Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Chaya Brasserie, Marinitas, Seven Hills

Check, Please! Bay Area Season 11 episode 11 airs Thursday, September 15 at 7:30pm on KQED 9. See other television airtimes. And never miss an episode by subscribing to the video podcast.

A fusion dining-destination with views of the Bay Bridge that is modern and classic; east and west at the same time, in San Francisco at Chaya Brasserie. Then, dishes inspired by the flavors of Mexico and Latin America combine with a killer tequila menu in San Anselmo at Marinitas. Lastly, set among the seven-hills of San Francisco is well-executed, refined, Cal-Italian cuisine found at Seven Hills.

Get Restaurant Information:

• Chaya Brasserie (San Francisco)

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• Marinitas (San Anselmo)
• Seven Hills (San Francisco)

My name is Leslie Sbrocco and I’m the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I will be sharing my tasting notes about the wine, beer, and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show. I will also share some wine tips with each episode. This week I discuss: What do you do with leftover wine?

22015 Dry Creek Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California $18
The fresh, appealing character of Sauvignon Blanc is captured in this version of the famed grape. Blended with a dash of Sauvignon Musque (an aromatic clone of the variety) and Sauvignon Gris, as well as layered with a kiss of oak barrel aging, the wine is complex. It showcases ripe melon and pear notes with zesty acidity and a long finish. A white for poolside or table side.

Segura Viudas Brut, Cava, Spain $10
There isn’t a better sparkling wine value in the market than Segura Viudas. I recommend it highly to anyone with a passion for fabulous fizz. This Spanish Cava is delicately fruity with medium-bodied freshness. It is a dry style with mouth-filling flavor. With a sleek bottle design and bubbly that over-delivers in quality, it’s a wine to buy by the case.

2015 McBride Sisters “Truvée” Rosé, Central Coast, California $16
Robin and Andrea McBride have a story as beautiful as this wine. They didn’t know that they were sisters until their late teens and early 20s. With one living in New Zealand and the other California, they connected as their father’s final wish and became close. Sharing a passion for wine, they formed a company and Truvée (meaning found) was created. This dry-styled pink wine from Grenache and Syrah is succulent. Its juicy yet still fleshy making it a rosé for year-long sipping.

2014 RMH Wines Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California $52
This stylish Pinot from River Mist Haven winery is focused on single vineyard wines. Hailing from the Moshin vineyard in Russian River Valley, the wine serves up spicy, red berry fruit aromas and a silky texture. Serve it alongside grilled Portobello mushrooms stuffed with chicken sausage for an earthy, other-worldly delight.

2013 Delfosse Petit Verdot, Monticello, Virginia $35
You may not know about Virginia wines, but you should. This winery sits at the base of the Blue Ridge mountains and is in the heart of the Monticello wine-growing region. Virginia has become an emerging area for varieties such as Viognier and Cabernet Franc and we can now add Petit Verdot to the list. A Bordeaux variety that seems to take well to the climate and soils of this area, it showcases dark fruit notes along with a velvety softness on the palate. Winning the Governor’s Cup award for one of Virginia’s best wines, it’s a terrific bottle to start on your exploration of this world-class area.