Thursday, October 29, 2015
When I arrived in the parking lot in front of Antonellos, www.antonello.com, I watched numerous people go into the restaurant but no one was going into the "event room" . I ventured over and the door was open so I went in. Apparently the first to arrive for the wine dinner. But then they informed me my name was not down on the list. Good thing I had my confirming e-mail with me and the names of both people I talked with in making the reservation. Seems that the first person I talked with did not relay the fact I was making a reservation for the wine dinner and they had my party down for the regular restaurant. After some switching of seats at the various tables we were seated at the table with the Von's wine buyer and the winemaker, Sarah Quider.
Antonellos had 5 large groups in the regular restaurant tonight and that reflected in the service we were getting tonight. Good service but not the same caliber as the last dinner. The appetizers were not as abundant and it seemed that we had less staff wating on us.
Another very noticeable item was the fact they were not pouring wine as generously as before. One pour of each wine. Maybe this was because the winery did not provide as much as the last one. Sometimes that is an issue. I asked for a second glass of the Fume Blanc as I would not drink that over oaked Chardonnay they served. They did accommodate me on that one.
Food was good as usual for Antonello's. We started out with a selection of Stuzzichini (appetizers). A Cheese flatbread, ahi tuna and what they called fried ravioli. More like small empanadas. These were served with the 2014 Fume Blanc.
Antipasto was next - A Seafood Salad, puree of green fava beans (excellent) topped with marinated Spanish Octopus, Argentina Shrimp, Crab Claws and Lobster meat with micro greens. Also had pomegranate seeds mixed in. Good, tasty dish. Wine was a 2012 Reserve Chardonnay which I gave away and had a second glass of the Fume Blanc which went very well with the salad.
Primo - Ravioli Plin. Braised Veal Ravioli (very rich) with a light veal reduction (good) with sweet onions and Parmigiano. Again an excellent dish. Paired with a 2013 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. Way to young. Needs several years.
Secondo - Lamb Shank, red wine braised Lamb Shank with Polenta seasoned with sage and rosemary and green beans. Falling off the bone tender. Very good flavor, very large. I ate a few bites and asked for the "doggie bag". I was stuffed and the Ravioli was so rich I just could not finish this dish. the wine was a 2012 "Tresor" red blend. Better than the Pinot.
Dolce - (dessert) A housemade apricot tart (butter crust) with vanilla gelato and a caramel sauce.. Rich but too much crust. 2009 "Eldorado Gold" sweet wine was paired. Way too much sweet on sweet. Both items were good but this was overkill on the "sweet". Cheese course would have made better sense.
Really not big complaints just the little things that seemed to reflect my attitude about the dinner. Lack of wait staff, scimpy on the appetizers and wine. Food was excellent as usual. We all agreed on this.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Happy Hour at Bistro St. Germain
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Happy hour on Tuesday's at Bistro St. Germain in Seal Beach is an all day affair which makes it very convenient for me. Most HH end at 6:00 and that is about the time I manage to get anyplace when coming from work. I was surprised wen I got there that the establishment wasn't packed as it normally is on a Tuesday. Lots of empty tables. I was the first of my group to arrive so I snagged one off in the corner and away from the foot traffic.
I usually order wine off the wine list. Tonight I opted for the chalk board specials. I only saw one red wine that I thought was worth ordering and that was the Peachy Canyon Zinfandel. Nice wine but nothing special. Next time I go back to the printed wine list.
We ordered a few dishes off the Tapa menu which are half price on happy hour. The bacon wrapped shrimp was a bit of disappointment. Thought the bacon was overcooked. Shrimp Scampi is always good but I did notice that the size of the shrimp were a little smaller than usual. Vegetable Risotto was perfect. A Quiche Lorain with a salad was good. It was a chalkboard special tonight. I do like my quiches a bit more dry. This was on the verge of being just a bit too moist. But good flavor.
I opted not to walk around Main Street like we normally do I have been in the fast lane the last couple of weeks and there is no end in sight until after the holidays.
Happy hour on Tuesday's at Bistro St. Germain in Seal Beach is an all day affair which makes it very convenient for me. Most HH end at 6:00 and that is about the time I manage to get anyplace when coming from work. I was surprised wen I got there that the establishment wasn't packed as it normally is on a Tuesday. Lots of empty tables. I was the first of my group to arrive so I snagged one off in the corner and away from the foot traffic.
I usually order wine off the wine list. Tonight I opted for the chalk board specials. I only saw one red wine that I thought was worth ordering and that was the Peachy Canyon Zinfandel. Nice wine but nothing special. Next time I go back to the printed wine list.
We ordered a few dishes off the Tapa menu which are half price on happy hour. The bacon wrapped shrimp was a bit of disappointment. Thought the bacon was overcooked. Shrimp Scampi is always good but I did notice that the size of the shrimp were a little smaller than usual. Vegetable Risotto was perfect. A Quiche Lorain with a salad was good. It was a chalkboard special tonight. I do like my quiches a bit more dry. This was on the verge of being just a bit too moist. But good flavor.
I opted not to walk around Main Street like we normally do I have been in the fast lane the last couple of weeks and there is no end in sight until after the holidays.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
If It's Monday It's Dim Sum
Monday, October 26, 2015
The boys and I met today at the Seafood Palace for Dim Sum and to finish some of the wine from Henrys event yesterday. Henry took and filled a few bottles up with the leftover wine from Sunday. They were all red Napa blends so it did not matter if they were blended some more.
I brought a Robert Moncuit Champagne so we would have something other than red wine.
Started off with the walnut shrimp, always good then onto the deep fried minced shrimp wrapped in seaweed. A new version of the big flat noodles wrapped around a filling. Instead of shrimp today it was BBQ beef with cilantro. I like the beef better. More flavor and it was not loaded with cilantro which I appreciated.
I asked for salt & pepper calamari because we have not had this in quite awhile. The lunch version is mostly baby squid. Dinner plate is more of the filet. Big difference on price.
Our "free" bowl of sweet, sour, spicy soup showed up. Always nice to have the extras when we are with Henry.
Beef with green pepper, onion fat noodles and black bean sauce was next on the agenda. A plate of Chinese green beans with beef and scallions was next. Very good quality of beef. Loads of flavor. Last dish before dessert was salt and pepper pork ribs. Good dishes with the red wines.
Dessert was Daan Taat - egg custard tarts. We ordered these early because they have a tendency to run out.
Dim Sum today was a last minute decision by Henry last night. He wanted help in drinking up the wines that were left and fortunately I had the day off. First we were going to have lunch at Henrys but then decided to do Dim Sum and have someone else do the dishes. We had a great time today, a lot of jokes and laughter.
The boys and I met today at the Seafood Palace for Dim Sum and to finish some of the wine from Henrys event yesterday. Henry took and filled a few bottles up with the leftover wine from Sunday. They were all red Napa blends so it did not matter if they were blended some more.
I brought a Robert Moncuit Champagne so we would have something other than red wine.
Started off with the walnut shrimp, always good then onto the deep fried minced shrimp wrapped in seaweed. A new version of the big flat noodles wrapped around a filling. Instead of shrimp today it was BBQ beef with cilantro. I like the beef better. More flavor and it was not loaded with cilantro which I appreciated.
I asked for salt & pepper calamari because we have not had this in quite awhile. The lunch version is mostly baby squid. Dinner plate is more of the filet. Big difference on price.
Our "free" bowl of sweet, sour, spicy soup showed up. Always nice to have the extras when we are with Henry.
Beef with green pepper, onion fat noodles and black bean sauce was next on the agenda. A plate of Chinese green beans with beef and scallions was next. Very good quality of beef. Loads of flavor. Last dish before dessert was salt and pepper pork ribs. Good dishes with the red wines.
Dessert was Daan Taat - egg custard tarts. We ordered these early because they have a tendency to run out.
Dim Sum today was a last minute decision by Henry last night. He wanted help in drinking up the wines that were left and fortunately I had the day off. First we were going to have lunch at Henrys but then decided to do Dim Sum and have someone else do the dishes. We had a great time today, a lot of jokes and laughter.
October Wino's Day
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Today's theme for the monthly winos gathering was Napa Blends 2002 to 2012. An interesting selection of wines today.
A couple I really enjoyed was the 2004 BV Tapestry, 2005 Blankiet, Prince of Hearts, 2008 Hendry and the wine I brought a NV10 Cain Cuvee (2 harvests).
The best wine of the night was non-conforming that Stan opened up. It was a 1995 which did not meet the criteria for the theme because it was too old. But it was very good, a 1995 St. Clement, Oroppas.
A nice selection of wines and some very good food. Henry had decorated his yard for Halloween and a good time was had by all.
Today's theme for the monthly winos gathering was Napa Blends 2002 to 2012. An interesting selection of wines today.
A couple I really enjoyed was the 2004 BV Tapestry, 2005 Blankiet, Prince of Hearts, 2008 Hendry and the wine I brought a NV10 Cain Cuvee (2 harvests).
The best wine of the night was non-conforming that Stan opened up. It was a 1995 which did not meet the criteria for the theme because it was too old. But it was very good, a 1995 St. Clement, Oroppas.
A nice selection of wines and some very good food. Henry had decorated his yard for Halloween and a good time was had by all.
Sparkler Event at K & L Wine Merchants
Saturday, October 24, 2015
8 of us met at Greg's house to await the "limo" to take us to Hollywood to K & L Wine Merchants for their annual Sparkler event. This was my first time attending. Normally I do not drive that distance for a tasting but with a limo involved it made the day so much easier.
We were dropped off about 45 minutes before the opening of the door. We were first in line and it was in the shade of the building so that helped. At 4 o'clock the door opened and we were ushered into the blocked off parking lot. 22 tables were set up for the wine reps and a couple of tables for food. They did have those tall bar tables to set your food (on napkins) and glasses on but no place to sit down.
The food was catered by Repulique and basically was cheeses, pates, bread and a few sauces. All the food was very good. I made sure I ate something in between each taste of bubbly.
I headed to the tables with the high end wines first before they ran out. usually at events like this they bring a limited number of expensive wines and when its gone its gone.
So first stop was table 10 which was Louis Roederer. Cristal was my first choice then 4 others at that table before moving on. Others tasted doing the day were Lucien Albrecht, Deutz, Franck Bonville, Launois, Tattinger, Bollinger, Dom Perignon, Billecart-Salmon, Pol Roger, J. Laurens, Michael Dervin, Allimant.
I was quite taken with Drappier. Had not heard of this label before. They were pouring 3 wines. I particularly liked the Brut Nature Zero Dosage. Very dry. $99 a bottle. All three of their selections were good.
I did not have a sparking that I did not like. Some were really outstanding and the others were good.
At 6 o'clock the limo came back for us and we headed back to Gregs house for small bites and wine. We were treated to a 2005 Williams Selyem Allen Vineyards, Pinot Noir and a 2005 Thomas George Pinot Noir.
A nice ending a great day
8 of us met at Greg's house to await the "limo" to take us to Hollywood to K & L Wine Merchants for their annual Sparkler event. This was my first time attending. Normally I do not drive that distance for a tasting but with a limo involved it made the day so much easier.
We were dropped off about 45 minutes before the opening of the door. We were first in line and it was in the shade of the building so that helped. At 4 o'clock the door opened and we were ushered into the blocked off parking lot. 22 tables were set up for the wine reps and a couple of tables for food. They did have those tall bar tables to set your food (on napkins) and glasses on but no place to sit down.
The food was catered by Repulique and basically was cheeses, pates, bread and a few sauces. All the food was very good. I made sure I ate something in between each taste of bubbly.
I headed to the tables with the high end wines first before they ran out. usually at events like this they bring a limited number of expensive wines and when its gone its gone.
So first stop was table 10 which was Louis Roederer. Cristal was my first choice then 4 others at that table before moving on. Others tasted doing the day were Lucien Albrecht, Deutz, Franck Bonville, Launois, Tattinger, Bollinger, Dom Perignon, Billecart-Salmon, Pol Roger, J. Laurens, Michael Dervin, Allimant.
I was quite taken with Drappier. Had not heard of this label before. They were pouring 3 wines. I particularly liked the Brut Nature Zero Dosage. Very dry. $99 a bottle. All three of their selections were good.
I did not have a sparking that I did not like. Some were really outstanding and the others were good.
At 6 o'clock the limo came back for us and we headed back to Gregs house for small bites and wine. We were treated to a 2005 Williams Selyem Allen Vineyards, Pinot Noir and a 2005 Thomas George Pinot Noir.
A nice ending a great day
Issara Recon
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Went to Issara tonight, www.issarathaicuisine.com. Margie wanted to try new dishes for her upcoming wine dinner at Issara. Don't know which dishes she will choose to be included in dinner along with a few old must have standards.
Chicken Wings, crispy and sticky, made with fish sauce, tamarind paste and palm sugar. Excellent
Roasted Duck Red Curry - another excellent dish . I would expect to see these two dishes as they were standouts.
Other dishes tried tonight were a Cold Pork salad. Tofu with eggplant. Fettuccine with beef. A dessert and an appetizer rounded off the menu tonight.
Since it was a dinner of "tasting" I brought a 2012 Tercero Grenache Blanc that goes well with spicy food. The other wines were 2013 Palwhinnie"The Hut", Pinot Noir and a 2012 Williams Selyem, Limestone Ridge at Vista Verde Vineyard, Chenin Blanc. All good wines and all went with the Thai food.
Went to Issara tonight, www.issarathaicuisine.com. Margie wanted to try new dishes for her upcoming wine dinner at Issara. Don't know which dishes she will choose to be included in dinner along with a few old must have standards.
Chicken Wings, crispy and sticky, made with fish sauce, tamarind paste and palm sugar. Excellent
Roasted Duck Red Curry - another excellent dish . I would expect to see these two dishes as they were standouts.
Other dishes tried tonight were a Cold Pork salad. Tofu with eggplant. Fettuccine with beef. A dessert and an appetizer rounded off the menu tonight.
Since it was a dinner of "tasting" I brought a 2012 Tercero Grenache Blanc that goes well with spicy food. The other wines were 2013 Palwhinnie"The Hut", Pinot Noir and a 2012 Williams Selyem, Limestone Ridge at Vista Verde Vineyard, Chenin Blanc. All good wines and all went with the Thai food.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Annual Passport Tasting at Delius
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Delius Restaurant in Signal Hill, www.deliusrestaurant.com, hosts this "wine" tasting every year. Calling it "Passport" because of wines from around the world. But this year I did not find any from Australia or Portugal - maybe I just missed them. But I visited every wine rep today. There were several wines I would like to see Delius have on their wine list.
I was impressed with the French line up but not so much the Italian line up. Spanish wines are good also.
Food this year seemed better - don't know why , some of the items were they same as in the past but it just looked to me me like more variety.
Mist of the wines seemed to be a little above average and a few of them were really good. I did not take a wine list because I did not need to be tempted to buy. I have no room and too many wines. Now I think maybe I should have but I need a reality check.
Crowd was quite different from years past. Not too many "oldtimers". That can be a good thing.
Delius Restaurant in Signal Hill, www.deliusrestaurant.com, hosts this "wine" tasting every year. Calling it "Passport" because of wines from around the world. But this year I did not find any from Australia or Portugal - maybe I just missed them. But I visited every wine rep today. There were several wines I would like to see Delius have on their wine list.
I was impressed with the French line up but not so much the Italian line up. Spanish wines are good also.
Food this year seemed better - don't know why , some of the items were they same as in the past but it just looked to me me like more variety.
Mist of the wines seemed to be a little above average and a few of them were really good. I did not take a wine list because I did not need to be tempted to buy. I have no room and too many wines. Now I think maybe I should have but I need a reality check.
Crowd was quite different from years past. Not too many "oldtimers". That can be a good thing.
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