Indulgences can be anything above and beyond your time-honored habits that get you through the day. To me indulgences should stimulate the senses with a surge of excitement.
This time of the year is a natural time to indulge. Parties, people, gifts, food, and yes, fine wines all play their part. With those elements in mind, let me take you on an indulgence of flashy, feed-festive, wine infused restaurants that feature excesses of party-play and fun. (As the Italians like to say “La Dolce Vita.”)
First stop is Cucina Enoteca in Del Mar.
Before you are escorted to your table to choose many stylish, Italian influenced dishes, you pass through a wine store with more selections than you can count, including some Napa Valley and Italian legends that will indulge the senses and your budget. Example: a 1976 Beaulieu Napa Valley Vineyard Private Reserve for $350 and an Italian Super Tuscan 2010 Sassicaia for $275.
Cate Hughes, the Director of Wine & Beverage, pointed to a Vietti Italian Castiglione Barolo at a reasonable $50. that took my breath away with its sumptuous quality. Another Vietti worth trying, the Barbera D’Alba for even less.
Ask for waiter Shannon Stegeman when you go. She knows the food menu better than the kitchen team. Cucina Enoteca is a two story emporium with an enormous bar capturing the culinary flavors of Italy with the organic freshness of California. See it all at www.urbankitchengroup.com.
Marco Barat of American Wines, distributors for Feudi di San Gregorio, Vigilucci’s chef Dana Sills, with Dan Brunner, GM of Vigilucci’s in Coronado 
Marco Barat of American Wines, distributors for Feudi di San Gregorio, Vigilucci’s chef Dana Sills, with Dan Brunner, GM of Vigilucci’s in Coronado
San Diego has it made with an indulgent island of fun, food and wine called Coronado. It all comes together at Vigilucci’s, next door to the famous Del Coronado Resort.
This night, the celebration was about the Feudi di San Gregorio lineup from the Campania area near Naples. It was a wine pairing event, with the winery recently declared the Winery of the Year in Italy.
The place was packed as Chef Dana Sills spoke about the fresh ingredients mirroring the same terroir as the wines.
Her colorful roasted tomato soup with buffalo mozzarella and basil pesto, and the risotto with calamari and shrimp, soaked in sweet squid ink, share the same rich soil types as the grapes from Feudi Di San Gregorio. Vigilucci’s, long a North San Diego County favorite is combining restaurants in Leucadia to debut a new look that should add to the fun, feed the soul and indulge the senses, open sometime beyond the holidays.
See more at www.vigiluccis.com.
The TASTE OF WINE Top Ten Tastings for 2013 are coming in next week’s column. Be sure to look for them. In the meantime I’ll be reviewing all my wine notes from the approximately 400 wine places I have visited, and re-taste my wines of the month, to come up with the Top Ten. It’s my idea of the ultimate indulgence.
Wine Bytes
– More New Year’s Eve places to go include the Marina Kitchen at the San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina Dec. 31 starting at 7pm. and ending at 2am. Gourmet food, craft beers, cult wines, spirits and live music are featured, along with 10 food stations. Admission is $150. pp. Ask about the VIP Party from 10 to 2am with special experiences for $200. ea. Call 619-699-8222 for an RSVP.
– The Estancia Hotel & Spa in La Jolla event is Dec. 31 from 6 to 9pm with a 4 course Prix Fixe Dinner Menu. Cost is $60. Learn more at 858-964-6521.
– Loews Coronado has its Dec. 31 New Years’ Eve Bash from 8 to 2am. 6 hours hosted bar, hors d’ourves & dessert bar, live DJ and a 5000 balloon drop at midnight. $179. advance, $199. at the door, $263 for the VIP experience. 619-424-4000 for an RSVP.
Frank Mangio is a renowned San Diego wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. He is one of the leading commentators on the web. View and link up with his columns at www.tasteofwinetv.com. Reach him at mangiompc@aol.com.
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