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.