Check, Please! Bay Area's second season episode 9 (209) profiles and reviews these three Bay Area restaurants:

1) Dona Thomas: | restaurant information | reviews |

2) Amber India: | restaurant information | reviews | recipe |

3) Scala's Bistro: | 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:

2004 Pretty Sally Cabernet/Shiraz, Victoria, Australia $17

A blend of almost equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, this super-smooth red sports freshness and vibrancy, making it an ideal dinner companion. Enjoy alongside a lamb sandwich laced with rosemary or grilled portobello mushroom stuffed with roasted peppers and Asiago cheese.

What to Sip: Scala's Bistro

Scala's Bistro has long been a favorite haunt of mine when it comes to wine. Whether stopping by for a quick lunch during a Union Square shopping outing or enjoying a nibble after the theater, its European bistro ambiance invites relaxation. The menu is a mix of Italian, French, and Californian influences, and the wine list echoes that international feel. For white lovers, try the Swanson Pinot Grigio, Napa Valley ($35) paired with bruschetta or carpaccio. For red drinkers, order the lush and spicy Ceja Syrah from the Sonoma Coast ($54) alongside a simple pizza margherita or steak and frites.