Master Chef with a Passion for Wine

By Frank Mangio

Steve Hamlin is a man on a mission. His passion: spread the gospel of fine food perfectly matched with fine wine. His venue: Temecula Wine Country.

I mentioned Steve in my last column on wine and chocolate pairing when he was opening up minds and palates on that very subject a few years ago when his Allie’s Restaurant, named after his lovely wife Alicia, was a popular restaurant at Callaway Winery in Temecula Wine Country. Prior to that, Steve competed for 13 years in the culinary arts space and was named “Best Up and Coming Chef” and “Best Chef in the West.” He advises and teaches at San Diego State University in its wine extension studies program, oversees a thriving catering and special events business and is seen at many winery dinner events, making sure that every detail is of the highest quality.

I last had the opportunity to feel the energy of this wine and food renaissance man at Keyways Vineyard and Winery (see accompanying photo of this writer and Steve Hamlin). During a lovely four course event there, Steve found an opportunity to fire up the taste buds of those in attendance with a rousing talk on the essence of the wine/food pairings been served. He meticulously unveiled the “holy grail” of the wine offered and exactly why it was meant for the food companion that it was mated to.

Now to the best part of this testimony on Steve and his impact in Temecula Wine Country. After a period of time without a restaurant to call his own, Steve and Allie are about to open their newest creation: “Allie’s Tapas au Vin” a Wine Bar and Café, on Overland Drive in Temecula. It will be a contemporary upscale wine lounge and restaurant, with premium wines, including Charles Krug, Jordan, Franciscan, many Bordeaux names and a lovely list of Temecula wines. It will also have a cocktail menu, a Mediterranean style of Tapas, entree selections from Brasato Tortelloni to Rack of New Zealand Lamb. A “Café Menu,” like roasted Vegetable and Cheese Panini and Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap will be presented with Mediterranean Fusilli and Fried Leeks.

A Grand Opening is planned for 6pm Saturday January 12,with proceeds going to the couple’s favorite charity: the George C. Glenner Alzheimer Family Center, a facility that is close to the family, since Allie’ s “grannie” was lost to this disease in 1998. Since then the Hamlins have donated more then $250,000. to this cause. Tickets are $75. per person. A live auction for great items will be at 8pm.

You can RSVP by calling 951-235-9219 or e mail ….steve@alliestapas.com. The website to learn more about Steve and Allie Hamlin is: www.alliestapas.com.