Foo Fighters / LA story

I didn't meet them or anything. Someone, I'm not sure how to get a hold of, made a couple copies for me and I can't stop listening to them.
Thank You.
So, we traveled up the 101 (well, eventually) through Santa Barbara, Los Olivos, Solvang and then on to Lompoc. This is what makes up most of the third and forth days. We ended up on the "Sideways" tour at times and a little lost at times. I slept in the car for the most part.

At one point we went out to eat and I had an Epiphany...the food sucked!
"Does my food suck?" I asked myself.
After all, we were enjoying foods I've made before in professional career. You know: Chicken, Filet, Lamb Chops, salmon maybe? this wonderful plate of calamari.....this shitty plate of calamari. No flavor, no love, no respect for what it is what sauces go with it (a freaking lemon wedge?! Come on! My Lamb was plated in the modern day approach of linking all the bones together in the center over a slob of roasted garlic mashed potatoes with a sprig of Rosemary sticking out of it....oh wait....that's how it's been done for the past 70(?) years minus the mint jelly.
As much as I try, I know I don't hit it on the nose every time and I always always wish I could do better, but I feel a little better at night knowing I tried. I don't ever want to rest on my laurels, or laurels from years past. Food can't progress as long as millions of customers are willing to pay too much for mediocre food. It bothers me when time is running out and I end up serving something I'm not completely satisfied with, yet the customer loved it. It doesn't make me feel any better.


We did make it to the Pacific Ocean, and drove on the beach (you can do that on Pismo Beach), it was pretty damn cold but awesome to see the hillsides so close to the shore.

I also ran into a little Agar Agar in it's natural state.
Very cool.

Montes WIne Dinner. 8-23-07

I lost track of what year it was for about three hours a couple days ago....That really freaked me out.
Another month of pulling a wine dinner out of my ass. September will be no picnic, I think there's three wine dinners?, along with flights.
So, with this wine dinner, the sommelier from Nemacolin was in for the Chilean tasting, the day before his USA Today feature came out concerning his trip to Chili and the actual wines we where featuring this night.

First course: Montes Limited Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Leyda Valley.
Twice Cooked Squid, Pineapple-Apple and Parmesan salad, Red Pepper faom, Pressure Cooked Quince Puree.











Second Course: Montes Classic Series Chardonnay 2006: Banana Poached Lobster and Beets with Cardomon Beurre Blanc.










Third Course:Montes Limited Selection Pinot Noir2006: Horseradish Brined Shrimp, Frissee lardon salad, Strawberries, Toasted Masa.












Fourth Course:Montes Alpha M 2003: "The Grasshopper Chases the Rabbit"


With Coffee Raisin Puree.





The Leg meat was pressure cooked with Creme de Cocoa, Creme de Minthe and Cream.
Pan Roasted Loin and Frenched Rack.
While tasting the wine, Ben and I kept pulling a certain spirimint flavour out along with espresso.
So, we served an ice cold "GrassHoper" topped with Van Gogh Espresso Vodka.













Fifth Course: Montes Folly 2004: 24 hour poached Flat Iron Steak with Sweet potato pureee and Chorizo Baked Beans. Maracino Red Onions and Chocolate Salt.
Simple and to the point. Something meaty and rib-clinging to match up to the wine.









Sixth Course: Montes Cherub 2006 Archangel Estate: Cheese Plate ( Brie and Morbier with Jicama and Dikon mixture, Pink Peppercorn syrup, and Pressure cooked Orange and Garlic Puree. Candied Orange Rind.