The Palaka Group @ DK Steakhouse

This past weekend I was fortunate to secure a seat with the Palaka Group at DK Steakhouse. Paniolos? No, but a group with a common theme. A love of steak and a love of bold red wine, namely Cabernet Sauvignon. GM Ivy Nagayama graciously allowed the group to BYOB so Cabernet Sauvignons here we come! We did start with a glass of Philliponnat Rose provided by mon ami Monsieur K along with several appetizers including the Bresaola Carpaccio which featured air and salt cured beef with Nalo Farms arugula, Ho Farms cherry tomatoes and a basil aioli. I LOVE Bresaola as it's like the beef version of proscuitto.

We also started with the Panko Crusted Ahi Sashimi

And the Cajun Spiced Seared Walu

We then uncorked several Cabernets fast and furious that it was difficult to keep up including a 2008 12C Cabernet

A 2003 Poetry Howell Mountain Cabernet

A 1987 Spring Mountain Cab

A 2006 Poetic Justice Beckstoffer To Kalon Cab

A 2005 Notre Vin L'Etrier Cab

And a 2004 Realm The Tempest

Of course, we did indulge in DK's main courses which include the 10 ounce Filet Mignon with Truffled Potato Croquettes (my selection... I was intending on ordering it roughly chopped with minced capers and shallots and NO heat applied... )

The 30 day Dry Aged 22 Ounce Bone-in Rib Eye (the Mrs') with a side of Cajun Steak Fries and Broiled Tomatoes

The Porterhouse

And the Rack of Lamb

Of course there were more bottles of vino uncorked including a Tom Eddy Dr Crane Cab

As well as about a dozen more Cabs including a Father/Son tandem of Beaulieu Georges de Latour sampling of the 1970 and 1996 vintages and a couple more Cliff Lede Poetry vintages (excess vino makes you forget photographing the evening's excesses).

I also did uncork one of my faves of the evening, a 1997 Williams Selyem Coastlands Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir for one of the diners who preferred a wine with a little more finesse than the BIG CA Cabs.

We ended the evening with several desserts including the Delmonico Mud Pie

And the Apple Cobbler ala Mode

I,of course HAD to order a Manhattan since this was a steakhouse after all...

The evening was leagues above our first dinner at DK Steakhouse right after they first opened especially with those Vintage Steaks. So you know it, we'll be back...