Vino Wine and Tapas Room - Encino
Thursday, May 1, 2008 10:46
I’ve noticed the last few months there are quite a few new joints opening all up and down Ventura Blvd. I’m officially excited.
That’s the good news. Here’s the bad news - or part of it: you have to look really hard and keep that head on a swivel ’cause they open - then it seems they close the very next week. Add to that, they are often next to some really obscure places, um, like We The People. I won’t go into why I had to visit the venerable WTP several times over the last few months - but suffice it to say when I did I noticed a new joint - Vino Wine and Tapas Room.
Wine? Small bites? Hello! This is the kind of thing I can really get all worked up over. Let’s just say I walked into this place wanting to love it. They were going to have to work really hard to make me hate them.
I’ve been to Vino a few times since its soft opening and each time I’ve walked through the door I’ve thought - “almost.” The mood is all dark woods, plush leather and candlelight and they always seem super happy to see you. One time we sat at the bar towards the back, another at one of their tables for two and last time we sunk into one of the comfy leather couches at the front.
Each time we were given a wine and tapas menus immediately although once we waited close to ten minutes for our first wine order to be taken – what?? Really? The server did apologize profusely and was extra attentive after that. I’ll cut her some slack.
We started off with a glass of the J. Lohr Cabernet and the EOS zinfandel both decent glasses of wine but nothing to write home about.
For food we had the Roasted Almonds and Marinated Olives and the Calamari The almonds were nice and warm and the olive selection was pretty good. The calamari was great – although you gotta really try hard to screw up something deep fried right? It came with two dipping sauces – an aioli and a marinara sauce. The sauces were respectable if not mind blowing but the plating was really lovely.
From there we tried the Chicken and Potato Croquette. Why, why, why do people put these kind of dishes on the menu? Why? I don’t think I’ve ever had this kind of dish taste as good as it sounds and shocker of all shockers, this was no exception. The chicken and the potato were dried out, the breading a bit thick and the cheese fell flat.
To go with the croquette (or rather to wash it down) we had a couple glasses of white wine - an Albarino by Vionta – from Spain and a Frei Brothers Chardonnay.
Here is where my biggest disappointment with Vino Wine and Tapas Room rears it’s ugly head. Hey, I am by no means a wine “aficionado” AT ALL! But I do like to try new wines and was excited by the prospect of having a local place that could introduce me to things I couldn’t get off the shelf at Bev Mo.
I actually cut and paste every wine off their list onto the Bev Mo site (yes, I have too much time on my hands. I know.) Guess what? I’d say 95% were available there. C’mon people! I get that they have to have a stable of wines for their day to day menu – but how about a revolving list (on a chalkboard behind the bar perhaps?) that has little heard of wineries or vintages you can’t get every day. If you are going to call yourself a “wine room” then be a wine room dammit.
Okay….getting down from my soap box.
Our next culinaryorder was the Filet Mignon. This was seriously delicious. The steak was cooked perfectly (medium rare) and the baby vegetables were tender yet toothy (isn’t “toothy” just a fun word to say?) The sherry sauce was so yummy we wished we’d had a giant baguette to sop it all up. We also tried the mini burgers. In a word - tasty. Instead of French fries the chef sauteed thin slices of potato and served them as “chips.” Yummy.
Over all, the multiple experiences at Vino were never 100%. Potential? Yes. The mood was great, the service was warm and very well meaning – if a little disorganized - and the food was over all pretty good - showing lots of promise. If they can get their act together concerning their wine list, I think Vino Wine and Tapas Room could be a place I’d go to often - and take my friends to. Crossing my fingers….
Vino Wine and Tapas Room: 18046 Ventura Blvd. Encino, CA 91316. 818.342.2525
By Erinn (see more of her posts). You can find more of Erinn's writing at her own website Sunday Dish.
Michael Kaye says:
May 1st, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Do you know how long this place has been open? I only first noticed them a month or so ago passing by in the evening. The place seriously fades into it’s surroundings during the day and only pops out at night with the neon sign lit up.
Based on your comments I’ll give them a try. Thanks for the tips.
California Girl says:
May 1st, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I live in Encino and we are thrilled with Vino. There is nothing remotely charming in Encino and this fits the bill perfectly. Now, if this place was in West Hollywood (where I used to live), it might not seem as great, due to the multiple dining options in that area. But for Encino, this place is a winner in my book.
Erinn says:
May 1st, 2008 at 1:33 pm
When I went in there a couple of weeks ago, I believe the bartender said they were ready to hit their one year mark. I was actually excited on that visit because the bartender was pretty savvy about his wines and gave us some good suggestions.
I agree with you California Girl, that the pickin’s are slim in Encino, especially if you just want a bite and a drink. Have you tried Cafe Carolina? There corkage fee is only $3. Or Tempo has a nice bar and an outdoor patio. Hey, if you discover a hidden gem, let me know!
MaxMillion says:
May 1st, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Huh, I’m with you on the whole “if you’re a wine bar then please offer some special, exceptional or hard to find wines…”
But it’s great to hear about this place and I am looking forward to trying it soon, thanks to your even and fair-sounding review.
Welcome to la.foodblogging!
daryl anthony harper says:
June 15th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I must echo the sentiments of Erin! Although i am nowhere near a wine connoisseur(can’t even spell it), lol, but i do know what i like. I too discovered it by accident while perusing my new neighborhood on foot. i’m a Bay Area transplant and one of my favorite places in Berkeley/Albany is a Wine and Tapas place called Fonda! It reminded me of it, just by being a wine and tapas place, so I ventured in. From the moment i stepped through the door, i was greeted with warmth and love by the owner, Alla, who just has an amazing and loving spirit. The staff there, (somewhat new servers and bar tenders and for the better as i understand), follow suit in the spirit of it’s proprietor. It’s not perfect, but honestly the “LOVE” makes up for any small shortcomings. I highly recommend, but if you have a large party, definitely call ahead. Btw the live music is a perfect mix of two guitar players, and on my last trip, an added percussionist, (bongos i think.) There was also a professional singer that was there as a customer and glady blended her amazing pipes to a rendition of a wonderful Stevie Wonder song. i’ve been four times now and always leave smiling, and not because I drank too much! I love it! :) Vino is a yes, indeed!
Brent says:
September 19th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
It takes a lot to impress me and for me to actually sit down down an recommend a place for a blog, its never happened till now. My wife and I had a great experience at this place. Every tapas we ordered was fantastic, cheese lovers must try the dilicas, goat cheese wrapped in bacon. The wine on the happy hour specials was average but they have a sampler called the business which based on what you like the waiter/ress will bring out 3 fantastic wines to try out based on your palate preferences. We had a cab, trampranillo? and a zin which were all fabulous. We spent 2.5 hrs at this place and I’m usually wanting to leave good dining experiences after about 1.5 hours. I’m not a sommelier but thoroughly enjoy the vino and know good vino when consumed. Great ambiance and good vibes. After 8:30 live music consisting of 2 guitar players complements the experience.
Tracy Bobbitt says:
September 21st, 2009 at 4:32 pm
I love Vino Wine & Tapas and I think Erinn would have enjoyed it more if she had ordered a little differently. The calamari was our least favorite item on the menu. Some winners are the Fried Tilapia & garlic mashed potatoes, the bacon-wrapped date & goat cheese which Brent (above) mentioned are a mst, the chicken empanadas are wonderful at happy hour, The scallops & shrimp are great, my husband loves the mushrooms and my favorite salad ever - the Grilled Caesar Salad. Just writing this makes me want to hop in the car and drive out to Encino!