Home for the holiday is a choice many Americans make. The biggest travel date of the year is Thanksgiving Day as relatives and friends assemble with great food, wine and conversation, the centerpiece of this day to count your blessings.
But the reality is many more people are counting their blessings and making wine toasts in smaller gatherings in fine restaurants, and leaving the cooking and the dishes to chefs and the wait help. TASTE OF WINE has selected a number of fine restaurants with superior menus and wine lists for this special occasion for your consideration. They’ll raise your holiday spirits and cast a glow to make it a day to remember.
- Amaya la Jolla. A breathtaking renaissance revival with a regal atmosphere. Amaya is serving a 3 course menu from 12 to 8pm. Entrée selections range from roasted turkey breast & leg with cherry stuffing, to Filet of whole roasted beef tenderloin or seared Chilean Sea Bass. $65. per adult. Camron Woods is the Executive Chef. For reservations call 858-750-3695.
- Morada at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Recently renovated and set in the heart of the “Village,” with hours from 11:30 to 8pm. Choose from a 3 course menu created by Executive Chef Todd Allison. $69.50 per adult. RSVP at 800-843-4661.
- Marina Kitchen at the Marriott Marquis, San Diego Marina. Modern comfort cuisine. Executive Chef Aron Schwartz has created a contemporary buffet menu, capturing the nostalgia that diners feel when eating a home-cooked meal. Hours from 1:30 to 7pm. Highlights include: herb roasted turkey at the carving station or roast Brandt Beef New York. $48. per adult. RSVP at 619-699-822. Includes panoramic views of the bay.
- Vineyard Rose at South Coast Winery & Resort.
Temecula Wine Country is perfect for a wine/food adventure. Entrees include roasted turkey breast & braised dark meat $39., cabernet braised beef short rib $43., or oven poached Alaskan cod $42. All are 4 course meals included in the price. Call 951-491-8077 for an RSVP. - Vigilucci’s Seafood & Steak House, Carlsbad. Served from 12 to 8pm. Choose your entrée from 3: hand carved turkey breast, pasta with butternut squash, walnuts and ricotta or risotto with butternut squash, mussels, clams, rock shrimp and bay scallops. 3 courses for $39. per person. RSVP at 760-434-2580.
Wines to Enjoy at Thanksgiving
Here are 5 wines, all reasonably priced for what their value is at the Thanksgiving dinner table. Each food course will come alive and taste so much better with these delicious choices:
- J Cuvee 20 Brut, Sonoma ($28.) Grown in the Russian River Valley. Non vintage sparkling wine, for toasting and reception.
- Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc, Sonoma, 2012. $14. 100% Sauvignon Blanc.Flavors of grapefruit, lemon, mango and guava. Aged in stainless steel. Crisp freshness. Serve with fish appetizers, salads.
- Goldeneye Pinot Noir Anderson Valley, 2010. $50. Cool climate north of Napa Valley. 4 vineyards and 19 clones of Pinot make this a celebrated wine. Lovely with turkey.
- Kendall Jackson Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma 2009. $28. Only the best vineyards in Sonoma are selected from mountains and hillsides. Intense concentrated grapes. Beef dishes will be the selected cuisine for this powerful wine. 17 month barrel aged.
- Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel Sonoma, 2009. $30. Considered the master Zin maker inCalifornia, with four generations of wine making mastery. Try this one with a rich chocolate based dessert. It will cap a truly memorable Thanksgiving wine-based feast.
Wine Bytes
§ Wines to be Thankful For is the theme of the tasting event Fri. Nov. 22 at 6 pm at Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas. Check out the list and pricing at 760-479-2500.
§ San Diego Wine Company has a Champagne and Sparkling Wine event Sat. Nov. 23 starting at 11am. Cost is $25. with RSVP only, at 858-586-WINE.
§ Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula Wine Country presents a wine and food pairing Sun. Nov. 24 from 2 to 4pm in the Garden View Terrace Room. The secrets of wine and food pairing will be revealed. $49. for 5 wines and 5 food samples. RSVP at 951-699-9463.
§ Black Friday at Orfila in Escondido is Fri. Nov. 29 from 9am to 6pm. No charge for admission, with live music from 12 to 2pm and 3 to 5pm. Big discounts on wines and accessories. Details at 760-738-6500 x 22.
§ VINZ Wine Bar in Escondido is pushing music and dancing on the weekends. Classic rock on Sat. Nov. 30. Check times at 760-743-8466.
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 atwww.tasteofwinetv.com. Reach him at mangiompc@aol.com.
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