EAST COUNTY EATER: VINZ WINE BAR OFFERS ABUNDANCE TO SAVOR

By the East County Eater

Vinz Wine Bar
201 East Grand Ave. 

Escondido, CA         

(760) 743-8466
http://vinzwinebar.net/ 

September 7, 2011 (Escondido) – Situated in the heart of downtown Escondido, the Vinz Wine Bar is an ideal place to savor a quiet lunch, "happier hour", or dinner and—coming soon—night life complete with a new piano bar. The European-style eatery specializes in “small plate” offerings, such as an array of “wine bites” that are both delectable and affordable.
 

“Wine is the first thing, closest to my heart,” says owner Vinnie Griffin. “We have 40 to 50 wines by the glass.” There are also port wines, draft and bottled beers available—with cocktails to be served up next, since the establishment just got a full liquor license approved. Watch for a piano bar to open up in an adjacent space in the next 30 days.

Griffin started out opening up a continental-style deli (now Vinz Deli) nearby. Then a building at the corner of Grand and Kalmia came available, and the wine bar was born. The ambience exudes warmth, as does the hospitality.

My companion and I feasted on an array of savory fare. Light and flaky phyllo crusted, baked goat cheese proved a mouth-watering appetizer complete with lavender-scented honey and pistachios served with a floral-cut strawberry. It was also easy to taste why a Tuscan salad served with pears, prosciutto, gorgonzola and arugula, is a popular menu item.

We also sampled a Lucini artisan salami plate, European bread trio, and marinated olives—all leading up to main course offerings of vegetarian lasagna, cucumber salmon and a pizza made with the family’s secret – and satisfying—crust recipe. A glass of Sonoma Davenport Zinfandel, rich and mellow, provided added enhancement.
 

The value is excellent, with “wine bites” starting as low as $3 for roasted nuts and fruits up to $12 for more filling fare, with plenty of gourmet goodies in the mid-range, such as lobster ravioli Alfredo. Entrees at lunchtime ranged from around $10 for a margherita pizza with tomato and fresh basil up to $17 for filet mignon topped with Merlot reduction thyme demi-glace and gorgonzola cheese.

Choose from an intimate indoor ambience or outdoor dining at shaded umbrella tables. Of note to dog owners: Vinz Wine Bar is pet friendly, even offering a special “mutt’s menu” for your canine companion on the patio featuring entrees such as “puppy pizza” and “bowser beer” (non-alcoholic). “Every Wednesday night is dog night,” our waiter, Joey, reveals. “We’ve had up to eighty dogs in one night,” he said, adding that vintages for dog owners were poured by East County’s own Woof ‘n’ Rose Winery.
 

Our only regret? We had no room left to sample desserts, tempting though they sounded. We each look forward to returning—and trying such choices as homemade blueberry cobbler served with vanilla bean gelato, a dark chocolate “Volcano” with molten Belgian chocolate ganache, baked goat cheese pastry with passion fruit sorbet, and of course—homemade Tira Misu.