Wine Spectator’s Award-Winning Restaurants
Each year at this time Wine Spectator, the leading edge world-wide monthly wine journal, hands out coveted awards for wine lists that excel, as well as food presentation that pair best with wines. They have three levels of awards: “Award of Excellence, Best Award of Excellence and Grand Award,” the top rung for restaurants that typically offer over 1,500 wine selections, top vintages and harmony with the menu.
I was interested in the San Diego County list, and was pleased to see several pages of restaurants that made the grade.
There was only one Grand Award, and this restaurant has been so named since 1989, the WineCellar and Brasserie in the Sorrento Valley district. Owner and Wine Director Gary Parker does a masterful job with his combination wine shop and restaurant and likes to offer both California and Bordeaux styles. Menu prices range from $24 to $39. Reservations at 858-450-9576.
Best Award of Excellence recognition included: Addison at the Grand Resort, Dining Room at Jack’s La Jolla, Donovan’s Chop House, El Bizcocho a the Rancho Bernardo Inn, The Mediterranean Room and the Sky Room at the La Valencia, Osetra and Rainwater’s,
A first year entry for Award of Excellence and open only a year is Firefly Grill and Wine Bar in Encinitas under the ownership of Jim Barrasso. Jim formerly was with a steakhouse chain and after a short time with a family steak format, decided early this year to convert the restaurant into a hip wine bar and grille with the accent on upscale cuisine at reasonable prices.
He really worked on the superb wine list of boutique wines, then set up intimate dinners, mostly with the winemaker presenting the wine courses. (see two coming events in the Local Sip). Wine selections include an extensive by-the-glass selection. Chef Aaron Daily creates unique menu items daily. Firefly is open daily from 4:30pm to 9pm, with Friday and Saturday hours til 10pm. Access more information by tapping out www.fireflygrillandwinebar.com.
Temecula Wine Country News
No lack of happenings up in Temecula Wine Country for August and September.
Jazz concerts are in full swing at Thornton with Chris Botti on August 12th, and at Wilson Creek on August 18th with Norman Brown’s Summer Jazz Storm featuring Peabo Bryson. They also have Warren Hill and Bobby Lyle on September 15th.
Wiens Family Cellars is starting up live music every Sunday from 1 to 4pm.
They also are planning 5 performances of “Shakespeare in the Vines” on September 7, 8, 9, 15 and 16 at 7pm. To buy tickets, call 888-98-WIENS.
Keyways Vineyard and Winery has the “Merry Widows of Windsor” a Shakespeare comedy on August 3, 5, 10, 11 and 12.Festival seating, so arrival time should be 6:30pm. $25 for adults and $15 for children. Wine and food available before the performances. For information, call 951-302-7888.
Hart, Baily’s and Wiens all did exceptionally well at the recent LA County Fair capturing “Best of Class Gold” for Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet and Dolcetto respectively. Block Five, the latest winery restaurant is set to open as part of the excitement at Leonesse Cellars. It will seat 160 with stunning views of the vineyards.
An opening will be coming very soon. Hours will be Monday thru Sunday 11 to 3:30pm and Fridays for dinner 5:30pm to 9:30pm. Call 951-302-7601 for details. Vine to Vine is the next wine country event on Saturday August 4th from 10am to 3pm. Visitors will get to talk to the people who grow the grapes, and will include a vineyard tour, lunch and lots of wine tasting. $53 per person includes visits to 21 wineries. Call 951-699-3626 for information.
The Local Sip
Firefly Grill and Wine Bar, featured elsewhere in the column, is having a wine tasting fundraiser for the Encinitas Community Resource Center on Tuesday, August 7, 5:30 to 7:30pm. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Call 760-635-1066. The restaurant also has a Zinfandel tasting on Wednesday, August 8 in the wine bar. $25 per person.
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Carlsbad Wine Merchants has New World and Old World Pinot Noirs, Santa Barbara to Burgundy, Friday, August 3 from 5 to 8pm. Fee is $20. More info at 760-804-9994.***
The Sunset Food and Wine Experience is at Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo on Thursday, August 16, starting at 4pm, sponsored by Poway Chamber of Commerce. Ticket info at 858-748-0016.Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. Reach him at mangiompc@aol.com.
10631 Vinedale Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352 - Phone (818) 767-3413 - Fax: (818) 767-1410
