with vegetables. Dana went simple with
Spaghetti Bolognese with sausage and
ground beef in a tomato sauce. J.Chris
ordered poached salmon topped with
lobster infused roasted bell pepper sauce.
And I had the Chicken Saltimbocca, a
sautéed chicken breast with prosciutto,
and sage in marsala wine demi-glace,
baked with mozzarella cheese over
potatoes and vegetables.
The meal comments were lavish.
Elaine: “Generous portion with plenty for
lunch tomorrow and the Dijon flavor was
great!” Dana: “Spaghettitacular, the meat
was chunky and just delicious…a very
authentic sauce.” J.Chris noted that the
menu offered pan-seared or blackened
salmon but she was able to order it
poached. “it came with a very nice sauce,
a little bit spicy but good…think comfort
food.” I described mine as “a medley of
flavors, sweet and salty…really good.”
We all agreed that we did not need
desert but we still ordered snickerdoodle
cookies, a chocolate eclair and a chocolate
tart. We rationalized our extravagance
with having to tell our readers about the
offerings. Dana summed it up :“They do
everything well.”
Very full and quite happy we ended
the evening noting that we enjoyed the
experience—Bella Viva by itself is great
fun. But the combination of Bella Viva
and Garlic City Café is just amazing.
Bella Viva Wine Bar has a back room for
special events and parties. It also has a
Wine Club with pricing on over three
thousand wineries. Wine Club members
receive a 10 percent discount in the wine
bar, invitations to member-only events
and wine shipments tailored to their
individual palates. Open seven days a
week with varying hours.
Bella Viva Wine Bar
7423 Monterey Street
Kellan and Lindsay McBain
408 842-3723
bvristorante.com
Garlic City Café is operated by
the husband and wife team of
Socrates and Margarita Diego.
Some might recognize Socrates
from his days at the Golden
Oak. This intimate family-
owned restaurant is open
Tuesday to Sunday.
Garlic City Café
7461 Monterey Street
Socrates & Margarita Diego
408.847.7744
garliccitycafe.net
Entrees
Poached Salmon
Spaghetti Bolognese
Chicken Dijon
Chicken Saltimbocca
Desserts
Chocolate Eclair
Chocolate Tart
104
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
MARCH/APRIL 2017
gmhtoday.com