Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce our annual Valentine’s dinner for you to share with your sweetheart. As we’ve done in years past, before we designed this menu, we did some research and found 46 different foods that have purported aphrodisiac qualities and were able to incorporate a whopping 33 of them into this menu! (So if you don't get "lucky" after having this menu it's not our fault!!!) Here they are in alphabetical order with the ones in this menu highlighted in ALL CAPS: ALMONDS, aniseed, apples, artichokes, ARUGULA, ASPARAGUS, AVOCADO, bananas, BASIL, BEETS, BROCCOLI RABE, CARROTS, CAVIAR, CELERY, CHERRIES, CHILI PEPPERS, CHOCOLATE, cloves, COFFEE, CORIANDER, CUCUMBERS, eggs, FENNEL, FIGS, GARLIC, GINGER, HONEY, licorice, MUSTARD, nutmeg, OLIVE OIL, oysters, PINEAPPLE. PINE NUTS, PISTACHIOS, POMEGRANATES, PUMPKIN SEEDS, radishes, raspberries, SAFFRON, SALMON, strawberries, TRUFFLES, VANILLA, watermelons and, last but definitely not least, WINE!

The wines are equally special, too, and include a refreshing sparkling Brut Rosé from France plus a reserve Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa and Sonoma plus a “sneak peek” of the Garnacha Blanca from our upcoming Bokisch winemaker dinner. As always, we'll end with a serving of our decadent Bourbon Cream.

We hope you'll be able to join us for what promises to be a fun evening of tasting great wines paired with great food! Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement and the menu is below.

Doors open at 5:15 for happy hour and dinner starts promptly at 6:00. Cost is $119.50 for all six courses and all six paired beverages. Sales tax and a 20% gratuity will be added which brings the total to about $153. Due to limited seating, credit card reservations are a must. We accept Visa and MasterCard only.

MENU

Amuse Bouche Trio:

Roasted Beets | Fig Vincotto | Fennel Frond

Cucumber Timbale with Lemon Crème Fraiche + Caviar

Roasted Carrots | Greek Yoghurt | Toasted Pine Nuts

Mini Frozen Cosmo (1.5 oz. pour)

Grilled Chili-Garlic Prawns with Lemongrass + Kafir Lime | Pineapple + Ginger Salsa

NV Dom. des Varinelles Cremant de Loire Brut Rose (4 oz. pour)

Smoked Salmon | Grilled Asparagus | Coriander + Avocado Dressing | Toasted Almonds

2024 Conn Creek “Reserve” Carneros/Napa Chardonnay (8 oz. bottle per couple to share)

Honey Mustard Blackened Chicken Breast | Saffron Rice | Arugula with Pumpkin Seed Vinaigrette

2021 Bokisch “Terra Alta Vineyard” Garnacha (8 oz. bottle per couple to share)

Petite Filet of Angus Beef | Pomegranate Demi-Glace | Celery Root + Truffle Mash | Charred Broccolini Drizzled with Basil Olive Oil

2023 Hibou "Sonoma Valley" Cabernet Sauvignon (8 oz. bottle per couple to share)

Ice Cream Sundae: Vanilla Gelato | Chocolate Sauce | Espresso Dust | Luxardo Cherries | Pistachio Crumbles

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream (1.5 oz. pour)

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RSVP (IF ON A DESKTOP COMPUTER)

Click the “Contact the Host” button in the “Tell a Friend” box on to the right and respond with the info below. 

RSVP (IF ON A MOBILE DEVICE)

Scroll to the very bottom of this posting. Click the “Contact the Host” button in the “Tell a Friend” box at the bottom and respond with the info below.

RESPOND WITH THIS INFO

1. your cell number and best time to call so we can call you to update your credit card info

2. how many people are in your party, and

3. answers to the HEAD’S UP questions in the paragraph below if you’re a party of 1 or 2.

HEAD’S UP

We have a very limited number of tables for couples who want to sit by themselves so please let us know if you’re willing to sit at long communal tables (“Last Supper” style) as that will greatly increase your chances of getting in. (Yes, we understand that this is a Valentine’s dinner and that most folks will want a private table and, yes, we will do our best to accommodate that but at some point we max out on private tables!) We also have a firepit table for two (https://www.winevaultbistro.com/fire-pit) available so let us know if you’re OK with that table if you want to sit by yourselves. Also, please consider inviting another couple or two to join you as if you’re a party of four or six there won’t be a problem getting your own table. 

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

Metered and non-metered on-street parking is usually available within a 3-block radius. Try to find non-metered parking as the new meters are now enforced seven days a day until 8:00PM yet still only allow a maximum of two hours. You can also park in the free 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 usually parking on the side streets behind the restaurant, on San Diego Avenue one block in front of the restaurant and on the adjacent side streets just past the Chevron station across Washington Street. If you plan to drive here make sure to allow yourself plenty of time to find a parking space but ideally use a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft so you don’t have to deal with it.

WINE NOTES & BOTTLE PRICES

NV Dom. des Varinelles Cremant de Loire Brut Rose ~ $22

(France) Winemaker's Notes: 100% Pinot Noir. Nose of strawberries and redcurrants with a complex background salinity. Fresh flavors of red fruits with elegant and delicate bubbles.

2024 Conn Creek “Reserve” Carneros/Napa Chardonnay ~ $34

(Carneros, Napa Valley) Winemaker's Notes: Initial complex aromas of ripe pear and green apple, underscored by notes of vanilla and baking spices from the barrel fermentation. Subtle hints of tropical fruits like pineapple and lychee emerge alongside notes of citrus zest and a touch of floral jasmine. Full-bodied and well-balanced palate with initial flavors echoing the nose along with pronounced notes of ripe peach and apricot complemented by a round and textured mid-palate. The influence of the oak adds layers of complexity, while the bright acidity from the cool, maritime Carneros growing conditions provide freshness and balance to the richness.

2021 Bokisch “Terra Alta Vineyard” Garnacha ~ $23

(Clements Hills, Lodi) Winemaker’s Notes: Captivating nose is an interplay of sea mist and cedar mingling with the scents of rhubarb, wild strawberry and ripe raspberry. The palate comes alive with a medley of spices featuring cinnamon, cranberries and dried cherries. Harmonious finish is a fusion of powdered chocolate and cocoa. Has grippy upfront tannins transitioning to a juicy mouthfeel with a lingering finish all elegantly balanced with great acidity.

2023 Hibou "Sonoma Valley" Cabernet Sauvignon ~ $44

(Sonoma Valley) Winemaker's Notes: A bold yet beautifully refined expression of Cabernet. Nose of blackberry and cassis followed by secondary notes of violet, cocoa and cedar. Rich layers of dark fruit are gracefully balanced by hints of espresso, spice and a touch of savory graphite. Firm, polished tannins provide structure while a vibrant core of freshness carries through to a long, powerful finish. Elegant and age-worthy. ~~~ Review by Decanter ~ 94 points: A classic Sonoma Cab featuring layers of blackberry and black-cherry fruit, tobacco, toasty oak and graphite nuances tinged with a trace of espresso-bean oil. The richly expressive oak character brings out hints of blue fruit, all of which translate seamlessly to the palate. This is a bold, full-bodied and firmly tannic wine with great power and drive.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream ~ $20

A rich, cream liqueur with vanilla notes made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon. Enjoy it chilled, on the rocks, over ice cream, or add some to your coffee for an indulgent after dinner (or brunch!) treat.

THE FINE PRINT

Due to fluctuations of supply, we reserve the right to make substitutions of equal or greater value in case any of the wines or foods become unavailable. Please, ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 ... even if your babysitter flakes out on you at the last minute!

Hope to see you here. Buon appetito and cheers!

Chris