In this newsletter:
MOUNTAIN VIEW INN: BACCHANALIAN DELIGHTS
—November Wine Tasting
—Winemaker Dinner
MAIN STREET, VENTURA: COMFORT, WITH A HINT OF ADVENTURE
—BellRinger Brewing
—Night Owl Ciderworks
THE PUB CRAWL
MOUNTAIN VIEW INN: BACCHANALIAN DELIGHTS
November Wine Tasting
At the wine tasting we attended Saturday, November 22, the lineup of wines had changed a bit, as owner Ken Wiseman’s Heritage Valley Sauvignon Blanc had sold out. Instead, we sampled the Iconoclast Chardonnay. This Russian River (Sonoma County) sweetheart glides over the tongue with fresh fruit flavors and a hint of oak. I’m not a big Chardonnay fan, but this would be a go-to for me. Nothing is overdone here, and it pairs nicely with soft cheeses and warm afternoons.
We were also treated to the 2018 Ink Grade from Andosol in Napa Valley. There’s a reason it’s called “Ink Grade.” I’ll give you three guesses and the first two don’t count. Yep, it’s deep, dark, and tannic — an inky blend of Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon that feels at once both mysterious and familiar, like it should be standing on a dimly lit street corner wearing a fedora and trench coat, circa 1942. The winery’s tasting notes mention an aroma of “tar,” but my imagination immediately translated it into something softer and more writerly: the ink of a favorite ballpoint, or the scent of typewriter ribbon. (Ah, the good ol’ days, when I did my best to keep the Wite-Out folks in business!)
As the sun sank over the horizon, we decided to stay for dinner. Our dog, Ruby, had other ideas. The lawn around the inn is verdant and plush — she loves trotting through it, exploring the perimeter of the property. Fair enough. But then, every time I took her for a pee break, she made a break instead for the Inn’s sister business, the Corazón de Piru, coffee shop by day/bar by night. As if she could hear the wine and beer already being poured.
When I told Dale’s mom about this, she quipped: “She’s your seeing-eye dog. She just guides you to all the bars.”
It’s like Ruby knows me or something.
If you go…
Wine tastings are held on select Saturdays, usually every six to eight weeks, depending on the Inn’s schedule. And they’re free. No tasting fees, no reservations required.
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM, followed by dinner.
Always stay for the dinner service. Their food is fantastic.
Want to take a bottle home — or crack it open right there? Receive $10 off your purchase.
General Manager and Level 2 sommelier, Rick McDaniel, leads the tastings with a deep love of wine and several years’ experience in the industry. His approach is down-to-earth and no-nonsense. He’ll talk about the winery, the vineyard(s), and the varietal(s) and why he chose that particular wine. Often, his notes are peppered with anecdotes or his particular views on a subject (most notably, that wine should be approachable). There’s plenty of humor. And then you’re left alone to sample and enjoy. No snobbery. No leading you through tasting notes like you’re studying for a wine exam. Just gracious good fun.
Wine tasting pro tip
It’s perfectly fine to use the dump buckets provided at a wine tasting. They can save you from getting shit-faced over the course of a tasting and/or give you a ready out for any wine you don’t care for.
I think this, however, may be frowned upon…
Winemaker Dinner
This last Sunday morning, Dale and I woke up late, sleeping off the buzz and “puppy belly” of the previous night’s bacchanalia. This was a “Holy shit!” kind of affair. Six courses, plus an amuse bouche, and enough wine to make a Roman god blush.
The food is next level, something you might find in tonier zip codes like Los Angeles or Santa Barbara/Montecito. Chef Giancarlo and sommelier Rick McDaniel put together a perfectly balanced menu of complementary and contrasting flavors and textures. We marveled to each other as if finding treasure: “Did you get that hint of…??” “They’re serving the Faust Cabernet!” “Oh my God.” “I need a cigarette.” (Come to think of it, maybe it wasn’t just treasure we were finding.)
Right now, the Inn is our little hidden gem, our getaway, our “Hey hon, feel like going to Piru today?” place. It’s a step off dusty roads into another world. On the one hand, we like it this way. It’s still intimate and cozy. On the other hand, we want to see the Inn take its rightful place in the restaurant and hospitality firmament.
Chef’s kiss. Perfection.
MAIN STREET, VENTURA: COMFORT, WITH A HINT OF ADVENTURE
Back in September, the City of Ventura made the wise decision to keep a portion of Main Street closed to vehicle traffic, allowing patrons to amble along the thoroughfare and take their time checking out the many restaurants, bars, and shops — all without having to feed the dreaded parking-meter monster. The Sunday before Thanksgiving was the first time that Dale and I had been in that part of town since we returned from England.
BellRinger Brewing
If you’re not yet familiar with BellRinger, it may be because you once knew it as Anacapa Brewing. A Ventura favorite for 22 years, Anacapa folded a few years ago in the wake of the Covid pandemic. (Damn you, Covid!)
Thankfully, new owners Dan and Emily White came to the rescue, at once remaking Anacapa and paying tribute to it with generous, delicious pub fare and solid brews, which Dale says are even better than Anacapa’s. You can also select from the guest taps featuring local faves like MadeWest, and a limited but decent list of red and white wines. (How about a Zinfandel from the well-regarded Opolo Vineyards in Paso Robles?)
On the day that Dale and I visited, their lunch specials included a pozole verde, which we both ordered and gobbled as if it were our last meal. It was so good it sent me scrambling for a suitable recipe that could match it. Fingers crossed they bring it back.
If you’re in the area and looking to adopt a fur baby, you may want to hit their “Santa Paws” event on December 14.
472 E Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 643-2337
Open at 11:30 AM on weekdays, and at 11:00 AM on weekends.
New Fave: Night Owl Ciderworks
This inviting new cider room features plenty of cozy seating; a long table for large groups to craft, laugh, and gossip; and perhaps the most surprising ciders we’ve come across. Sure, there’s the straight, familiar apple cider. Just apple, fermented to dryness. But have you tried salted caramel cider? This quickly became our fave — it had a well-balanced, robust flavor without being cloying or overly sweet.
And if you’ve ever thought to yourself, “Hm, I’d like an old-fashioned PB&J, but I want to drink it, and I want it to get me drunk,” ask for the peanut butter cider, and then ask for a dollop of jelly to make it complete.
Many of the other ciders are riffs on traditional cocktails, like the mai tai, or the comforts of childhood, like gingerbread cookies. According to co-owner Koreen, cider-making started as a hobby for her husband, John. (Both he and Koreen are teachers.) But after his ciders started winning awards at various contests and shows, Koreen encouraged him to sell his fermented novelties, and a business was born.
If you go…
Enjoy tasting flights, full pours, or ciders to go.
They’re dog-friendly.
They don’t serve food, but pre-packaged snacks are available to purchase.
Their ingredients are all natural — no artificial flavorings.
Many of the ciders pack a heavy-weight wallop with a 9% ABV (give or take). Pace yourself!
And be sure to check out the distinctive artwork on the mugs lining the walls. The artist’s backstory will surprise you.
607C E Main St.
Ventura, CA 93001
Mon/Wed/Thurs: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Friday – Saturday: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
THE PUB CRAWL
Because our birthdays fall so close together, Dale and I decided to celebrate together with a Santa Paula pub crawl. Santa Paula is ideal for such a thing — with many of the best restaurants, bars, and taprooms within a one-mile radius in Downtown, you can easily “crawl” (or stagger or stumble) from place to place without needing a designated driver.*
Although there are a number of pub-crawl variations you can try, we kept to our favorites:
El Capricho: Some of the finest Mexican food around and killer margaritas.
Rabalais’ Bistro: Where Dale and I first met 11 years ago. Yummy, happy-hour appetizers with Cajun/Rabalais’ twists. (Try their pulled-pork nachos served not on tortilla chips, but with their own house-made potato chips.) Two of the best bartenders around — Leo and Josh — are slinging some knock-you-sideways cocktails.
Parque 1055: Casual elegance, great cocktails, and killer French fries! (Best with the aioli sauce.)
The Glen Tavern Inn/Enzo’s: We love how well the new management has revitalized both the inn and the restaurant with a campy, kitschy sense of whimsy and an embrace of their historically haunted reputation — while maintaining their essential warmth and coziness. It truly is a unique experience.
Also, a shoutout to Sylvia, the warm and welcoming soul you might encounter at the front desk, handling check-ins and -outs, fielding questions, and making sure there are no shenanigans afoot — all with the patience of a saint. And if you’re nice, she might even tell you a ghost story.
*Even if you don’t need a designated driver in Downtown, you may still need one to get home. Alternatively, book an overnight stay at The Glen Tavern or the Santa Paula Inn, both of which offer comfortable rooms at reasonable prices.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.