Message: | I and half-a-dozen of my closest friends attended the Manhattan Beach soiree last night as well. I don't think we are as fortunate as those in West Hollywood as it is a bit more difficult to get refills...
Our offerings for the evening were posted as Table Wines, Red and White and we were served:
* 1999 Remulluri "Blanco" Rioja, Spain (dry and nice)
* 2000 Caymus "Conundrum", CA (very sweet, almost a Muscati)
* 1999 Ridge "Coast Range Red," Sonoma County, CA (better when it breathed)
* 1998 Estancia "Deo," Alexander Valley, CA (better when it was first served)
* 1998 Crocker & Starr "Stone Place Cuvee," Napa Valley, CA (here's the rub - our pourer hadn't tasted this wine, couldn't comment on it, and NOBODY liked it...)
* 2000 Quady "Essencia" Orange Muscat, Madera, CA (just plain yummy).
Our dinner consisted of Sauteed steak served atop chilled Asian pasta salad, ginger-crusted solefish, English cheddar pepperino, grapes and crackers, and chocolate chip bundt cake. At Manhattan Beach, there is always a beef and fish offering. Last week, the fish was very dry and a veal stew was extremely moist. This week, the fish was the winner.
We did talk to the Steve, our sommelier for the evening and we learned that he advises the chef of the wine menu and lets the kitchen devise the food menu from there. Unfortunately, the chef does not get an opportunity to taste the wine while designing the menu and somethings just plain don't work. Most of us were confused by the offering of a spicy cheese (with jalapenos? I dunno) along with an Asian pasta salad.
Its still fun, though and I think my next sojourn will be to the new Redondo Beach store. They haven't been opened that long so its possible their group isn't that big yet. At Manhattan Beach, there is a wine club of a dozen or so people that has been tasting here for 11 years!!! |