Playground Fun

Playground - Santa Ana, CA
Tasted Sunday, June 30, 2013 by brigcampbell with 581 views

Introduction

We've been talking about getting together for dinner for 4 years, seriously, that's how lame we are as a group! But dinner at the playhouse was worth the wait, everything on the menu was delicious and we should know because we basically ordered one of everything. The menu is created daily but there's always a few staples or twists on the favorites. Here the night's menu.

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Flight 1 - Chris and Brig's Wine (2 Notes)

As we discussed during dinner, it's entirely possible to create and amazing meal just with the first courses, they are that good.

Wok Roasted Broccolini. This will jack up the blood pressure.
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Pan Roasted Corn - flavor pours from this dish. Heck, I like just plain corn from the can, so I gladly finished the remains.
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Octopus Carpaccio - definitely the winner of the presentation award. When it landed on the table I was dumb founded. Garlic chip inside, bravo.
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Razor Clams - weakest dish of the evening. Tasted like potatoes.
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Pan Roasted Mushrooms with slow egg - action shot of Valerie cutting open the egg then mixing together.
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  • 2009 Copain Pinot Noir Monument Tree

    USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

    Ruby/garnet color. Light cherry aromas. Cherry and sweet strawberry dominate the palate with a very soft mouthfeel. Very nice Pinot but not for the money. That's probably an unpopular statement but when I'm in the over $50 category it better outclass a $30 bottle.

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  • 2009 Hearst Ranch Winery Three Sisters Cuvée

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    It's confirmed. This vintage is superior to the '11. With marsanne and rousanne calling the shots there's a significantly greater level of depth in the mouthfeel and much more complexity. I'll be racing Patrick to whole foods to buy the remaining bottles.

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Flight 2 - Patrick and Katie's Wine (2 Notes)

Truffle, lemon, ans asparagus Risotto
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Roasted Pork Tenderloin
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Kurobuta Pork Shoulder
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Uncle Lou's Fried Chicken
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Striped Bass
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  • 1999 York Creek Vineyards Meritage

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

    Very nice value for an older wine. Balanced fruit and soft tannins.

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  • 1991 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Bosconia

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Wine is always better with a good story and this bottle had it. Patrick bought this from the winery on his visit to Spain and brought it back. Nice when you can buy direct on older vintage, no question about provenance.

    This needs lots of air time to open up. There was some trepidation it might be gone after opening but slowly and gracefully it began to peal back the layers. Very light color, almost thin looking. Tannins were fully integrated and it led to a light mouthfeel mid palate. The fruit as muted but still showing well. Nice treat.

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Flight 3 - Valerie and Jeremy's Wine (2 Notes)

Crispy Jidori Chicken Crown. Might be the best chicken I've tasted, better than the roasted chicken at Nicks. Shocking, I know.
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Skirt Steak
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Tri-Tip
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Waygu Beef Brisket Thai style. Authentic Bangkok flavors.
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I saw this on the chalkboard wall over the kitchen. Classic.

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Closing

Lime Curd
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Fig Toffee Sticky Pudding - one of the best desserts on the planet
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Chocolate and Pistachio Crunch Bar
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