Tannins Restaurant & WIne Bar

Tannins Restaurant & WIne Bar
By Michele Clarke

Tannins Restaurant & Wine Bar in San Juan Capistrano blends old world cuisine with a modern flair. Featuring delicious Italian and Mediterranean cuisine and an extensive wine list, the restaurant strives to make your dining experience memorable by placing an emphasis on food and wine pairings. Tannins is the perfect venue to ring in the holidays, from its Levendi Cave, Wine Cellar or recently renovated outdoor patio, these unique spaces offer the perfect backdrop for holiday parties, bridal and baby showers, sports banquets or company events.

At Tannins, the owners and staff treat everyone just like family, resulting in first-time customers often becoming repeat guests. During our visit, I witnessed servers welcoming many loyal diners by name and was impressed to see one customer present a gift to the manager — definitely a sign that the restaurant is doing something right. According to owner Gabriel Sanchez, “Tannins has an open kitchen so that customers can interact directly with the chef and watch their food being prepared.” This intentional design element lends itself to a comfortable and intimate dining experience.

On a recent Tuesday evening, we stopped in for the Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail Night. Our dinner began with garlic bread accompanied by an olive dip that’s to die for. The filet practically melted in my mouth and was so tender and full of flavor that it could have been cut with a fork. The lobster tail was succulent and ready to jump into my butter. Complete with silky, whipped potatoes and crispy, yet tender asparagus, the generous and tasty meal was reasonably priced at only $22. Be sure to make reservations early to experience this don’t-miss surf ‘n turf for yourself.

Along with the evening’s special, I had the pleasure of sampling Tannins’ lasagna. Prepared with a house-made meat sauce and three types of cheese, this traditional entrée had just the right amount of sauce (and the perfect kick!) to fully highlight the noodles and other ingredients.

As a finale, we ordered the Crème Brûlée and New York Cheesecake. Topped with a sweet caramel crisp, the Crème Brûlée offered a decadent and delicious smooth vanilla custard inside. The tasty and generous slice of New York-Style Cheesecake was drizzled with raspberry topping and served with fresh fruit.

Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable, providing prompt and attentive service throughout our meal. As first-timers, we had several questions regarding the menu, and she took the time to answer them all completely and made additional recommendations. With over 40 wines by the glass, one of the largest selections in Orange County, Tannins’ staff will gladly suggest pairing options to elevate your dining experience.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or a corporate event, Tannins offers catering to make your gathering stress-free and special. If you need a night off from cooking to tackle holiday to-do’s, opt for take-out or delivery (available in a limited area).

Tannins has made the choice to be environmentally conscious and has gone green. The restaurant serves locally grown, pesticide-free produce and only utilizes recyclable to-go cartons.

If you’re looking for a resource to provide healthy school lunches, then look no further. In an effort to encourage healthy eating habits for children, Tannins has prepared as many as 200-boxed lunches a day for local schools. Contact them for more information.

Tannins Restaurant & Wine Bar serves lunch and dinner daily. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Head over to San Juan Capistrano for an unforgettable meal and become part of the Tannins family this holiday season.

Tannins Restaurant & Wine Bar
27211 Ortega Hwy.
San Juan Capistrano
(949) 661-8466
TanninsRestaurant.com