olivethegreat's Profile
Moscato Rosso
The Bigaro is a dark pink. Not as red as a Brachetto, but closer to red than white.
Lunch options in K-Town
At Hoover and Olympic (just west of Vermont I think?) is Beverly Soon Tofu, which is delicious. It's definitely Asian, but yummy. I little bit north of you, just east of Vermont on Fountain is Square One dining, which has great breakfast served all day, and good sandwiches and salads.
Moscato Rosso
I love the Elio Perrone Bigaro, which is a Moscato/Brachetto blend. I don't know if this is what you're talking about, but it's delicious. Very strawberry in flavor profile, with a deliciate mousse.
Selling Tap Water as Bottled Water.... [moved from Los Angeles board]
They do NOT put the Natura water in Voss bottles. They have special bottles that clearly state "Natura" on the side, either "Still" or "Sparkling."
Selling Tap Water as Bottled Water.... [moved from Los Angeles board]
I really think there's nothing wrong with this. Think about all the plastic and glass bottles that get thrown out every day at restaurants who sell sparkling and still water, and how much trash these systems cut down on. The restuarants pay for the Natura system, the filters, and the CO2 tanks that go in the system. There are one time costs, and then maintenance costs...yes, they're making a profit but it's benefiting you in the end too from an environmental perspective.
FYI, I have a similar system at home for making sparkling water and I not only think the quality of the product is great -- it's freshly carbonated, and it hasn't been sitting in plastic bottles stored and transported in heat that might leech chemicals into the product -- but the amount of trash and recycling I've cut down on is significant. Yes, I also save money just like the restaurants, but that's just one minor benefit.
Personally, I almost never buy bottled water at restaurants, and usually specify LA DWP or Tap when asked, to avoid confusion. If a restaurant offers you "filtered water" I recommend replying by saying you want tap water and you are unlikely to encounter a charge.
For anybody interested in the Sodastream home carbonating machine, which I highly recommend, you can get your own by going to http://www.sodaclubusa.com/default.htm?gclid=
Umami Burger: Two Visits
Overheard somebody saying they were going to write up Umami for tastingtable.com, which is a daily candy style food-oriented email-a-day service.
Are Cheaper Wines Less Healthy?
Thanks Maria. Appreciate the distinction between medium-sized vs. industrial sized...point taken! And much agree with your latter statement about Silver Oak being egregiously overpriced.
Incidentally, I also think Yellowtail is overpriced for what it is -- and think that Paulispumonti could find lots of interesting under $10 alternatives to the wines he mentions that would be better on a whole number of levels (health benefits aside). I'm thinking of wines like Perrin Reserve CdR, or Vina Borgia from Spain. Both $7 or so a bottle.
Are Cheaper Wines Less Healthy?
My point is that Silver Oak is hardly small production, boutique winery. While they may use expensive oak barrels, it is a mass-produced item that shares much in common with other large production wines.
This is not a value judgement - the Chateaus of Bordeaux produce wines in massive quantities. But certain techniques have to be undertaken to handle such quantity. This is a response to the original poster who was assuming just because Silver Oak was expensive it was inherently either better or healthier than less expensive wine.
And I would venture to guess that Silver Oak has a fair amount of RS but that's another story.
David Kamp on The Splendid Table 2/14/09
I heard that too and I would go with David's specific recommendation as somebody points out below, and not just with any wine from Jumilla...Jumilla is a large D.O. with many producers, and lots of varying levels of quality (just like any wine producing region).
For another good Jumilla wine, you can try the Bodegas Juan Gil Monastrell, should be about $15 give or take. Finca Luzon, a Monastrell-based blend, is also very decent for about $8 or $9 a bottle.
Are Cheaper Wines Less Healthy?
Price has nothing to do with health - but mass produced wines (as the inexpensive wines you mention are) are probably more prone to having additives, higher residual sugar, and higher levels of sulfites than small batch hand-crafted wines.
It should be noted that Silver Oak, with 50,000 case production, is most likely made in an industrial context and is really no different from the cheap wines you're referring to, at least from a production standpoint.
i need a caterer...help?
If you are interested in some of the tastiest rotisserie chicken, try Grill Masters:
http://www.grillmasters-chicken.com/
You can give the chicken a try at the Sunday farmer's market on Larchmont. Should be reasonably priced, and oh so good.
Morton's: BYO or order from wine list?
We brought our own, happy we did even though I ended up not loving the wine we brought - an '05 Pax Alder Springs Syrah. I used to love Pax, it's just not to my taste any longer. Still a better value to pay corkage than buying ANYTHING on the overpriced (and uninteresting) Morton's list.
Wine Classes in LA/OC Area?
It's a trek, but the Laguna Culinary Arts school offers the Intermediate and Advanced WSET courses with MS Peter Neptune. Prefer him to the teacher at Wine House, actually, where they currently offer the Intermediate but not the advanced...
Why are organic wines so bad?
Estate will not be handling L/D any more...but it seems that more of the L/D wines will make their way to the west coast...
Foodie Wedding
I suggest calling Caroline Allain at Campanile. I had my wedding reception there years ago and it was actually a good deal. They allowed us to offer our guests 4 different entree choices, which was a great change from what you're describing as a wedding standard. Their wine list is great. Anyhow, we did our reception there but not ceremony, but I know they offer a package with ceremony as well. I think we had about 120 people downstairs.
I have also noticed that they're being aggressive with offers lately, most likely due to the tough economy. For instance, they have a valentine's day prix fixe for under $50 -- pretty reasonable compared to other restaurant emails I've received...so maybe there's room for negotiation for a wedding!
Square One- Short Review
The new owners apparently kept the menu, food vendors, wait staff, etc. They have added valet parking on the weekends. I used to go a lot before the change in ownership and have been back several times since, and the quality remains at a high level, the flavors consistent. If the prices have risen slightly, they are not markedly different than before.
Morton's: BYO or order from wine list?
Thanks. This is what I was assuming. My guess is the list will be full of Silver Oaks et al at very high mark-up.
Morton's: BYO or order from wine list?
Eating at Morton's tonight. They don't post their wine list online, I assume because they're a chain and the lists vary from location to location. Wondering if anybody familiar with the Morton's wine lists in general, and the Beverly Hills location specifically, happens to know of any decent bottles on the list in the
We'll probably want a red wine, though I'm very open to different varieties and appellation (meaning, just because I'm going to a steakhouse doesn't mean I need to have a Napa Cab).
Most likely, I'll bring a bottle and pay the $25 corkage...but if there are some gems on the list, throw them out there!
Thanks.
Can you recommend a Brouilly?
It is a Beaujolais...try the Brouilly from Dominque Piron, it seems to be fairly available in the US and is a really nice option.
what roses are you drinking?
The Angove's Nine Vines Viognier is a favorite of mine but I haven't seen the Rosé. Where did you get it? Anywhere in SoCal?
what roses are you drinking?
the 07 KB Rosé I had was undrinkable. The 06 was just fine.
Hollywood Bowl Dinner - Onsite Catering or Order Food?
Try Larchmont Wine, Spirits and Cheese - they make great sandwiches, or will put together cheese and meat plates based on your budget. Really fantastic value, and you can pick up a bottle of somehting interesting if it's not for a leased event.
the number is 323-856-8699 (it's not that out of the way from the bowl)
Imagawayaki in BH??
I think I read on Eater that they'd be under $2 - don't know if that's for one or for an order...and that there would be various fillings other than red bean - like PB&J, smores, etc., and some savory.
What Was The First Wine Advertisement That You Recall?
Definitely "Riuniti on ice, Riuniti so nice...Riuniti, Riuniti!"
I think I was about five when that jingle played over and over. Had no idea what it was for but...
birthday party for 25-30 people?
They might do a prix-fixe menu for a party that size which could make it more reasonable...
birthday party for 25-30 people?
Call Osteria La Buca and book their upstairs/mezzanine level which seats about that many people and is open air with a fireplace. It's on Melrose between Wilton and Van Ness.
Goat. Next to Rita Flora on LaBrea, what's up with that?
Happi-Songs was actually slightly better than Goat. I work down the street so I have had the opportunity to have lunch at each incarnation. Goat has a very limited menu, maybe about 10 items total, and the food was serviceable at best. I'm not sure what Steve Arroyo is thinking. This is certainly no Cobras and Matadors in the making -- not that the food at C&M is that good, but at least the place has an energy about it. This place is dead on arrival.
Seeking Santa Barbara County tips: If I like Au Bon Climat pinot, I'll like...
In Solvang, definitely go to Stolpman. They have some great Syrah, along with a white Rhone (primarily Roussanne) blend that's fantastic. Also, the Trio tasting room in Solvang features Kris Curran's wines (until recently winemaker for Sea Smoke), and her husband Bruno d'Alfonso's wines that are pretty nice too. A bit farther afield but worth the trip is the Lompoc ghetto, with Fiddlehead Cellars and Palmina. All are excellent.
Israeli Wine
Apparently there's a new online vendor specializing in Israeli wines (aptly called "Israeli Wines Direct"). Have no idea where they ship to and where they don't, but it might be worth a try:
http://www.israeliwinedirect.com/israeliwine/index.jsp
