Caffe Di Vino is off the beaten track of the tourist blog that takes place in a hip part of Sausalito on Caledonia Street. It is decorated with shops, movies, cool bars, spas, and a great health food store. A few white Christmas lights glisten outside while the inside of Caffe Di Vino is intimately candlelit. The wood leaf fan above the main dining rood is a nice touch. This is a great place to dine after a long hike or bike ride in Marin or over the Golden Gate Bridge. Red tablecloths sit proudly on top of abstract art tables and there is a small restroom that can lead an idle mind to thoughts of making love in a commercial airline restroom.
Greek owner, Elizabeth Nebot feels that she has landed the perfect location for the restaurant that she has always wanted to open. Elizabeth has owned Caffe Di Vino for five years. Here, she is in her domain. She loves music and she has a love for Italian food and culture. It is apparent all around from the cuisine to the décor textures; even the atmosphere of enjoyment. Elizabeth knows how to entertain and make you feel good. I see it in the people. Everyone is having fun…
The intensity of the music keeps the place hopping. There is music seven nights a week—primarily jazz. Also, there is an art walk the first Tuesday of every month. Well…tonight is Monday and there are two musicians playing acoustic guitar. The music is making my heartstrings sing. It is soaring. The guitar’s red passion can fuse well with your great Tuscany meal.
Italian Chef, Elena Fabbri comes from a restaurant family. This could probably be why there is sensitivity put towards the preparation of the organic ingredients in the meals. Everything is made on the premises ranging from the bread and deserts to the reservations. Though it can be best to just show up for the outside dining. Breakfast and lunch are served but dinner is the most outstanding according to the owner, Elizabeth.
The bread is piping hot served as an accompaniment with olives and razor thin grilled eggplant zucchini. Much care goes into the selections of ingredients, much care. Not to mention the gnocchi Gorgonzola walnut penne with tomato sauce and the spinach and ricotta ravioli in butter sage sauce…all are true representations of perfection. I rate the food ultra cool.
The Dolcetto Di Dogliani 2004 is a fairly good choice if you want a red wine. There are usually eight, but tonight three cool selections of wines that are available to order by the glass are angiovese, Cascina Dolcetto, and Nausica Nevo D’Avola. Recommended wines at Caffe Di Vino are listed as: Sagrantino Di Montefalco Vignabaldo, Umbria, Italy 1999, Brunello Di Montalcino, Canalicchio 2000
Avvoltore, Moris Farms Toscana 2002.
Caffe Di Vino is also rated for having some of the top coffees, cappuccinos, and lattes in Marin. Try enjoying them with their warm apple cake and vanilla ice cream.
Caffe Di Vino is by far one of the top, if not the top restaurants in Marin. I have been here for one hour and forty-five minutes and I feel I have been on vacation. This is one reason among many why you will come back over and over again.
