Out With the Old, in with The Vanilla Bean Bistro

After 9 years, it is time to make a change. Gonul's J Street Cafe will close on May 29, 2011 to make way for our friends at Formoli's (and they are making way for us). Gonul will open her new bistro down the street at 3260 J Street on Monday June 6. There will be a new name, the Vanilla Bean Bistro, but Gonul is still the chef and although there will be some changes in the menu, much will still be the same. Herbs and vegetables from her garden, locally grown produce, top quality meats and fish, and Gonul's inventive tastes will still rule. Same phone (916-457-1155), same catering line (916-508-0159), new web site (www.vanillabeanbistro.com). You will be able to make reservations on line from that web site. See you at the Bean.

Wine Maker's Dinner -- A Taste of Portugal

Our next wine maker's dinner is in just 2 weeks and will be both delicious and interesting. This one is for the adventuresome. We will be featuring varietals of Portuguese origins and Gonul will pair this 5 course meal with Portuguese inspired recipes. Valentine's Day will be on a Monday this year -- make your plans soon. We will be posting that menu on our website, http://www.jstreetcafe.com/

Sunday, January 30 at 6 PM

A Taste of Portugal
Featuring the Wines of the Fenestra Winery of Livermore
Presented by the wine maker, Lanny Replogle

Frango Na Pucara

Chicken Sautéed with peppers, tomatoes, onion, garlic and wine

2009 Verdelho, Silvaspoons Vineyards, Lodi

Portuguese Paella
Rice with a variety of shell fish, chicken and vegetables
2008 Graciano, Markus Bokisch Vineyard, Lodi


Pork Tenderloin
With bacon wrapped dates and an apple and pomegranate sauce
2008 Malbec, Silvaspoons Vineyards, Lodi


Boneless Short Rib
With polenta and a red wine & dark chocolate sauce
2006 Tourvanillo, Silavaspoons Vineyards, Lodi

Chocolate Bread Pudding
2004 Port, Livermore Valley

Silver Medal 2009 Riverside Competition
Silver Medal 2009 El Dorado County Wine Competition.

$49.50 per person

Vino Noceto Wine Maker's Dinner

WINE MAKER’S DINNER

Sunday, December 12 at 6 PM

Featuring the Vino Noceto Winery of Amador County
Presented by the vintners, Suzy and Jim Gullett

Portuguese Seafood Paella
Rice with lobster tail, prawns, mussels, chicken, chorizo sausage, tomatoes, sweet peas, and saffron
2009 Pinot Grigio

House Made Gnocchi
With an Heirloom tomato sauce
2008 Sangiovese

Roasted Sonoma Duck
with a blood orange compote, ginger & star anise
2007 Sangiovese Riserva

Slow Roasted Rack of Sonoma Lamb Rogout
With a puree of beans, haricots verts, shallots, black olives & natural jus
2007 OGP Zinfandel

Baklava
2010 Frivolo Moscato

$49.50per person

Go to OpenTable.com to RSVP

A Taste of Italy

WINE MAKERS DINNER
A Taste of Italy

Wednesday, June 23 at 6:30 PM

Featuring the wines of the Watts Winery & Vineyards of Lodi
And presented by owner, Craig Watts


Insalata di Mele
Apples, spinach, maple roasted walnuts, French feta cheese
& a spicy orange vinaigrette
2006 Rosado

Chicken Scallopini
Durham Ranch Chicken with apricots, dates, currants, shallots
and local roasted vegetables
2007 Chardonnay, Casa Azul Vineyard
Silver Medal ’09 Florida State Fair

Pasta Puttanesca
With anchovies, garlic, tomato, shrimp, olives, capers & red pepper
2005 Dolcetto, Los Robles Vineyard, Clements Hills
Gold Medal ’07 Chronicle

Osso Buco Milanese
With saffron risotto
2005 Montepuciano, Los Robles Vineyard, Clements Hills
’04, ’07 Silver El Dorado County Fair, ’05, ’08 Gold Los Angeles County Fair

Budino di Pane al Cioccolata
Chocolate bread pudding with dulce de leche and crème fraiche

$45 per person

for reservations call (916-457-1155), email (jstreetcafe@aol.com) or go to www.opentable.com

Holly's Hill Vineyard and Winery Wine Maker's Dinner

We are excited to bring Holly's Hill Winery back for a wine maker's dinner on Tuesday, March 23. This foothill winery is known for their Rhone style wines and is one of Sac Bee's wine editor Chris Macias' favorite wineries. The dinner is at 6:30 PM

Sautéed Prawns & Scallops

With a spicy mango sauce
2009 Holly’s Hill Viognier

Stuffed ChickenDurham Ranch Chicken

with apricots, dates, preserved lemon, golden raisins, shallots, goat cheese & cream cheese
2008 Holly’s Hill Grenache

Boneless Short Rib

With red wine & dark chocolate sauce
2007 Holly’s Hill Patriarche (think Chateauneuf-du-Pape)

Filet Mignon Roast

With a 3 pepper glace
2006 Holly’s Hill Syrah

Apple Crisp
2008 Late Harvest Roussanne

$49.50

Make a Reservation

Forchini Wine Maker's Dinner

WINE MAKERS DINNER
Featuring the wines of Forchini Vineyards of Sonoma County
and a presentation by owner and wine maker Jim Forchini

Wednesday, February 24 at 6:30 PM

Criolla Mama
Barbecued Scallops with a Corn and Goat Cheese Torta
2008 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

Fettucini Kushadesa
With Spicy Tomato Salsa, Crispy Calamari, and Roasted Garlic Aioli
2006 Papa Nonno, Dry Creek Valley


Ajiaco of Short Ribs
With Red Wine and Tubers
2006 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley

Bavette a la Bordelaise
Filet Mignon with Gonul’s own Bordelaise Sauce
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Proprietor’s Reserve, Dry Creek Valley


Chocolate Decadence with Vanilla Cream Sauce


$45 per person

Wine for purchase night of dinner

(around 15% off regular winery price per bottle, plus another 10% off per case)
2008 Forchini Chardonnay $15/ bottle, $165/ case
2006 Forchini Papa Nonno $15/ bottle, $165/ case
2006 Forchini Zinfandel $20/ bottle, $226/ case
2006 Forchini Cabernet Sauvignon $22/ bottle, $236/ case

Valentine's Dinner for 2

Valentine's Day is on a Sunday night this year, don't forget. Gonul's is offering a great bargain dinner for 2 with Champagne. There will be live entertainment -- I hope you can join us. Reserve on line with OpenTable.com

VALENTINE’S DINNER

Four Course Dinner For Two With a Bottle (375ml) of Champagne and a Rose


STARTERS
(choice of)

Salmon Crepes with organic plum sauce and spinach
Baked Goat Cheese in a walnut crust with organic greens and maple roasted apple


SECOND COURSE
(choice of)

Red & Gold Beet Salad with herbed goat cheese and citrus vinaigrette
Butternut Squash Soup
Curried Lentil Soup


ENTRÉE
(choice of)

Medallion of Filet Mignon
with green peppercorn demiglace, asparagus & organic purple and red potatoes
Grilled Sea Bass & Giant Prawn
With a crimson orange cream & chipotle crème fraiche
Stuffed Chicken Breast
With apple walnut & goat cheese over house made gnocchi
Vegetarian
with gnocchi, asparagus & purple and red potatoes


DESSERT
(choice of)

Chocolate Decadence with Vanilla Crème Fraiche
Gonul’s Chocolate Bread Pudding


$39.90 per person