Margies Monthly Dinner at Fish In A Bottle

 Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Fish In A Bottle Restaurant

First of Margie's monthly dinners for the new year.  I did miss the Christmas dinner at 555 East so I was glad to get together again.

A wide selection of Sushi, Bento Boxes and other non Japanese dishes. Something for everyone.  I ordered the Beef Bento Box. A lot of food in the box. I ate the tempura vegetables and the Miso soup. Those items do not do well being taken home. The next day at home I ate the beef which was very good. Tender and full of flavor. It seems to me the food was better than last time I ate here several years back and the restaurant looked a lot cleaner.  Our waiter was great and we rewarded him with very generous tips.

An array of wines this evening. I tasted a couple of the whites and most of the reds. A few really stood out. 

The real stand out of the evening was a NV, Antucum."Cherie" Sparkling Rose of Pinot Noir from Argentina. The bottle was emptied quickly. A really very good wine and the price point was very good also - $19. Wish I could have more than a few sips of bubbly right now, I would stock up

2022 Caymus, Napa , "Club 50" Anniversary, Cabernet Sauvignon - good wine, would have been better if cellared for a few years. A bit young for a cab.

2022 Jan Jacques, Santa Barbara, Sancerre - did not taste

NV Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley, Brut Sparkling - always a consistent wine.

2023 ???  Santa Barbara, Grenache Blanc. I couldn't read the hand writing of the person who brought it. But I did not taste it.

2022 Michael Davis, Lodi, Sauvignon Blanc - did not taste

2019 Chappelet, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon - a very nice wine

2021 Presqu'ile, Santa Maria, Pinot Noir - good

2016 Nalle, Dry Creek, Cabernet Sauvignon - I liked this wine a lot

2023 Groth, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc - did not taste

2016 Rusack, Los Olivos, Solomon Hills, Pinot Noir - I brought this wine and it was showing very well

2022 Merry Edwards, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir - good wine, a bit young

2021 Brooks, Dundee Hills, Meyer Vineyard. Riesling - good wine

NV Fableist Wine Co., Paso Robles, 087 Reserve Sparkling Rose - did not taste

Christmas Eve Dinner at Masala Wines

 December 24, 2024

Dinner at Masala Waves

Back to Masala Waves for our last lunch of the year. Sal the owner welcomed the 4 of us. The restaurant was a bit busy today and also doing a big business in take out. Good lunch and great company. 

We started out with the Spinach Cheese Stuffed Naan . Always a hit. I was careful to only have one piece. Did not want to fill up before the other dishes arrive.

A new dish we had nor tried before, Papadum Shrimp. Excellent. Sorry to have missed ordering this before. Definitely on the must have on list from now on. 

Paneer Saag,. Lamb Korma and Yak Chow Mein rounded out the rest of the dishes.  Lamb seemed to be extra tender today. Basmati Rice and Garlic Naan are always complimentary. 

Interesting group of wines today. All excellent. Enjoyed every one of them

2022 Navarro, Paso Robles,  Gewurztraminer

2012 Clos Pepe , Sta Rita Hills, VS Pinot Noir

2010 Kosta Brown, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir

2010 Saxum, Paso Robles, James Berry, Blend

Lunch With The Boys at Sea Food Cove # 1

 November 19, 2024

Sea Food Cove # 1

We were finally able to get together for lunch. It has been awhile. Henry sold his house and moved into new digs so hopefully back to our normal lunch routine. Went to Sea Food Cove # 1. Very light lunch crowd. Usually we go later in the week. Have to remember to go early in the week again. Waiters and kitchen not stressed. Good service and the food seemed to be much better. It is always good but today it was a bit better. 

Started out with the house soup - Sweet and Spicy. Exceptionally good today. Seemed to have a lot more meat in it today.  Then onto the Salt & Pepper Deep Fried White Fish Filet. Very good, moist and succulent. 

Thai Style Scallops with Green Beans. Again the scallops were exceptionally moist. Then onto Thai Style Beef Chief Fun. with noodles. Dessert was Green Bean Tapicoa. Nice finish to the meal.

Since there was 3 of us there was 3 bottles of wine on the table. The star of the day was the 2005 Clos Pepe VS Pinot Noir. Exceptional wine and it was no where close to being old. Had several more years of good life in it. 

The 2026 Tercero, SBC, Carignane was showing quite well but it really opened up the next day. The 2021 Roth, Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon was tasty but I am not a cab fan and it was young. Had just one pour of it. It also was probably much better the next day.

Margies Monthly Dinner at Kings Fish House

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Kings Fish House

22 people tonight and 28 wines. Kings never charges corkage so a bit overboard on the wines.  No way to taste them all but we can always try.  I had the Macadamia Crusted Alaskan Halibut for my dinner choice. Great flavor but a bit dry. They have done better on this dish before.

I am only going to list the wines not make comments except to say the 2011 and 2014  Kostra Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir was a real interesting comparison. They were both very good but I think the 2011 nudged out the 2014. I only tasted one of the bubblies and 2 of the whites. Way too many wines. If you had a one ounce pour of each wine that would be more than a bottle being drunk tonight. There are 24 ounces to a bottle. Can not function that way.

NV   AJ Margerie, A Bouzy, Grand Cru Champagne

2015 Kosta Browne, Santa Lucia Highlands, Pinot Noir

2023 Paul Lato, Boogie Nights, Malvasia Bianca

2019 Ferrari Carano. Mendocino Ridge, Sky High Ranch, Pinot Noir

2019 Lions Peak, Paso Robles, Torrantes

2021 Casale Del Giglio, Lazio, Italy, Cesanese

2017 Forget-Chemin, France, Special Club, Brut Champagne

2023 Colli di Lapio, Capanis, Italy, Romano Clecia, Fiano di Avellino

2022 Saxum, Paso Robles, Heart Stone, GSM

2016 Elk Cove, Williamette Valley, Ultima, Estate White Wine, Riesling

???? San Pasqual, Summer Vine, Hababero, Passion Fruit

2022 Gundlach Bundschu, Sonoma Valley, Estate Vineyard, Tempranillo

2020 Henniger Estates, Central Coast, Late Harvest, Viognier

2016 Sol Ridge, Red Hills, Lake County, Syrah

2022 Raeburn, Sonoma County, Pinot Noir

2007 Caballero de La Cepa, Mendoza, Argentina, Reserve Malbec

2018 Bridlewood, Santa Barbara County, Reserve, Viognier

2021 Bonsegna, Pulglia, Italy, Negroamaro

2022 Feudi di San, Italy, Falanghina

2022 Ken Brown, Sta Rita Hills, Pinot Noir

2023 Chehalem, Willamette Valley. Estate Vineyard, Gruner Veltliner

2023 Graziano, Mendocino County, Chenin Blanc

2022 Syncline, Columbia Gorge, WA, Estate Grown, Gruner Veltliner

2023 Slyvain Bailly, Loire, France, Terriors, Sancerre

2022 Roland Lavantureux, Burgundy, France, Vielies Vignes, Chablis

NV   Lavnois, LeMesnil, France, Quartz, Blanc de Blanc, Champagne

Margie's Monthly Wine Dinner at Naples Rib Co

 Wednesday, October 10, 2024

Naples Rib Co.

Started out with 15 people reserved and ten at dinner, 5 dropped out that day. Their loss. They missed out on a very good dinner, great wines and gifts of candy and wine from two couples of the attendees.

I had not been to Naples Rib Co in the Naples area of Long Beach for several years. I will say I think there has been an improvement in their food since the pandemic started.  They were always known for their generous portion sizes.

I ordered Prime Rib which was a very large thick cut that I really appreciated. I dislike restaurants that cut their prime rib so thin that you are not sure to cut it or roll it. It came with cornbread, slice of pineapple, ear of corn and 2 sides and sauces.  At $37 it was a bargain.  Meat was a good inch in thickness. My take home will give me 3 meals. 

One of the guests brought everyone a gift of a 375m bottle of Fess Parkers "The Big Easy" wine. He had decorated it for Halloween. A very nice gesture. 

All the red wines were good.  I did not try any of the sparkling's or whites. But there was not a red I did not like.  There were a few surprises. I brought a 2013 Stolpman, Ballard Canyon, Angeli Syrah. Always a favorite of mine. Tom does exceptionally well with Syrah's.  Other wines were.

2017 Mario Bazan Cellars, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon. Not a familiar label but I was impressed.

2022 Williams Seylem, RRV< Westside Neighbors, Pinot Noir.

2021 Denner Estates, Willow Creek Dist., Cabernet Sauvignon

NV Marc Chauvet, 1st Growth Brut Selection, Champagne

2021 Stags Leap, Napa Valley, Chardonnay

2021 Talley, SLO, Sauvignon Blanc

2014 Carol Shelton, Rockpile, Reserve Petite Syrah

2022 Averaen, Williamette Valley, Pinot Noir

NV Chateau St. Jean, Sonoma Cst., Benoist Ranch, Sparkling

2021 Schug, CA, White Pinot Noir

2015 Abacela, Umpqua Valley, Fiesta Tempranillo

2015 Turley, Howell Mtn., Zinfandel

Margie's Monthly Dinner at Masala Waves

 Saturday September 14, 2024

Masla Waves Indian & Nepalese Restaurant

Large group tonight, 20 people showed up. First time for the group at Masala Waves. The boys and I have been several times before. Good food, friendly staff, Margie negotiated a prix fixe menu and set cost, couldn't beat the deal. 9 main, rice, Naan and dessert, $40 plus tax & tip. 

Started out with the Naan stuffed with spinach and cheese. This is so good. You can OD on it before anything else comes.

Next was Vegetable Pakora. Vegetables coated with chickpea flour and deep fried. Personally for me it was too crispy

Then onto Nepali Momo. Filled dumplings with sauces. 

A soup made with pureed garbanzo beans and potatoes. Cream style. Not a favorite of mine but others enjoyed it.

Tandoori Artichokes. Artichokes marinated in yogurt and grilled in a Tandoori over. I really like this dish but then I am really into artichokes. Others did not seem to be too keen on it. Matter of taste.

Next was Tandoori Fish. This was a very good. White fish fillets marinated in Indian spices and grilled in the Tandoori over.  Very good flavor.

Tandoori Malai Kabobs.  Boneless chicken breast marinated in yogurt and gilled in the Tandoori oven. The chicken was a bit dry for my taste but good flavor. CJ had explained to me before that Nepalese cooks have a tendency to cook chicken a bit too long. Indian cooks a bit shorter time. So I guess we got the Nepalese cook tonight. 

They kept bowls of rice and baskets of Naan filled throughout the dinner.

They ran out of Yak so we did not get the Yak Chow Mein tonight. I have had it before at Masala Waves and it is very good, Sorry to miss it tonight.

Dessert was Pistachio Kulfi. Homemade ice cream with pistachios. I passed on dessert tonight for stomach issues.  If I could have taken it home I would have. 

25 wines tonight.  Did not taste any of the whites and had a very small pour of a champagne. We had 3 Pinot Noirs from the same general area of the Sta Rita Hills. Interesting to taste them side by side. You could see the terroir was the same in each wine but subtle differences.in each, You knew they had some of the same characteristics but different at the same time. 

I brought a 2013 Ken Brown, Ritas Crown, Pinot Noir. Excellent.

2021 Black Summer, Swartland, Chenin Blanc

2018 Tatomar. SBC, Meeresbaden, Gruner Veltliner

NV   Marc Chauvet, Brut Selection, Champagne

2017 Spear, Sta Rita Hills, Gruner Veltliner

2003 Chateau Monbousquet Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux

2022 Moonlight, Dry Creek, Merlot, (Stuart Frickes homemade wine) very good

2016 Sanford, Sta Rita Hills, Block 6, Pinot Noir

2021 Old Soul, Lodi, Pinot Noir

2021 Gundlach Bundshu, Sonia, Dry Gewurztraminer

NV    Laurent-Perrier, La Cuvee, Champagne

2021 Lincourt, Gruner Veltliner

2012 Shafer, Relentless, Napa Valley, Syrah

2015 Williams Selyem, Central Cst, Pinot Noir

???? Delinger, Altamont, RRV< Pinot Noir

???? Runquist, Amador Cty, Rose of Sangiovese

NV  Gaia Notios, Greece, Blanca

???? Lesterland Winery, Fresno, Cetiri 4, Red Blend

2019 Fox & The Flock. CA,  Red Blend 

2020 Milliarie Winery, calaverosm Roberts Cuvee, Zinfandel

2021 Bovine Winery, Paso Robles, gen-er-os-i-ty, Sauvignon Blanc

2007 Kosta Browne, Kanzler Vineyards, Pinot Noir

2007 Clos Pepe, Sta Rita Hills, VS Pinot Noir

2015 Vie L'Imaginaire, Lake Cty. Grenache

2021 Limerick Lane, RR, Zinfandel (59 barrels)

Margie's Monthly Wine Dinner at Prime Cut

 Saturday, August 10, 2024

13 of us gathered tonight at Prime Cut Restaurant in Orange. Private room and no corkage. What could be better. 

I opted for the petite cut Prime Rib with sauteed garlic spinach and Yorkshire pudding. Tonight something is quite off with my taste.  Food and wine did not taste right. Only thing that seemed to work was bread with butter. After talking with someone they thought perhaps the medical procedure I went through on the Wednesday before may have something to do with it. I drank a lot of barium for x-rays and maybe it hadn't worked out of my system yet. Been to Prime Cut numerous times and the food is always very good. 

An interesting group of wines tonight. 13 people, 20 wines. You would have thought that going to a restaurant that specializes in prime rib and steak that Cabernet Sauvignon would have been the predominate wine. It did make a good showing with 7 out of 20 being a Cab.  I won't make comments on the wines since obviously I could not taste them correctly. But after tasting my wine the next day at home I still think it was a very mediocre wine. A big disappointment.  I brought the 2014 Kosta Brown wine

2017 Trump, Charlottesville, VA, Blanc de Blanc sparkling

2022 Merry Edwards, RRV, Sonoma Coast, Sauvignon Blanc

2019 Gary Farrell. Lancel Creek Vineyard, Sonoma. Pinot Noir

2017 Michael Mondavi, Napa, Emblem, Cabernet Sauvignon

2018 Bodega de Edgar, Paso Robles, Priorat

2020 Bodega de Edgar, Paso Robles, 75% Albarino, 25% Torrontes

NV   Galleano, Cucamonga, dry white wine

2007 Levigne, Paso Robles, Cabernet Sauvignon

2011 Sculpterra, Paso Robles, Cabernet Sauvignon

NV   Banshee, California, Brut Champenoise

2019 Ferrari Carano, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir

2022 Jean-Jacque-Auchere, Loire, France, Sancerre

2012 Dusky Goose, Oregon, Pinot Noir

2020 Faustino, Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo

2021 Bogle, California, Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Graveyard, Paso Robles, Cabernet Sauvignon

2000 Chateau Grand Bert, Saint-Emilion, France, Grand Cru Bordeaux

2014 Kosta Browne, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir

2022 Hess, Napa, Allomi, Cabernet Sauvignon

2021 J Vineyard, RRV, Pinot Noir