New California Wine (TM) query

La Ciccia is still around. Other than the change in ownership, only one staff member has left. The original sale to a group fell through. The woman who helped broker that deal was a regular there. She decided to buy it. She has been quoted as saying "It's now my restaurant, but it's not my restaurant". She's fully aware that it belongs to the people who have patronized it for so many years. I haven't been back since Lorella and Massimo left, but I plan to.

As far as SF dining, my wife and I, and another couple have decided to dine once a month in SF and Oakland at restaurants we haven't been to. So far, Nari in SF and Belloti in Oakland. Nari didn't knock us out. We ordered 7 dishes and only 2 wowed us. I've been to Kin Khao a few times and enjoyed it much more.

Belloti is another story. It floored us. Although it doesn't have the same vibe as La Ciccia, the execution was right up there. Even down to the small details such as salads being dressed properly, and cheeses on the antipasto plate being perfectly ripe. Also, very reasonable. The couple we're dining with have the means to dine anywhere. They had just gotten back from eating at Cyrus several days before. They said they got just as much pleasure at Belloti as at Cyrus, although the dining experiences are completely different. It was a 90 minute slog through commute traffic to get there. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Jim, have you been there?

Going to Mijoté on the 15th. San Ho Wan, Bombera, Prubechu, Penny Roma, and Pomet are on the list. High-end tasting menu places (Californios, Benu) are not what we're seeking.
 
originally posted by Larry Stein:

Belloti is another story. It floored us. Although it doesn't have the same vibe as La Ciccia, the execution was right up there. Even down to the small details such as salads being dressed properly, and cheeses on the antipasto plate being perfectly ripe. Also, very reasonable. The couple we're dining with have the means to dine anywhere. They had just gotten back from eating at Cyrus several days before. They said they got just as much pleasure at Belloti as at Cyrus, although the dining experiences are completely different. It was a 90 minute slog through commute traffic to get there. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Jim, have you been there?
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Yes, I've been to Belloti. Very well executed pasta. Open for lunch too, which is great. My only complaints are that the tables are really close together and they kind of rush you. But glad to have it.
 
We didn't have the sense that we were being rushed. In fact, there was a bit of a lag between entree and dessert. Just for comparison's sake, I felt the table-to-table proximity wasn't much different than at La Ciccia.

Sandi and I plan on going back on a weekend when we don't have to fight traffic!
 
Was in the area in Feb.

La Ciccia wasn't as good as I remember - I went with regulars and they concur.

Steve Edmunds was the one who brought me to Belotti. One of my favourites, and I don't even like pasta that much. Drove up with a friend from Palo Alto just for lunch.

Cotogna was very good, as expected, Perbacco less good (and also expected). I had a lot of fun at El Chato.

A lot of the cool kids go to the Morris. I like Flatiron for the convenience.

Birichino are very good and distinctive. I import their wines.
 
originally posted by Yixin:
Was in the area in Feb.

La Ciccia wasn't as good as I remember - I went with regulars and they concur.

Steve Edmunds was the one who brought me to Belotti. One of my favourites, and I don't even like pasta that much. Drove up with a friend from Palo Alto just for lunch.
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Oh fine, and you didn’t even let us know you were around?
 
originally posted by Jim Hanlon:
I'm not that surprised at the omission, I guess. I heard a wine hipster podcast last week refer to Jaugaret as "mid." Ignorance.
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what's a "mid" ? is that defined in the same dictionary as "somm" ?
 
originally posted by Pavel Tchichikov:
originally posted by Jim Hanlon:
I'm not that surprised at the omission, I guess. I heard a wine hipster podcast last week refer to Jaugaret as "mid." Ignorance.
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what's a "mid" ? is that defined in the same dictionary as "somm" ?
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Loading…

www.urbandictionary.com

mid

Used to insult or degrade an opposing opinion, labeling it as average or poor quality.

We waited on that album for 6 months but it was mid!
by kanglol July 8, 2020

Loading…

www.urbandictionary.com

SOMM

Shorthand for: Shit On My Mother!

An acronymic exclamation used in extreme cases of surprise.
Bill: "Steve, do you see that obese woman in spandex?!"

Steve: "Well SOMM (shit on my mother), that's disgusting!"
by The Distiller January 20, 2011
 
originally posted by Larry Stein:
We didn't have the sense that we were being rushed. In fact, there was a bit of a lag between entree and dessert. Just for comparison's sake, I felt the table-to-table proximity wasn't much different than at La Ciccia.

Sandi and I plan on going back on a weekend when we don't have to fight traffic!
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Larry, if you're going soon, I'd love to meet you and Sandi there. (Cornelia won't be available for awhile; she broke her hip a couple weeks back.)
 
originally posted by Steve Edmunds:
originally posted by Larry Stein:
We didn't have the sense that we were being rushed. In fact, there was a bit of a lag between entree and dessert. Just for comparison's sake, I felt the table-to-table proximity wasn't much different than at La Ciccia.

Sandi and I plan on going back on a weekend when we don't have to fight traffic!
Click to expand...

Larry, if you're going soon, I'd love to meet you and Sandi there. (Cornelia won't be available for awhile; she broke her hip a couple weeks back.)
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I’ll mention it to Sandi. I’m so sorry to hear about Cornelia!
 
originally posted by Steve Edmunds:
originally posted by Larry Stein:
We didn't have the sense that we were being rushed. In fact, there was a bit of a lag between entree and dessert. Just for comparison's sake, I felt the table-to-table proximity wasn't much different than at La Ciccia.

Sandi and I plan on going back on a weekend when we don't have to fight traffic!
Click to expand...

Larry, if you're going soon, I'd love to meet you and Sandi there. (Cornelia won't be available for awhile; she broke her hip a couple weeks back.)
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Ooh! Sorry to hear that, Steve. Please give her our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Mark Lipton
 
2016 Inconnu Merlot Contra Costa County - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County (6/8/2024)

This was absolutely delicious. Beautiful aromas of violets and blueberry that are explosive. The palate is juicy, purple fruit with well-judged acidity and very soft-edged, silky tannins. Incredibly drinkable, light-footed, and elegant. Truly delicious and surprising. Keeping an eye on this producer moving forward.
 
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
I don't know them!
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I picked up the Inconnu based on the recommendation from Eric upthread. Really, really good. I will try to track down the Cabernet Sauvignon that Eric specifically called out.

Speaking of the New California Wine, I did go to an event last month hosted by the Historical Vineyard Society (founded by Morgan Twain-Peterson) that had tables from many of the producers mentioned in this thread: (Bedrock, Martha Stoumen, Sandlands, Turley, Birichino, Scar of the Sea, Reichwage, and Arnot-Roberts to name a few).

Very impressive wines -- I've been meaning to post notes, but I haven't found the time yet. Some that I really enjoyed:

'23 Scar of the Sea Lopez Vineyard Palomino
'22 Sandlands Contra Costa Red Table Wine
'18 Ridge Mancini Ranch
'21 Arnot-Roberts Old Vine White
'19 None Such Wines Enz Vineyard Mourvedre (made by Caitlin Quinn at Arnot-Roberts)
'22 Birichino Enz Vineyard Old Vine Mourvedre
'22 Bedrock Ode to Lucien
'22 Amevive Syrah, Ibarra-Young Vineyards
'22 Martha Stoumen Pinot Noir
'19 Corison Kronos Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get to the Enfield, Lone Madrone, Reichwage, and I. Brand tables (plus many others). Fun event (if also requiring high stamina).

And it was nice being able to chat a little bit with all of the winemakers who were pouring (like Morgan, Tegan, Caitlin at Arnot-Roberts, and many others). Even got to meet Cathy Corison for a hot second (though I mainly talked to her daughter and husband at their table--I actually caught Cathy tasting wines at the Martha Stoumen table).
 
originally posted by Yule Kim:
Speaking of the New California Wine, I did go to an event last month hosted by the Historical Vineyard Society (founded by Morgan Twain-Peterson) that had tables from many of the producers mentioned in this thread: (Bedrock, Martha Stoumen, Sandlands, Turley, Birichino, Scar of the Sea, Reichwage, and Arnot-Roberts to name a few).

Very impressive wines -- I've been meaning to post notes, but I haven't found the time yet. Some that I really enjoyed:
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I've been wanting to go to this for a few years now. My interest in these wines has really re-blossomed in the last 5 years or so and I think what Tegan and Morgan (and others, but they seem like the ringleaders) are doing is very important and some of the wines very special and I hope are preserved.

Did you notice if anyone was making a Sceales Grenache? These vines are maybe 140 years old at this point, own rooted and head pruned. Both Kenny and Pax made wines from the vineyard at some point and they can be magical. Reading between the lines, I think that the farming isn't great and that the owner might be difficult to deal with, but I hope someone will keep this vineyard viable.

Maybe I'll try to make it next year. That planning thing...
 
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by Yule Kim:
Speaking of the New California Wine, I did go to an event last month hosted by the Historical Vineyard Society (founded by Morgan Twain-Peterson) that had tables from many of the producers mentioned in this thread: (Bedrock, Martha Stoumen, Sandlands, Turley, Birichino, Scar of the Sea, Reichwage, and Arnot-Roberts to name a few).

Very impressive wines -- I've been meaning to post notes, but I haven't found the time yet. Some that I really enjoyed:
Click to expand...

Did you notice if anyone was making a Sceales Grenache? These vines are maybe 140 years old at this point, own rooted and head pruned. Both Kenny and Pax made wines from the vineyard at some point and they can be magical. Reading between the lines, I think that the farming isn't great and that the owner might be difficult to deal with, but I hope someone will keep this vineyard viable.

Maybe I'll try to make it next year. That planning thing...
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I don't think anyone was showing any Sceales Grenache wines. I would say most folks were showing Zinfandel, Carignan, and Mourvedre with some Cabernet. A sprinkling of the other Rhone/Southern French varieties as well (Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Petit Sirah).

Hopefully you will be able to make it next year. It would be good to see you and catch up.
 
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