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Dining
OCTOBER 2018
La Bottega - The Shop
Cos'è questo? Let's call it an expansion, an addition. More room to spread out, to entertain larger parties and hold small events. La Bottega is a new deli and market. It's an extension of an established restaurant that serves hand crafted cuisine called Trattoria Toscana. It's been two years since I last wrote about Pietro Cinus and clearly, he's doing well. As you walk towards the entrance bordered by olive trees, you may notice there's a kitchen with a view, a great place to watch how they make fresh pasta. And if you happen to be there at the right time, you may view the preparation of their
desserts like panna cotta, tiramisu, cannoli and chocolate creme brulee for you to drool over. Soon Peitro plans to make gelato. The new lobby is bright with a hall that wraps around the service deli where you'll find imported Italian meats and cheeses along with in house, freshly baked bread and cookies. Again, all of their pastas like spaghetti, linguini, fusilli and pappadella, are made daily. La Bottega offers sandwiches, hot and cold, salads, and soup. It's a small menu which includes meatballs and chicken thighs, with just a select few delightful entrees for lunch. You can dine in or take it home to make your own creations as well as purchase olive oils and wine.
OCTOBER 2018
Dining
Pietro serves only Italian wines, showcasing them through the newly introduced wine club and on wine tasting Sunday. He even pairs food to taste with every wine! Your first antipasti and wine tasting is $25.00. There are complimentary wine tastings thereafter for wine club members. The wine club members taste twice a month, as many as 6 different wines and purchase 6 bottles of wine per year from La Bottega. Wine club members also receive a 10% discount on La Bottega wines to go or enjoy while dining in. Members are notified by email about upcoming events, so you'll never miss out!
I like wine and all of this sounded very interesting to me so, I decided I should attend one of the tastings to see for myself. I wasn't sure what to expect. I arrived at 3:00, sat down at a small table and observed for awhile. The members usually gather in the new dining area that's located behind the deli, where there's a new bar as well. This side of the restaurant has larger, family style seating. Wine club members slowly shuffled in, some greeting one another. Our wine host began by talking a little about the history of the first wine and its family. The tasting began with some whites and with each selection Pietro served a perfectly paired appetizer: Calamari salad with the Frescbaldi Chardonnay, octopus with Mazzei Vermentino. Classy Italian style! At the conclusion of the tasting we were treated by unexpected extra, a traditional after dinner wine popular in most regions of Italy. Visciole Querciantica...wow! Cherry wine! That was incredible! Paired with the thumbprint cookies which happen to be a favorite of mine. I have to say our host was very knowledgeable, he spoke as if the wines were from his own family vineyard. The presentation was filled with fascinating details that enhanced the enjoyment of each selection. Definitely worth spreading the word! I hear that three winemakers from Italy are coming to a wine tasting in October. Bravo! Upon my departure, I knew I had to place an order to go. Gnocchi alle melanzane, Pappardelle Con Funghi and my favorite wine from the day, Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico
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RSV. It would be the perfect end to a relaxing Sunday afternoon. So, I asked Pietro, "What's with the roosters?" He replied, "It’s the symbol of the entire Chianti area and has been for years and years".
La Bottega di Trattoria Toscana 26485 Ynez Road, Suites M & N, Temecula, CA 92591 951-296-2066