Quarantine Cocktails: The First Glass After Dry January

Well, it was not necessarily easy to do during a pandemic, but I pulled it off -- Dry January is over, and time to celebrate with a glass of red. This is also the overdue celebration of Biden's inauguration and the hopeful end of a dark chapter in American history. Cheers!

Scenes from a Solvang Trip

Solvang, of course, is probably best known as the Danish-inspired town in the Santa Ynez Valley, home to around 5,000 people (and more tourists). But it has also become a destination friendly to pet owners, oenophiles, bicyclists and fans of pastry.



Yeah, this is kind of disturbing. Solvang has its detractors as well. But how can you not enjoy a small town with so many bakeries and wine tasting shops?



The expansive view outside of the Mission Santa Ines.



Hiking, south of Solvang.



More hiking.



Keep an eye on mountain lions.



Mission Santa Ines, a quick walk or bike ride from anywhere in Solvang.



More views.



The fields across the street from Sunny Fields Park.



The boys were fans of Sunny Fields Park, located on the outskirts of Solvang (and near plenty of wineries, which Maria and I were fans of).



Inside the park.



More views.



The park is a big attraction for kids.



Our hotel was dog-friendly; which helped since we brought our new rescue dog, Jacks, along for the trip. Solvang turned out to be amazingly friendly both to pets and to kids. One bakery even gave us extra pastries when we bought cookies for the Blogger boys. Solvang may be a small town, but its restaurants, bakeries, shops (including a cool book store) and outdoor activities make it a worthwhile stop. And its close to plenty of wineries and nearby towns, like Los Olivos, with their own draws.

Rate-A-Restaurant #351: Ampersand Wine Bar (Chicago)

Restaurant: Ampersand Wine Bar

Location: 4845 N. Damen Ave. (Chicago)



Type of restaurant: Wine bar/small plates



We stipulated: Date night in Chicago! While my sisters looked after the boys, Maria and I looked for a nearby place to eat.



They stipulated: "Back in Chicago, just miles from where his command of the kitchen began, Darren McGraw is taking on a new adventure - Ampersand Wine Bar. Ampersand’s intimate environment will offer refined service of accessible wines, delicious small plates and the desserts he has developed over decades and in many kitchens."





What we ordered: Polenta with marscapone and maitake ($6), Short rib with cauliflower and chile ($15), scallop with sweet peas and picked allium ($16), charred summer succotash ($6), crab





High point:  The polenta with marscapone and maitake was so amazing, we ordered it twice!

Low point:  It was a hot night, and I'm afraid the wine was too warm. Not good for a wine bar.



Overall impression: Small space, which means you might be waiting for a table for a while, but you can wait with a glass of wine. Cozy spot, tasty small plates.



Will we return: If we lived in Chicago, we might visit again.

Learning About Temecula Valley Wine in Hollywood

While driving down to Comic-Con on the 15 freeway this summer, I passed by signs for the Temecula Valley wine country for the first time. Another wine country so close (well, "close") to home? I was intrigued. Not enough to return, but intrigued nonetheless. So when Learn About Wine threw a "Summer Taste" event last week bringing the Temecula Valley wineries right here to Hollywood, I signed up.

Grabbing a few friends, we dashed over to the Space 15 TWENTY (next to the Umami Burger) and tried some (but not all) of the "Taste of South Coast" offerings:

 Keyways Winery

·       Roussane

·       Viognier

·       Tempranillo

·       Valley Cuvee Du Sud

Danza del Sol Winery

·       Sauvignon Blanc 2011

·       Barbera 2011

·       Chardonnay 2012

·       Syrah 2011

Europa Village

·       Muscat Canelli 2011

·       Nocturne Syrah 2009

·       Riesling 2011

Robert Renzoni Vineyards

·       Estate Grown Pinot Grigio 2012

·       Tempranillo 2010

·       Estate Grown Brunello di Sangiovese & Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Monte De Oro Winery

·       Synergy 65 2009

·       Nostimo 2012

·       Muscat 2012

Wiens Family Cellars

·       Solace (Chardonnay Blend) 2012

·       Sangiovese 2011

·       Crowded (Red Blend) 2011

Miramonte Winery

·       Pinot Gris 2011

·       Estate Syrah 2009

South Coast Winery

·       Viognier 2012

·       WHP Merlot 2011

I stuck with the reds, and particularly enjoyed the blends. At the cheese table, sponsored by Happy Cows Make Happy Cheese, the habanero cheddar was a revelation.


The wine


The winemakers


The crowd


The cheese

Two-Buck Chuck No More

It was bound to happen. Inflation has caught up to Trader Joe's wildly successful Charles Shaw wines, ten years after "Two Buck Chuck" became a phenomenon. It's been a long time since we've bought a bottle -- go ahead, spend a few more dollars and try some other stuff -- but it's a sad day nonetheless for bargain hunters.

According to the Los Angeles Business Journal (by way of LAist), the price will now be $2.49 a bottle -- still cheaper than on the East Coast, where it sells for $2.99 or more. I guess call it "Two-And-A-Half-Buck Chuck"? Maybe get Ashton, Jon and Angus to promote it? Details from the paper:

“We work hard to have every item in the store at an intersection of quality and price that highlights outstanding value,” said Alison Mochizuki, spokeswoman for Trader Joe’s. “In general, our retail prices change only when our costs change.”

The Monrovia grocer sells about 5 million cases each year of the Charles Shaw brand, owned by Bronco Wine Co., and has sold more than 600 million bottles since it first hit the shelves 11 years ago.

“We’ve held a $1.99 retail price for 11 years. Quite a bit has happened during those years and the move to $2.49 allows us to offer the same quality that has made the wine famous the world over,” Mochizuki said.

In this 2003 Franklin Avenue blog post, we talked to a Napa Valley winery about how "Two-Buck Chuck" was hurting the state's wine industry. The guy we talked to was also bemoaning the coming of Napa's first Trader Joe's. Read all of our Two-Buck Chuck posts here.

A Night Out On the Cougar Town

Cougar Town continues to be the little show that could, snatching renewal from the jaws of cancellation year after year. The critically acclaimed comedy returns for a fourth season on Jan. 8 on a new home -- cable network TBS. The cast and crew of Cougar Town celebrated the show's upcoming return by inviting press to the set (at the Culver Studios) on a recent evening. And yes, much wine was poured.



This is a cast that seems to genuinely love their show and each other. Perhaps it's the underdog nature of Cougar Town, which was never a big hit on ABC but was nonetheless appreciated by critics and a small but vocal fanbase for basically being Boozy, Grown-Up "Friends." The cul-de-sac crew is a group that you'd truly like to spend time with, sipping a Pinot and playing a mindless game of Penny Can.



The show's cast and producers are also the show's biggest boosters, and have spent much time, money and effort fanning the flames to keep it alive. Executive producer Bill Lawrence famously shelled out a lot of his own cash to throw Cougar Town parties before the start of the show's third season. He's also a big Twitter user, taking advantage of the medium to speak directly with fans. At the recent event, Lawrence and the cast went out of their way to make sure they were interacting with press and talking up the show.



Lawrence is genuinely thrilled with the amount of promotion TBS is putting into this new season of Cougar Town. The show was even promoted in theaters across the country. It's great to see the gang back -- and we'll be watching on January 8.

Palate's Wine Bottles, Held Hostage

What's even sadder than Glendale's once-lauded Palate shutting down? The fact that, like time standing still, the restaurant's wine bottles are still sitting on shelves in the bar, where they apparently have been stuck in limbo since Palate suddenly closed its doors in March.



Peering into the closed restaurant's windows the other day, I was reminded of the Original Spanish Kitchen on Beverly, which sat closed and untouched for decades. The story here is less interesting than the mystery of the Spanish Kitchen... and it's only been a few months. But hey, there are hundreds of bottles sitting there, waiting to be opened!



Above, the door remains shut at Palate. And below, the dining room, untouched since the last meal was served in March.



In April, Eater LA had the details behind Palate's shutter, and a message from chef Octavio Becerra; read it here. I can only assume that all that wine is tied up in litigation and with creditors; but in the meantime, I can only assume those bottles are getting bad, sitting exposed on those shelves and being hit by the sun.

L.A.'s Kid-Friendly Wine Bars

Finally, the list I've been looking for: Red Tricycle L.A. gives us a list of local wine bars that are also kid-friendly. Hey, don't judge. The list includes Sonoma Wine Garden (Santa Monica Place), Chic Wine Bar (on Pico in Mid-City), Vintage Enoteca (on Sunset in Hollywood), Eclectic Wine Bar & Grille (in North Hollywood), Roxolana (Pasadena) and Pour Haus Wine Bar (Downtown).

Check out Red Tricycle L.A. here for more info. And thanks to Taster Tots L.A. for the heads up. (Pic via Red Tricycle.)

Ssign of the Ttimes

Spotted on Wilshire in Koreatown: Perhaps this is the kind of sign you approve after too many glasses of Merlot. "Wine Bbar." Hey (hic!) I see two 'B's!

Rate-A-Restaurant #237: City Sip

Restaurant: City Sip

Location: 2150 W. Sunset (Echo Park)

Type of restaurant: Wine Bar

We stipulated: We had a Groupon for City Sip set to expire, and a rare evening out. We had to check City Sip out.



They stipulated:
"Wine for the People": "Small production, boutique wines that are value priced. We have a wonderful staff of winos who will guide you through our very extensive wine list and find your perfect match."



What we ordered:
The Catalan Panini (jamon serrano, manchego, and piquillo peppers) $13

High point: The space is great; a no-pressure place to enjoy a glass of wine with minimal pretension.

Low point: City Sip doesn't open until 5:30, which makes it tough to meet early on a Friday. (We've got a limited time window because of the kids.)

Overall impression: Once upon a time, it wasn't easy to find a wine bar in Los Angeles. Now they're everywhere. But there was something warm and appealing about City Sip, including the Echo Park location.

Chance we'll go back: Why yes, we probably will. I'm particularly intrigued by "After Nine Every Sunday" -- from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays, all open bottles are half-off by the glass.

Booze and BBQ at the San Antonio Winery

One of our fave downtown landmarks, the San Antonio Winery, is pairing wines and barbecue this weekend for its latest Sunday afternoon event.

"Big Bold Wines and BBQ" will pair wine and artisan beers with appetizers and tri-tip, among other foods. Event takes place on Sept. 19 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; cost is $38.

San Antonio Winery
737 Lamar Street, downtown Los Angeles

A Taste of Italy in Downtown L.A.

One of our favorite L.A. attractions, downtown's San Antonio Winery, celebrates its final "Food and Wine Festival" of the year with a Taste of Italy. Event takes place this Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the winery (737 Lamar Street in downtown Los Angeles).

Here's the menu:

Piedmont: Foccacia al formaggio with grana cheese, smoked mozzarella, olives and herbs; Wine: Renzo Castella, Dolcetto d’Alba 2007

Veneto: Grilled radicchio salad with mushrooms, pancetta and balsamic roasted garlic dressing; Wine: Ruggeri, Prosecco Gold Label

Umbria: Antipasto of Umbrian smoked dried meats, mushrooms, cipolline, artichoke hearts and olives; Wine: Armaldo Caprai, Grecante 2007

Lombardia: La Michetta Milanesa, traditional Alpine mini sandwiches with salami, prosciutto cotto, Fontina and pepperoncini; Wine: La Montecchia, Godimondo Cabernet Franc, 2007

Liguria : Grilled seafood pescatore kebabs – sea bass, eggplant, tomatoes and bell peppers with Maddalena’s special basil lemon dipping sauce; Wine: Luzano Verdicchio de Castello di Jesi, 2008

Alto-Adige: Grilled polenta with Porcini mushrooms; Wine: La Boatina Pinot Grigio, 2008

Emiglia Romagna: Beef ragu a la Bolognese, parmeggiano cheese, pane rustico al aglio; Wine: San Antonio , Boutique Lambruscio

Toscana: Pizza Florentina with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, prosciutto, basil and olives; Wine: Fattoria di Petroio, Chianti Classico, 2007

Sardinia : Stefano’s naturally raised lamb kebabs with spicy rosemary-lemon olive sauce; Wine: San Felice , Il Grigio, Chianti Classico, 2007

Sicily : Chicken Marsala with sautéed mushrooms and Marsala wine sauce; Wine: Capanna, Rosso di Moltalcino, 2006

Tix are $50. More info here: (323) 330- 8771. The cost of the event is $50.00 per person.

Rate-A-Restaurant #208: Barbrix

Restaurant: Barbrix

Location: 2442 Hyperion Ave. (Silver Lake)

Type of restaurant: Tapas/wine bar



We stipulated: Continuing our monthly "date night" trend of trying new restaurants in the neighborhood, we excitedly booked an early evening dinner at Silver Lake's Barbrix. We'd been reading a lot about the spot -- including the owners' struggles in getting the proper permits to open in the first place -- and wanted to check it out ourselves.



They stipulated: It's tapa-style small plates -- so share quite a few. As for parking, Barbrix has a deal with Baller Hardware to use their lot across the street. But park on the street to avoid valet charges.



What we ordered: Hamachi crudo (ginger creme fraiche, avocado and paprika oil; $9); shrimp & chickpea flour tortillas (with cilantro tzatziki; $6); "barely buzzed" cheese (espresso & lavender rubbed cows milk; $4); soppressata (coarsely ground pork, sweetly spiced; $5); crispy grilled polenta (oyster & shiitake mushrooms and creamy gorgonzola fonduta; $5); monkfish (with chickpeas and chorizo; $9).





High point: I really enjoyed those shrimp/chickpea tortillas. And the espresso cheese was quite interesting, in a very good way.



Low point: Didn't think much of the polenta, to tell you the truth.




Overall impression: Quite a nice addition to the Silver Lake/Los Feliz dining scene. Prices are right, wine pairings are strong, the menu selections are fantastic.



Chance we'll go back: Absolutely, we will return.

For a complete list of our more than 200 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant website.