At long last….an exceptional dining experience in Baldwin Park! About a year ago we moved from Baldwin Park and have since missed the bike trail, walkable community and incredible sunsets – basically everything but the dining scene. All of that’s about to change now that The Osprey Osprey Tavern has arrived in the neighborhood. A once barren corner is now filled with culinary magic and stunning interiors.

Executive Chef, Joseph Burnett, brings an appreciation for fresh ingredients that stems from his childhood in England. From the oysters that are harvested from the pristine waters of the Northern coasts, to the carefully sourced Midwestern beef and bounty of local produce and seafood, all ingredients are thoughtfully prepared with both classic and modern techniques so the ingredients can take center stage.

Bold and charming, this expansive restaurant is not for the timid diner. With a menu full of adventure, you’re sure to experience something new and unique. We were recently treated to a fabulous six course meal filled with perfectly paired wines and outstanding flavor. So bring your adventure, appetite and friends to enjoy all that The Osprey Tavern has to offer!

Amuse: Oysters with paddlefish caviar. I’m not an oyster or caviar connoisseur, but I’ll take my dining companions rave reviews as a good sign. The single bite was “clean” and a good starting point if you’re new to the whole mollusk thing.

Charcuterie: A beautifully arranged plate of black forest duck ham, chicken liver mousse, soppressata, armenian cured beef and smoked trout. A platter equally impressive for its taste and presentation. If you’re searching for a rich, flavorful charcuterie plate The Osprey Tavern’s version is worth a try.

Florida Black Grouper: Basil rubbed with zellwood corn agnolotti, broccolini and local butter. Both rich and light, this fish was utterly exceptional. A fish so light and tender, it practically melted on my fork.

Short Rib: My Lilly Pulitzer sweater became the victim of an unfortunate buttery spill while I inhaled this dish, but I was too busy enjoying this tender hunk of meat to notice or care. Red wine braised and served with fingerling potatoes, morel mushrooms and sourdough grilled bread, it’s a rich, memorable cut of meat served in a ginormous serving piece.

Pizzas: During our second visit to Osprey Tavern, I might have consumed an entire pizza….but who’s counting slices here? Both the Ham and Cheese and Garden Pizza are baked in the stone hearth oven and topped with untraditional ingredients like IPA Cheddar and Radish Pesto respectively. Not your typically delivery pizza, The Osprey Tavern has sought out to create and serve gourmet pies.

Chocolate Caramel: I don’t know where they found this pastry chef, but she’s clearly an expert in confections. The perfect ending to a lavish meal, this flourless chocolate cake was nestled among salted caramel, caramelia cream and roasted cocoa nib ice cream. Make sure you order a sweet treat for the grande finale of your dining experience here.

Whether you live down the road or across the city, make a trip to this corner of Baldwin Park, it’s totally worth a visit to taste what The Osprey Tavern has to offer.

Looking for some summer fun? We’ve got two ideas from Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster and Taverna Opa Orlando!

Christner’s Bourbon Dinner 

An award-winning steakhouse known for its rich history and charm, welcomes an intimate group of steak and bourbon enthusiasts to join them on Friday, July 24. For $110 per person, guests will gather in a private dining room for an interactive dinner with bourbon pairings featuring Dick Waters of Palm Ridge Reserve and Paul Twyford of Winter Park Distilling Company.

Reservations can be made via e-mail at Christners@rockawaypr.com.

Taverna Opa Orlando’s Summer Wine Dinner Series: Land

The award-winning Greek restaurant known for its authentic cuisine and live entertainment, will welcome summer with its annual wine dinner series themed Air, Land & Sea. The July dinner features a five-course tasting and wine pairing menu, available for $45, inspired by Land, highlighting beef and pork as the main dishes of the evening. On July 30, the restaurant’s host, Katerina Coumbaros and wine partner, Ruffino, will create an interactive dining experience for guests, including a unique menu and carefully-selected Italian wine selections. The evening will commence with an introduction to Taverna Opa Orlando’s traditional Greek cuisine followed by a dinner at 6:45 p.m. The Taverna Opa Orlando team will interact with guests, walking them through each course and wine pairing.

Seven of California’s great female winemakers and collaborators, including award-winning actress Drew Barrymore, will come together to celebrate women and wine as part of the restaurant’s seventh annual The Generous Pour event.

The Generous Pour will celebrate the unique role women play in winemaking with this year’s offerings. From July 6 through August 30, 2015, for $28 per person with dinner, The Capital Grille will offer eight remarkable wines crafted, designed or owned by women from some of California’s most acclaimed vineyards. Guests are invited to explore and enjoy as many of these remarkable wines and varietals as they like.

Nowhere is the rise of women in the industry more prevalent than in California. Women represent half of the graduates from the state’s top enology programs, and are employed as lead winemaker at ten percent of California vineyards.

“The Generous Pour collection is a celebration of the vital role women play in the growing wine industry,” noted George Miliotes, The Capital Grille’s Master Sommelier and one of only 229 in the world to have earned that prestigious title. “We are proud to feature eight exceptional wines created and shaped by seven extremely talented women, from highly-regarded California wineries,” he added.

Their wines were also selected with a storied vintage in mind including the national debut of Drew Barrymore’s Pinot Grigio, a delightful, crowd-pleasing white to share with friends and family.

Also to be featured is the first public release of the remarkable 2007 Kinton Syrah, exclusive to The Capital Grille for The Generous Pour event. “The winemakers at Kinton produced an incredible Syrah in 2007, a storybook vintage in the state,” said Miliotes. “One of the more notable wines in this year’sThe Generous Pour line-up, nowhere will you taste the perfection of the 2007 vintage more than in a glass of this smooth Santa Barbara red.”

The Enthusiast. Drew Barrymore delights in a wine’s ability to bring people together. It is that passion which inspired the actress to establish Barrymore Wines in the coastal winegrowing region of Monterey, California. The debut of Barrymore Pinot Grigio can be enjoyed at this year’s Generous Pour and is the perfect way to begin your evening.

The Visionary. Julia Jackson, the youngest daughter of legendary winemaker Jess Jackson, is the visionary leading the Jackson Family Estates into the future. Having grown up in the vineyards of Santa Barbara, she has literally spent a lifetime learning about the art of wine and hand selected the wine from the Jackson family library to featuring exclusively at The Capital Grille for The Generous Pour event this year.

The Gardener. Marcia Monahan has always had a close relationship with the land. When not planting grapes at Matanzas Creek, she’s growing vegetables and herbs at home. Her respect for the land and sustainable farming practices makes her masterfully crafted Matanzas Creek Merlot one of the finest in the country.

The Spaniard. Laura Diaz Muñoz began her winemaking career in her native Spain before putting down roots in California, where her approach is influenced by her memories drinking Albariño in her native Spain and smelling the sea in every glass. Two of the wines featured in this year’s Generous Pour – Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon and the debut of her own Galerie “Naissance” Sauvignon Blanc – are sure to earn rave reviews from The Capital Grille’s guests.

The Conductor. Denise Shurtleff and her team direct every aspect of the winemaking process. From nurturing the grapes on the vine to bottling their exceptional wines, one tastes her dedication in every sip of Cambria “Julia’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir.

The Virtuoso. Lisa Valtenbergs, born with an acute sense of smell and armed with a degree in agricultural business with an emphasis in viticulture, was destined to become a winemaker. At Stonestreet, Lisa uses her skill to create remarkable wines, including the highly acclaimed “Bear Point” Chardonnay.

The Scholar. Kristina Werner has a master’s degree in viticulture and experience making wine in regions around the world. She brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to every wine she crafts and lives by the mantra, “Never stop learning and never get bored.” Her Bordeaux-style Arrowood Cabernet Reserve Speciale is one of a kind.

During The Generous Pour, The Capital Grille servers will provide tasting notes and suggest pairings for each course, based on individual preferences. This will allow guests to craft their own personalized wine dinner.

And if you’re headed to Taste of the Nation be sure to visit The Capital Grille! For more information on this fabulous event or to purchase tickets, click here.

Cheers!

Start your engines—Full Throttle Sunday is kicking off this weekend at American Q!

On Sunday from 2-6 p.m., fuel up with $2 ribs and flatbed buffet stocked with sides such as Guacamole, Pecan Smoked Jerk Wings, and award-winning Chili Con Carne  for $19.95 (excludes tableside carvings).

Or park at the bar for drink specials like $3 Jack Daniel’s & Jack Daniel’s Fire Shots, $4 Well Drinksand $6 Pitchers of Draft Beer, and enjoy a live performance by Buddy Blues Band. For more on our American Q experience click here!