Enotria Restaurant & Winebar

Doesn't Recommend

SacWinos

Joined 5 years ago

Mediocre service and boring food. I am befuddled by the glowing reviews of Enotria on this site. We've tried the restaurant twice, about a year apart, and have been disappointed both times. The most recent visit was on a recent Saturday night when we decided to avoid the crowds downtown.



Bad sign: at 7:30 on a Saturday the place was nearly empty, and the occupancy improved but little over the course of the evening. Despite the tumbleweeds rolling past the bar, we were seated at a tiny table in a corner between the bathroom and the door to the storage closet. The waiter was uninformed about the menu, being unable to answer questions such as "what are the side dishes served with the special"? When we asked for descriptions of the wines in a flight that we had ordered, sort of a cheat sheet, he just handed us the menu again.

The food was both boring and overly ambitious. The special was black cod. It was perhaps the most bland dish I've ever had in a restaurant. I wondered if they had run out of salt. The mystery side dishes were brown rice and a sliced roma tomato. Sadly enough, the rice was the most flavorful dish on the plate. The rib eye was a mess. It was cooked correctly, but then it was messed up by an excess of balsamic vinegar sauce and blue cheese, a cloyingly sweet concoction that overwhelmed the taste of the meat.

The only reason we gave the restaurant even two stars is because of the good wine list, and because the food wasn't actually inedible. But when dinner for two with two glasses of wine cost in excess of $100, I expect more. We've vowed not to go back.

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eatinsac

Joined 5 years ago

Hidden Gem in Sacramento. I wish I knew this restaurant years ago. The neighborhood is improving but who cares the food is wonderful. I still dream of the lamb and braised beef raviolis...did I mention the wine?? Still not an expert on wine but I know what I like and the wine director recommended a reasonable but delicious wine to go with my meal. I want to try the tapas night next...

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shrinkingviolet

Joined 6 years ago

Bring your date here!. Dinner at Enotria is always a blast! The atmosphere is cozy, and the food never disappoints! Great food, great service and great wines.

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guilinggao

Joined 9 years ago

Great atmosphere. A 1,000s selection of wine... if you like wine, this is the placed to go. Service was excellent! I love their crab cake & their mussels & clams, best one I have ever eaten in Sac! My dad tried the lamb, in which he didn't like it that much; I tried the Kobe beef, acceptable too.

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feather32

Joined 8 years ago

GREAT PATIO. Birthday party of 8 on the garden Patio. We did a b'day celebration for my wife from NYC and arranged the celebration with Michael the manager. She and everyone were blown away, we started with the carb cakes paired with a great rosie champagene, followed by a classic caesar salad paired with Sav. Blanc from Oregon and with dinner we had a Pinot from Santa Maria, Foxen, (the winery was featured in Sideways), Hardy's Shiraz from down under, you almost could cut the wine with a fork and a Amarone for those that had the steak and Short Ribs. It was also very easy to park. Big Apple Foodie

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irishlass007

Joined 8 years ago

My favorite Sacramento restaurant. The location is wierd - not a great part of town - but once you walk into the restaurant, you're in Napa or Sonoma or France. The back patio is so beautiful, the food so fabulous and the wine!! so wonderful. It's a great place to go when your wine cellar needs restocking, because they have a great selection and the prices are similar to getting them at the winery itself. Most restaurants charge a huge premium on their wine, but what this place saves in rent they pass on to you in great priced wine!

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saitoh_hajime

Joined 9 years ago

Very Happy. A romantic place to take a date or a loved one. The restaurant has a good number of wine flights (19?) of reds, whites, and dessert wines. I had a Pork with a Jerk rub, cooked perfectly and very yummy. My partner had a Kobe beef sirloin, medium. For dessert we had a lavendar and honey creme' brulee. All in all the meal was great and sitting outside in the warm Sacrmento spring made it all the better

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

A Napa-esque eatery offering fine wine and gourmet dining in the heart of the Uptown Art District.. The Scene
An open kitchen, small wine bar and ample booths create a lively atmosphere in the main dining room, while the more intimate atrium and wisteria-draped patio inspire whispered affections. Art patrons often drop in for a drink and the goat cheese-stuffed artichoke during the Second Saturday Art Walk.

The Food
There's a succulent applewood-grilled chicken breast over a bed of creamy polenta and broccolini. The Caesar salad tantalizes with whole anchovies, grated breadcrumbs and pine nuts. Standouts on the menu include grilled lamb medallions with spiced cider-port wine glaze over couscous and homemade pork sausage over penne pasta. Try not to gorge yourself on the warm, pillowy bread served with garlic butter.

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susanbagley

Joined 11 years ago

great p;ace great value. My husband and I recently went to a wine dinner for Boeger Winery, we had heard of the restaurant but never had the occassion to go. Being Barberians (Boeger wine club members) we felt it our duty to attend thier dinner at the Enotria. well the find was our and the meal and service far exceeded our wildest dreams. we thought we were dining at the French Laundry or some place like that. but the price was far less than we could have dreamed.

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shotty_24

Joined 11 years ago

the jewel of del paso. My most recent experience at Enotria Cafe and Wine Bar proved to be the most rewarding. After being promptly greeted by the friendly valet staff (though they are only available Friday and Saturdays), my girlfriend and I sat at the bar and ordered a couple of drinks. The bartender was very entertaining in the short time we waited for our table. Our meal was outstanding! I had the peppered pork tenderloin, which was served over garlic mashed potatoes, and my girlfriend enjoyed the filet mignon with a roasted corn relish. The outstanding wine selection helped compliment our already wonderful meal.