d-vine wine bar & bistro
No Pots, No Pans, No Food and No Wine Glasses! Part 4
Background
As some of you know we recently moved from California to Arizona to be closer to some of our family members. As a result of the move, we had a week eating out and experiencing new restaurants in the area. Staying at a hotel near our new home, while waiting for the moving truck to arrive, we embraced the opportunity to explore the culinary scene around Mesa and Gilbert. Tonight as a bonus we treated Meghan & Russ, daughter and son-in-law, to thank them for assisting making the transition from California to Arizona. Additionally, it was Russ’s birthday. So off we went to one of Russ’s favorite restaurants Shimogamo Sushi and Grill.
Shimogamo Sushi and Grill
This is a restaurant that we experienced on many visits. The food being spectacularly fresh and appealing, and flown in almost daily. It is known for their sushi, yakitori and robata. We made reservations in advance and were promptly seated.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Since we were ordering various sashimi pieces ordered a Stolpman Uni, a blend of Roussanne and Chardonnay. This wine is becoming one my favorites, the wine coming from Ballard Canyon in Los Olivos, California. Here the delicate richness and mouth filling Roussanne combined with crisp and bright Chardonnay with apple and pear tastes, provided a great accompaniment to the fresh sashimi.
Just some of the sushi ordered included a few special daily items: Madai (sea Bream), Umi Masu (ocean trout), Smoked Yellowtail, Chu Toro, Maguro (tuna), Hamachi (yellowtail), Sake (salmon) and Toro (tuna belly) to start! Also placed an order of Crab n’ Scallop roll, chopped salad, Yakatori thighs and Edamame. Many of the sashimi items were re-ordered.
Just of few of the items presented this evening:
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The service was spectacular from Kyle Blessinger who also happens to be a WSET 2 and working on his WSET 3. Enjoyed talking a little wine with him between bites of sashimi!
We are already planning a return for the great food and will request Kyle as the server!
We then proceeded back to d-Vine Wine Bar & Bistro in Mesa since neither Russ nor Meghan had been there. We listened to some music on the patio and enjoyed two more lovely wines, a 2019 Stonestreet Cabernet Sauvignon and 2020 Beronia Graciano Riojo. We ordered a couple of quick appetizers to cap off the evening.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Happy Birthday Russ!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://www.stolpmanvineyards.com
D-vine, Wine Bar & Bistro – A Great Fine!
Background
As some of you know we recently moved from California to Arizona to be closer to some of our family members. As a result of the move, we had a week eating out and experiencing new restaurants in the area. After a long 12-hour drive on Saturday and dropping off a few items at our new home, we left one car in the garage and checked into a local hotel. We were a bit hungry and received a listing from the hotel of local restaurants. None of them really hit the mark, so did a simple search and found D-vine Wine Bar & Bistro located in north Mesa area. So off we ventured at 8:30 pm to find a quick bite and a glass of wine.
The Wine Bar
Photo from d-vine bistro
When arriving we heard some great live music to our surprise coming from the outdoor patio complete with misters and fans. We decided to sit down at an inside table as we wanted to lay our “game plan” for the upcoming week. Knowing the moving van would not arrive until Wednesday, we had time to purchase various items for the new home (the buyers of our home in Copperopolis purchased essentially all our furniture!).
When we walked in, we were warmly greeted by staff. After viewing the menu, we quickly decided on a couple of items and ordered a familiar bottle of wine a 2023 Far Niente Post & Beam Chardonnay from Carneros. Great nose of lemon and honeysuckle. On the palate passion fruit and pear were dominant. Served refreshingly cold providing a bright refreshing drink as it was still in the mid-eighties at 9 pm.
I ordered the Ahi tuna served as sashimi.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Susan ordered two different bruschetta appetizers that were heavenly. One with avocado slices and the other with tomatoes drizzled with balsamic.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
While chatting with the server and discussing wines, which they had an extensive list both by the glass and bottle, the owner, Mark Nowicki, approached our table knowing we were interested in wine. Mark has been the owner for some time and knows his wines. We conversed about many topics concerning wine and the wine industry, while Susan was listening to live music and enjoying the Chardonnay.
Photo from d-vine bistro
Truly a great find on Day 1 in Arizona!! The wine held up to all the dishes and as Andre Simon states “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” was spot on with the selections. The adage that one plus one equals three was never truer this evening.
While extremely busy unpacking boxes and settling in we have already returned once. This is a must visit to enjoy the tasty food, welcoming hospitality, a very good wine selection and live entertainment.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly