TANNINS Restaurant & Wine Bar

by Dina Scaglione

Most foodies would agree; a good meal should be an experience savored and enjoyed, a time to marinate over palatable flavors and hearty conversation with friends. For nearly 20 years, Tannins Restaurant & Wine Bar, in San Juan Capistrano, has facilitated this type of dining experience with its authentic southern Italian fare, fueled by superb wine and a contemporary, welcoming vibe. Committed to the definitive dining experience, Tannins offers interesting wine and food pairings, with over 40 varietals to choose from. Five years ago, Cordon Bleu trained, and certified Master Chef Marc Cummings took over Tannins’ kitchen, breathing new life into the menu and transforming it into something worth writing home about.

Kick off your meal with the tender Calamari Fritti, delicately fried and accompanied by a fiery Arrabbiata dipping sauce for a melt-in-your-mouth experience. The Tannins salad with garbanzo beans, shallots, capers and avocado, drizzled with a citrusy Poppy seed dressing, is the perfect starter — with or without the addition of chicken, salmon or shrimp. Then, there’s the pasta… authentically and unpretentiously prepared from Old World recipes. The signature Pancetta Carbonara, crafted from pan-fried pancetta, freshly cracked egg and finely grated Pecorino is a longstanding favorite. The Fettuccini Toscana is another popular dish featuring sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and blackened chicken, amid a flavorful cream sauce. Like many classic Italian restaurants, Tannins also serves up tasty pizzas from the traditional Margarita with Roma tomatoes and aromatic basil to its Barbeque Chicken and Gourmet Veggie Pizza. Desserts are prepared fresh daily by a local pastry chef and include a delightfully moist carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and the elegant Tiramisu.

Tannins has met the challenges of COVID-19 head on by updating its lively indoor bar and wine cellar, cozy wine cave, inside dining and expanded covered patio areas to allow for safe and comfortable social distancing. Visit Tannins for your next meal or special occasion and enjoy the ambiance and its distinctly flavorful cuisine. Open daily for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for dinner from 4 to 9 p.m.

TANNINS RESTAURANT & WINE BAR
27211 Ortega Highway • San Juan Capistrano
949.661.8466 • TanninsRestaurant.com

Instagram: @tanninsrestaurantandwinebar
Facebook: @TanninsRestaurantWineBar