Thursday Dinner at Flavors--7/3/2014

Bruschetta Con Pesca--Topped with Formaggio Bianco, Organic Peaches, Chiffonade of Mint & Extra Virgin Olive Oil, paired with Maison Pierre Sparr, Marquis de Perlade, Blanc de Blancs Brut, Vin Mousseaux de Qualite AOC, France

Pasta Alla Norma--Homemade Pasta Topped with Ratatouille, Fresh Mozzarella & Sweet Basil, paired with 2010 Montevina Winery Zinfandel, Amador. The homemade pasta was delicious--perfectly al dente.

Brasato Al Barolo--Slow Cooked Center Cut Short Rib Garnished with Saffron Risotto, Organic White Alba Mushrooms & Barolo Wine Sauce, paired with 2011 Benzier Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

Crostata Di Ciliegie--Cherry Galette Served with Vanilla Mascarpone Cream, paired with 2011 Bonterra Vineyards Late Harvest Muscat, Bartolucci Vineyard (Organic), Lake County

2014 07 03

Olive & Vine Neighborhood Dinner

Olive and Vine is located at 14301 Arnold Drive in Glen Ellen. It has a Neighborhood Night on Wednesdays--2 courses for $25 and corkage is waived on 1 bottle of wine. We brought a bottle of Mazzocco Zinfandel, which paired well with the fried chicken.

Amuse Bouche--tapenade on cucumbers.

Wedge Salad with Apple Smoked Bacon, Cherry Tomatoes & Housemade Buttermilk Ranch

Catherine's Fab Fried Chicken with Mashed Yukons, Garden Pole Beans, Red Eye Gravy & Sweet Potato Biscuits

Dinner ended with mignardise of chocolate truffles. Perfect ending to a perfect meal.

2014 06 25

Thursday Night Dinner--6/19/2014

Bruschetta Con Fagioli E Gamberoni--Topped with "Insalata di Bandiera" Flavored with Organic Marjoram & Grilled Jumbo Prawns, paired with 2012 Fazi Battaglia Titulus Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi Classico, Le Marche, Italy. The prawns are humongous and so well cooked. I love it with the aioli.

Risotto D'Anatra--Arborio Rice Cooked with Duck Confit & Roasted Organic Mushrooms Served in Pinot Noir Reduction Sauce, paired with 2012 Sean Minor Pinot Noir, Central Coast

Spiedini Di Maiale--Grilled Marinated Pork Medallions Garnished with Slow Cooked Peperonata, Creamy Fontina Polenta & Citrus-Sage Gremolata, paired with St. Francis Winery & Vineyards Zinfandel "Old Vines," Sonoma County

Crostata D'Albicocca--Apricot Galette Served with Almond-Vanilla Custard, paired with 2011 Bonterra Vineyards Late Harvest Muscat, Bartolucci Vineyard, Lake County

2014 06 19

Lee's Noodle House

When I have a craving for Vietnamese pho, I turn to Lee's Noodle House, located at 1010 Hopper Avenue in Santa Rosa.

Banh Mi--$4.25. Vietnamese sandwich filled with pickled vegetables and grilled pork. The bread is delicious--soft inside with very light crunch on the outside.

Pho--I usually order the #4 Eye of Round Steak, Well-Done Brisket, Fat Brisket, Soft Tendon & Bible Tripe. Small is $6.50 and large is $7.50. Add bean sprouts, basil and a few slices of jalapeño and you're all set. The broth doesn't have the depth of flavor found in the South Bay pho joints but it's flavorful enough in a pinch.

2014 06 13

Thursday Night Dinner--6/12/2014

Linguine Alla Vongole--Homemade Pasta, Manila Clams, Garlic-White Wine Sauce, paired with 2011 RouteStock Cellars Chardonnay "Route 121," Carneros. This was delicious. The homemade pasta had a great chewy texture and the wine sauce was amazing. Loved this dish!

Quaglia Arrosto--Pan Roasted Quail Served in Sugo D'Erbe with Petite Sweet Potato Gnocchi & Organic Escarole, paired with 2012 Calera Wine Company Pinot Noir, Central Coast. I just love Flavor's quail. Tender, flavorful with herbs and just the right amount of salt.

Bistecca Ai Ferri--Grilled Marinated Flat Iron Steak Garnished with Fingerling Potatoes, Roasted French Grey Zucchini, Tomato Confit & Arugula Served in Barolo Wine Sauce, paired with 2012 Twenty Rows Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Crostata Di Ciliegie--Cherry Galette Served with Vanilla Mascarpone Cream, paired with 2012 Ceretto Moscato d'Asti DOCG, Vignaioli di Santo Stefano, Italy

2014 06 12

Cooking Papa, Santa Clara

One of my favorite Chinese places is Cooking Papa. I actually like the one in Foster City better but we were in the South Bay and stopped at their location in Santa Clara. It's located at 2830 Homestead Road.

Chow Fun with Spareribs in Black Bean Sauce--$8.50. I love chow fun and wanted to try a new flavor. I usually order beef chow fun but thought I would try the sparerib one. This one had too many bell peppers. I'll go back to the beef.

Special Egg Tofu with Assorted Vegetables--$12.50. This is one of their "Signature" dishes and one of my favorites. The tofu is so soft and the vegetables still have a nice crunch.

Rice Noodle Roll with Fish Paste--$4.95. I like the subtle fish flavor mixed with cilantro. This is another of my favorites but my husband hates it. He thinks it doesn't have enough flavor.

Hong Kong Style Egg Puff--$4.25. Sugary, deep-fried cream puff without filling. This has to be eaten hot. Don't even think about ordering it take-out. Once it's cold, you won't eat it again. That's when you can see how much oil is in it.

2014 05 31

Thursday Night Dinner, 5/29/2014

May 29 dinner:

Tortino Di Granchio--Sauteed Dungeness Crab Cake, Basil Aioli & Crispy Shoestring Yams, paired with 2012 Donnafugata Winery & Vineyards Anthilia, IGT, Sicily, Italy

Gnocchi Alla Savor--Handmade Potato Pillows Served in Chicken Sausage Ragu Topped with Roasted Mushrooms & Mascarpone Mousse, paired with 2012 Kermit Lynch Cotes Du Rhone Rouge, Provence, France

Brasato Di Maiale--Slow Cooked Pork Medallion Garnished with Creamy Fontina Polenta, Roasted Sugo Di Pomodoro E Oliva, Roasted Organic Zucchini & Garlic Gremolata, paired with 2012 St. Francis Winery & Vineyards Zinfandel "Old Vines," Sonoma County

Crostata Di Fragole E Rubarbaro--Strawberry-Rhubarb Galette Served with Vanilla Custard, paired with 2011 Bonterra Vineyards Late Harvest Muscat, Bartolucci Vineyard, Lake County

2014 05 29