Buck and Rider
No Pots, No Pans, No Food and No Wine Glasses! Part 3
Background
As some of you know we recently moved from California to Arizona to be closer to some of our family members. As a result of the move, we had a week eating out and experiencing new restaurants in the area. Staying at a hotel near our new home, while waiting for the moving truck to arrive, we embraced the opportunity to explore the culinary scene around Mesa and Gilbert. A few were outstanding and the following is a recap of the evening at Buck and Rider in Gilbert.
Buck and Rider, Gilbert
This is a restaurant that we experienced on many visits. The food being spectacularly fresh and appealing, especially the oysters and sashimi flown in almost daily. We went there on a Tuesday night and had a thirty-minute wait with no reservations. Was shocked at how packed this “higher end” restaurant was for a weeknight.
Order a bottle of a familiar 2024 Dutton-Goldfield Chardonnay from Russian River Valley.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The wine was lean, with apples, almond and lemon aromas and flavors. This wine comes from the Russian River Valley known for both their Chardonnay’s and Pinot Noir wines. Served refreshingly cold as it was still the mid-eighties at 6 pm.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
To start off the meal, I ordered three items of two each of Ora King Salmon, Hamachi and Big Eye Tuna sashimi. It was on the menu as Nigri and they kindly obliged preparing it as sashimi.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
For the main dish, ordered the Hamachi Crudo in a Thai chili sauce, ponzu. While not prepared in my opinion as “normal thin sliced” it was by far the tastiest “crudo dish” I have ever tasted!
The service was average and the noise level was way too loud. I must be turning into an “old fudie dudie” as I enjoy talking with my wife over a nice meal! The food was spectacular, but the atmosphere just was not our cup of tea as we had to shout across the table to each other to be heard! The service was mediocre and suspect due to the restaurant being full.
I will return for the food but will request outdoor seating next time, for a little quitter experience.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com