San Diego Reader

• Restaurant | California Cuisine | Mission Hills

Wine Vault Bistro

• 3731-A India Street, San Diego, CA 92103 | Directions
• 619-295-3939 | Website

Wine Vault and Bistro is one door south of Saffron, up three short levels of stairs. It opened in 2005, mainly as a wine shop, with tastings of wine and cheese. Has now expanded into regular winemaker dinners and chef’s tasting menus at amazing bargain prices for sumptuous quality. Local-sourced, seasonal delicacies; menus change constantly, with some à la carte dishes; mainly these are chef’s tasting dinners. Vast repertory of wines, including bargain finds, plus artisanal beers and ales.

NEED TO KNOW: Food easily earns four stars, but discomforts (noise, hard chairs, very slow service) detract from the experience. Reservations essential; most five-course weekend meals are sold out several days ahead. Premises up three short, well-banistered flights, with limited free parking behind Shakespeare Pub, and wheelchair access to back patio (with fireplace).