Wine List, Please: Restaurants Reveal Favorite Vintages
EXECUTIVE DINING
by Fifi Chao
Last week when I did my Fifi’s Best, I covered some legendary restaurants in Orange County. The proprietors of those restaurants, at my request, gave me a suggested white wine and red wine from their wine list that they felt would go nicely with their style of food.
There are always space constraints and since I tend to get wordy in my own commentary, we could not include their wine recommendations. But there were so many great suggestions that I wanted to share them with you in this separate column.
I hope that by merely reading through this you will, at the very least, learn the names of some fine unknown wines and at best order these wines when dining at the restaurants.
Amelia’s
Balboa Island, (949) 673-6580
White: Leatitia Pinot Blanc (perfect balance for their style of food)
Red: Rosso Toscano (delightful, accessible)
Antonello
Costa Mesa, (714) 751-7153
White: Merryvale “Silhouette” from Napa or Testarossa Signature Reserve
Red: Far Niento Cabernet (a smooth Italian red by Carpineto)
Arches
Newport Beach, (949) 645-7077
White: Flora Springs Chardonnay
Red: Sterling Private Reserve Merlot (their Cabernet is also excellent)
Bistango
Irvine, (949) 752-5222
White: David Arthur Reserve Napa Valley Chardonnay
Red: Rodney Strong “Symmetry” Alexander Valley Meritage
Cat & Custard Cup
La Habra, (562) 694-3812
White: Pinot Gris (an overlooked wine that’s perfect for food pairing)
Red: Syrah and Petite Sirah wines (the chef loves their deep, gritty, sometimes mysterious flavors)
Golden Truffle
Costa Mesa, (949) 645-9858
White: Lorimer Gr & #252;ner Vetliner (svelte wine from Austria)
Red: Laetitia Pinot Noir or Tantara Pinot Noir
Gustaf Anders
Santa Ana, (714) 668-1737
White: Trimbach Gewurztraminer
Red: Presidio Pinot Noir (a nice light and fruity summer wine)
La Brasserie
Orange, (714) 978-6161
White: Sauvignon Blanc (goes well with most appetizers and fish)
Red: California Zinfandel (fruity enough to be interesting and complex enough to hold its own)
La Fayette
Garden Grove, (714) 537-5011
White: Jordan Pinot Gris
Red: C & #244;tes du Rh & #244;ne (good selection, value-priced, the staff will help choose one)
La Vie En Rose
Brea, (714) 529-8333
White: Chablis 1er Cru, “Montmain” (a lovely white Burgundy made from the chardonnay grape and thus totally unrelated to American chablis). Fifi’s note: I just turned one of my American wine collector friends on to this wine and now he won’t stop drinking it
Red: Lirac “Chateau Saint-Roch” (supple blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah with soft tannins and well-rounded body)
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood
Irvine, (949) 756-0505
White: Sanford Chardonnay
Red: Hogue Merlot
Partners Bistro
Laguna Beach, (949) 497-4441
White: Raymond Reserve Chardonnay (a great wine; a great value)
Red: Ferrari-Carano Siena (lovely meritage wine blend)
Pascal
Newport Beach, (949) 752-0107
White: Clos de Perriere Sancerre (bright and fruity, ample body for summertime food)
Red: Beaune Vignes Franches (clean and fresh with berry fruit and some creamy oak)
Royal Khyber
Santa Ana, (714) 436-1010
White: Caymus Conundrum Napa Meritage
Red: Trefethen “Estate” Napa Merlot
Tutto Mare
Newport Beach, (949) 640-6333
Wine: Oblin Blanc Italian Meritage
Red: Olmaia Tuscan Cabernet Sauvignon (fabulously rich and complex)
Anaheim White House
Anaheim, (714) 772-1381
White: RH Phillips EXP Viognier, Santa Barbara (fruity, flavorful wine that matches seafood and poultry)
Red: California Sangiovese
