Food | California Vintage in Wan Chai

California Vintage is a branded chain of wine bar restaurants which introduces the Asian market to the authentic taste of California wine country in environments that are engaging, entertaining, educational, and exciting.

They have got sort of like vending machines but they are wines. Innovative ideas. They have designed a fridge to keep the wines fresh and they will change a new bottle in 2 weeks.

Fundamental to CV's business concept are its partnerships with 22 family-owned wineries from throughout the state which, collectively, reflect the breadth, diversity and quality of California's multiple wine regions.

餐廳一隅儼如小學或中學的小賣部，但他們的是酒自動販賣機。只要把卡放到指定的位置，便可以購買該酒，結帳時會自動計算。而購買時也可選擇不同的份量，因人而言。

There are a bunch of casks up on the right corner in the restaurant. They are impressive and greatly represent the restaurant as a wine bar restaurant.

餐廳的角落放滿了酒桶，洋溢加州風情。

As a wine bar restaurant, how can they do not have a wines wall? This is probably one of the best feature walls you can find in any restaurants in Hong Kong.

這應該是你在香港餐廳可以找到的其中一幅最好的特色牆。

Complementing the wine selection is CV's signature Seasonal Pairing Menu which was developed in collaboration with esteemed Napa Valley chef, Richard Haake. The seasonally-changing selection of fresh, wine country-inspired California cuisine is prepared using genuine, California-sourced ingredients and presented so as to encourage the selection of food that will enhance the wine experience - and vice versa!

They have their own iPad app for honorable customers to order dishes. One can easily access to different dishes with pictures showing the actual look of the dish and the basic information of it. This is not something new but it is helpful for a wine newbie in no wonder.

iPad 點餐不是新鮮事，當輕鐵上家庭主婦的手中也有一台時，iPad 已經到達不能再平凡的地步。但在點選佳餚時能有相應的酒作介紹，這便是貼心之處。試想像服務員要不停重覆簡介一支酒或是花唇舌去介紹每一支酒應該是一件挺煩悶的事。

What is even more amazing is that they provide you with the wine lists specially designated for that dish and therefore you need not worry about ordering or pairing a wrong wine.

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I tried the following dishes :) If there is a ★ next to the name of the dish, it means that I really love it.

下面是當晚我有嘗過的佳餚，我在喜歡的菜色名字旁邊加了 ★。

1) California Taco with Baja Fish with 2008 Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs, North Coast

2) Dungeness Crab and Artichoke Dip with 2011 Cass "Flying Nymph" White, Paso Robles

3) ★ Quesadilla with Braised Pork and House made Guacamole with 2011 Acorn Rosato, Russian River Valley

4) Marin Camembert and Mushroom Bruschetta, 2010 Cass Grenache, Paso Robles

5) ★ Beef Tri-tip Slider with Chipotle Aioli with 2010 Venge "Silencieux" Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa

6) ★ Gilroy Garlic Fries with 2010 Venge "Silencieux" Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
The white sauce is truly amazing.

7) Grilled Swordfish with Pico de Gallo with 2010 Stillman St. Chardonnay, Alexander Valley

8) San Fran Clam Linguini  with 2010 Stillman St. Chardonnay, Alexander Valley

9) ★ Chocolate Pot de Crème with NV Kacbine Vintage Port, Dry Creek

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"Chinese wine lovers go Californian as taste widens"
- Bloomberg.com 

I was honored to participate in the unforgettable and amazing wine journey to the far California in California Vintage last night in  the dynamic Brim 28 retail center in Wan Chai, located directly across from the bustling Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

Four fabulous promotions / 四項特別優惠

1) Chef's Table
It enables group to order dinner tailored to their tastes, which CV's chefs would then match from their selection of close to 100 exclusively produced wines. Just simply sit back and I am sure you will have an unforgettable night. A little bit tipsy? Nah, it does not really matter. Chill out, Hong Kong people. *Just DO NOT drink and drive is fine. Call a taxi, please!

2) Guests Winery Proprietor
As a newbie, you simply do not have any knowledge about wines nor do you drink wines in your daily life; however; no worries, now you can enjoy a special wine dinner featuring a guest winery proprietor. This is the  precious opportunity to hear the stories behind particular wines, ask about pairing recommendations or pick up some tips on viticulture. It is okay to be a newbie as long as you are willing to learn; then they are pleased to teach!

3) Wine Tastings with Complimentary light food
You can enjoy wine tastings with complimentary light food pairings every Wednesday evening from 7-9pm for only HK$200. Each week will have a different theme such as "How to Pair Seafood Dishes with Wine", "How to Choose Wine for Valentine's Day" and "Wine on a Dime" Feeling perplexed in pairing wines or encountering any problems related to choosing wines? Here comes the Panacea.

4) Exciting Daily Price Promotion
You are privileged to enjoy an exciting daily half price promotion on all wines and oysters from 3pm to 8pm, from Monday to Sunday! Want to have a place to chill? Here it is.

Points to Note
1) Location
It took me half an hour to locate the restaurant. I strongly suggest you googling map to locate the restaurant first before you go.
1) 我建議你到餐廳前盡早利用 Google Map 地位，因為餐廳位置於不算十分便利，離開地鐵站或巴士站後仍然可能要走一段路。席中有一位律師雖然是坐的士，但因為的士司機也不諳 Brim 28 的位置，所以她也走了一會兒才到。

2) Do not drink and drive. Enjoy your night!
2) 飲酒後請勿駕駛！酒後駕駛，害己害人。

Address / 地址：Shop 10, Brim 28, 28 Harbour Road, Wan Chai / 灣仔港灣道28號灣景中心(Brim 28)1樓10號舖
Telephone Number / 電話：(+852) 25251900
 Website / 網站：http://www.cvwinebar.com