We love discovering local restaurants and supporting businesses within our community. To celebrate our 5th anniversary we wanted to try something new and both agreed on Tannins Restaurant & Wine Bar located in San Juan Capistrano. We had been wanting to visit Tannins for a while now, making it the perfect place to enjoy a wonderful meal with delicious wines.
Tannins Restaurant & Wine Bar has cuisine ranging from Northern, Mediterranean, and Southern Italian. With daily specials and a large selection of wines, we knew this experience was going to be excellent. Especially coming off our three week trip in Europe this past August, we looked forward to all our memories from Italy coming back.
We were greeted by a friendly Host and given the choice of dining outside on the patio, in the dining room, in the Wine Cave, or the Wine Cellar. We opted for the Wine Cave, which was perfect for a nice quiet dinner together. If it wasn’t a crisp Fall evening, the patio would be a great option. We can’t wait to come back during warmer weather and you’ll be sure to find us there. The dining room is perfect for groups of friends and families. It’s full of energy and even has TVs to catch the current game. The Wine Cellar looks like the perfect space to host a party or large dinner party.
We were lucky to have Marissa as our server for the evening. She was so friendly welcoming us and offered recommendations since it was our first time dining with them. Marissa took such great care of us, you would have thought we were family. To start we each ordered a wine flight, one being the Imported Red which consisted of 2016 Lanciola Chianti, 2016 Chatêau Vieux Courriere, and a 2014 Old Vine Malbec from Filus. The other being Luscious Reds made up of 2016 Fog Theory Pinot Noir, Trefethen 2016 Double T Red, and finally 2015 Edmeades Zinfandel.
While enjoying our flights, Marissa explained the specials to us. We couldn’t pass up the brussel sprout appetizer, as we love brussel sprouts! We also split a classic caesar salad. Both were superb and the bread basket that accompanied the first course was top notch. A mix of warm toasted garlic bread and warm baguette.
For dinner, we ordered a bottle of the 2014 Old Vine Malbec from Filus, that was featured in one of the flights. Our entrees selected was none other than the Pancetta Carbonara and Angel Hair Arrabiatta. The crisp Pancetta mixed with linguini, olive oil, parmesan cheese and egg. Eating this meal makes everything right in the world. The Angel Hair Arrabiatta had the perfect amount of spice in the tomato sauce and the chicken couldn’t have been made any better. Everything about our dishes were amazing! We forked up bites to pass to each other, straight out of a scene from Lady and the Tramp. Lastly, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity for dessert, nor the chance to indulge in their Crème Brûlée. A thick sugar crust and creamy custard topped with fresh berries and whipped cream. Absolutely top notch!
During dinner, we were greeted by none other than Chef Marc Cummings. If you’re a fan of the Food Network, as we are, you’d recognize this celebrity Chef from the variety of his shows. Chef Marc was trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, which comes through his dishes using fresh, quality ingredients. we complimented his restaurant, service and food, everything had been top notch so far. It was a pleasure to meet Chef Marc and talk for a while hearing about his remarkable experiences.
Dining at Tannins Restaurant & Wine Bar really provides the atmosphere you’d find traveling through Italy. We'd know, we were just there. From the amazing hospitality and mouth-watering meals, to the vast selection of wines - it’s only a matter of time before we become regulars. If you haven’t experienced this local treat, what are you waiting for?
For more information on Tannins Restaurant & Wine Bar, check out their website. If you’ve visited Tannins, we want to hear from you. What’s your favorite dish? What keeps bringing you back? Submit your comments on our website, Instagram @tippingbottles, Twitter @tippingbottles, or Facebook.
Now living in Orange Country, I don’t get to experience my Christmases of yesteryear in Southern California. Growing up in the Northwest suburb of Crystal Lake, outside Chicago, I got to experience the true sense of the holiday season. I’m talking Hallmark Christmas movie, snow falling, tree lighting, hot chocolate drinking, gift shopping – holiday season. I’ll admit it, my name is Tim and I’m a Hallmark Christmas movie addict. I’m not ashamed of my love for the warm and fuzzy feelings I crave during the Christmas season. As a result of this being what I’m accustomed to, it’s what I know and what I want as soon as I finish turkey dinner on Thanksgiving.
When I first relocated to California, I thought the only way I’d get the Christmas spirit was to travel back to the frigid, arctic tundra also known as Chicago - until I found out about Solvang’s Julefest! We had visited Solvang previously in the spring and summer, but this was going to be our first visit in winter. A short 3-hour drive from Orange Country, takes you right to Santa Barbara County’s wine country.
Driving into the city during the holidays, the Christmas spirit consumes you and brings a smile immediately to your face. All the holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees. So many Christmas trees line the storefronts, as each shop decorates their own tree and places it outside near their entrance. (Now you’re thinking, he’s stumbled into his Hallmark Christmas movie – and I literally did!)
The Solvang Julefest is a celebration for the entire month of December, which includes many events. Various festivities involve the tree lighting ceremony, Julefest parade, live music in the park, visiting Santa, and a nativity pageant. However, our favorite event is the Skål Stroll. While toasting with a glass of wine, we raise a glass and say “Cheers”. Well, the Danish equivalent is “Skål” (pronounced Skoal). This 2-day event, which is a wine-lovers winter paradise. This Wine & Beer Walk Skål Stroll gives you the opportunity to visit 18 wineries, tasting rooms, and breweries. For only $45, your ticket includes all the tastings for the participating wineries and a souvenir glass.
In addition, you have the opportunity to judge local wineries entered into the Gløgg contest. If your unfamiliar with Gløgg, it is a spiced wine served warm. Fun fact– this was originally given as a kind gesture to postmen as comfort for traveling in the cold Scandinavia weather. Our most favorite wineries to visit are Lucas & Lewellen, Toccata, and Dascomb – although every stop is a sincere treat.
This is truly such an enjoyable event. Getting to stroll through this cute, Danish town; all while drinking delicious wines, talking to other wine-lovers, and taking in all the Christmas decorations. Additionally, do some holiday shopping and dine in local “mom & pop” restaurants. I mean, who wouldn’t love a pair of wooden shoes under the Christmas tree or tub of Danish Butter Cookies, which by the way pair perfectly with a glass of red wine and a Hallmark Christmas movie.
For more information on Solvang's Julefest, visit their website. We want to hear from you if you've visited Solvang or the Julefest. What's your favorite thing about Solvang? Submit your comments on our website, Instagram @tippingbottles, Twitter @tippingbottles, or Facebook.
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