| Home |
| Cuisine / Menu |
| Special Events |
| Custom Catering |
| Wine Pairings |
| Cooking Classes |
| Demonstrations |
| Contact Cafe Merlot |
| Please call for Reservations....... 858-592-7785 |
The essence of a great dining experience! |
Welcome to Cafe Merlot, located in the Bernardo Winery, the oldest family-run working winery in Southern California. Proud new owners, Toni and Rick Kraft, along with the talented culinary team of Chef Daniel Reynolds and Sous Chef Stella M...have taken their years of culinary experience, their love of food, and the Southern Californian sun, and transformed an already great restaurant into a full dining experience. Discover why discerning individuals who know and enjoy great food and wine from around the globe come and dine at Cafe Merlot. Its about the food... Toni and Rick are no strangers to Culinary Tourism and the Hospitality Industry. Toni was born from a family tradition of bread making and cooking - she could not and did not want to escape the smells coming through her family's home every day. Along with a developed passion for quality food as well as being creative with fresh herbs and seasonal ingredients, she set off in the Midwest to open her own Catering Company. Toni was able to work along side WolfGang Puck, and Oprah Winfry, and design many events for dignitaries and corporations. Custom catering became a natural for her for parties from 20-20,000. Today she shares that same passion with her customers and balances this with fine wine and a serene surrounding. With her feet firmly planted at the Vineyard, she draws on her memories and on all of her 5 senses to have added to the recipes of Cafe Merlot. She recognizes the importance of family and those who have touched her life not only in the kitchen but in all aspects of business. This has taught her to work hard, have integrity, and to always be optimistic in life. Thus the result is the fruition of Toni's life long dream to produce great food, and teach the love of cooking - she can now see a little glimpse of paradise here on earth. Calendar of Exhibition Cooking & Winemakers Dinners |
Our First Winemaker's Dinner: You can almost hear the voices from those who worked the Winery back in the mid-1900's when you enter into the Barrel Room. This makes a perfect setting for you to relax and forget the cares of today! Guests will experience the warmth and aroma of the Historic Barrel Room at Bernardo Winery. Overflowing barrels filled with Bernardo Winery Port and Wine dating back from as early as 1939, are the backdrop of this great NEW event.
Tuesdays with Toni: Held from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM, starting May 15, 2007, come learn how to go beyond the basics for your everyday busy lifestyle and entertaining needs with hands-on demonstrations, and interactive classes...and of course, wine! We must have wine!.
Wonderful Wednesdays: Exhibition Cooking in the dinning room or on the patio. Enjoy the culinary talent of our two Chefs on specific Wednesday's thru out the Spring and Summer Customers will be able to create their won specialties and choose from newest ingredients and featured entrees. Fresh Fridays: Chef 's Daniel and Stella will be cooking up something special for us each and every Friday from our local farmers Market at Bernardo Winery. Organic produce, Vegetarian Specialties will be some of the highlights to select from. |
|
Event Calender Wine Pairing Meet Chef Daniel Customized Events Cafe Merlot in the News  |
