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 33 different foods that have purported aphrodisiac qualities and were able to incorporate a whopping two-thirds 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, ARUGULA, ASPARAGUS, avocado, bananas, BASIL, BROCCOLI RABE, CARROTS, CHILI PEPPERS, CHOCOLATE, COFFEE, CORIANDER, FENNEL, FIGS, GARLIC, GINGER, HONEY, licorice, mustard, nutmeg, OLIVE OIL, oysters, pineapple, PINE NUTS, POMEGRANATE, PUMPKIN SEEDS, RASPBERRIES, 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 “sneak peek” of some wines from upcoming winemaker dinners including a Chardonnay from Obsidian, a Tempranillo from Bokisch and Justin’s iconic, super-premium “Isosceles” Bordeaux blend. As always, we'll end with a serving of our Spanish Orange Brandy.

NOTE: Due to the complexity of this menu we regret that we will be unable to accommodate vegetarian requests or extensive menu aberrations. Also, in the event any of the wines or food become unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute others of equal or greater value.

MENU

Chef’s Whim Amuse-Bouche

Frozen Mini Cosmo (1.5 oz. pour)

Arugula Salad with Roasted Pears + Wine-Poached Figs | Prosciutto | Blue Cheese | Toasted Pine Nuts | Pomegranate + Honey Vinaigrette

2021 Gerard Bertrand Cremant de Limoux Brut Rose (4 oz. pour)

Garlic Blackened Prawns | Charred Broccoli Rabe | Grilled Lemon | Buttered Jasmine Rice

2023 Obsidian “Poseidon Vineyard” Chardonnay (8 oz. bottle per couple to share)

Carrot + Ginger Bisque | Basil Lemongrass Chicken | Fennel Pistou with Pumpkin Seeds + Chili | Coriander Crème Fraîche

2019 Bokisch Tempranillo (8 oz. bottle per couple to share)

Filet Mignon | Twice-Baked Potato with Truffle Butter | Grilled Asparagus

2020 Justin “Isosceles” Bordeaux Blend (8 oz. bottle per couple to share)

Dark Chocolate + Espresso Mousse | Vanilla Poached Raspberries

Magdala Spanish Orange Brandy (1 oz. pour)

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RSVP

Please RSVP by clicking on the “Contact the Host” button in the box on the top right and responding with the following information.

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

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

Seating is EXTREMELY limited. We have a limited number of tables for couples who want to sit by themselves so please let us know if you’re willing to sit at communal tables 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!) We also have the two firepit tables on the patio for two (https://www.winevaultbistro.com/fire-pit) available if you don’t mind sitting at a lower, coffee table height table. 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. We are currently limiting party sizes to a maximum of six.

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

On-street parking is usually available within a 3-block radius and meters are also free on Sunday. 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. 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 SALES

Although some wines may be in limited quantities, all wines poured at this dinner will be available for purchase at the restaurant until sold out. We reserve the right to limit sales of any rare or allocated wines at our discretion.

WINE NOTES & BOTTLE PRICES

2021 Gerard Bertrand Cremant de Limoux Brut Rose ~ $19

(France) Winemaker's Note: Salmon-pink color with glimmering reflections. Complex bouquet with long-lasting aromas of strawberry and raspberry with background hints of toasted bread. Delicate bubbles and an extraordinary vivacity on the palate with a rich, indulgent texture.

2023 Obsidian “Poseidon Vineyard” Chardonnay ~ $28

(Carneros, Napa Valley) Winemaker's Notes: The vibrant acidity and intense fruit this site is known for are on full display in this particularly bright and citrusy vintage yet mellowed somewhat by the roundness of texture that comes from aging in Hungarian oak. For as crisp as this wine is, the mouthfeel is lush and full, and the flavors and finish are fruitful and complex.

2019 Bokisch Tempranillo ~ $25

(Lodi) Winemaker’s Notes: Nose has notes of green apple along with aromas of sizzling bacon, hints of dark cherry and earthiness. As it unfolds on the palate, juicy blackberries, a zesty twist of orange-infused chocolate, and delicate hints of hickory smoke evoke memories of relaxed summer evenings around a bonfire.

2020 Justin “Isosceles” Bordeaux Blend ~ $65

(Paso Robles) Winemaker’s Notes: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc +6% Merlot. Attractively aromatic and complex with ripe black and red cherry, black currant, new book leather, cedar, tobacco, vanilla bean, licorice and oak. Full-bodied on the palate with ripe complex cherry, cassis and a subtle red berry fruit on entry. Vanilla, licorice and baking spice lead into the midpalate, showing complex savory notes of cedar, tobacco leaf and leather. The very long, complex and continually changing finish is a progression of sustained ripe cherry fruit accented by baking spice and oak notes with smooth chewy tannins and balanced acidity adding depth and freshness.

Magdala Spanish Orange Brandy ~ $35

(Spain) A Mediterranean orange liqueur made by steeping orange peels in grape brandy carefully distilled in small batches at the Torres distillery in Barcelona. Ageing in old oak casks produces an aromatic elixir, silky in texture and exceptionally elegant.

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