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At last, a happy hour menu in a wine bar that doesn’t strain your cornea with sinewy chalkboard scrawls. The Wine Encounter puts it out there more efficiently with a legible page devoted exclusively to the specials, which extend also to a few beer options and various food plates. The staff guides you to the deals practically the moment your caboose comes in for a landing either at the bar or in the general area filled with wooden tables.
By David Nelson | SDUN Food Critic Christian Gomez reminds me a bit of the Tasmanian Devil from the old Chuck Jones Warner Brothers’ cartoons: He moves so fast that the eye struggles to keep him in focus. His business card lists him as “executive chef/proprietor” of Wet Stone Wine
It’s hard to find a respectable bargain pinot noir – most that cost less than $10 don’t even taste like pinot. But Mirassou has managed to pull it off. Their 2007 has the varietal character, approachable style and elegance of wines that cost three times as much
A couple of years ago, a colleague popped into my office and held up a dark capsule. “Guess what this is?” he said, smiling like a Cheshire cat. “It’s a bottle of wine! I get all the benefits of red wine and don’t have to drink it.”
I was born in October 1945, just a month after Japan’s formal surrender. So for more than 60 years I have thought of myself as a Baby Boomer. We were the pig in the python and I was proud to be a part of the porker
By Ron James — Editor-in-Chief
The Uptown restaurant scene never ceases to amaze me. You would think that in a shaky recovery, folks would be a bit gun-shy about opening a new business or expanding their operations. But dining spots of every stripe are popping up like crazy. Maybe the optimistic entrepreneurs don’t read the news. Good for them
By Ron James/ Editor in Chief
In the last issue of Uptown News I wrote about touring to one of the nation’s premier wine country destinations, Paso Robles. The trip is wonderful, and there’s nothing like a good tasting room crawl in beautiful wine country.
But there’s a very convenient and affordable way to get a taste of Paso Robles without going through LA. Paso Robles is coming to San Diego, Feb. 23-25. Well, not all of Paso Robles, but a whole lot of the best winemakers in the industry.
By Ron James/Editor in Chief
Paso Robles is now the fastest growing wine country destination in America. For Uptown wine lovers, it’s a great option for long-weekend getaways, in easy reach compared to the more distant Napa-Sonoma wine region
By Ron James
Mirassou Pinot Noir
You just can’t find a great pinot for under $10, but Mirassou makes the best I’ve found for under $10 and is perfect for a party. This is a very fruity wine with lots of cherry and berry flavors, with decent acidity for a clean finish. Folks don’t expect a pinot for a party wine; it’s sure to be a party favorite, so buy a few extra bottles
By Ron James
It’s holiday party time in Uptown. If you’re hosting one of the many parties this season you may be concerned about what kind of wines to serve your guests. And if you’re the guest, you’re thinking about what wine to bring the hosts. This holiday season many of us are on a budget. But that doesn’t mean we have to serve cheap, nasty-tasting wines. We can however, offer cheap good wines