Trefethen Wine Dinner at Arte Cafe

Arte Cafe

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Almost a full house tonight for dinner.  Both sides of the room were filled except for two tables. Richard the owner/chef was in an unusually good mood tonight.

Started out with A Creole Style Crab Cake in a Mini Roasted Tomato Soup. Cake and soup had excellent flavors Soup had a slight bite to it but not over whelming. Added some interest.  This dish was paired with a 2024 Trefethen, Oak Knoll, Napa Valley, Dry Riesling. Excellent pairing and the wine was very good. My favorite of the night.

First course is a Carpaccio of Beet, Baby Watercress and Parmesan Cheese.  Beets were sliced paper thin and the Parmesan added an interesting flavor. Wine was a 2023 Trefethen, Oak Knoll, Napa Valley Chardonnay. Again a solid pairing.  Chardonnay was not oaky or buttery. True favors of the grape without additives. 

Next is Duck Confit, Risottino Milanese and Truffle Peelings. Meat was shredded and still very moist. The small bits of truffle added the right touch. A 2023 Oak Knoll, Napa Valley, Cabernet Franc was the wine paired. A very nice pairing.

Main is a Prime Rib with Horseradish Sauce, Red Cabbage, Rosemary Potatoes. Meat was tender and excellent flavor, The horseradish sauce was the perfect touch My plate portion was very large so I traded with one of my dining companions who had received a smaller portion. Worked out well. Paired with a 2022 Trefethen, Oak Knoll, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon. Again an excellent pairing.

Dessert is a Ricotta Cheesecake with Wild Berries, Arte Cafe's dessert wine was a 2024 Michael David, Lodi, Symphony. Symphony is the grape varietal. We did a Michael David wine dinner at Arte Cafe a few  months ago. 

All the food dishes were very good as was all the wines. Dinner turned out to be one of the better ones so far this year. Looking forward to many more.

Dinner at India Restaurant

 India Restaurant

April 18, 2026

Small group of six tonight for a "lamb" themed dinner. It has been awhile since I have dined here. Interesting area with a nickname of "Little India" because of the heavy Indian population that lives in the surrounding residential area.  Loads of restaurants and shops. No need to travel to India it is all right here. 

Started out with Onion Bhaji. Pieces of onion battered and deep fried. Served with a couple of sauces. Not a lot of flavor unless you use the sauces. Indian food is all about the sauces. 

Since the theme was lamb we had 3 dishes that featured that cut of meat. First was Rogan Josh, then Lamb Saag and followed by Lamb Seekh Kabob. All quite good.

A plate of Aloo Mater which is peas and potatoes in a sauce accompanied the dishes. Rounded out with the traditional rice and Garlic Naan.

I topped off my dinner with a bowl of Pistachio Kulfi (ice cream)

Interesting group of wines tonight. They all seemed to pair well with the food dishes even though it was a real mixed bag of varietals.  I brought a 2018 Buttonwood, Santa Ynez Valley, Malbec.

2015 Col di Lamo, DOCG, Brunello di Montalcino.

2020 Rocca di Montegrossi, San Marcellino, Chianti Classico

NV Le Mesnil, Grand Cru, Blanc de Blanc

2005 Chateau Montelena, Calistoga, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2021 Brooks, Amity Hills, Orchard Fold Vineyard, Riesling

2020 Roccodi Montegrassi,  Classico Gran Selection, Chianti

NV Mumm, Sparkling Rose

Jayson by Pahlmeyer Wine Dinner at Arte Cafe

 April 9, 2026

Arte Cafe

New wine for me. Not familiar with the "Jayson" label.  Made by Pahlmeyer. Female winemaker. Not a sold out dinner but a good size crowd in attendance.  Location leaves a bit be desired for the restaurant. This was the original location years ago and then Arte moved to Cerritos. After years at that location they moved back to the original. But the regulars followed. Owner of Arte, Richard, owns the building. Maybe that is why his dinners are always reasonable. 

3 at our table tonight and I came away the lucky person. Both of the men  brought me a bottle of wine and one brought me a very large chunk, at least 3 to 4 lbs., of sushi grade blue fin tuna.

Dinner started out with two oysters and two mini chicken potstickers. First oysters I have had since way before my abdominal surgery. No issues with digestion so I may try again at another dinner.  A bowl of cold Cucumber Gazpacho followed.  Gazpacho had good flavor but the spice was so fiery. My tongue burned for several minutes after the first taste. I had just two spoonfuls of it and had to push it aside. 

 These appetizers were paired with a 2024 Jayson Sauvignon Blanc. Nice wine. Just a bit of tartness to it. Clean and fresh. 

Next was a fresh Hamachi Tataki with grilled pineapple, candied kumquats, macadamia nuts and Thai basil. Excellent dish.  Wine served was a 2022 Jayson Chardonnay. Just a hint of oak. I am not the great California Chardonnay fan. Not into buttery and oaky. Prefer mine clean and crisp like a good French Chablis. 

Second course was a Five Spice Dusted Goose Breast with winter vegetable pave, braised endive and fig balsamic jus. Another excellent dish. Goose was cooked perfectly. Paired with a 2022 Jayson Red wine. Blend of  Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Good wine and paired perfectly with the goose.

Main course is a Wagyu Flat Iron Steak with smoked beef bacon, watercress, crispy shallot, dijon vinaigrette, pommes souffle. Great flavors. Again an excellent dish.  A 2022 Jayson Cabernet Sauvignon  was the wine selection. And another very good pairing. 

Dessert was a Chocolate Espuma, crispy meringue and blackberry caramel. Nice light and decadent. A good ending to a very good dinner.  A 2002 Covey Run, Yakima Valley, Riesling, Ice Wine was poured Not too sweet but again a good selection for the dessert.

Looking forward to the next wine dinner at Arte Cafe, Curious to see if the dishes outshine this one.