Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: El Mono Fresh Flavors of Peru, Rangoon Ruby Burmese Cuisine, The Table

Check, Please! Bay Area Season 11 episode 9 airs Thursday, June 9 at 7:30pm on KQED 9. See other television airtimes. And never miss an episode by subscribing to the video podcast.

Flavorful, fresh, authentic ingredients combine to create traditional dishes at El Mono Fresh Flavors of Peru in El Cerrito. Attentive service and a modern vibe set the stage for the aromatic seasonings from Myanmar, India, China and Thailand that unite at Rangoon Ruby Burmese Cuisine in San Carlos. A menu reflecting the new cultures of American cooking, hand-crafted cocktails, and casual-considerate service all come together at The Table in San Jose.

Get Restaurant Information:

• El Mono Fresh Flavors of Peru (El Cerrito)
• Rangoon Ruby Burmese Cuisine (San Carlos)
• The Table (San Jose)

My name is Leslie Sbrocco and I'm the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I will be sharing my tasting notes about the wine, beer, and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show. I will also share some wine tips with each episode. This week I discuss: How is champagne different from other sparkling wines?

2012 Livio Felluga “Terre Alte” Rosazzo, Italy $49
Hailed as one of Italy’s top white wines, this beauty is a world-class treat. Livio Felluga is a respected northern Italian producer based in the rolling hills of Collio and Colli Orientali del Friuli. Terre Alte is named for historic vineyards and is a trifecta of taste blending grapes Fruilano, Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s fine-boned structure laced with mineral complexity makes it an age-worthy white worth the splurge.

2014 Bellingham PinoPasso, South Africa $15
This unique wine is made from South Africa’s signature grape, Pinotage. I haven’t found too many versions of the variety that I’ve enjoyed as they’re often earthy and lean. In order to give the wine flesh and fruit, PinoPasso’s winemaker made a wacky decision drying a portion of the grapes. This is called Passimento (hence the name) and it concentrates the sugar and flavors. With some Shiraz thrown in, what results is succulently juicy wine ideal for grilled meats.

2012 Ram’s Gate “Estate” Pinot Noir, Carneros, California $72
Only 420 bottles were made of this lush, plush Pinot. The Carneros growing region leisurely stretches across the San Pablo Bay and is known for its cool, long growing season producing wines like this with intensity and style. The same can be said about the Ram’s Gate Winery, which is a study in rustic elegance. It’s quickly becoming a wine country destination for those in the know.