No it�s not a dream nor a setting from a movie, but here in the Temecula Valley a restaurant resides on the Ponte Winery Family Estate called the Smokehouse Restaurant, serving up wonderful American, Mediterranean and Italian dishes you�ll look forward to coming back to for more. This Al Fresco dining experience is worth trying!
The first time we came to this restaurant was for our anniversary a few years ago in the month of June. Entering, we walked through a lane of manicured vines just coming into full bloom, the whole atmosphere was very inviting. 
This particular time we had reservations, which I do suggest. If you do happen to arrive without reservations on a weekend, expect to wait for 45 minutes to over an hour. This has happened to us before, but we made good use of our time in the wine tasting room and gift shop. The wine tasting room is open Mon. - Thurs $10 per person or Fri. - Sun $15 per person.Tasting includes 6 wine tastes and a souvenir Ponte logo glass
The last time we were there I was introduced to a red wine that will be on my �favorites� list called Beverino. I prefer a white wine, but this was very soft, smooth and lightly sweet.
If shopping and wine tasting doesn�t hold your attention long enough, a stroll around the beautiful grounds may be just what you�re looking for. 
The Food
We have been very satisfied with our meals for all of our visits. My husband�s preference for a steak prepared medium rare has never left him disappointed. He has had their rib eye with a dollop of herb butter and also their Angus beef with a Cabernet demi glace and has always walked away with praise for it being perfectly done. I tend to order fish more often than naught and also have been completely satisfied. Seared Ahi Tuna was on the menu our first visit and I couldn�t be happier. Served with baby vegetables and fava beans perfectly cooked I was amazed and happy. Fava beans at the time weren�t a local harvest and were picked from a Northern California produce distributor that drove down to Southern California weekly to purvey his goods. Now here in Temecula, you can find a fresh harvest of Fava beans at our local Temecula Farmers Market.
Our most recent visit my husband and I both ordered the Cedar Planked Salmon with an Apricot Glaze. I have yet to do it, but I WILL replicate this at home. Not to sweet, and just the right dousing, it was fabulous! They prepare their planked salmon by first grilling it on both sides and then laying a cedar plank on top and placing it in the smoker along with the vegetables. It was also served with poblano goat cheese grits with a Graciela reduction. It didn�t taste like grits, it was much more appetizing than what I thought grits normally taste like. My expectations were exceeded.
We had the wine country salad. This was the only thing I wasn�t particularly thrilled about. I prefer a balance of acidity and sour. In my opinion there was too much tang. The Tahitian vanilla balsamic vinaigrette was a bit on the sour side as well as the feta cheese. I prefer a soft and mild goat cheese or a gorgonzola to balance out the flavors if the vinegar is strong. It had candied walnuts and dried cranberries as well, which I do like but in my opinion there was a flavor battle going on.
And on to the dessert.. superb!! I have to try tiramis� at every restaurant that serves it. Whether it�s to get a new creative idea or to just revel in the pleasure of tiramis�, my husband and I are always game. With the first bite I was exploding in delight. Not your typical tiramis�, it had an extra surprise crunch. Oh my gosh.. I was ecstatically trying to discern which nut it was, and when we flagged the waiter down he must have thought I was a little quirky with my inquiries. But I thought it had to be --------- to follow in the Italian tradition and having a well rounding of rum in the dessert as well.. it was perfect! Although, he seemed a little hesitant to tell me the ingredient, but when he came back from the kitchen and quietly passed our table he whispered into our hearing the surprise ingredient. I think my excitement also came from my husband�s accolades for my discerning taste buds as he put it. It definitely doesn�t hurt having your husband as your most adoring admirer. ?
This restaurant does make provisions for families and larger groups; it has a very classy but comfortable atmosphere. Friday and Saturday evenings from 5:00pm - 8:00pm live music performances are provided ranging from classical guitar, jazz violin and romantic keyboard interludes.
The lunch menu and dinner menu are basically the same but differ in the price. For an evening meal expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $40 per person which would most likely include your salad, entr�e and a glass of wine. Soon after you�re seated a complimentary basket of fresh baked rosemary and herb bread with a dipping sauce is brought to your table. So wonderful and aromatic.. but go easy, you won�t want to fill up before your meal arrives!
If you�ll be in the Temecula Wine Country I would definitely recommend you try The Smokehouse Restaurant and wine tasting at the Ponte Winery. 35053 RANCHO CALIFORNIA ROAD, TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA 92591
(951) 694-8855 (877) 314-WINE OPEN DAILY FROM 10AM TO 5PM
Buon Appetito!
Laurie M. Vengoechea
Dalla Mia Cucina �
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