Wining and Dining is D•Vine By Brenda Laufer At first glance, D’vine Bistro and Wine Bar looks much like the typical Mesa corner plaza restaurant, but step inside and, as Dorothy and Toto might say, “We’re not in Mesa anymore.” Warm, sage-colored walls adorned with original art, candlelit tables and intimate lighting make D’Vine an instantly comforting treasure find. With its eclectic food and amazing wine selection, it has become a favorite dining destination for my husband and me. On a recent Saturday night, we made our pilgrimage there with some friends. We started our experience by ordering a bottle of wine suggested by our server, the Hook and Ladder “Tillerman” – a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. It truly was a winner, and the layers of the wine went well with our appetizers of southwest salmon cakes capped with a yummy cilantro pesto and fried artichoke hearts served with a torrid chipotle aioli. It was difficult to choose an entrée, because everything sounded delectable. The offer of a filet mignon with sherry raisin demi-glace looked intriguing, but my usual favorite, seared scallop chopped salad with shaved gruyere, caramelized onions and green apple slices, was seductive too. I settled on the pan-fried red trout with purple sticky rice, grilled asparagus and yellow pepper coulis. The trout was somewhat forgettable but the accompaniments were unique and the tastes merged well. My husband wondered momentarily if he should be adventurous and try the elk chops with béarnaise roasted potatoes, but instead chose the adobo-crusted ahi tuna served with incredible cilantro rice. Our friends shared a margherita pizza, brimming with fresh tomatoes and julienned basil. We noticed there were several vegetarian offerings on the menu for the vegan crowd: chile relleno, vegetable lasagna and French onion pizza were a few available the night we visited. When you are at D’vine, don’t be afraid to ask questions. The knowledgeable staff follows D’vine’s motto, “make wine approachable,” and will seamlessly suggest wine choices that mingle with the bistro food, whether you are an oeniphile newbie or an experienced wine enthusiast. They offer 40 wines by the glass and many bottles to please any taste. We highly recommend the Turnbull “Old Bull Red” we enjoyed with our entrees, as well as the aforementioned Hook and Ladder. D’vine is located on the northeast corner of Power and McDowell Roads in the Village at Las Sendas. There is an additional location in Chandler. They are open for lunch Monday through Saturday, and offer dinner seven nights a week. Live music is presented every night except Friday. For more information visit www.Dvinewine101.com or call 480.654.4171. If they ask what brought you in, tell them you heard it through the Hamilton Publishing grapevine!