Stoplman Vineyards
No Pots, No Pans, No Food and No Wine Glasses! Part 4
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. Tonight as a bonus we treated Meghan & Russ, daughter and son-in-law, to thank them for assisting making the transition from California to Arizona. Additionally, it was Russ’s birthday. So off we went to one of Russ’s favorite restaurants Shimogamo Sushi and Grill.
Shimogamo Sushi and Grill
This is a restaurant that we experienced on many visits. The food being spectacularly fresh and appealing, and flown in almost daily. It is known for their sushi, yakitori and robata. We made reservations in advance and were promptly seated.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Since we were ordering various sashimi pieces ordered a Stolpman Uni, a blend of Roussanne and Chardonnay. This wine is becoming one my favorites, the wine coming from Ballard Canyon in Los Olivos, California. Here the delicate richness and mouth filling Roussanne combined with crisp and bright Chardonnay with apple and pear tastes, provided a great accompaniment to the fresh sashimi.
Just some of the sushi ordered included a few special daily items: Madai (sea Bream), Umi Masu (ocean trout), Smoked Yellowtail, Chu Toro, Maguro (tuna), Hamachi (yellowtail), Sake (salmon) and Toro (tuna belly) to start! Also placed an order of Crab n’ Scallop roll, chopped salad, Yakatori thighs and Edamame. Many of the sashimi items were re-ordered.
Just of few of the items presented this evening:
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The service was spectacular from Kyle Blessinger who also happens to be a WSET 2 and working on his WSET 3. Enjoyed talking a little wine with him between bites of sashimi!
We are already planning a return for the great food and will request Kyle as the server!
We then proceeded back to d-Vine Wine Bar & Bistro in Mesa since neither Russ nor Meghan had been there. We listened to some music on the patio and enjoyed two more lovely wines, a 2019 Stonestreet Cabernet Sauvignon and 2020 Beronia Graciano Riojo. We ordered a couple of quick appetizers to cap off the evening.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Happy Birthday Russ!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://www.stolpmanvineyards.com