San Diego Tip from Winoweenie

[wondersofwine]

WW, Read that you are on the Sea of Cortez (a Steinbeck locale). I just returned from another Steinbeck locale (Monterey County, CA) and two nights in San Diego. Wanted to thank you for your tip about Vintage Wines on Miramar Drive and Aux Delices Restaurant above the wine shop. Both lived up to their reputation. Aux Delices menu was so enticing that it took me about 10-15 minutes just to decide on a salad! (Had their Salad Aux Delices with fresh greens, Feta, Emmenthal and Parmesan cheese and an herbal vinaigrette). Then had an ebly risotto with wild mushrooms and sage figuring that would leave me room for a dessert (chocolate/caramel/macadamia nut tart). Accompanied the salad and risotto with a New Zealand sauvignon blanc. Another night in San Diego I dined at Cafe Coyote in Old Town with my nephew and his girl friend. Good Mexican food with Sangria.
In Monterey and Pacific Grove and Carmel-by-the-Sea I got my fill of artichokes and zucchini and sand dabs (local fish). Enjoyed 2000 Sterling Cabernet Sauvignon with Kansas City strip steak at John Pisto's Whaling Station. The cabernet was very drinkable now. Had a half bottle of red wine with delectable lamb shanks at Anton and Michel in Carmel but I didn't write down which wine and memory escapes me. Skipped the appetizer to have some dessert--creme brulee. While in Monterey area I did wine tastings at Baywood Cellars tasting room (see "other" wines) and at Chateau Julien.