Showing posts with label wine bars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wine bars. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Sogno di Vino and Their Little Italy Wine Tasting Charm



Sogno di Vino literally translates as “to dream of wine” and is located in San Diego’s bustling Little Italy district. It is an artistically designed establishment that offers multiple seating arrangements for private dining, living room socializing or night air patio eating. The southern wall is erected with considerable care as a scone lighted stone replica that contributes to the overall Renaissance decor.  The ambience lighting is low and advances a more elegant feeling while the music is just loud enough to create a soothing white noise to cover those awkward pauses in conversation.

The wine list is extensive and provides red, white and bubbles varieties.  You may want to try a white Feudo disisa Grillo from Sicily or a red Protos Tempranillo from Spain. Consider a Riesling with their Smoke Salmon salad made with bed of fresh spinach with orange slices, pecans and cherry tomatoes tossed in our orange vinaigrette. Another option is the Sauvignon Blanc matched with the Cheese Plate consisting of artisan cheeses served with accompaniments and a variety of toasted artesian breads and crackers.

Sogno di Vino does well in blending their atmosphere with their offerings to appeal to a trendy and fashionable crowd. Your Gorgio Armani won’t be a waste here. Customers are willing to pay for exceptional offerings in terms of food, service, fine cuisine, restaurant interior, friends, and the opportunity to be with customers cut from the same cloth (Andersson & Mossberg, 2004). At Sogno di Vino birds of a feather flock together to create a wine lovers paradise. 

Their extensive wine list is also a benefit to the enhancement of customer satisfaction. The type of cocktails and size of the wine list complements and enhances the overall impression of the restaurant (Flaherty, 2014).  Their core customers like to taste a variety of wine and try some of the exotic items on the list to explore their wild side. By both California and foreign varieties customers can experience the subtle impressions of the true wine tasking experience. 

Wine imports and local production are sold through complementary interests. Nearly 90% of imports come from five countries of Italy, France, Spain, Australia, and Chile (Seale, et. al., 2003).   This doesn’t seem to hurt American growers as local production increases more to meet the overall need. The restaurant is contributing to both markets through their domestic and foreign wine menu. 

Sogno di Vino is located in an area known for its Italian background that fits with its trendy and artistic décor. Their wine list is extensive and provides both American and imported wine offerings to maintain market appeal. The atmosphere is an enhancement and blends best practices to create a busy but social atmosphere. Sit under the low lighting and strike up a conversation while picking over a cheese plate or salmon salad that pairs with your wine selection.  

Sogno di Vino
1607 India St, 
San Diego, CA 92101

Andersson, T. & Mossberg, L. (2004). The dining experience: do restaurants satisfy customers needs? Food Service Technology, 4 (4). 

Flaherty, D. (2014). Setting the stage: bar menus that enhance your brand. Nation’s Restaurant News, 49 (7). 

Seale, et. al. (2003). Imports versus domestic production: a demand side analysis of U.S. red wine market. Review of Agricultural Economics, 25 (1).

Sunday, December 15, 2013

2013 La Mesa Christmas in the Village Pictures



La Mesa Christmas in the Village is an annual event only on December 13th and 14th with activities starting around 5:00 P.M. From parades to street entertainment there are a lot of things to do. The Victorian style stores are quaint and host specials during this popular event. Shopping, music, food, rides, puppet shows and even Santa come to La Mesa during this time. 


The event is approximately three to five blocks long and many of the frequenters move their way to the entertainment and to the wine bars. Most people will find something that interests them. The atmosphere is focused more on children and family than anything else. Street side parking is easy to find and if you do not feel like walking a few blocks public parking is available for two dollars for a couple of hours. 


Enjoy the pictures.











Friday, October 11, 2013

Georges on the Cove-Terrace Dining Experience


George’s on the Cove offers a fine dining experience in the price range of $20 to $35 per person. As the evening ocean air makes its way up the cliff and the sounds of ruffling waves dash against the cove walls you can be dining in style. You won’t miss a single shooting star under the nighttime canopy on the third floor terrace.

George’s on the Cove has three levels which include the basement, mid floor and the upper deck. Both the upper deck and the mid floor areas have access to cove views. Each floor contains a bar and their own chef. If you don’t like the offerings on one floor you may consider checking the menu on one of the others. If you’re just looking for a place to drink wine you can sit in the plush cellar on the lower floor.

Lunch specials are $10 to $15 with items like the Mediterranean Grilled Vegetables for $14 made with hummus, tzatziki, house made pita. Evening dining ranges from $17 to $27 per person. You might want to try the Spaghetti with Clams for $20 made with toasted garlic, roasted tomatoes, white wine, and extra virgin olive oil. By-the-glass wine is within a few dollars of $10.

Spaghetti with Clams
The area is well serviced and even though it was very busy when we attended a table was promptly cleared. We made a special request to sit next to the railing to watch the ocean and that was promptly offered with a short delay. Food appeared to be well prepared and full of detailed flavor. An outside glass half-wall protected us from the wind while a heat lamp warmed the tabled. A definite destination for both locals and tourists.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Dining and Wining in Finchs Alleyway



When was the last time you sipped wine or ate dinner in an alley? Unless you are looking for free scraps of food I would bet that you haven’t done it very often. Finch’s Bistro and wine bar affords an opportunity to enjoy a California alleyway with a little style and without the dumpster diving. Nestled between a number of businesses is a little slice of sophisticated enjoyment and European style arrangements. 

The menu includes French, Seafood and American dishes with a fairly large spread of options. The five areas of interest are small plates, lunch, dinner, wine, and desert.  Small plates include selections such as wrapped roasted asparagus for $11 or mussels of the day for $13. Lunch is also equally affordable with the Finch Burger for $13 and the Portobello ravioli for around $13. 

Supper time brings a different venue. You may be interested in the lobster carbonara for $19 or something a little more standard such as braised chicken for $18. Of course you will need to wash this down with some wine to clear the pallet. Most glasses range from $7 to $15 with old world and new world brands. A fairly large selection of port is also available for those who are interested in desert wine. 

This is not a late night establishment so don’t come in expecting to be drinking the night away until the wee hours of the morning. For a dining experience and few glasses of wine as a beginning location or before heading home for an early night it works out great. Patrons range in different ages but are generally of the middle age or older crowd. A few younger couples may dot the bar for a quiet evening of conversation. 

The atmosphere is romantic and includes soft live music and a subdued buzz of nightlife conversation. This would not be the place to expect a bar brawl or single men chasing down married ladies. One can choose between the alleyway, the restaurant area, or the bar area. Each has a slightly different feel and environment. 

Address: 7644 Girard Avenue,
La Jolla, CA. 92037
858-456-4056
 Hours: 11:30am to 10:00pm

You may view their website and menu at http://www.finchslajolla.com/
Dining and Wining in Finchs Alleyway