Tapino Kitchen and Wine Bar
Tapino Kitchen and Wine Bar is one of those places you wish were right down the street from where you live -- the kind of place that is great for casual, midweek dinners when you want something better than all the other stuff out there, but just as good for those weekend date nights. The service is friendly but not hovering, the prices are great and the food is absolutely outstanding – wanting to make you come back again and again. If you live next to the Scottsdale Promenade, you’re in luck -- Tapino is your neighborhood gem. For the rest of us, perhaps we should consider moving.
Tapino is a marriage of tapas (small plates of fabulous morsels of food) and vino (30+ intriguing wines by the glass, more than 1,000 by the bottle). You’ll surely find some favorite wines on the list, as well as some that sound so intriguing, you have to try them. Try the four-wine flight for a variety.
Chef James Porter is a master of small plates. His creations of tastes and textures are scrumptious as well as eye-catching. He’s categorized them to make the selection process a bit less daunting – salads & such, meat & fowl, and fish & shellfish. He even has a daily trio of tastes for those who just cannot decide on their own.
The small plates we had were some of the most satisfying food we’ve experienced in awhile. Moist, chewy dates with pungent Gorgonzola tucked in, wrapped in pancetta and baked. I know the idea of small plates are to share, but you’ll be tempted to keep these morsels all to yourself. The parmesan crusted long-stem artichokes were crispy yet light and we fought over the last of the lemon aioli.
Our next round of small plates included a beautifully prepared carpaccio – done at other places but often done wrong. The Serrano jamon wrapped roasted white asparagus was presented in a tall glass and made quite the presentation, and the flavor followed suit. For our fish selection, we opted for a plate of white Spanish anchovies – no, not those salty things some people put on pizza. These anchovies were plump, tasting of the sea and served among a great lemon oil and watercress. The blue ribbon winner of the small plate category definitely was the artisan foie gras served on a rosemary waffle with pickled grapes. The savory waffle was the perfect platform for the luscious foie gras, and the pickled grapes woke up the taste buds in your mouth that weren’t already awake.
We wanted to also try the olive platter, the cheese platter and the bruschetta, but we had to move on to the plates (entrees) and sideshares (side dishes). The Atlantic halibut was flaky and moist, served with a rich yet light lobster and truffle oil vin blanc.
The five-hour braised short ribs were the ultimate in comfort food, but I don’t think Mom ever cooked them with a rioja mushroom bordelaise. Oh! And the pomme frites that come alongside … as good as the ones we snacked on during our “tour of Paris bistros” last year.
Sideshares include salsify (a pretty much unknown but creamy root veggie) with rosemary, sunchokes with aged sherry, and a grilled polenta with boursin and tasso (another one of those “I should share but I don’t want to” dishes).
Desserts round off this great dining experience. I know chocolate lava cakes are done everywhere, but these are exceptional – crispy on the outside, with a eruption of gooey ganache on the inside. Other desserts, such as the trio of brules, and the house-churned ice cream are equally satisfying sweets. Add in a port or dessert wine, and you’ve successfully completed the Tapino experience.
Are you packed up and ready to move yet?
good to know: outdoor patio is lovely
what to wear: clientele run the gamut from country club casual to date night dress up.
must haves: a few glasses of wine and a bunch of small platesTapino Kitchen & Wine Bar
7000 E. Shea Blvd. #101, Scottsdale (480) 991-6887