When I went to Israel a year ago and to Portugal this February... I fell in love with the Dinner Idea of Tapas (Small Plates). Its the best Idea since Ice Cream. Who wouldn't love having a taste of ten different little things?! I always get bored and annoyed looking at menus because I realize I am only going to get to explore one plate (maybe a nibble here and there off Lee's plate *wink*). Tapas come from the Spanish culture and there are a few places in Los Angeles that actually embrace this Idea.
Vino Wine & Tapas Room in Encino is one of those. I have been before for one of my Anniversary dinners with Lee but I was craving it again. I go on Date Night's sometimes with his mom and we usually go for Israeli restaurants with the same skewer, salad, fries and hummus meal... but this time she wanted different. She loves food just as much as me and I figured... why not get to go on a few little foodie adventures instead of just one or two!!!!
Vino Wine & Tapas Room in Encino is one of those. I have been before for one of my Anniversary dinners with Lee but I was craving it again. I go on Date Night's sometimes with his mom and we usually go for Israeli restaurants with the same skewer, salad, fries and hummus meal... but this time she wanted different. She loves food just as much as me and I figured... why not get to go on a few little foodie adventures instead of just one or two!!!!
I can lose myself in this place... all the wines and food options are very hard to resist and Patience is definitely a Virtue for me here. We started off with a glass of Wine each... I had La Follette 2009, Sonoma Coast which was a crisp Red highlighted with raspberry and cherry. Nurit had a glass of Barnard Griffin 2009, Columbia Valley which was a wonderful Riesling with hints of tangerine and apple. These were PERFECT to accompany us on this Roller-coaster of Flavor.
They have a Happy Hour Menu from about 4-7 for Tapas and Wine... We went there at 6 so we hit the Jack Pot!!! We started off with two Mushroom Soups. The Mushroom soup was a little heavy with the Cream so I only ate about half because I wanted to keep space for the rest! They added a little Crostini with mushrooms in the soup and it just melted away in the soup. It was such a nice added texture. Next we had Croquettas which are Mashed potatoes and chicken fried balls topped with Tomato Aoli. YUM!!! So amazing... and even though its fried you can barely feel/taste the oil. The Tomato Aoli totally compliments the mix. For our third Tapas we got the Champinones which are Mushrooms sauteed in Garlic, herb, butter and chardonnay. Those of you who know me well KNOW that I'm OBSESSED with Mushrooms!!! This plate comes served in a flaming hot skillet and the mushrooms taste like heaven. Next we got the Shrimp cooked in Garlic, Butter and herbs. Usually some places will cook the Shrimp so that its chewy but this Shrimp was so delicately handled. The softness and flavors pouring out of this Shrimp were exquisite. Last Tapas for the night was the Filet Mignon with Mashed Potatoes... Personally I thought the Filet was a little chewy but that might have been because it was such a thin slice. We ordered it Medium Rare and it came with a Blue-Cheese sauce that we got on the side. Not my favorite dish here but was happy I tried it.
They have a Happy Hour Menu from about 4-7 for Tapas and Wine... We went there at 6 so we hit the Jack Pot!!! We started off with two Mushroom Soups. The Mushroom soup was a little heavy with the Cream so I only ate about half because I wanted to keep space for the rest! They added a little Crostini with mushrooms in the soup and it just melted away in the soup. It was such a nice added texture. Next we had Croquettas which are Mashed potatoes and chicken fried balls topped with Tomato Aoli. YUM!!! So amazing... and even though its fried you can barely feel/taste the oil. The Tomato Aoli totally compliments the mix. For our third Tapas we got the Champinones which are Mushrooms sauteed in Garlic, herb, butter and chardonnay. Those of you who know me well KNOW that I'm OBSESSED with Mushrooms!!! This plate comes served in a flaming hot skillet and the mushrooms taste like heaven. Next we got the Shrimp cooked in Garlic, Butter and herbs. Usually some places will cook the Shrimp so that its chewy but this Shrimp was so delicately handled. The softness and flavors pouring out of this Shrimp were exquisite. Last Tapas for the night was the Filet Mignon with Mashed Potatoes... Personally I thought the Filet was a little chewy but that might have been because it was such a thin slice. We ordered it Medium Rare and it came with a Blue-Cheese sauce that we got on the side. Not my favorite dish here but was happy I tried it.
To finish off the night and delight the palette we ended our journey with the Molten Chocolate Lava Cake... Usually some restaurants can overcook the Chocolate and the center is more like jello but this was cooked very delicately and the chocolate inside softly poured out. The Vanilla Ice Cream coupled with the cake set off Fireworks in my mouth... Definitely coming back for round 3 ;)
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