Wine Vault & Bistro, San Diego

Back in December, Hubby and I went to Wine Vault & Bistro in San Diego for the first time. Dinner, was, simply put, amazing. For $35 per person, we had a 5-course tasting menu, each course with a paired wine. This was a special event, highlighting the wines of Gérard Bertrand, an importer with vineyards in the Languedoc region of France.

First course: Black Missing Fig | Chèvre | Fried Shallots | Candied Bacon | Wild Arugula | Pistachios
Wine: 2007 Gérard Bertrand Cremant de Limoux

2nd course: House Smoked Salmon Rilletes | Toasted Brioche | Tarragon Pistou | Petite Herbs
Wine: 2008 Gérard Bertrand Chardonnay

3rd course: Duck Confit Roulade | Fried Quail Egg | Red Wine Gastrique | Frisée
Wine: 2007 Gérard Bertrand Minervois

4th course: Sous Vide Tri Tip | Sunchoke Purée | Caramelized Garlic | Bloomsdale Spinach
Wine: 2007 Gérard Bertrand Pic Saint Loup

5th course: "Boeuf Bourguignon" | Braised Maitake Mushrooms | Pearl Onions | Pommes Purée | Watercress
Wine: 2007 Gérard Bertrand Chateau L'Hospitalet Rouge

This past Fat Tuesday, we had the opportunity to visit Wine Vault for the 2nd time. This was, of course, a Mardi Gras dinner, again for the phenomenal price of $35 per person. (I apologize for the picture quality, the lighting was horrendous, as is my iPhone camera.)

1st course: Asparagus "Benedict" | Biscuit | Béarnaise | Poached Egg | Bacon Jam
2nd course: Pickled Apricot | Hazelnut | Crème Fraîche | Watercress
Beer: Abita Amber Lager

3rd course: Shrimp "Po Boy" | Braised Lettuce | Hot Sauce "Mayo" | Pickles | Crostini
4th course: Dungeness Crab Cake | Creole Mustard Aioli | Pickled Pepper Relish
Wine: 2008 Halter Ranch "Ranch White" Rhône White Blend

5th course: Gumbo | Crispy Braised Pork | Micro Celery
6th course: Andouille Sausage | Black Eyed Peaks | Okra
Wine: 2008 Sextant "Wheelhouse" Zinfandel

7th course: Charred Strip Loin | Red Beans 'n' Rice | Onion Chutney | Fried Broccolini
8th course: Braised Short Ribs | Grits | Goat Cheese | Smoked Paprika Chimichurri
Wine: 2006 Saddleback Cellars Merlot

9th course: Brioche Beignet | Espresso Ganache | Steamed Milk
10th Course: Housemande Cappuccino Truffle
Beverage: Cafe Brûlot Diabolique (Devilishly Burnt Coffee)

Based on these two magnificent dinners, I can assure you we'll be visiting again in the future.