Photo by Jerry Silva
Dominic Menton, Operations Manager, between rows of wine barrels at the San Antonio Winery in L.A.

By Elizabeth Childress, Food Critic

Looking for tasty Italian and American dishes, along with scrumptious dessert options, and wine tasting?  Then San Antonio Winery in Los Angeles is the place to go with your family or on a date.  As you step foot into the wine tasting area you will be greeted with smiles from their diverse staff.  A bit further and you will find yourself surrounded by unique collectables and gifts for any occasion.  A few more steps will bring you to the Maddalena Restaurant.  The friendly staff will cater to you in this trattoria-style restaurant, while your eyes land on a table which displays their signature dishes for the day, ranging from pasta and fish, meats, salads, and paninis.  After selecting Linguini w/Scampi and the Homemade Pasta Stuffed Manicotti, Robert Morrione, Special Event Coordinator, paired the dishes with Maddalena Monterey Pinot Grigio 2014.  The subtle hints of fruit made this wine the perfect match.  The Linguini w/Scampi is brightly colored with fresh vegetables and the succulent scampi is lying in a bed of perfectly cooked linguini.  The Homemade Pasta Stuffed Manicotti, made with fresh spinach, onions, and garlic, is a light dish, yet rich in flavor.  Make sure not to leave before dessert.  The cinnamon-dusted cannoli has a golden crispy shell and is filled with creamy ricotta and mascarpone, along with other decadent ingredients.  The silky Tiramisu, which has hints of espresso coffee along with the mascarpone cheese, is a slice of heaven.
Thursday through Sunday you can catch a solo artist who will fill the room with soothing music as you break bread with loved ones.
After feasting on your meal and dessert, a tour of the facility is a must! Dominic Menton, Operations Manager, took me through history of the San Antonio Winery as we strolled down the rows of beautiful oak barrels and stainless steel tanks.  After the tour, Dominic and Clifton Date, Wine Steward, who’s expert knowledge of wine, coupled with his enthusiasm for wine, made the wine tasting experience remarkably memorable.  San Antonio Winery is a must for Angelinos and those out of the area.
For any questions regarding this article contact Elizabeth Childress at elizabethchildressreq1@gmail.com.