Neyers Wine Dinner at Arte Cafe

 Friday, June 11, 2021

Can't say that I have had Neyers wines before, maybe or maybe not. I cannot remember. There are so many wineries in CA you just cannot keep track of all of them.  The wine reps name was Jennifer. Personable person. But half way through dinner she disappeared not to be seen again.

We started off with a Tomato Bouillabaisse with clams, mussels, shrimp and scallops along with a couple of pieces of garlic toast. Light and very flavorful  Paired with a 2019 Neyers , Sonoma Cty unoaked Chardonnay. Stainless Steel fermented. Decent wine. I am not that big of CA chardonnay fan. But it did pair well with the Bouillabaisse. 

Second course is a Hazelnut  Pesto crusted Chilean Seabass with a salad of frisee greens and a tarragon Dijon vinaigrette.  Excellent flavors. Seabass cooked perfectly. Wine is a 2018 Neyers, Carneros Chardonnay. Some oak but not undrinkable for me with food. Without food I would not touch it. 

Third course served is a Quail braised with red wine, thyme and mushrooms over a bed of French lentils. Great flavors even for lentils. They are not high on my list. I do not cook them but I will eat them if served.  The wine selected to be paired with this dish is a 2018 Neyers, CA, Sage Canyon, Rhone Red, blend of Carignane, Syrah and Mouvedre.  Wine was ok on its own but did not blend well with the food. One of my dining companions had some chardonnay left and said it was a far better pairing than the red wine. 

Next was Flank steak with pepper cream sauce and thick frites and broccoli. Good flavors. Meat was perfect. Paired with a 2017 Neyers, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine was good. All the wines were good but nothing that would make me get up and dance much less buy. 

Dessert is a cooked custard with whole cherries and bourbon whipped cream. Exceptional flavors.  A Manhattan  cocktail of Amador double barrel whiskey and Trincheri Rosso Vermouth. Tasty and he did go well with the dessert which surprised me.

Another good dinner put away at Arte Cafe. Best bargain in town. Good food and decent prices.

Dinner at the Bungalow Kitchen

 Thursday, June 10, 2021

Five of us tonight at the Bungalow Kitchen in Long Beach.  www.BungalowKitchen.com.   Reservations were made two months ago for tonight. Indoor patio seating was requested at that time. We were seated inside. When we requested patio seating and told them it was requested with the reservation they said they could not accommodate us in the indoor patio area. It was popular and everyone wanted to sit in that area. They did move us to a "porch" like area a few steps above the indoor patio area. We were seated on the very end next to the waiters station and the door where the carts taken in. I personally felt it was discrimination because we were older than the majority of the patrons. We were not the "beautiful" people and we asked to be moved. That made us a "problem" table. 

View was great. Large windows looking out over the Second Street bridge and the end part of the Marina. If we had been 3 or 4  tables down the other way we would have had a view of the Marina and  the Yacht Club. 

The music was way too loud. The waitstaff had to raise their voices to be heard. We had to raise our voices to have conversation at the table. The restaurant itself has no soft surfaces to absorb noises. Between the din of the voices of the patrons and the loud music it was not a good experience.

All the staff was young and slim, male and female.  Females had clingy beige legging type pants, If you are not slim you will not be hired here. Can't  wait for the lawsuit. 

We started out with a round of cocktails. I had a " Spill the Tea", Bulleit Rye, Compari, Tamarind Chai - infused Italian Sweet Vermouth. Nice drink but small.  Maria had a Gin Martini made with Amass Gin which is produced locally in the Los Angeles area. She said the gin was very good. Not sure what the other cocktails were. I seemed to have lost ii in taking notes and pictures. It was not a relaxing evening.

I started out with what seems to be a very popular dish. Short Rib "Pop Tart".  Short Rib meat baked inside a puff pastry shell with a horseradish cream , crispy shallots and sauce Au Poivre. It was very good. Something I would order again. 4 of us had this dish.

Someone one ordered a Sweet Potato Pancakes with house smoked salmon,  creme fraiche and apple butter. There comments were favorable also. 

For dinner I ordered the Wild Mushroom Agnolotti with Parmesan fonduti and crunchy black truffle streusel. Flavors were excellent. Again a dish I would order again. But  it was was on the small side. Just barely above "appetizer" portion. 

I did have a glass of red wine with my pasta. A Jean-Luc Colombo "Les Abeilles" Grenache Blend. Mediocre wine. 4 ounce pour.  Most restaurants give 5 ounce pours. Not impressed with their wine glasses. But we did notice that a table down from us ordered a bottle of wine and they had nice large format glasses. 

Other mains ordered were a Carbonara Pizza, with crispy guanciale, Yukon  gold potatoes, Pecorino Romano drizzled with a a poached egg. 

Grilled Seam Bream with roasted cauliflower, Matbuche (Arabic for cooked salad)  pine nuts, and crispy chiles. 

Smash burger with white American cheese, tomato-onion relish, Sesame sliced potato bun and crinkle fries.

Everyone was happy with their selection and everyone said their food was good.  But again a bit on the small size for portions especially for the price except for the pizza. 

Dessert for me was a Meyer Lemon Crepe Cake with creme faiche, Hazelnut Praline, Meyer lemon Curd and fresh raspberries. Exceptionally good. 

Another dessert ordered was a Vairhona Milk Chocolate Caramel Cream Pudding drizzled with Maldon Sea Salt and crunchy toasted Hazelnuts. 

My bill for 2 small drinks, appetizer, small main and dessert was a C note.  At least they validated parking. 

Pros:  Location, view, quality of food and service.

Cons: Non existent acoustics, loud music, small portions,  higher prices

Dinner at 555 All American Steak House

 Saturday, May 29, 2021

It was so nice to be able to get out and actually eat in a restaurant not a tent. Granted we were seated in the patio area that is there all the time. Still have restrictions on indoor dining but the night was pleasant and the restaurant was packed as they could legally do. And it was like that all night. I was surprised at the number of people dining at 555. The restaurant is not the cheapest in town. We hogged the table in the corner for close to 5 hours. Food was great along with my dining companions. 

Started out with  raw oysters. I had 2 of each offered that night/ Kumumoto, Malpec and Kings Tide.

Then grilled artichoke with garlic aioli and a plate of smoked octopus. 

Main was a whole Chateaubriand. cooked perfectly medium rare and loaded baked potatoes.

Wines were an interesting group.

2012 Delamotte Champagne - good bubbly is always good

2017 Palmaz Vineyards,  Louise,  Napa Valley, Riesling  - disappointed

2010 Tablas Creek, Paso Robles, Tannat - good wine

1994 Flora Springs, Rutherford Hillside Reserve, Napa Valley, Cabernet  Sauvignon - it had seen it's best days 

2013 Pride, Mountain Vineyard, Sonoma county, Merlot - drinking really well

2011 Tensley, Noir, Syrah  -  good wine

Lunch with the Boys at Cambalache Grill

 Thursday, May 27, 2021

The restaurant Cambalache Grill in Fountain Valley was recommended by a fellow wino. 

www,CambalacheGrill.com.   Three of us decided to try it today for lunch. Sat outdoors in the tent as we still have Covid restrictions. There were several diners sitting in the outdoor patio area. Have no idea what the interior of the restaurant looks like but we will be going back soon perhaps for a wine dinner.  Service was excellent.

The Chef /Owner is Italian descent born in Argentina. Hence the food from two countries. Menu is very extensive. Anything over 3 items I cannot make up my mind what I want.  So we just let CJ do the ordering. 

Started out with a trio of Empanada's. Two Spinach and one Chicken. The dough was very tender and flaky. A good selection.

Next we had a Prosciutto di Parmacon Rusa. Freshly sliced , paper thin Prosciutto which was excellent and a potato salad that had interesting vegetables added to it.  I put my Prosciutto on top a a piece of house bread with a thin layer on butter on the bread. It was delectable.

 A dish called Scampi Cambalache was next. Very large, tender, succulent scampi with fresh steamed broccoli, zucchini and carrots. Cubed potatoes that were very crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. An excellent dish.

Last we had a Rigatoni Cambalclache.  Large Rigatoni with a marinara sauce, sliced sausage and meatballs. At this point I was stuffed so I did not have any of this dish. The boys said everything was good except for the meatballs. Their opinion was that they were tough. It was like someone forgot to add something to the meat mixture.   We let the waiter know our opinion and he said he would let the chef know.

I brought a 2008 Stolpman degli Angeli Sangiovese. Decanted it for about an hour, A lot of sediment in the bottle so I used a filter pourer. Started out drinking very nicely but seemed to loose something after about an hour. Still good but you could tell it was not feeling well.  I will drink the last of the bottle tomorrow night and see what has transpired.

The two other wines were a 2018 Decoy, Cabernet Sauvignon.  Young wine but really started opening up after about an hour. The 2009 Clos Pepe, VS Pinot Noir was drinking very well but there was a light halo and very slight color loss. The bottle was probably just beginning to go downhill. Glad we rescued it from its decline.

Dinner at Chez Lomita

 Saturday, May 15, 2021

Eight of us gathered at the table for dinner tonight. Mains were Tri Tip, Ribs and Lamb Chops. Food was good. Everyone brought a side to share. But the stars of the night were the wines that were opened. Not a bad one in the bunch and a few outstanding. I was very appreciative of being invited.  Nothing more needs to be said. 

2011 Saxum, Paso Robles Broken Stones, Syrah. Mouvedre and Petite Syrah

2009 Huber, Sta Rita Hills, Pinot Noir

2007 Lancaster, Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon

2005 Charles Heidsieck, Rose Millesime, Champagne

2002 Billecart-Salmon, Cuvee Nicholas Francois, Champagne

2001 Chateau 'd Yquem, Sauterne

2000 Chateaneuf du Pape, Domaine Deux  Telegraphe

2000 Chateau Les Carmes, Haut-Brion,  Pessac-Leogman, White Bordeaux

1999 Murphy-Goode, Alexander Valley, Petit Verdot

1993 Arrowood, Sonoma County, Cabernet Sauvignon

1985 Chateau Lynch-Bages, Pauillac, Bordeaux

1982 Chateau La Louvier, Graves,  Bordeaux

Lunch With The Boys at Seafood Cove

 Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Since we have had a few issues with Diamond Seafood Palace we went to Seafood Cove . There are 2 or 3 restaurants of this name. We were at the one on Westminister in the 8500 block.  I am always taken by some of these Chinese restaurants. A dump outside, walk in and there are crystal chandeliers  but the rest of the interiors is from nice to really mediocre. 

This Seafood Cove had their original extensive menu and almost everything was available. Henry knew the manager so we got no corkage. Otherwise $10 a bottle.

Started out with a complimentary soup. Chinese Style Hot & Sour Soup with Bean Curd, Woodear and Bamboo. Good taste but lukewarm. Reason being when Henry sat down at the table and told the waitress that there would be 3 of us she came out with the soup. Of course the 2 of us were several minutes later so it had time to cool down by time we got to the table and got our wine glasses out and poured a glass of bubbly to start. Then we got to the soup. 

Dish called Beef Chow Fun. Beef slices with wide noddle. The kind that you can never seem to get your chopsticks to cooperate. Decent dish but I thought it needed more flavor. A bit dull.

Then a whole fried fish, head and all.  Sweet and light. Coating  was good. Served with two sauces.

Salt and Pepper Pork Chops.  Cut up pork chops with breading and deep fried. This coating was bit heavier than it should be. Henry remarked that it wasn't as light as it usually was.  But I ate a lot of it. Loved the crunch.

We had a dish of Sautéed Chinese Spinach with Garlic. A foil for all the protein. 

Complimentary dessert was a Green Bean Tapioca with Seaweed.

This restaurant caters to the Asian population and is not Americanize at all.  My kind of Chinese food. 

We had a a bottle of Gruet 89 Cuvee Sparkling Rose which was really nice. A good sparkling for the price.

2017 Stags Leap, Napa, Merlot. This will be a nice wine in 3 or 4 more years. 

2014 Trinitas , Mysteriama Red Wine. California Grapes, Winery in Napa.  Blend of  Old Vine Zinfandel, Carignane, Old Vine Petite Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Mataro. This was showing exceptionally well.

Margies Monthly Dinner at Derricks on Atlantic

 Saturday, May 8, 2021

15 of us tonight for indoor patio dining at Derricks BBQ. www. derricksonatlantic.com. First time at this particular restaurant and I will probably never go back. I doubt if they last until the end of the year.  Our group was the only people tonight. There was maybe 10 take out orders in a 4 hour period. One cook in the kitchen and one waitstaff. People at one end of the row of tables were almost finished before the people at the other end got their plates. Food very slow coming out of the kitchen. 

Large , interesting menu. Texas style BBQ which is dry rubbed. You add your sauce as you eat. I have relatives in Texas and have had Texas style BBQ before.  Menu looked very good. Maybe some of the other dishes were good but I was not happy with my selection.  I ordered a sampler plate. Out of 5 items I choose 3. Pork Ribs, Brisket and Tri Tip.  My sides were collard greens and bourbon glazed carrots. I will say the sides were very good. My ribs were a bit on the dry side. Not overly.  The Tri Tip was way over cooked. It even looked dry on the plate.  The brisket was cooked decent but lacked flavor.  They gave us small plastic cups with the BBQ sauce in them, Maybe a tablespoon of sauce in each cup. I realize with Covid restrictions they could not put  out bottles of sauce on the table but what is wrong with using a dish like the sides came in for sauce and have it on the plate.  When I reheated the meat the next day at home for dinner I slathered BBQ sauce all over the meat. Made it palatable but it was still dry.  Person next to me order the same sampler plate but got the Tri Tip, which was dry like mine,  Pulled Pork and Meaty Beef Rib. Rib was not meaty. Pulled Pork was good. Such a hit and miss. 

The wines tonight were an interesting collection. I will say I thought they were a better selection than at past dinners.  I know everyone's palate is different but I sometimes wonder why certain people have to bring such mediocre wines. I am surmising that they have mediocre palates. Of course that is what they might think of me. 

I brought a 2011 Stolpman, Santa Yenez Valley LaCroce which is a blend of Sangiovese and Syrah. This is my favorite wine that Stolpman makes. But I was a bit disappointed in tonight's wine. Maybe bottle variation. I have several more bottles. I will try another one in a month or so to check it out.  Good and drinkable but lacked the punch  I expected. I just couldn't get the nuances out of it. Perhaps a bit over the hill but I have had older LaCroce's before and they have been outstanding. 

2015 Brutaco Coro, Medocino Red Blend - good

2014 Tobin James, Paso Robles, 5 Varietal, Red Blend - good

2011 Windsor Oaks, Chalk Hill. Mountain Cuvee, Red Blend - very good

2006 Lancaster Estate, Sophia's Hillside Cuvee, Red Blend - Excellent

2017 Rock Wall, Napa, Henory Vineyard, Block 29, Zinfandel - good

2016 Occidental Road Cellars, RRV, Horseshoe Bend Vineyards, Syrah - did not taste

2017 McClain, Lodi, Dream Keeper, Sparkling - Interesting. sweet on front palate but more citrusy on back palate

2017 Selbach Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr. Mosel, Germany, Riesling. Kabinett - did not taste

2015 Pomar Junction, Paso Robles, El Pomar District, Reserve Zinfandel - did not taste

NV Domaine Carneros by Tattinger, Brut Rose -nice and refreshing

2016 Rombauer, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado Vineyards, Twin Rivers Single Vineyard Zinfandel - did not taste

2019 Rombauer, Sauvignon Blanc - did not taste

2019 Curran, Santa Barbara County, Grenache Blanc - always good

2015 Saddleback, Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon - did not taste

2009 Domaine Rouge-Bleu Mistral, France, Cotes du Rhone - very good after sitting for over an hour to open up more

2018 Castoro Cellars,  Paso Robles, Whole Rock Vineyards, Temparnillo - did not taste