Your Wine 101er: What’s the Final Score?

Be warned, if you see a tall blond that appears to be texting, leaning out of her chair, her wine glass is empty and no one is nearby… it’s me, and…I’m eavesdropping…on you.

Sometimes information is offered to me intentionally, sometimes not, but I feel it’s my duty to give you the gossip news.  And if it relates to wine bars or restaurants, I’m there for you!

This is a typical night for me:

“He leaned over to me and said…I thought I was the only one that put ice in my wine.  Then he also admitted to adding ice to his beer and Champagne.”

Then, one day, I hit the motherload with a couple that was comparing notes on wine bars and restaurants in town:

“I hadn’t been to that restaurant for months, but they knew what I wanted to order.”

“The place has to be neat, no dirt, or messy looking wait staff.”

“I like it when I know the people in the bar, but when I know what songs the singer is going to sing, I don’t like it.”

“Cigar night is stupid.”  

“I like having friends in the band.”

All of this made me want to note the restaurants that we shouldn’t forget, ones that have stood by when the latest restaurant du jour opened.  And the new ones too – that seem to be doing everything right:

Love Sushi
Maru Sushi
Backwoods
Route 66
Pars
Manoushee
Inca Bistro
Lima Limon
The Hacienda
Sabor
Frankies
Le Chene
The Social
Darrios
Burrito Factory
ChuysThe Poached Pair
Salt Creek Grille
Egg Plantation
Mojitos
The Oaks Grille
Wold Creek
New Moon
George’s Bistro
Vines
Spumoni
Karma
Yamato
(If I left one or more out, feel free to remind me who needs to be on this list!  I don’t eat everywhere in Santa Clarita.)

All my wine bars are perfect:
Wine 661
Vino 100
Lee’s Wine Bistro
Valencia Wine Company
The Cellar in All Corked Up

But I still miss:
The Loose Goose
Cavi
Pasta Grill
Penguins
Moores
Tips

FINAL SCORE RE-OPENS THIS WEEK – or so they told me – to my face, no eavesdropping.

4 thoughts on “Your Wine 101er: What’s the Final Score?

  1. So glad to see the persistence of Final Score. Those who know it know it is a place of consistently fresh, great food. Keeping it simple is what he does best and why I love it. Is Joe going to be running it again, or is it his son this time?

    Can't say I agree with Frankie's. It was the noisiest place we have ever been, (probably because of the beautiful metal walls), long wait for the food to come and just so-so food. I'll take Bella Cucina or Caruso's any day. Have you been to Piccola Trattoria? That place is yummy, too! And with a nice wine selection! Just speaking Italian here.

  2. Hi Diane,
    Regretfully, I only met Joe's long time employee, a woman that has always made my salad! And she told me this week in the old Cavi location. The last time I saw Joe he told me that they were making sandwiches for delivery.

    At Frankies we dine early, never had a noisy crowd then. And LOVE the Eggplant Parmigiana! And we're big fresh oyster fans. (Know anywhere else to get fresh oysters out here?)

    I've tried Bella Cucina at least 3 times, what should I order that you liked? I found it a little on the bland side. (Did a good review of the wait staff though, he was really good about the wine as far as how to serve and having some knowledge.)

    Haven't had Caruso's in years – will try that again. And where is Piccola Trattoria?

    I'm only 1/4 Italian – I so love it that you have so much knowledge Diane!

  3. Sorry I didn't respond sooner to this…

    I always get something different at Bella Cucina, but lately I get vegetarian dishes (not eating meat).

    Piccola Trattoria is not in the best location, but is right off Sierra Highway (the address is actually ON Sierra) but it is set back off the road.

    I am less Italian than you, Eve. I know what I like!

    Bring on Final Score!

  4. Ok! Good to know.

    Here's my latest likes:

    The FlyByKnights (classic cars) are cruising Lyons tomorrow night and said, on Facebook, that Joe will have Final Score open!

    And, I just tried Inca Bistro yesterday with the owner Mel -outstanding!!!!

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