Art Meets Music Meets Wine & Food at Amaya La Jolla

by Frank Mangio
Prospect Street in La Jolla is squeezed with many restaurants vying for prominence.  Some have a west-facing view of the Pacific which may give them an edge, but only one has that “wow” look, with curb appeal reminiscent of a Venetian Palazzo or Roman Villa, with dramatic wrought iron, gold leaf and cubic stone mouldings. Presenting the newAmaya La Jolla!

This urban dining work of art is the sister restaurant to the original Amaya at the Grand Del Mar resort. Both were architecturally carved by the masterful Warren Sheets, evoking a European style interior warmth and elegance from floor to ceiling.

Camron Woods is the Executive Chef at the new Amaya La Jolla, after five years at the original Amaya at the Grand Del Mar.

Familiar faces from the original Amaya lead this new addition to the La Jolla dining scene, including Manager Nolan Seu, Lead Sommelier Andrew Adelson and Executive Chef Camron Woods, the star chef since the original Amaya opened 5 years ago.

“I always get asked about what is different in the menu and the wines between the two Amyas,” Woods observed.  “The answer is not that much.  I worked many years perfecting the Amaya menu and we want to keep our favorites coming with this new location.  The only new feature here is the Southern specials every night.  I get an opportunity to cook the food that I grew up with in the South,” he happily explained.  It all adds up to luxury dining with a casual, fresh feel.

The wines are global and regional consisting of 300 labels with surprising value:  all are under $100.  There is also an impressive lineup of 20 wines by the glass.  I had a bottle of Lewis “Mason’s” Cabernet from Napa Valley, a provocative taste sensation ( $95.) to complement the smoked King Salmon, a perfect pairing.

Amaya La Jolla is open for lunch and dinner daily. Live entertainment nightly in the lounge from 7pm to 11pm, Friday and Saturday nights from 7:30pm to 11:30pm.  Valet parking available in front of Amaya. Visit  www.amayalajolla.com.

IPad Your Wine Choices at Flemings
Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar has rocked the restaurant world with an exclusive customer service:  the Flemings WiNEPAD, a custom app on iPad that helps guests easily navigate the restaurant’s wine list tableside or at the bar. All 65 locations have it offered complete with label-specific tasting notes.

Ashlee Cote table server and Casey Eades Operating Partner for Fleming’s La Jolla, demonstrate the new WiNEPAD with a bottle of Ladera Howell Mt. 2008 Cabernet.

That’s only the beginning of what this wine-centric device can do to customize your wine experience.  It has the ability to match up your current mood for a particular tasting wine with the “What’s Your Mood” function. Whites range from Fragrant and Fruity to Rich and Elegant.  Reds include Big & Intense, and Rich & Voluptuous.  Sweet wine moods feature Sweet & Mouthwatering and Sweet & Powerful. Other fun settings are: wine list , recommended wines, perfect pairings, spin the bottle, share the wine and other fun information. Check out the “Fleming’s 100,”an exclusive collection of 100 wines served by the glass.  Fleming’s is well-deserved its reputation as the steakhouse destination for lovers of fine wine.   See more at www.FlemingsSteakhouse.com.

Wine Bytes
North County Wine Company in San Marcos is celebrating its 3rd Anniversary Sat. July 27 all day and til 9pm.  Huge selection of great wines at 50 cents a taste.  Food and raffle drawings.  The night before, from 5 to 9pm, “big gun” tasting flights from $10. ea. and more.  Details at 760-744-2119.

The San Diego Country Festival happens Sat July 27 from 1 to 4pm at Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo.  $25. in advance, $30. at the door.  Over 20 San Diego wineries will be there for tasting.  Food vendors will have tasty snacks. Silent auction.  Call 858-487-1866.

Carruth Cellars in Solana Beach is doing a wine tasting and art raffles Sun. July 28 from 6 to 9pm to benefit breast cancer research.  Hors d’oevres and live music.  $40. in advance, $45. at the door. Call 760-458-3130.

Fleming’s La Jolla offers a First Friday event, Fri. Aug. 2 from 5:30 to 7pm, with “Fleming’s Reserve” featuring the best of the best. Most are reds from Napa Valley, paired with small plates.  Cost is $55.  RSVP at 858-535-0078.

The Mondavis Move On and Up

by Frank Mangio
Quietly, without fanfare, Michael Mondavi, favored son of the great one of wine, the late Robert Mondavi, is re-building his place in the Napa Valley Wine Hall of Fame. Michael’s story is the stuff of legends, after 40 years and 2 empires. The current success is Folio Fine Wine Partners.

TASTE OF WINE visited with Michael recently at his estate in Napa Valley and found the passion and heritage in place, but with a relaxed and mild-mannered posture. If we fast-rewind the clock back to 1966, when Robert Mondavi Winery was first-born, Michael was already winemaking and with fire in his belly. He was determined to show his father he could be every bit as good as Mondavi confidants Warren Winiarski and Mike Grgich, two Napa greats, who would later leave Mondavi and present wines that would topple French dominance in the “Judgement of Paris” in 1976.

Michael is now beyond the go-go days that ground out one of the largest public wine companies in the world. In 2004, he and his son Rob, daughter Dina and wife Isabel combined fine family wine with world-wide premium wines from Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.


Mondavi patriach, Michael Mondavi, founded Folio Fine Wine Partners, Napa producers and importers of wine from exciting countries around the world.

The tradition continues as son Rob is now the winemaker at Folio, highlighted by the 2007 M, a Cabernet aged in mostly new French oak barrels for 22 months. The wine is rich yet supple, and has soul beyond its years. This is Michael’s signature wine. It was racked several times then cellared15 months in bottle before release.( $200.) Michael was quoted as saying that “wines are like people; some age quickly and flame out; others continue to improve over the years. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

It’s been a long time since the chaos of the boardroom at Robert Mondavi Winery and age has been kind to Michael Mondavi and his true family. He and his son are making the best wine of their lives and he is a happier man for it. See for yourself at www.foliowine.com.

Vigilucci’s Restaurants Pour It On
Roberto Vigilucci and his team of restaurant managers are running fast lately, with an array of wine events that have stirred a lot of attention. From Coronado to Carlsbad, Vigilucci’s and fine wineries have paired up to treat guests to world-class names.

Two recent occasions included Chateau St. Michelle, pouring at the Carlsbad Coast Highway location; and the premier winery in all of Italy, Castello Banfi based in Tuscany, in a special appearance at the original Encinitas Vigilucci’s. Vittorio Homberger, the affable manager in the Carlsbad coast location, runs a lovely, contemporary seafood and steak Vigilucci’s with a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean.

Chris Livingston with Marc Lipovac of Southern Wine & Spirits, help manager Vittorio Homberger at a recent Chateau St. Michelle wine event at Vigilucci’s Carlsbad.

Based in Washington, Chateau St. Michelle is a major west coast wine producer with a portfolio of familiar fine wines. This night, we were treated to a wine that made my top ten last year: the 2008 Eroica Riesling, a product of the genius of Chateau St. Michelle’s winemaker and Germany’s best winemaker, Dr. Ernst Loosen. The name itself is a product of the musical genius of Beethoven and his Third Symphony. It sells for $25. You will love the crisp acidity. Another that has showed up on my previous Top Ten lists is Erath Pinot Noir from Oregon. It is in top form with the current 2008 release.( $19.). Fruit forward silky finesse with concentrated structure. In Encinitas,

Manager Paolo Pastorelli brought in Castello Banfi with their Educational Director Sharron McCarthy. Sharron informed us that 3 generations of the Mariani family have guided Banfi to a prime position in the Italian wine world, from Castello Banfi in Montalcino, Tuscany, to Banfi Vintners a world-class wine distributor.

“The reds with the Banfi banner are made on our 7,100 acres of vineyards near Montalcino that have virtually 100 micro-climates, enabling Banfi to produce wine grapes from Pinot Grigio to Brunello,” she said. She was especially fond of the 2007 BELNERO, an exciting Super Tuscan blend of Sangiovese and French varietals, and made a point to remind us that Banfi reds are best served at 64 to 67 degrees instead of “room temperature.”

Castello Banfi is a featured visit on the TASTE OF WINE Tuscan Tour October 7 to 10, part of our Celebrity Mediterranean Cruise from October 10 to 20. You can find out more by calling 800-359-3772.

Wine Bytes
Meet the Chefs of Del Mar Sun. Apr.10 at the Hilton Del Mar from 1 to 4pm. Top chefs are presenting their best dishes and fine wines. Drawings for exciting food and wine prizes. Tickets are $125. VIP $185. All proceeds to Casa de Amparo. Visit www.casadeamparo.org or call 760-754-5500.

Wine Vault in San Diego brings in Cass Winemaker Ted Plemons for a wine dinner Sun. Apr. 10 from 5 to 9pm. Ted has made my column many times with his Paso Robles Rhone Valley style. Reception at 4:15pm. Cost is $49.50. Contact by phone at 619-295-3939.

Keyways Vineyard and Winery in Temecula has its annual birthday Karnival Sun. Apr. 10 from 3 to 6pm. Games, food, wines and more. $25. for club members, $35 non-members. $10. for kids 5-12. Call 1-877-KEYWAYS.

Orfila Winery in Escondido has its next Concert in the Vines with artist Laura Roppe singing Sun. Apr. 10, 4:30 to 6:30pm. Tickets are $20. Call 800-868-9463.

Flemings Steakhouse & Wine Bar in La Jolla has a Justin Winery event Fri. Apr. 15 at 6:30pm. Appetizers and a 4 course dinner. $95. pp. Call for an RSVP at 858-535-0078.