Cesar's Bistro

Friday. May 8, 2015

Made plans to meet a friend of mine for dinner. We chose the small strip mall at PCH and Loynes, Several restaurants in the area so we could pick out something that appealed to us. Enriques had a 45 minute wait and it was only 6:00 in the evening. Susan suggested that we try the new kid on the block. A Latin American restaurant called Cesar's, www.cesarsbistro.com. She had contacted them about selling wine to their establishment. 

A very varied menu, Breakfast on weekends and lunch and dinner during the week. Small place with outdoor seating also.

They sent over an "eggroll" made with pork, rice and vegetables along with a dipping sauce. It was very good and the sauce had a bite to it.  I ordered the Pork Chop Cuban Style, Lots of caramelized onions. rice, fried plantains and a salad. All on one plate. Good flavor. Almost ordered the brisket but glad I did not. Man at the table next to us had ordered it and said the flavor was very good but the meat was tough. 

Susan ordered the Jamacian Talipia. Same sides. The fish was good.  

People in the restaurant that had ordered the Empanadas all raved about them I will have to try them next time. They also sell Empanadas individuallyto go. 

We had a variety of wines since Susan brought in quite a few for the owner to try. Two of them I liked was a 2013 Villa Marin Sauvignon Blanc from Italy. Not acidic or overly citrus and a 2010 Boehner-Fournier, Santa Ynez Valley, Estate Merlot. Not a big Merlot fan but this one was nice.

Other wines were a 2013 "Private Label: Trirona Vineyards, Lodi, Chardonnay, A 2013 Aubin Cellars Verve, Alexander Valley, Chardonnay which was oaky.  2007 "Private Lable" Trirona Vineyards, Lodi, Shiraz Reserve. 2008 Aubin Cellars, Verve, Laetitia, Arroyo Grande, Pinot Noir.

A nice little place for dinner, food is good, prices are reasonable. No corkage on Monday and Wednesday and 50% off bottles of wine on Thursdays. They do have a happy hour menu.  When we got to the restaurant only a few tables were taken but within the hour the place was packed.