First Taste: Vinotecca

(Credit: VATO/Special to Metromix)

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Vinotecca

Metromix Detroit First Tastes

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There is so much that can be said for good wine. It’s complex, yet often so traditional. People take a lifetime to become experts in its craft with the fruits of the labor being consumed in short sips at a time. Shakespeare once wrote, “A man cannot make him laugh - but that's no marvel; he drinks no wine.” For more than five years, joyous laughter can be heard for miles coming from Royal Oak’s Vinotecca.

The idea began as a retail store, complete with a tasting room. Like the fine wine they serve, Vinotecca couldn’t remain corked. It was an easily recognizable notion to pair the wines with variations of food. Initially, owners maintained the “small plate” concept of dishes, but with increased customer demand, the focus shifted to larger-portioned entrees, complete with white table cloths.

Start your evening off with a wide variety of small plates, such as the fried calamari, perfectly cooked with seasoned herb breading and served with a basil aioli, or a signature favorite - honey-glazed scallops, marinated in a light honey glaze, garnished with sautéed spinach and tomatoes.

Move onto entrees, such as the Paella (with shrimp, scallops, mussels, lobster, spiced chicken, sausage and seasonal vegetables with saffron rice), and the unique Hazelnut Encrusted Walleye, cooked with a hazelnut breading, topped with a fresh raspberry sauce, and served with saffron rice.

Perfect choices for table sharing amongst friends include a wide variety of pizzas, from the Pizza Margherita (with marinated Roma tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil), to the Italian (topped with prosciutto, julienne chicken, roasted tomato sauce and herbed goat cheese), to the Spinach and Wild Mushroom (with Fromage Blanc, fresh spinach and wild mushrooms with parmesan and mozzarella cheese).

Alternatively, choose a variety table sides (served with seasonal fruits and house made crackers), with options ranging from cheese (Boursin, Vintage Van Gogh, fresh mozzerella, Red Spruce 4 yr. Cheddar, Bleu d’Affinois, Emmental Imported Swiss), meats (rosemary ham, spiced Italian ham, smoked salmon, beer steamed sausage, smoked prosciutto), and other sides (hummus, marinated olives, Melitzano, red pepper and feta).

Desserts are absolutely recommended with a dazzling bright star illuminating the Warm Chocolate Truffle Cake served with a side of espresso ice cream.

Keep in mind that though the food may highlight your reason to check out Vinotecca, the wine selections are superb and will equally attract your attention. And if you are a connoisseur in the market of the finest refrigerated boxes of wine, fear not of the options from around the world to choose from. The staff has an incredible talent for listening. Simply discuss what your favorite flavors consist of and what tastes you are looking for, and they will help you pick out the perfect pairing.

Vinotecca seats approximately 60 guests, with an additional 10-16 seasonally outside. Thursdays offer happy-hour pricing between 4-6 p.m., and 9 p.m.-12 a.m. with half-off wines by the glass and appetizers.

Combine complexity, balance, and the recipes to satisfy an appetite, and an evening of fun and laughter will be assured – at Vinotecca.

Get the full dish on Vinotecca