Went back for the wines

For dinner we went to Bacar right next to Cicada. The two share a wine list. I started with a dry Riesling from New Zealand that was so easy I practically did it as a shot. Next, officially speaking, came a 2006 Hawkes Bay Malbec/Merlot blend. Didn't care for the details. It was a red. And there was a plate of spicy chorizo in front of me. When that came to an end- and it did not take very long - lamb, chicken, and cod showed up, and the sauces were hummus coriander, peri-peri, and cilantro-coconut. I wanted a huge Pinot, and found one called Rex Goliath. I recall now, from my days in Paris, a secret-of-sorts that Legras was the producer for the house Champagne at Tour d'Argent. Less confidential I'd imagine, is that in America, Rex Goliath is the house red for Red Lobster. Forced into a different direction, I went with a 2005 Rioja. It outperformed all expectations.

Proceeded to Staunton's which was dead at 10:00pm on a Sunday. At the bar, one woman complained to another the entire time, dominating 98% of the conversation. Something about "weight" and something about a "relationship." Behind us, an English guy blabbing on about the World Cup's superiority to the Super Bowl. I was at a loss for coming up with my own generic complaint. The Marlbourough Pinot, while not great, was passable. I finished it and left.