3/30/2010 Wine Tasting at Wicked Cellars with Peter Mondavi Jr. with Charles Krug Winery

Tuesday at Wicked Cellars**** there was a special wine tasting with Peter Mondavi jr. with Charles Krug Winery, what a treat for all. Good company and good wine.
http://www.charleskrug.com/

2008 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc***
2008 Carneros Chardonnay*** This was lovely, half oak and half stainless steel.
2007 Carneros - Napa Valley Pinot Noir***
2006 Napa Valley Merlot***
2006 St. Helena - Napa Valley Zinfandel*** We had the opportunity to pair this with Ritch of Savory Table’s Catering**** famous (lamb) wine demi glace with flat iron steak. All I can say is wow!
2005 Family Reserve Generations****
2006 Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon****

3/27/2010 Woodinville Washington Wine Tasting

This was the first time our family have been wine tasting as a group since 2002. They have not seen the build up of tasting rooms and wineries in Woodinville. So off we went. Our plan was to visit six wineries, but were only able to taste five for are last winery Novelty Hill/Januik was closed for a special event.

EFESTE
http://efeste.com/
• 2009 Feral Sauvignon Blanc**
• 2009 Evergreen Riesling*** A nice dry style.
• 2007 Jolie Bouche Syrah***
• 2007 Final-Final*** Cab/Syrah always nice with food.
• 2007 Big Papa**** Cab

Alexandria Nicole Cellars
http://www.alexandrianicolecellars.com/
This tasting room is moving April 1st to the Hollywood area.
• 2008 Sauvignon Blanc**
• 2008 Shephards Mark***
• 2008 Viognier***
• 2007 Quarry Butte***
• 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon****

XSV Vintners
http://www.xsvintners.com/index.asp
• 2003 Chardonnay ****
• 2004 Syrah****
• 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon****
• 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon**** Pair this one with chocolate.

Page Cellars
http://www.pagecellars.com/
• 2008 Sauvignon Blanc***
• 2009 Nouveau Merlot*** A nice fresh tasting wine. I wonder about the price.
• 2005 Libra***
• 2005 Syrah*** Klipsun Vineyard
• 2005 Preface***
• 2007 Lick My Lips Syrah***

Red Sky
http://www.redskywinery.com/
• 2006 Semillon***
• 2005 Syrah***
• 2006 Sunrise Blend***
• 2002 Bordeaux Blend***
• 2006 Serendipity****

Friday 3/26/2010 Wine Tasting at Wicked Cellars and Dinner at Buck's American Café

We wine taste at Wicked Cellars**** almost every weekend. Their tastings are Friday’s from 4:00 to 6:00 or so and Saturday’s from noon to 5:00, with special tasting during the week.
Wicked Cellars staff in friendly and knowledgeable, they can help you find the right wine or gift for every occasion.
Everett Washington
425.258.3117
http://www.wickedcellars.com/index.html

• 2005 Vignalta Rosso Riserva*** Is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet.

• 2004 Vignalta Colli Euganei Gemola*** A blend of Merlot and Cab Franc. Lucio Gomiero, owner and winemaker said the fruits for this wine is from a small part of Gemola hill.

• 2006 Vignalta Agno Tinto**** Great nose. This is a blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Marzemino along with other local greapes grown in Colli Euganei.

• 2005 Fattoria La Fiorita Laurus*** This is a very drinkable wine made with Sangiovese and Merlot.

• 2007 Vignalta Sirio Blanc** We also had the opportunity to taste a 2004*** vintage of this wine, this wine ages very nicely and any of the rough edges were gone.

• 2009 Vignalta Marlunghe Spumante Dolce*** Great for breakfast a little sweet for my taste.

Buck's American Café***
Everett Washington
425.258.1351
We have been going to Buck’s for many years and always look forward to going.
• Marinated flank steak**** I must say I can eat this every day. It was cooked to perfection and the garlic mash potatoes were a good match.
• Lemon Chicken*** Delicious

March 2010 trip to Long Beach Washington

Back to Long Beach. We visited much the same places as we did in January. We will report only on new foods or different experience ether good or bad.

Wednesday 2/17/2010
Oysterville Sea Farms *****
Oysterville, Washington
360.665.6585
http://www.willabay.com/newindex.html
Fresh oysters**** We sat on their deck and had the oysters along with the smoke salmon. These were the first Willapa Bay fresh oysters we have had, all before have been fried. For some reason they don’t offer oysters on the half shell here.

Thursday 3/18/2010
Bridgewater Bistro****
Astoria, Oregon
503.325.6777
http://www.bridgewaterbistro.com/
Clam and mussel chowder **** A darker style of chowder, the clams and mussels go well together.
Oregon baby shrimp salad sandwich**** With Toasted almonds and a touch of curry on black rye.

The Depot Restaurant*****
Seaview, Washington
360.642.7880
http://www.depotrestaurantdining.com/
Red Rock Fish**** This was the special of the day served with a two potato casserole.

March 2010 Trip to Leavenworth Washington

We thought we would eat at different places this trip rather than our usual meals at King Ludwig’s and Andreas Keller.
Unfortunately some of our places we go to with our dogs were closed for the weekdays, Munchen Haus (I wonder how their beer holds up setting for the week?) and Uncle Uli's Pub.

Monday 3/1/2010
Pavz Bistro Cafe***
Leavenworth, Washington
509.548-2103
http://www.pavzcafe.com/index.html
Walk past this restaurant in the summer months, the smell of savory crepes fills the air. This is a small restaurant with half dozen tables or so.
• Osso Bucco & Wild Mushroom Bolognese*** This was nicely plated Roasted pork shank on a bed of Porcini, Portabella and Cremini mushroom sauce, herbs & White Truffle oil. Served with roasted potatoes and fresh seasonal vegetable. Finished with Demi-Glace.

Tuesday 3/2/2010
Visconti's of Leavenworth****
Leavenworth, Washington
509.548.1213
http://www.viscontis.com/leavenworth2006/index2.htm
It has been several years since we last visited Visconyi’s. Our plan here was to have appetizers and a bottle of wine, I’m glad we did.
• Two antipasti one meat and the other cheeses*** I think the price was a little high.
• COL SOLARE Red Table Wine, Columbia Valley 1996**** This wine made the experience! It was there last bottle, can’t wait to go back for the 1997…

February 2010 trip to Long Beach Washington

I want to thank Shelburne Inn Restaurant & Pub for being close. This made it easy to try other restaurant in town.

Wednesday 1/27/2010
The Long Beach Lightship Restaurant and Columbia Bar **
Long Beach, Washington
360.642.3252
http://www.longbeachlightship.com/
The best view in town!
• Clam chowder***** One of the best chowders we have had, unfortunately it was server hot.
• Antipasto** Pickled peppers with wine? I don’t think so.
• Fried scallops with bacon** The Scallops were a little over done.

42nd Street Café *****
Seaview, Washington
360.642.2323
http://www.42ndstreetcafe.com/
This restaurant was an unexpected surprise, giving its location.
• Clam chowder****
• Fried razor clam*** This was our first razor clam. We were thankful in ordering the small plate.
• 2008 Owen Roe “Abbots Table”****

Thursday 1/28/2010
Imperial Schooner Restaurant ***
Ilwaco, Washington
360.642.8667
• Fried oyster***
• Fried oyster with bacon***

The Depot Restaurant*****
Seaview, Washington
360.642.7880
http://www.depotrestaurantdining.com/
A charming and one of a kind restaurant.
• Fried brie**** Pistachio and panko crusted brie
• Clam chowder**** Whole Willapa Bay clams with chopped razor clams, hot and delicious.
• Wild boar with potato**** gnocchi this was our first wild boar
• Januik Merlot***

Friday 1/29/2010
Chico's Pizza ***
Pepperoni and mushroom Pizza** The pizza was good however using caned mushroom was not. Ever heard of fresh?

Saturday 1/30/2010
Oysterville Sea Farms *****
Oysterville, Washington
360.665.6585
http://www.willabay.com/newindex.html
Smoked salmon **** on their dock, over looking Willapa Bay.

Castaway Restaurant***
Long Beach, WA
360.642.4745
http://castawaysseafoodgrille.com/
Clam chowder***
Fried clams***

42nd Street Café ***
Seaview, Washington
360.642.2323
http://www.42ndstreetcafe.com/
• New York steak*** Expecting more flavor.
• 2008 Owen Roe “Abbots Table”****

Sunday 1/31/2010
Crab Pot****
Long Beach, WA
360.642.8870
• Clam chowder***
• Cod fish and chips****

The Long Beach Lightship Restaurant and Columbia Bar ****
Long Beach, Washington
360.642.3252
http://www.longbeachlightship.com/
Split pea soup****
Scallops**** Tons of garlic, olive oil, wine and lemon-butter sauce.
Salmon fettuccine***

Monday 2/1/2010
Benson's by the beach ***
Long Beach, WA
360.642.3300
A great place for breakfast also opened for lunch.
• Bacon and eggs***

Food, Wine, Travel and Dining Out is a new blog for Jerry and Janet. We plan to share what we thought and how we liked each experience. We are not experts and don’t pretend to be.

We will be rating each experience with one to five stars. Three stars will be the norm, meaning it was good and what I would expect and five stars will be wow.