Check, Please! Bay Area's second season episode 15 (215) profiles and reviews these three Bay Area restaurants:

1) The Grubstake: | restaurant information | reviews | recipe |

2) Charanga: | restaurant information | reviews | [CLOSED]

3) Viognier, The Restaurant at Draeger's: | restaurant information | reviews |

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My name is Leslie Sbrocco and I’m the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I will be sharing my tasting notes about the wine the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show. Also, in my "What to Sip" suggestions, I choose one restaurant from each show and offer tips for selecting libations to enjoy with your meal.

Wine of the Week:

2006 A-Mano, Fiano-Greco, Puglia, Italy $13

I’ve long been a fan of this winery in the southern Italian region of Puglia. Meaning “hand-made,” the A-Mano winemaking team of Shannon and Sbalchiero (an American and Italian) is known for quality and value. This newly-released white is an even blend of two native grapes, Fiano and Greco. It’s lemony, fresh, and perfect for summer sipping.

What to Sip: Charanga

Want a Mangazo, Mojito, or Merengue Margarita? Crave a Guava-rita, Cumbia Cosmo, or Caipirinha? Charanga is your destination. This Cuban/Costa Rican/Caribbean-influenced restaurant is not only a star when it comes to food, but also for unique cocktails. Meet friends at the bar for some salty yuca frita or spicy ceviche Chino Latino (tuna marinated in lime with soy sauce) and indulge in a terrific Mojito (lime, mint, and rum)…or two. The restaurant’s name means “Let’s dance,” and believe me, you’ll be ready to party at Charanga.