Sunday, March 27, 2016
Even tho it was Easter Sunday the winos did not stay home. Weather was decent for March . Nice day turning to cooler in the evening.
Today's theme was Malbec, 2013 and older. I was looking forward to what Stan might pull out of his cellar. But when he arrived he informed us that he could find no older Malbec wine. With 5,000 bottles that was hard to comprehend. Turned out that my 2007 bottle that I brought turned out to be the oldest.
Hosts grilled handmade sausages along with a mushroom noodle. Good side dishes. Henry's mustard greens with ground chicken was exceptionaly good.
There was several desserts. I only tried one, a shortbread tart with fresh strawberries which was very good. The peeps on the carrot cake turned me off of that one.
Two days in a row of heavy red wine and loads of food has done me in. So another wino event down and not sure if I should be looking forward to April or not. The hosts said something about Kosher wines because of Passover.
Monday, March 28, 2016
Dinner in Tuscany
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Arrived at Chez Lomita Villa for an invitation only dinner. Followed the music coming from the courtyard and saw the rolling hills of Tuscany in the background. Candles lit the way. Long table was set for 14 people This looks like a good start to an enjoyable evening. 21 wines being served
Started out with a plate of appetizers. Prosciutto wrapped canteloupe, smoked peppered turkey breast, roasted red and yellow peppers, fig paste, cornichons, sweet bread pickles, capers, almonds, cashews, walnuts, truffle cheese, Gruyere cheese, Asiago cheese, red pepper hummus, olive oils and balsamics along with assorted breads, After this plate I have no need for any more food.
A salad of shredded lettuce with Brocconcini and Green Olive Tapenade followed. I know this is the end of the line for me.
Took a small break from eating and went into the back courtyard by the pool for fireworks.
A long table full of chafing dishes awaited us upon our return for the fireworks display. Penne and Meatballs, Sausage with Peppers, Mostaccioli with meat sauce and Cavatappi Pasta with Grilled Chicken. Food was good but since I had reached my capacity after the salad I probably did not enjoy it as much as I should have.
Another break awaited us and we filled the main salon for games and prizes.
Dessert was next on our agenda. A nice tiramisu and short bread cookie.
Lots of food, wine and good company. A delightful evening at Chez LomitaVilla,
Arrived at Chez Lomita Villa for an invitation only dinner. Followed the music coming from the courtyard and saw the rolling hills of Tuscany in the background. Candles lit the way. Long table was set for 14 people This looks like a good start to an enjoyable evening. 21 wines being served
Started out with a plate of appetizers. Prosciutto wrapped canteloupe, smoked peppered turkey breast, roasted red and yellow peppers, fig paste, cornichons, sweet bread pickles, capers, almonds, cashews, walnuts, truffle cheese, Gruyere cheese, Asiago cheese, red pepper hummus, olive oils and balsamics along with assorted breads, After this plate I have no need for any more food.
A salad of shredded lettuce with Brocconcini and Green Olive Tapenade followed. I know this is the end of the line for me.
Took a small break from eating and went into the back courtyard by the pool for fireworks.
A long table full of chafing dishes awaited us upon our return for the fireworks display. Penne and Meatballs, Sausage with Peppers, Mostaccioli with meat sauce and Cavatappi Pasta with Grilled Chicken. Food was good but since I had reached my capacity after the salad I probably did not enjoy it as much as I should have.
Another break awaited us and we filled the main salon for games and prizes.
Dessert was next on our agenda. A nice tiramisu and short bread cookie.
Lots of food, wine and good company. A delightful evening at Chez LomitaVilla,
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Sinor-La Valle and Ancient Peaks Wine Dinner
Saturday. March 19, 2016
Normally "Wine Getaways" does their dinners mid week and usually on the west side of town which is not freeway friendly for me. When I saw the flyer on this dinner on a Saturday and with a winery I buy from I jumped at it. Had not seen Peter and Bart since the last dinner at Restaurant Christines in Torrance about 18 months ago.
It was a 40 miles trek down the freeway for me. Took me about 70 minutes as traffic was heavy but only 30 minutes to get home. Dinner was held at the Barbianca Restarunt at the Hotel MDR in Marina Del Rey. This was their first wine dinner. Restaurant was typical hotel style. Next to the open bar and noisy. Acoustics were bad. Had delightful dining companions along with being seated next to Peter Kerr. Most people attending the dinner are followers of Wine Getaways. Their dinners are always $89 inclusive which makes them a bargain. And always lot's of prizes to be given away. I got a Sinor-La Valle wine opener to add to my collection of openers, Have not paid for one yet.
Talked with Mike Sinor for quite awhile. He was very surprised to see me. Mike is the co-owner and wine director at Ancient Peaks . www.ancientpeaks.com and he and his wife own Sinor-La Valle, www.sinorlavalle,com which recently bought the old Bassi Vineyard in Avila Beach. I started buying his wines years ago (at least 13 years ago) after reading an article in Wine Spectator about up and coming winemakers. They had listed about 10 new winemakers and I got on the email list for a few of them and started buying their wines. I dropped a few but kept Sinor-LaValle and Kosta-Browne. Not bad choices I would say.
We started out with a glass (several) of 2014 Ancient Peaks Sauvignon Blanc. They served a Tuna Tartare on toast and a Artichoke Bruschetta with Charred Asparagus for appetizers. Wine did not pair well with the raw fish. Actually really clashed. The wine itself was good for a Sau Blanc. Not to mineraly and light citrus.
First course of the evening was a Arugula and Pan Seared Spinach Gnocchi Salad with Baby Eggplant, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Green Olive Compote. Good flavors and paired well with the 2013 Sinor-La Valle Chardonnay. Wine has a hint of oak which was cut by by the salad,
Three-Pepper Crusted Atlantic Salmon with Wild Mushroom Ratatouille and Lime Sage Butter Sauce was served next. Very good dish and the pairing with the 2012 Sinor-La Valle Talley Rincon Pinot Noir was perfect. 2012 was the last year for Mike to buy grapes from Talley. Glad I have a stash of various years of this wine.
Main course was a Oso Bucco with Chive Mashed Potatoes, Braised Fennel, Red Chard, Buttered Baby Vegetables and Natural Jus. Good flavors. Wine served was a 2012 Ancient Peaks. Margarita Vineyards, Zinfandel. Wine was fruity but not jammy. Good flavors and a perfect match for the food.
Dessert was a Wine Poached Pear Panna Cotta with Wild Berry Sauce. OK, not great and it was served in a plastic cup which was a turnoff for me.
A good dinner. Will have to check out the next Wine Getaway dinner at Sausal. Need to check how freeway friendly it is. It is on a weeknight so I would go directly from work but I always like to see how to get home easily. I know Ray and Barbra are doing this dinner but they can walk to the restaurant from their house.
Normally "Wine Getaways" does their dinners mid week and usually on the west side of town which is not freeway friendly for me. When I saw the flyer on this dinner on a Saturday and with a winery I buy from I jumped at it. Had not seen Peter and Bart since the last dinner at Restaurant Christines in Torrance about 18 months ago.
It was a 40 miles trek down the freeway for me. Took me about 70 minutes as traffic was heavy but only 30 minutes to get home. Dinner was held at the Barbianca Restarunt at the Hotel MDR in Marina Del Rey. This was their first wine dinner. Restaurant was typical hotel style. Next to the open bar and noisy. Acoustics were bad. Had delightful dining companions along with being seated next to Peter Kerr. Most people attending the dinner are followers of Wine Getaways. Their dinners are always $89 inclusive which makes them a bargain. And always lot's of prizes to be given away. I got a Sinor-La Valle wine opener to add to my collection of openers, Have not paid for one yet.
Talked with Mike Sinor for quite awhile. He was very surprised to see me. Mike is the co-owner and wine director at Ancient Peaks . www.ancientpeaks.com and he and his wife own Sinor-La Valle, www.sinorlavalle,com which recently bought the old Bassi Vineyard in Avila Beach. I started buying his wines years ago (at least 13 years ago) after reading an article in Wine Spectator about up and coming winemakers. They had listed about 10 new winemakers and I got on the email list for a few of them and started buying their wines. I dropped a few but kept Sinor-LaValle and Kosta-Browne. Not bad choices I would say.
We started out with a glass (several) of 2014 Ancient Peaks Sauvignon Blanc. They served a Tuna Tartare on toast and a Artichoke Bruschetta with Charred Asparagus for appetizers. Wine did not pair well with the raw fish. Actually really clashed. The wine itself was good for a Sau Blanc. Not to mineraly and light citrus.
First course of the evening was a Arugula and Pan Seared Spinach Gnocchi Salad with Baby Eggplant, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Green Olive Compote. Good flavors and paired well with the 2013 Sinor-La Valle Chardonnay. Wine has a hint of oak which was cut by by the salad,
Three-Pepper Crusted Atlantic Salmon with Wild Mushroom Ratatouille and Lime Sage Butter Sauce was served next. Very good dish and the pairing with the 2012 Sinor-La Valle Talley Rincon Pinot Noir was perfect. 2012 was the last year for Mike to buy grapes from Talley. Glad I have a stash of various years of this wine.
Main course was a Oso Bucco with Chive Mashed Potatoes, Braised Fennel, Red Chard, Buttered Baby Vegetables and Natural Jus. Good flavors. Wine served was a 2012 Ancient Peaks. Margarita Vineyards, Zinfandel. Wine was fruity but not jammy. Good flavors and a perfect match for the food.
Dessert was a Wine Poached Pear Panna Cotta with Wild Berry Sauce. OK, not great and it was served in a plastic cup which was a turnoff for me.
A good dinner. Will have to check out the next Wine Getaway dinner at Sausal. Need to check how freeway friendly it is. It is on a weeknight so I would go directly from work but I always like to see how to get home easily. I know Ray and Barbra are doing this dinner but they can walk to the restaurant from their house.
Friday, March 18, 2016
Mid Week at Kashiwa
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Met friends at the sushi bar at Kashiwa in Signal Hill for dinner. kashiwajc.com, Most of us ordered the Omakase dinner. 12 pieces of sushi for $45. Bargain for good sushi. Dinner was served as 3 pieces of sushi per plate and a total of 4 plates. We started out with a seafood salad that was very similar to Poke. Excellent flavor and as always the fish was the freshest it could be. Then a cucumber salad, very thinly sliced slices of small cucumber marinated in rice vinegar. Next were were served a bowl of Miso and after that the sushi started arriving.
First plate had a tuna from Spain, Salmon belly and Kamachi. Second plate was Stripe Jack, Amber Jack and Scottish trout. Third plate was Snapper, Halibut and Toro. Last was the Uni, Pompano and Scallop. All exceedingly fresh and full of flavor.
Followed by hot tea and fresh orange slices which were very sweet and palate cleansing. I had a half bottle of sake with my dinner. A few opted for beer. No wine at all was ordered. Not even sure if they have wine on the menu.
Kashiwa's owners name is Kei and he is the one who opened Kinokawa in Long Beach years ago. He sold that place and opened Kashiwa about 5 years ago. Besides sushi they do serve other traditional Japanese dishes for the non fish people. But the sushi is the star here.
Met friends at the sushi bar at Kashiwa in Signal Hill for dinner. kashiwajc.com, Most of us ordered the Omakase dinner. 12 pieces of sushi for $45. Bargain for good sushi. Dinner was served as 3 pieces of sushi per plate and a total of 4 plates. We started out with a seafood salad that was very similar to Poke. Excellent flavor and as always the fish was the freshest it could be. Then a cucumber salad, very thinly sliced slices of small cucumber marinated in rice vinegar. Next were were served a bowl of Miso and after that the sushi started arriving.
First plate had a tuna from Spain, Salmon belly and Kamachi. Second plate was Stripe Jack, Amber Jack and Scottish trout. Third plate was Snapper, Halibut and Toro. Last was the Uni, Pompano and Scallop. All exceedingly fresh and full of flavor.
Followed by hot tea and fresh orange slices which were very sweet and palate cleansing. I had a half bottle of sake with my dinner. A few opted for beer. No wine at all was ordered. Not even sure if they have wine on the menu.
Kashiwa's owners name is Kei and he is the one who opened Kinokawa in Long Beach years ago. He sold that place and opened Kashiwa about 5 years ago. Besides sushi they do serve other traditional Japanese dishes for the non fish people. But the sushi is the star here.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Another Dim Sum with The Boys
Monday, March 14, 2015
It has been awhile since I got together with the "boys" for Dim Sum. Only 4 of us singles today. Terry is still in rehab. Hopefully he will be able to rejoin us soon for our next adventure at the Seafood palace. www.seafoodpalaceresturant.com.,
Nice to have Mr. Do back. He has always taken very good care of us. Always lets Henry know what is the freshest that day and what to avoid.
Started out with a couple of items off the carts. Siu Mai - open top dumpling with shrimp and Cheong Fan - rolled rice noodles with shrimp.
Then on to the really good stuff. Stir fried lobster with thin noodles. This is always good no matter what type of noodle it is served with. I do prefer the fat noodles myself. The sauce the lobster makes when being cooked in the shell if finger licking good.
Next was our complimentary bowl of sweet sour soup.
French style beef with asparagus was especially good today. Extremely tender and loads of flavor.
Stir fried scallops with snow peas, carrots and water chestnuts - again the scallops were like butter.
Last dish before dessert was Lo Mai Gai, Lotus leaf wrapped sweet, sticky rice with Chinese sausage.
Dessert is always Daan Taat - egg custard tarts. We also received a complimentary bowl of a almond pudding with fruit.
4 wines today. Veuve Cliquot Champagne, 2011 Whitehall Lane, Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 Ken Brown, Rancho Vina, Pinot Noir (excellent)'
I brought a 2009 Des Deaux Comtes. a collaboration of two wine makers, Larry Shaffer and John Cabot. Made with 50% Humbolt County grapes and 50% Santa Barbara County grapes. 72% Syrah, 25% Granache and 3% Viognier. This wine took a long time to open, Should have decanted it. But once it opened it really showed well. Will finish the bottle tomorrow night and see how much it improves.
It has been awhile since I got together with the "boys" for Dim Sum. Only 4 of us singles today. Terry is still in rehab. Hopefully he will be able to rejoin us soon for our next adventure at the Seafood palace. www.seafoodpalaceresturant.com.,
Nice to have Mr. Do back. He has always taken very good care of us. Always lets Henry know what is the freshest that day and what to avoid.
Started out with a couple of items off the carts. Siu Mai - open top dumpling with shrimp and Cheong Fan - rolled rice noodles with shrimp.
Then on to the really good stuff. Stir fried lobster with thin noodles. This is always good no matter what type of noodle it is served with. I do prefer the fat noodles myself. The sauce the lobster makes when being cooked in the shell if finger licking good.
Next was our complimentary bowl of sweet sour soup.
French style beef with asparagus was especially good today. Extremely tender and loads of flavor.
Stir fried scallops with snow peas, carrots and water chestnuts - again the scallops were like butter.
Last dish before dessert was Lo Mai Gai, Lotus leaf wrapped sweet, sticky rice with Chinese sausage.
Dessert is always Daan Taat - egg custard tarts. We also received a complimentary bowl of a almond pudding with fruit.
4 wines today. Veuve Cliquot Champagne, 2011 Whitehall Lane, Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 Ken Brown, Rancho Vina, Pinot Noir (excellent)'
I brought a 2009 Des Deaux Comtes. a collaboration of two wine makers, Larry Shaffer and John Cabot. Made with 50% Humbolt County grapes and 50% Santa Barbara County grapes. 72% Syrah, 25% Granache and 3% Viognier. This wine took a long time to open, Should have decanted it. But once it opened it really showed well. Will finish the bottle tomorrow night and see how much it improves.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Sea Legs Dinner
Saturday, March 12, 2016
This month Margie chose a place in Huntington Beach for dinner. I had heard about but never eaten there before. For several reason I will never go back. Place is called Sea Legs Wine Bar. www.sealegswinebar.com, . It does get mixed reviews on Yelp, now I know why. Food was good. No problem there. Service was a real downfall. I was only half way through my appetizer when they brought out my entree. Ten minutes later the other entrees came out. This is a big no no. Order for entree should not be put in until your customer is close to being finished with their appetizer and all entrees for your table should come out of the kitchen about the same time. By time I got to my entree, which was a flat iron steak, the meat was cold. I would venture to say it was not to hot when it came from the kitchen to begin with.
This place caters to the younger crowd. Noisy, loud, blaring music. Not what I want to a nice dinner out. When you have to yell at the person sitting next to you to be heard it is too noisy. So if you are over 35 this is not the place you want to frequent unless you are a sugar daddy looking for a young conquest.
There was variety of foods ordered and everyone seemed happy with their choices. No complaints regarding flavors.
I brought a 2011 Loring, Russian River, Pinot Noir. It was drinking OK, not the greatest but OK. Maybe needs another couple of years.
Wines that rounded out the evening were 2013 Wildhaven, Pinot Gris, 2012 Molly Dooker, Blue Eyed Boy, Shiraz, NV Graham Beck Brut, 2008 Neyers, Old Lake Road, Sonoma Coast Syrah, 2012 Saxon Brown, Carneros, Chardonnay. NV Perrier Jouet Grand Brut, 2012 Kosta Browne, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir, 2013 Tablas Creek, Viognier and a 2009 Three Rivers Winery, Svelte, Red Blend.
This month Margie chose a place in Huntington Beach for dinner. I had heard about but never eaten there before. For several reason I will never go back. Place is called Sea Legs Wine Bar. www.sealegswinebar.com, . It does get mixed reviews on Yelp, now I know why. Food was good. No problem there. Service was a real downfall. I was only half way through my appetizer when they brought out my entree. Ten minutes later the other entrees came out. This is a big no no. Order for entree should not be put in until your customer is close to being finished with their appetizer and all entrees for your table should come out of the kitchen about the same time. By time I got to my entree, which was a flat iron steak, the meat was cold. I would venture to say it was not to hot when it came from the kitchen to begin with.
This place caters to the younger crowd. Noisy, loud, blaring music. Not what I want to a nice dinner out. When you have to yell at the person sitting next to you to be heard it is too noisy. So if you are over 35 this is not the place you want to frequent unless you are a sugar daddy looking for a young conquest.
There was variety of foods ordered and everyone seemed happy with their choices. No complaints regarding flavors.
I brought a 2011 Loring, Russian River, Pinot Noir. It was drinking OK, not the greatest but OK. Maybe needs another couple of years.
Wines that rounded out the evening were 2013 Wildhaven, Pinot Gris, 2012 Molly Dooker, Blue Eyed Boy, Shiraz, NV Graham Beck Brut, 2008 Neyers, Old Lake Road, Sonoma Coast Syrah, 2012 Saxon Brown, Carneros, Chardonnay. NV Perrier Jouet Grand Brut, 2012 Kosta Browne, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir, 2013 Tablas Creek, Viognier and a 2009 Three Rivers Winery, Svelte, Red Blend.
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Paella & Wine
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Nothing better than friends, paella and wine at the beach. And my partner and I won the wine trivia game.
Nothing better than friends, paella and wine at the beach. And my partner and I won the wine trivia game.
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