Local restaurateur Sami Ladeki has found twice-monthly wine sampling nights at his Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza downtown location successful.
Now, he’s taking the idea to his year-old Asian fusion restaurant in La Jolla, Roppongi Restaurant, Bar & Cafe.
This week, Roppongi will host a winemaker dinner, for which it will charge $85 per person. Next month, it will have two wine tastings, costing each customer $25. The dinner will feature winemaker Robert Mondavi, Ladeki said.
The five-course dinner, designed by Roppongi executive chef Stephen Winslow, will be paired with Mondavi district and reserve wines.
The wine tastings will take place Feb. 8 and Feb. 22. Award-winning wines from France will be sampled at the first tasting, and champagnes at the second.
Portions of sales from each event will be donated to local charities, said a representative for the restaurants.
, Tanya Rodrigues
