The nights have been cold recently, but it's nothing a delicious meal and a great glass of wine can't cure. January is about foods like pot pies, braises and crostatas that warm the body and please the taste buds. With root vegetables and leafy greens flooding the market, there is no better time for this kind of food. This month brings beautiful Heirloom Spinach, Turnips, Romanesco, Tangerines and Meyer Lemons. It's also a great time for big, chewy red wines, like Syrah and California's native grape, Zinfandel, which pair so well with these hearty dishes. In January we are celebrating all of these ingredients, but we are also celebrating a very special construction project that has already added to the overall dining experience at Rustic Canyon. In late December we added 25 acoustical sound panels installed on the ceiling throughout the bar, main dining room, and the booth areas, which have had a wonderful quieting effect. The room remains vibrant and alive but much easier to chat over dinner. We look forward to your thoughts during your next visit.
The January Menu starts with a delicious soup of Beluga Lentils topped with Niman Ranch Bacon (or without for a vegetarian starter). The cold waters bring beautiful Luna Oysters from Carlsbad, served on the half shell, with Champagne Mignonette. Duck Rillette makes its first appearance on the Rustic Canyon menu. This rich, decadent treat is served with grilled bread and House Made Mustard and Cornichons. Niman Ranch Short Ribs also make their first appearance, served with a Creamy Parmesan Polenta, Cavalo Nero and Cipollini Onions. This month's sides are a collection of the best veggies the market has to offer--Heirloom Spinach cooked with Pine Nuts and Raisins, Romanesco (a dramatic looking form of cauliflower) served with Roasted Shallots, and Brussels Sprouts--crispy and caramelized with an accent of Niman Ranch Bacon. Inspired by how surprisingly sweet Pudwill Farm's raspberries are this time of year, Zoe has created a delicious Raspberry Crostata with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. Also new on the dessert menu is a Flourless Chocolate Walnut Torte with Crème Fraiche Whipped Cream, a salty-sweet and moist chocolate cake to fulfill your sweet tooth without leaving you stuffed. (Click here to view the complete January Menu)
We mentioned earlier that this month's menu is a perfect match for Zinfandel, but we often forget just how special this varietal is. While Europe boasts of old vine Cabernet, Merlot, Sangiovese and Tempranillo to name a few, California is still relatively young in many of the wine varietals it produces. Zinfandel is the exception. This wonderful varietal has been grown in California for over 100 years, and served as the workhorse grape for people during the Gold Rush. While much of the wine back then was most likely not up to our current standards, many of the vines and rich soils remain, and for this reason Californian Zinfandel is some of the most delicious and intriguing wine around. The Martinelli family provides one example of today's producers that have a rich history in Zinfandel and have evolved their production to create world-class wines. Over 100 years ago Giuseppe and Luisa Martinelli planted Zinfandel throughout their Russian River Valley property for their own consumption as well as entertaining. 100 years later their grandson, Lee Martinelli Sr., began planting these same vineyards to create some of the most delicious and sought after wines around. Martinelli's 'Giuseppe and Luisa Vineyard' Zinfandel ($60 half bottle/$110full bottle) is a gorgeous wine, full of plum and fig, paring perfectly with the Berkshire Pork, Hangar Steak or Cheese Plate. Other great Zinfandels available include the 2005 Dark Horse, Dry Creek Valley ($15glass/$55bottle), a remarkably balanced and earthy wine that shines with bright jammy fruit. If you are exploring the wonderful world of Zinfandel, also try offerings from Titus in Napa, Ridge and the 2006 Brown Zinfandel ($60) from the hills above Napa. Drink up!
The period between now and the end of February brings with it some very special events. We begin with Valentine's Day. We've searched for ways to make it both romantic and special, while incorporating a touch of Rustic Canyon festivity and community. This year we're holding a very special Valentine's Day dinner with 4 courses that are meant to be shared by lovers or friends, or whomever you might be celebrating with that evening. While the final menu won't be set until later this month, it will consist of farmer's market salad, handmade pasta and then the choice of whole roasted fish, Bistecca for two or a vegetarian option, plus one of Zoe's special dessert creations. The entire meal will be shared amongst your group, since we believe that nothing brings people closer together than sharing food. There will be two seatings (with reservations taken between 6:00 and 7:00 for the early seating and 8:30-9:30 for the late seating). The price is $75 not including tax, beverages, or gratuity. If you're interested in celebrating at Rustic Canyon we recommend making your reservation soon, as this special evening generally fills up quickly. On a separate note, the Super Bowl Bash we had planned for this year will not be happening, as the logistics of arranging for proper game watching didn't work at Rustic.
Finally, construction is coming to a close and Zoe and the team are gearing up for next month's opening of Huckleberry. As February rolls around feel free to pop your head into 1014 Wilshire to say hello. In the meantime, thank you so much for your patronage and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
Hours
Sunday - Thursday, 5:30pm - 10:30pm
Friday & Saturday, 5:30pm - 11:30pm
Contact Us
p. 310.393.7050f. 310.393.7045
info@rusticcanyonwinebar.com
We look forward to seeing you at Rustic Canyon!
