From Hollywood to Vine with Vineyard {511}
Adventures in Wine, Food, Film and Travel
Michael Mina Las Vegas
It's been a year since Ed and I dined at a Michael Mina restaurant in Las Vegas and we just had to return for his signature dish-- lobster pot pie. Last March we ate at Michael Mina's Nob Hill Tavern, which has since closed there, and, this March,we ate at his Michael Mina restaurant, named for himself. We had the tasting menu with wine pairing, and we weren't disappointed, especially with the lobster pot pie. (See photo.) My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
The restaurant is located in the Conservatory of the Bellagio, which is filled with a profusion of colorful flowers formed into fanciful shapes, such as hugh tulips. Immense Dale Chihuly colorful glass chandaliers grace the ceiling of the Bellagio's lobby. They are incredibly beautiful.
Mar 30, 2014 at 6:21 PM
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A Las Vegas Culinary Delight
Ed and I were in Las Vegas recently for a leads generation conference and had to try Michael Mina’s Nob Hill Tavern. We had been to Michael Mina’s restaurants in San Francisco and also in Las Vegas before, but none with the name Nob Hill, so had to try it. Mina hasn’t missed a beat with his menu and wine list. We had a delicious appetizer of paper-thin eggplant and zucchini slices – think delicate potato chips – paired with tzatziki (a Greek yogurt, cucumber and garlic dip), and a melt-in-your mouth wood-fired filet mignon and butter-poached Maine lobster – all paired with great Patz and Hall pinot. We topped off the yummy dinner with a crunchy, yet smooth, crème brulee. Michael Mina’s restaurants are never a gamble.
Apr 4, 2013 at 1:58 PM
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Dining at Redd Restaurant in Yountville
Last night, we had dinner at Micheline-starred Redd, in Yountville, with the mayor of Yountville John Dunbar and his wife Robin Dunbar, host of Verve curated wine country tours.
Chef Richard Reddington turns out amazing dishes, such as the delicious Prime N.Y. Steak with short ribs, which paired perfectly with our Vineyard {511} . Robin loved her Petrale sole with coconut jasmine rice, clams, chorizo, and saffron curry nage.
We originally met John and Robin at the Sundance Film Festival, celebrating the announcement of the opening of the Napa Valley Film Festival, of which the four of us are founding patrons; we've been good friends since then.
Mar 3, 2013 at 5:23 PM
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San Tung Chinese Restaurant
On our way back to Napa Valley from San Francisco, we ate lunch at San Tung Chinese restaurant, 1031 Irving Street, recommended by Butterfly's Rob Lam. Charles, the owner, served us the chicken wings and pork and leek dumplings, which we loved. I can't wait to eat my leftovers tomorrow for lunch!
Mar 2, 2013 at 5:17 PM
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Dinner at Butterfy Restaurant
Ed and I finally got to eat at our good friend, neighbor, and Reverie winery-owner Norm Kiken's beautiful waterfront Butterfly Restaurant, located at Pier 33, at San Francisco's Embarcadero.
We were welcomed by Norm's business partner and talented chef Rob Lam, and feasted on his delicious pan-Asian fare while gazing at the sunset over San Francisco Bay. Our favorite dishes were mushroom cappuccino soup, with white truffle oil and porcini powder; smoked salmon chips; kalua pig with butter lettuce cups; and banana bread pudding with coconut ice cream. We ate the whole thing!
Mar 1, 2013 at 5:09 PM
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Napa Valley Film Festival Board Meeting and Cole's Chop House
After Ed's attendance at an executive board meeting of the Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF), where the board discussed the budget for 2013 and plans for the upcoming NVFF to be held Novemeber 6-10, 2013, Ed and I stopped by Cole's Chop House, in Napa, to give Wine Director Jim Gallagher a tasting of our Vineyard {511} '09 cab. He liked it! What's not to like?!?
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:40 PM
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Culinary Institute of America's Induction into its Vintners' Hall of Fame
Last night, Ed and I attended the Culinary Institute of America's (CIA's) annual induction into its Vintners' Hall of Fame, at Greystone, in St. Helena. This year's inductees were labor leader Cesar Chavez and wine writer Frank Schoonmaker, both posthumously, winemaking pioneer Meridith (Merry) Edwards, and Wine Advocate founder Robert Parker. As it turned out, Merry Edwards was the only recipient to attend, as Robert Parker unfortunately sustained a back injury and was unable to attend; he did, however, accept the honor via a video presentation. Needless to say, the food and wine before and after the awards ceremony, were yummy.
Feb 19, 2013 at 3:31 PM
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Hollywood to Vine
Welcome to our blog!
The purpose of our blog is to keep you informed about the status of Vineyard {511} wines, vineyard, and winery activities. We also want to share information with you about special events in and around Napa Valley, as well as about our interest in independent film and travels, especially to wineries worldwide. Unless otherwise indicated, all events mentioned in this blog take place in Napa Valley.
We plan to update the blog at least weekly, if not before, so stay tuned!
Feb 15, 2013 at 2:40 PM
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