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.

Chicago Style Italian Comes to San Diego

by Frank Mangio

The Little Italy food-scene is undergoing a renaissance with smart new restaurants mixing it up with old fixtures like Filippi’s and Mona Lisa. Davanti’s and its sister restaurant, Mia Francesca, opening soon in Del Mar Highlands Center, comes from Chicago’s Little Italy and owner/chef Scott Harris. The food is Roman/Tuscan with a big emphasis on small bites, and food as a social experience.

Taste of Wine columnist Frank Mangio holds a Davanti style “menu” as General Manager Josh Zanow points out the wines which are 50% Italian.

Davanti has that neighborhood, rustic bar feel that you would see in the farm villages and fishing communities of Italy. “We are all about treating diners as family and serving them fresh foods that they will talk about and bring others to enjoy,” said Harris. I saw people come by the airy front entrance and the wait help greeted them with their first name. Many of them lived on the same street: typical of a Chicago style eating house.

Josh Zanow is the impassioned General Manager of Davanti who worked under the legendary Thomas Keller at the French Laundry in Napa Valley, then moved over to the wine side and went to work at the respected Plumpjack Winery nearby. As you may have guessed, Plumpjack is one of the premium wines on Davanti’s list.

Zanow has 20 wines by the glass, plus the option of ordering wine by the ½ carafe as well as the bottle. Beside Plumpjack Cabernet, I tried the La Poderina Brunello di Montalcino which is Italy’s wine-royalty. We all toasted our lunches with a La Fiera Moscato from Puglia. “Helps with digestion”, someone commented.

Late afternoons after work or touring, Davanti has an outdoor patio on warm days, or the bar in the middle of the dining room, for a 2 hour unique menu of food and drink. Street tables are coming soon for an authentic trattoria feel. “We made a calculated decision to make this a truly family style restaurant,” Zanow asserted. “We did not put any TV’s or video games in. We want families to gather, eat and talk.”

Next I had to compliment Executive Chef Jonathan Batty on his Bistecca con Ravanelli e Funghi, an oven roasted tri tip steak with roasted radish and grilled oyster mushroom. It wasn’t the usual old-country breaded version, as chef felt it was more palatable for new-world foodies in this style. Chef also supervises the Chicago operation. Plans are to offer a Sunday brunch from 10 to 2pm starting in Mid October.

Davanti Enoteca is still another Italian Restaurant in the Little Italy District, with lovely lunches, an upbeat indoor-outdoor happy hour, and dinners are flavorful and easy to digest. Yet the techniques of modern hospitality blending with traditional Italian style gatherings, define the restaurant and the neighborhood through food and wine.

Josh Zanow with his kitchen and bar team are out-reaching for a kind of hospitality that is unique to this neighborhood. Visit Davanti at www.davantisandiego.com, or call at 619-237-9606.

Wine Bytes

Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula has a Brown Derby Cigar Night, with a dinner, entertainment and great wines Fri. Oct. 14 from 6 to 10pm. $100. pp. $90. wine club. RSVP at 951-699-9463.

Wine Styles in Encinitas is planning a John Alan Winery Tasting Sat. Oct. 15 from 5 to 8pm. This Paso Robles wine choice is the #1 seller at Wine Styles. $14. reg. price, $12. for members. 760-633-0057.

Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido presents Micheal David Wines Sat. Oct. 15 from 2 to 4pm. $10. pp. RSVP at 760-745-1200.

Orfila Vineyards and Winery has a Concert in the Vines for Sun. Oct. 16 from 6 to 8pm. Features Stoney B Blues Band and the Super Q Catering. Includes a glass of Orfila Wine, all for $25. Call 760-738-6500 for more.

La Jolla Gallery offers a Wine, Walk and Taste event for Thurs. Oct. 20 from 5 to 9pm. Tour over 15 galleries while sampling red and white wines. Food sampling included for $40. pre pay, $45. day of event. Details at 619-233-5008.

San Antonio’s L.A. Winery has a Tasting Room Grand Opening and A Day in Tuscany 4 course Luncheon and Wine Tasting Sat. and Sun. Oct. 22 and 23 from 1 to 4pm. Downtown L.A. $75. pp. Call 888-223-1401.