If you’re familiar with San Diego, you probably think of the Ocean Beach neighborhood as a hippie enclave that’s somewhat stuck in the era of peace signs and bellbottoms. In fact, Cameron Crowe used this tiny beach community as the backdrop for his 70s-styled movie Almost Famous.

More recently, the citizens of O.B. vehemently protested the addition of a new Starbucks in their ‘hood. They didn’t succeed, but locals are fond of pointing out that the O.B. Starbucks is the least profitable in the nation, a boast that may or not be true. Anyone know for sure?

Anyway, all this to say that you wouldn’t expect to find a hip wine bar with gourmet food in O.B. But that’s exactly what they offer at The Vine. Our friends Amanda and Kelsey suggested it a few weeks ago and I have to admit that at first I was hesitant. I just didn’t believe that a wine bar and restaurant in O.B. would be very good. But they’d been before and had a great experience, so we trusted them and I’m so glad we did!

The dining room scene at about 10 p.m. on a Friday night…

A Flight of California Whites:

I’m not a wine expert, by any means, but this flight of wine helped me learn about various whites that I might not have tried otherwise. I loved the Viognier and also the Marsanne. It’s great to have other white wine options besides the obvious Chardonnay.

All four of us were starving, so we ordered a ton of dishes to try and share. First off, we had an American cheese board ($6.95) that was nothing out of the ordinary, but a perfect accomaniment to our first round of wine. Honestly, I think the cheese plate at Just Fabulous has ruined me for all other cheese presentations.

Shannon’s Super Sexy Pate (chicken pate with fresh fruit) and Queso Fundido (topped with olives, raisins, and corn relish) are $7.95 each and both delicious:

I ordered the Wild Mushroom Sampler ($8.95 for a brandy cream reduction in a puff pastry) which was wildly rich and seductive:

My husband Daniel ordered the Coriander Crusted Ahi (with chipotle aioli and garlic cilantro vinaigrette for $11.95) and thoroughly enjoyed it:

We also ordered the Bacon-Wrapped Sea Scallops in a port reduction sauce ($11.95) , Crab Cakes ($8.95), and the Flat-Iron Steak topped with caramelized shallots, candied walnuts, and a Roquefort sauce ($11.95). I can honestly say that everything was delicious. We passed the plates back and forth and around and fought over last bites and tried new wines and… what more could you ask for in a double date?

The only disappointment came with dessert. We ordered a Flourless Chocolate Cake and it was just okay, nothing spectacular. I’m not that picky when it comes to chocolate. Dark and rich are my only requirements. But this cake just didn’t pack enough intense chocolate punch for me. I’d be interested in giving some of The Vine’s other desserts a chance the next time we dine there.

And there WILL be a next time!