The Ventura wine scene

When Dimple and I are able to get a babysitter for Saturday night, we try to go out and enjoy some nightlife. Clubs, pubs, and the whole Sunset Strip thing doesn't really work for us anymore. We tend to enjoy live music, good food in small plates, and especially wine. We never buy a bottle at a restaurant, because we like to compare and contrast many different kinds and pair them with food. Unfortunately, the wine-by-the-glass menu at most restaurants, even highly rated ones leaves much to be desired. Enter the wine bar, where you can a wide selection of wines by the glass or even half-glass.

The largest concentration of wine bars in Southern California is not in Beverly Hills, Hollywood, or Santa Monica. It is in downtown Ventura.

On Saturday, we brought Nancy along and visited Alegria, Rincon Cellars, and J's Tapas.

Alegria, which used to be tucked into the back of a coffee shop, has expanded to a new, much bigger location. The food and wine menu has also expanded, with around 30 wines available by the glass or the half-glass.

Rincon Cellars is inside a historic bank building, and shares the space with Natalie's Eclectibles and an art gallery, Ghost Gallery, upstairs. They only pour California central coast wines, and for $10 you can taste 7 of them. The menu changes every week. If you like a particular wine, you can buy a glass or a bottle. The wines they carry are very interesting, sometimes obscure, often excellent and always good values. Every one is hand-selected by the owners. The space itself is worth a visit. While tasting, you can help yourself to a complementary cheese plate.

J's Tapas has live jazz, a very tasty international tapas menu, and a decent wine list, although it could have more by the glass selections. The live music and atmosphere make up for that flaw.

Dimple and Nancy at J's Tapas:


More photos here.