The chef's 5-course tasting menu with paired wines is held every Saturday.  The menu selections and wine flights change every week.  Here are the details for this week.

Please join us (21 and up only, please!) anytime from 5:00 on for a chef's 5-course tasting menu.  Cost is a mere thirty bucks for all five courses.  We've also put together a wine flight that pairs each course with a different wine.  Cost for the flight is only twenty bucks for five wines, or if you'd prefer not to do the flight, we'll also have wines available by the glass or bottle, as well as beer and cocktails.

Cheese platters, oysters on the half shell and chocolate truffles are also usually available.  The bar will be open until at least 11:00 and the kitchen will be open until at least 10:00.  Here's the line-up.  Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement if you're interested.

CHEF'S 5-COURSE TASTING MENU ~ $30

Wild Arugula Salad | Apricots | Idiazabal Cheese | Marcona Almonds | Champagne Vinaigrette

Short Rib Stuffed Agnolotti | Parmesan + Horseradish Broth | Micro Arugula

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin | Sweet Corn Blini | Grilled Nectarine Gremolata

NY Strip Loin | Black Pepper Potato Rösti | Roasted Summer Squash | Red Wine Demi Glace

Tierra Miguel Strawberry Crepe | Mascarpone | 25-Year-Old Balsamic

WINE PAIRING FLIGHT ~ $20

2007 Trevor Jones "Virgin" Chardonnay

2006 Felsina Chianti Classico Berardenga

2007 Luca Malbec

2005 Two Hands "Bad Impersonator" Shiraz

2004 Grand Piquey Sauternes

LOCATION & PHONE

Wine Vault & Bistro is located in the heart of San Diego between Little Italy and Old Town at 3731-A India Street on the upstairs terrace.  Follow the black handrail up the stairs from the sidewalk to our front door.  Our phone number is (619) 295-3939.

PARKING ~ FREE & PAID

On-street parking is usually available within a 3-block radius.  Remember that it’s OK to park in yellow commercial zones after 6:00 and that meters are also free after 6:00.  You can also park in the lot behind Shakespeare Pub two doors down, but do not park in El Indio's lot unless you want your car towed!  If you can’t find parking next to the restaurant, there’s always LOTS OF PARKING on San Diego Avenue and the adjacent side streets just past the Chevron station across Washington Street.  There's also a huge pay parking lot ($1 per hour) at the Mission Brewery Building two blocks south at the corner of Washington & Hancock.  (You'll have to take San Diego Avenue to Noell to Hancock to get there due to the one-way streets.)  So please don't drive yourself crazy endlessly going around in circles waiting to pounce on that perfect spot when there's TONS OF PARKING less than three blocks away!

WINE NOTES & BOTTLE PRICES

2007 Trevor Jones "Virgin" Chardonnay ~ $15

(Barossa Valley, Australia) The finished wine is a complex style displaying rich ripe Chardonnay fruit with some fruit characters reminiscent of peach and lychee. There is an underlying richness provided by the time spent on lees combined with subtle complexity of the Malo ferment component. The finish is soft with a hint of fruit sweetness balanced with an approachable acid level to leave a long, savory, flavorsome finish.

2006 Felsina Chianti Classico Berardenga ~ $22

(Italy) Lavender and blackberry aromas follow through to a medium-to-full body, with a solid core of fruit and a tangy aftertaste of citrus fruit and dried cherry. Best after 2009. 15,000 cases made. (WS 90 ~ #51 on Top 100 List)

2007 Luca Malbec ~ $32

(Argentina) Review by Wine Spectator (#82 on Top 100 List) ~ 93 points: Really goes for the gusto, with dark fig sauce, melted purple licorice, mocha, fruitcake and crushed boysenberry and blueberry fruit, all gliding along rich, velvety tannins. Long, mouthfilling finish. Drink now through 2012. 1,700 cases made.

2005 Two Hands "Bad Impersonator" Shiraz ~ $32

(Australia) Review by Robert Parker ~ 90 points: The 2005 Shiraz “Bad Impersonator” was sourced from a single vineyard and aged in French oak, 20% new.  It offers a bouquet of cedar, spice box, pepper, clove and blueberry.  This leads to a layered wine with excellent depth, silky tannins, fine balance and elegance.  Drink this lengthy, fruit-filled wine over the next 6 years.  Two Hands is a negociant operation run impeccably by Michael Twelftree.  It reflects the best that can be sourced from all over South Australia.

2004 Chateau Grand Piquey Sauternes ~ $15 (375ml)

(France) Deep golden color. Shows a rich and concentrated sweetness with notes of ripe peach, yellow apple and honey flavors.