Battle of the Vineyards-THD Educational Activity

Yesterday afternoon, another THD activity enjoyed by its residents was the Wine Tasting & Educational Series sponsored by Vino Las Vegas Wine Club( see photo above). It was hosted by Scott and Elaine.   

We tasted four wines. Two whites, one rose and one red California Grown or World Import.  At the end of the tasting, we have to guess which of the white wines are from California. For the Non-California wine, we have to guess what country was the origin of the wine. Ninety(90%) percent of the attendees guessed the California wine, but no one guess the country of origin of the imported wine, which happens to be from Spain. My guess was from New Zealand.  Other guesses were from Georgia, Australia, Portugal, Austria  and France.  Here are some photos I took during the wine tasting event.   

Here are photos from the FaceBook of THD-Photo Credits- Jenny Shively

Ed Hoffmann, Winner Of Gift Lottery with Girl Friend Patty Healy

Chili Relleno Casserole in Our Dinner Menu This Week

In this week dinner menu ( January 22-27, 2024), (photo above) is listed in one of the vegetarian dishes, one of my favorite Mexican dishes- chili relleno casserole. Thank you Agustin for honoring my request. Agustin is our Chef here at Newton's Restaurant.  

 It was delicious and a little bit spicy, but I love it. So as a warning if you do not like spicy food, the chili relleno casserole is not for you. However, if you have an adventurous palate and like Mexican dishes try it this week. 

Here's the recipe in case you want to prepare it yourself. https://bellyfull.net/chili-relleno-casserole/

Prior to my move here at THD last year in June, my Mexican-American Housekeeper prepared the dish as my farewell Dinner. Here's the photo of her dish.

Here's the recipe that she used: https://houseofnasheats.com/chili-relleno-casserole/

Meanwhile enjoy this photo of Batman and Robin, my two pets and companions here at THD

Speaking of Mexican Food, I asked Agustin, if he knows of a Mexican restaurant who makes the best Chili Relleno near THD. He recommended Tortilleria El Molino located at 1500 Monument Blvd in Concord. They sell Chili Relleno only on Fridays for a reasonable price compared to other Mexican restaurants in the area.  Here's the menu of El Molino.

http://www.tortillaselmolino.com/Assets/menu.pdf

Delicious Japanese Lunch at Oishi Sushi and Grill Restaurant

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/01/delicious-lunch-at-oishi-sushi-and.html

Cravings for Coconut Crabs- Taste of Japan Dinner Menu

https://whyretireinthephilippines.blogspot.com/2024/01/i-have-cravings-for-coconut-crabs-taste.html

Photos from the Taste of Japan Dinner Last Night

I took several photos of my co-residents here at THD during the Taste of Japan Dinner, last night.  While I was taking photos of the several tables, Maureen Bell gave me this poem that I am delighted to post( see photo above). She said it was written by her sister and I agree it is a beautiful poem.  Thank You Maureen for the poem!  

Meanwhile here are a few photos that I took during the Dinner last night! I hope you enjoyed the Japanese Dinner Menu. I had a delightful evening taking pictures and talking to my co-residents.

My Dinner Table with Barbara Vaughn, Jan McGowan and Ray Gordon

Enjoying my Green Tea Ice Cream

Green Tea Ice Cream For Dessert

Anne Long and Linda Moschell and

Maureen Bell

Hisako Tanaka and Debbie Baldwin

Rebecca Said and Christa Petermann

My Two NEW Bridge Buddies-Jane Williams and Sandi Green

Sandi- What's Funny?

Jerry Mayer, Jane Mowry and Tall and Handsome Adrian- grandson of Jane  

Sara Rowe, Joyce Gonzalves and Steve Kam- Joyce with her Beer

Pretty and Petite Mary Ann Dewald-  I told her the name of my first crush in college was also Mary Ann

Ray showing off his Chop Sticks Skills! Richard Esner in the Background

The Main Dish- My Salmon Teriyaki with White Rice and snowpeas 

Barbara Vaughn-eating her Edamame Salad Green 

Jan McGowan enjoying her Red Wine with a Great Smile!

My Miso Soup with Tufo!

My Edamame Salad with Spinach, Cucumber and Slice Carrots and Dressing

The Beautiful Table Place Setting complete with Chop Sticks and Center Piece

Barbara and Ray in my Table. In the background eating alone is Bill Vencill

Signs in Front of Newton's Restaurant 

Some Finished Work from The Silk Dyeing with Indigo Workshop 

Mary Fenelon and my meat balls soup-photo taken the night before the Taste of Japan Dinner

I talked to a few residents about their dinner experience. Majority loved the menu. But a few did not even want to try the green tea ice cream or the salad. Others said the Edamame salad is not as good as the other salad served at the Newton's. I agree. If I had a choice, I would like the Japanese Spinach Salad with Sesame Dressings.

https://www.justonecookbook.com/15-easy-japanese-salad-recipes/#:~:text=Regardless%20of%20the%20season%2C%20most,everything%20else%20on%20the%20table. 

The majority loved the Salmon Teriyaki, but a few complained that the sauce was so overpowering that it obscured the taste of the salmon. My personal rating of the whole dinner menu is A minus. 

My Congratulations to the Chef Agustin and His Crew and to Galen Corson for her organizing the Taste of Japan Dinner and other Japanese Activities for the whole Month of January. I told Galen, if THD management decides later to feature the Philippines, I will gladly help!

Suggestion to THD Management: Newton's should have more special dinner featuring International Dishes. I am looking forward to The Chili Relleno Casserole that Agustin promised to cook in the near future.  How about Featuring Mexican Cuisine next month? 

Personal Note: A couple of residents asked me if Japanese food is similar to Filipino Food. My answer was Negative. One even asked me if I know how miso soup is prepared. Another resident thought I have Japanese ancestry so I should know a little bit knowledge of Japanese cuisine and did I have input on the dinner menu.  Again my forte is Filipino Food so may I cite again my postings on Filipino cuisine for your information. 

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/10/filipino-food-is-lazy-and-crazy_28.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/12/filipino-dishes-christmas-dishes-thd.html