THE GRAPEVINE
Here’s some fun wine vocabulary: The scent of young wine is
called “an aroma,” while in a mature wine it’s called a “bouquet.” Slip those
words into your conversation at one of these upcoming wine events and
sound like a seasoned sommelier.
Romantic pairings are precisely what Valentine’s Day is all about, and
what more romantic culinary pairing is there than wine and chocolate?
The Valentine’s Artisan Chocolate and Wine Pairing Class at Silver
Mountain Vineyards (269 Silver Mountain Drive, Los Gatos) shows
participants how to make their own luscious dark chocolates with organic
herbs, flowers and other ingredients, while sipping award-winning Silver
Creek wine. Everyone leaves with chocolates and a bottle of wine. The $150 class
is noon-4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 10. Visit silvermtn.com for information.
The family-owned Villa del Monte Winery (23076 Summit Road, Los Gatos) in
the Santa Cruz Mountains opens up one weekend a month to offer winemaker-led
tastings of its varietals, like cabernet, chardonnay, merlot and dessert wines. Winemakers
answer your questions about viticulture and the local winemaking scene.
If it’s not too busy, they’ll pull out a special bottle to taste. Tasting flights are $5.
They’re open noon-5pm, Feb. 24-25 and March 24-25.
After a successful inaugural event last year drawing thousands, Hop ’N Vine
Festival and Market is back for another round March 10, 2-7 p.m., at the Santa
Clara County Fairgrounds (344 Tully Road). The festival features wines and craft
beers from Santa Clara County, and offers the “Hop ’N Vine University,” where
festival-goers learn about the county’s history of growing grapes and hops. Participating
wineries include Aver Family, Fortino, Guglielmo, Picchetti and many
others. Advance tickets are $55, $65 at the gate. Visit thefairgrounds.org/hop-nvine
102 South Bay Accent
Huntington Station, 30 E. Third St., Morgan
Hill. 408/779-3376. Generously portioned beef,
chicken, seafood and pasta entrees are served up in
a casual, sports pub atmosphere. $$
John Bentley’s, 2915 El Camino Real, Redwood
City. 650/365-7777. A fun and
lively spot, John Bentley’s combines
warmth and elegance with outstanding
service and an appetizing
menu. $$
Lalla Grill, 55 River Oaks
Pl., San Jose, 408/618-8072.
The mirrored 15-foot-long
wall of spirits and colorful
mod architectural theme
set the tone for vibrant dishes
including ahi ceviche. $$
The Loft Bar & Bistro, 90 S. Second
St., San Jose. 408/291-0677. Contemporary
and casual restaurant in a historic
downtown building, featuring great appetizers,
tapas style. $
Los Altos Grill, 233 Third St., Los Altos. 650/948-
3524. Dinner spot features tasty dishes, including
rotisserie pork chops and a spicy tuna burger. $$
Madera, 2825 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park. 650/
561-1540. Signature restaurant of Rosewood Sand
Hill Hotel features wood-burning grill to produce
artful seafood and meats. $$$
Menlo Grill Bistro & Bar (Stanford Park Hotel),
100 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. 650/330-2790.
Innovative take on classic American dishes that are
made with fresh, sustainable ingredients. $$–$$$
Moss Beach Distillery, 140 Beach Way, Moss
Beach. 650/728-5595. Historic tavern offers
breathtaking Pacific Ocean views and a menu of
all-natural meats, wild-caught seafood and organic
produce, along with select wines and cocktails. $$
Nola, 535 Ramona St., Palo Alto. 650/ 328-2722.
This funky, popular spot brings New Orleans style
to the South Bay. $$
Orchard City Kitchen (The Pruneyard) 1875 S.
Bascom Ave., Suite 190, Campbell. 408/340-5285.
Led by Michelin-recognized Executive Chef Jeffrey
Stout, OCK offers inventive, seasonal dishes. $$
Parcel 104 (Santa Clara Marriot) 2700 Mission
College Blvd., Santa Clara. 408/ 970-6104. Seasonal
menu from acclaimed chefs Bradley Ogden
and Jonathan Hall combines freshness and sophistication.
$$$
Park Station Hashery, 1701 Park Ave, San Jose.
408/320-1711. Thanks to deep roots in the San
Jose culinary scene, this homey spot elevates the
neighborhood restaurant concept. $–$$
Paul Martin’s, Mountain View, 650/917-9941;
San Mateo, 650/212-7400. Wide-ranging selection
of tasty seafood, beef and poultry dishes served in a
relaxed, contemporary setting. $$
Roots + Rye, 3055 Olin Ave., San Jose. 408/429-
2909. Buzzing with energy, this lively “new American”
restaurant specializes in handcrafted signature
cocktails and contemporary comfort cuisine. The
open concept layout adds to the airy, refreshing
vibe of the space, inviting guests to socialize
and mingle. Crave-worthy dishes include hamachi
with avocado mousseline, roasted cauliflower
with almonds and dried figs, foie gras with unagi
glaze, house made spam, and sunny egg, aged duck
breast with swiss chard and cherry. With a bustling
atmosphere and one of the largest selections of
throughout the Bay
Area. Build your own
burger with more than
300,000 combinations to
choose from. $
District, 65 N. San Pedro St., San Jose. 669/292-
5252. The well-rounded menu features shareable
plates, pizza, house-made charcuterie, and wines
and whiskeys from around the world. $-$$
Eureka!, 19369 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino,
669/266-6752. Burgers take center stage at this
gourmet gastropub. Bone marrow, bison and Fresno
fig are just a few of Eureka’s innovative interpretations.
$$
Flights, Los Gatos 408/354-3434, Campbell
408/364-1564.Good things often come in threes,
and Alexander Hult’s new eatery in downtown Los
Gatos serves its upscale comfort food tapas-style
in “tasty trios” along of flights of wine, beer, and
cocktails. $$-$$$
Hangar Steak, 1800 Old Bayshore Highway, Burlingame.
650/552-3505. Part of the Marriott, this
standout New American steakhouse offers delightful
dining by the bay. $$
to purchase.
The winemakers of the Livermore Valley pull out all the stops for their
annual Barrel Tasting Weekend March 10-11. Visitors taste vino
right out of the barrels, as winemakers talk about the winemaking
process. There are other fun events and surprises. Dozens
of wineries take part, including Concannon Vineyard,
Garré Vineyard and Winery and Wente Vineyards. Tickets
cover both days and are $45 in advance or $55 on the day
of. Find out more at lvwine.org. —
Pam Marino
200 DINING HOT SPOTS
The Sea
Alexander’s
Steakhouse
