A Farmer in the Kitchen at Bistro West

by Frank Mangio
There is a restaurant revival making its way through San Diego County, riding on the crest of more premium wine lists and the call for “Farm to Table” produce, arriving at your plate with same day freshness. That statement takes on new meaning at Bistro West, the comfortable yet dynamic dining favorite in Carlsbad , part of the West Village, with its West Inn & Suites and West Steak and Seafood.

Executive Chef Jeff Campagna orchestrates the ever-evolving menu at Bistro West in Carlsbad,

based on his seasonal harvest of produce at the restaurant’s farm.

 Several years ago, West Farm, a 3 acre produce-growing piece of paradise, was added to the West family, just a few miles from the restaurant. Executive Chef Jeff Campagna has over 30 years in the restaurant business and is known for his creativity and innovation with new plates, customized from French, Asian, Italian and California influences.  He has recently joined Bistro West.

“Having your own farm is a dream come true for a chef,” said Campagna.  “To be able to work directly at a farm, influence the harvest and create dishes made from scratch, is a rare opportunity. Early in the morning, we pick from 6 varieties of lettuce, baby carrots, beets, kale, brussel sprouts, asparagus, peppers, zucchini and zucchini flowers.  We are planting trees, and we’re picking avocado, plum, fig, lemon lime, orange and pear.”

The menu at Bistro West is a wonderland of creativity and the choices are just about limitless.  You need to see it and taste it to believe it.  Campagna is as close to an artist in his menu creations as I have experienced.

In reviewing the Bistro West wine list, one thing that struck me was the household names on it that most wine lovers know and buy for their dinners and parties.  And most names were under $50. a bottle.  Every Monday, with no exceptions, all bottles of wine are half price.

As I have revealed in past columns, 2012 was a heaven-sent year for California wines and I was happy to see that most west coast wines on the list were indeed 2012 harvested.  My favorite for flavor and price was the 2012 La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast.  This is from the Jackson Family of wines that seek only the best vineyards for their brands.  Inhale red cherry, spice and coffee aromas that set up the palate for delicious fruit flavors.

 West Bistro is celebrating the holidays with a generous gift for guests that purchase a $100. gift card available for purchase until December 31st. Receive a $20. bonus card, with each  $100. Gift Card purchase. This no- expiration gift card is redeemable at both Bistro West and West Steak and Seafood.  Call for details on this promotion or a table reservation at 760-930-8008.

National Restaurant & Wine Sales Up
As an article in the last Wine Spectator proclaimed “fine dining and wine go hand in hand, and both restaurant sales and premium wines are turning the corner and heading back up the 2nd half of 2014".

The magazine points to numbers from the National Restaurant Association which is projecting sales for 2014 to be 16% higher than it was in 2010.  This is proof that it’s not so much bigger numbers of diners and wine consumers, but that those that eat out are spending more for the experience.

Corporate business is doing much better for the restaurants that cater to such diners.  “They are taking the brakes off and  spending on unfamiliar wine names, and even seem more excited to spend money,” the magazine pointed out.  See winespectator.com/newsandfeatures for more.

Wine Bytes
Bijou French Bistro in La Jolla presents 3 to 5 course prix fixe menus for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, served from 5:30 to 10pm.  Christmas Eve is $85.00 pp.  The New Year’s Eve event is $105. pp.  For reservations, call 858-750-3695.

Marina Kitchen in San Diego has delicious tastes for the season on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 with festive buffet favorites. Available 5 to 9 pm. Includes Brandt Beef Prime Rib and Roasted Dijouri Chicken, fresh fish and greens.  Price is $48. ea., $12.99 for children.  For reservations call: 619-312-1212.

Enjoy the holidays at Vineyard Rose Restaurant , South Coast Winery in Temecula.  Starts Dec. 24 at 5:30pm and ends Dec. 25 at 9pm. Choice of entrée, $40. to $45. Call 951-491-8077.

Plumpjack Winery is tasted at Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido Sat. Dec. 20 from 2 to 4pm. $15. charge.  Call to reserve at 760-745-1200.

North County Wine Company presents a very special wine tasting, Fri. Dec. 19 and Sat. Dec. 20, titled “the Tobin Twenty.”  The Tobin brothers promise a memorable night of wine tasting.  Call 760-653-9032.

Here’s What’s Happening in the Wine World

by Frank Mangio

The Coast News expands. As some of my readers know, I’ve been criss-crossing Colorado for the past couple of weeks, visiting wineries from Denver to Grand Junction and will deliver the news of what I found out about Colorado wines in just a few weeks.

While I was gone, the news came out about my home newspaper, The Coast News Group in North County San Diego, now being circulated in the inland communities of Escondido , San Marcos and Vista , for a total of 120,000 readers, starting with this column.

For those who are new, TASTE OF WINE brings you the best wine and food pairing news from the top wineries, wine bars, restaurants, resorts and special events. We comment on new wine releases and tell stories about the people that make the wine, the loveliest  beverage known to the civilized world.  Congratulations to publisher Jim Kydd and his talented staff for this award-winning, free on-demand publication, for pick up in racks and newsstands in nearly 400 high-traffic locations.

Fallbrook Winery wins with 33 Degrees North.  Proving that estate grown grapes from Fallbrook can produce nationally acclaimed wines, Paul Fornier headed the wine tasting team from Fallbrook Winery that poured 33 Degrees North, a proprietary red blend that was the hit of the Rotary Wine, Brews & Blues annual Festival in Escondido.  This is the same Fallbrook Winery that took the honors when I was judging the San Diego County

 

Paul Fornier offers the wines of Fallbrook Winery including the awarded 33 Degrees North Red.

Fair’s first ever wine competition last year. Then it was Fallbrook Winery’s Chardonnay that blew away the competition.  Wineries are opening in Fallbrook, as avocado farms close due to water expense.  Its’ a wine district to watch!

The Jolie-Pitt & Perrin Cotes de Provence Rose’ Miraval 2012.  Now there’s a mouth-ful!  Hopefully it’s a tasty, flavorful mouth-ful.  My friends at Wine Spectator have profiled the actors- turned- winemakers Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt who have purchased a vineyard in Provence France for 60 million dollars and collaborated with star  Rhone Valley French  winemaker Marc Perrin on Rose’ vinification. The new release is ranked 90 points on Wine Spectator’s 100 point scale.

The Perrin Family in Paso Robles.  Jean Pierre and Francois Perrin of that distinguished French Family, helped found and operate Tablas Creek Vineyard and make Rhone Valley style wines in Paso Robles California with Robert Haas.  They have encouraging news about this year’s crop which started out starved for rain with just 2.5 inches by February.  It was 10 inches at bud-break where it should have been 25 inches.  Despite the harrowing start, flowering looks good.  The vines look healthy and the hope is there will be a similar crop to last year, which was surprisingly good.

Bijou French Bistro Coming to Prospect in La Jolla . Building on their success of Parisian-inspired cuisine that made Addison a triumph at the Grand Del Mar resort, award-winning Chef William Bradley has created the menu for the new Bijou French Bistro, to replace the La Jolla location of Amaya, set to open any day now. Included will be a new wine bar  and wine cellar room.  Global French favorites will include:  Steak Frites, Coq au Vin, Rainbow Trout and Veal Paillard.  Pastry delights abound with:  Crème Brule’e, Macarons du Jour, and of course Chocolate Souffle’ with Grand Marnier.

Bijou’s wines will offer selections from France as well as regional and global choices.  Lunch and dinner will be served daily. Check out more at www.bijoufrenchbistro.com.

Marina Kitchen’s Sommelier/Bar Manager  is San Diego ’s Wine Wunderkind.
Josh Orr, the smart, young Wine Sommelier at Marriott’s Marina Kitchen next to San Diego ’s Convention Center downtown, recently scored a first place win in the Guild of Sommeliers Top/Somm Honors in the national championships, beating out over 200 similar experts for the distinction.  The test was on wine theory, service and taste.  Orr credits his San Diego ties for their support. “ I have a great group of somms here in San Diego that I study and taste with.  We are constantly pushing each other, and that has helped me immensely in my preparation.” Orr now prepares for his Master Sommelier exam, a grueling difficult test, with a less than a three percent pass rate.

Wine Bytes
Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas is planning a Hiatus Cellars new release party Sat. June 21 from 4 to 7pm. $25. pp includes all wines and a taco bar. 760-479-2500.

The 3rd Annual Taste of our Towne is at Poway Center for the Performing Arts Sat. June 21 from 5 to 10pm.  Enjoy wine, music, local food and a silent auction.  Cost is $100. 858-668-4797.

Croce’s Park West in San Diego presents  a Chandon Wine Makers Collection Dinner Tues. June  24 at 7pm.  Chandon and Sommelier Michael Simpson will be pouring and describing the wines with a 5 course dinner.  $70 per person.  RSVP: 858-345-7379.

Vittorio’s in Carmel Valley offers a 5 course wine dinner with Tobin James Cellars from Paso Robles, Thurs. June 26 with a 6pm start.  Local wine specialist Rob Rubin will speak.  $49.95 ea. Feature wine will be the Tobin James 2010 Cabernet “Notorius.”  Call 858-538-5884

Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe launches a Napa Valley Vintners evening of wine, cuisine and jazz music Fri. June 27 from 7 to 9pm on the croquet lawn. Nine wineries will be pouring. $65. cost.  Reservations: 858-759-6246.