne. Nice to have a bubbly to start the festivities.

First course is a Shrimp Cocktail with Remoulade Sauce. Served in a non-stemmed wine glass. 3 large shrimp. Personally I found it a bit messy to eat with my fingers. If the shrimp were smaller it may have been easier but these were large. Would have preferred them on a plate so I could cut them. But the flavor was very good.  This dish was served with a 2024 Michael David Legacy Sauvignon Blanc. I had a very small pour of this wine because of the acidity of it. It did pair well with the shrimp.

Second course is a Romaine Salad with Toasted pecans, Feta Cheese, Cherry Tomatoes and a Balsamic Maple Dressing. Again a very large serving.  Dressing was very tasty. Wine was a 2024 Michael David Legacy Rose. Nice, light and complimented the salad,

Third Course is a Roast Pheasant with Plum Sauce and Butternut Squash Puree, Green Beans were cut in very small pieces and curved around one side of the plate. Beautiful presentation. Good flavor. Last time I had Pheasant I had to pick the bird shot out of it. But these were farmed raised so not a problem.  A 2022 Michael David Ancient Vine Cinsault was the choice for this dish. I thought this was the best wine of the evening.  Cinsault grows well in hot climates and this winery is in Lodi. The vines were over a 100 years old. I did order a couple of bottles of the Cinsault. 

Main Course is A5 Japanese Wagyu Beef Filet with a Cabernet Sauce, Roasted Baby Vegetables and Yukon Potatoes.  Excellent meat. Exceptionally tender which you expect for Wagyu. Wine choice was a 2022 Michael David Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. My least favorite wine of the night. Personally, I don't think Lodi is the best place to grow cabernet because of the hotter temperatures.  The wine wasn't bad but it just did not have much going for it. At least for me. 

Dessert is a Fruit Tart. Nice and light to finish the meal. Paired with a 2024 Michael David Symphony. A clean white wine and the grape varietal is named "symphony".  Add that to my list and now I am at 611 grape varietals tasted. 

The bottles that Michel David wines are in are beautiful. They have an old mold from France that they use for their bottles. 

A good dinner and usurpingly good wines. Best of all it was only $105 which in todays climate is a bargain, Richard has always been very fair with his pricing and his food is always good.