Check, Please! Bay Area: Episode 4 (#104)

My name is Leslie Sbrocco and I'm the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. After each episode I'll serve up a behind-the-scenes look at what went on during filming, including the wine we were sipping...

I hadn’t heard the term "spork" before, but Kathy assured me that was a good thing! She was fiery and fun. I could tell she was being restrained with her criticism of Viks Chaat Corner, but she was effusive in her recommendation of Limón. (I must admit that the deep-fried red snapper with coconut rice was the best fried fish I’ve ever eaten. I recommend getting a racy white wine to pair with it, like a Spanish Albarino.) Peter seemed miffed that Kathy didn’t like his spot, but hey, that’s what this show is about -- opinions. He was keenly intelligent and had his argument prepared, though, in his defense of the controversial spot. Roger ate at Viks on a weekday and was less than impressed, but Peter says to go on the weekends for best results. Roger was laid-back and taking it all in, so it was compelling to see the dynamic of these different guys with feisty Kathy. All agreed Limón was a tremendous spot and they also enjoyed Insalata's, which is Roger’s favorite neighborhood stomping grounds.

Wine of the Week:

2004 Luna Vineyards Pinot Grigio, Napa Valley, California $15
This is not your mother’s Pinot Grigio. Hailing from Napa, not Italy, the ripe fruit aromas practically jump from the glass and smack you in the face. Once you take a sip, there's a lush richness on the palate that qualifies this as a "sexy" wine. Didn't take long for the bottle to disappear.

Sponsor Wine of the Week:

2004 Bonterra Viognier, Mendocino County, California $19
I'm a huge fan of Viognier (pronounced vee-ohn-yeah) and I want to let you in on the secret. For an exotic alternative to Chardonnay, reach for this deliciously seductive version. Famous for producing the rare wines of France's Condrieu region, the Viognier grape variety shines in only a few places around the world. This is one of them. Bonterra's fruit is certified organically-grown and these high-quality grapes result in a dry wine that overflows with aromas of orange blossom and spice. The texture is creamy yet elegant, so it feels like drinking silk.