Vino, Encino, CA

Jessie and I decided to hang out last Sunday and on a whim, we decided to go for a lovely drive through the Sepulveda Pass and explore the infamous Ventura Blvd. in the Valley. As we perused the myriad options of chain restaurants, we began to wonder if coming to the Valley was such a good idea after all. And as we entered Tarzana, we quickly turned around, and decided to make a run back into the safe haven of the 310.

However, our snobbery was quashed when we stumbled across a cute little restaurant called "Vino," which featured a Sunday brunch with all you can drink Mimosas, champagne, or sangria, and included a three course tapas meal, AND an all you can eat cheese spread. All of this for... *gasp* $18.95. We were seriously in shock at our luck.

Jess sipped on her mimosa, and I on my sangria. Between the two of us, we ordered the Tortilla Espanola, the spinach and mushroom omelette, the Paella, and the Shrimp and chorizo angel hair pasta.

The service here is great, a cute little Persian couple runs the joint, and they were extraordinarily nice to us. An older gentleman (presumably the owner) brought us fresh shrimps which were sauteed in olive oil, garlic and pepper flakes as an amuse bouche. The peel and eat shrimp were not bad, they were pretty fresh.

As for the rest of the food, I would have to say it was mediocre at best. The "paella" tasted like rice-a-roni with one piece of breakfast sausage in it. Jessica and I figured out well into the meal that the chef did not use spanish rice, but rather Persian rice. Additionally, the fact that there was no seafood in the paella (or chorizo for that matter) made it even more offensive. The omelette was just okay, nothing too exciting. The tortilla espanola is much better at Primitivo, it was lacking in flavor. And the angel hair pasta really needed some flavor. I wanted to douse it with salt, just so I could actually taste something. We were also served a dessert, tiramisu paired with chocolate cake, which was actually not bad-- but then again, I'm not exactly a dessert connosieur.

The best part of meal, I'd have to say was the cheap drinks and extensive cheese spread. On the side of the bar lays a HUGE cheese board with cambozola, brie, fresh mozzerella, manchego, and Gouda. It is a self-serve station, where they also have fresh hot baguettes to spread the cheeses on. We gorged on a ton of cheese, hot crusty bread and our drinks, and honestly, that alone is worth $18.95.

I would certainly come back here for a Sunday brunch, even though it is kind of out of the way. The food may be medocre, but the place makes up for it in service and price!



Vino: Wine and Tapas Room
18046 Ventura Blvd.
Encino, CA 91316
(818) 343-2525
http://www.vinowineroom.com/menu.htm