Crush

Located on busy University Avenue in the center of Hillcrest, Crush Wine Bar is a real gem.  Wonderful wines paired with mouthwatering appetizers, served in a trendy and casual environment makes for an intriguing experience.  Whether you are a connoisseur or a casual wine drinker, or even if cocktails are more your style, you are sure to have an enjoyable evening at Crush. 

Crush opened its doors in November 2002 by owner Cindy Bartelli, while Chef Jesus Chevez has been in charge of the kitchen since 2004.  The creativity of this team abounds in their funky haven of abstract art, modern décor, superior wine, and tantalizing tapas-style treats.

Don’t be fooled by the modest exterior of the place.  This small venue, with a capacity of just 49, is surprisingly spacious with an open and airy feel.  We found the noise level to be not too loud and not too soft, with the occasional traffic noise in the background.  The dress code was casual and trendy, and other patrons around us were mostly young friends and couples drinking refreshing Crush Cocktails.  

Once you have adjusted to the dim light, a very colorful and interesting place awaits both the eyes and the palate.  The trendy vibe is accentuated by the pink ceiling and blue walls, and the ambiance is modern and groovy. The dark interior is subtly lit by soft, yellow, ball-shaped lights hanging from the ceiling, and candles in blue glass holders on the tables.  Large mirrors on the walls reflect the flickering candlelight and the bright neon lights from the restaurants across the road.  Abstract art, which can be purchased, is also displayed on the walls.  The tables and chairs are wrought iron, which adds to the cool look.  The chairs have blue leather cushions, and the table tops are decorated with colored mosaic tiles.  The bar, which runs along one wall, is lit up with blue fluorescent, ultra-violet light, which enhances the retro décor.  Funky jazz house music adds to the mellow yet upbeat vibe. 

Diners and wine-lovers have the choice of sitting at the bar, “up close and personal” with the bartender, or around the more intimate cocktail tables.  Those in the mood for a more comfortable setting can sit at a table in the dining area, or relax on the couch amongst colored scatter cushions.  There is no outdoor seating available, but there is seating near the big open folding windows, which look onto the street.  There you can sip your wine and watch the world go by. 

Crush has an excellent selection of wines from local and international vineyards, and these can be ordered by the glass, bottle, or flight (a flight consists of taste-sized pours of 3 wines).  The prices are very reasonable, and the wide variety makes it very difficult to choose.   I chose a Flight of International Reds, which included wine from Spain, France, and Australia; while my partner chose a Flight of International Whites, which included wine from France and South Africa.  Both selections were superb and left us wanting more!

To accompany our wine tasting, we turned to the selective menu of soups, salads and small plates.  The prices were excellent, and every item looked very interesting and exotic. (The menu changes every couple of weeks, when the chef adds or removes seasonal items.) We chose to start with a Proscuitto and Arugula Salad, with fresh mozzarella, white truffle vinaigrette and herbed toast.  The presentation was excellent, and every mouthful was magical.  The fresh ingredients and spicy herbs fused together in an explosion of flavors.  The crunchy and crispy toast was served on the side, and completed the salad triumphantly. 

Next on the menu was a Brie and Red Onion Quesadilla, with pesto and mango-shallot salsa.  Once again, the presentation was wonderful, and the bright orange mango, red pepper, and green herbs made the plate very colorful.  The flavor of the quesadilla was very subtle and mild, but the mango salsa brought it to life with its zest.  The combination was pleasant and tasty.  To accompany my meal, I drank a glass of South African Syrah, which complimented the flavors of my dish well.

My partner chose the Roasted Vegetable and Goat Cheese Bruschetta, with portabello mushroom, red and yellow bell peppers, and Italian squash, and a balsamic drizzle.  The vegetables and goat cheese were blended together into a soft spread and served atop crispy bread.  A small and beautifully fresh leafy salad, trickled with vinaigrette, accompanied the dish.  The sweet and sour flavor of the salad delightfully completed the delicious dish.  A glass of California Chardonnay was a great match for this meal.

With enough space left for sweets, we were presented with their selective dessert menu.  I ordered the Chocolate Pate with raspberry sauce.  The slice of thick, solid, rich, and stodgy chocolate was too glorious for words.  Surprisingly, it was not too sweet, and had a slightly bitter aftertaste, for which I was thankful.  The thick raspberry sauce, and the strawberries on the side, made this already perfect treat even more sensational.

I also had the pleasure of tasting my partner’s Pacific Rim Cheesecake, which was baked in a spring roll wrapper and served with raspberry sauce.  The cheesecake was soft, light, and mushy, and was served warm, with the raspberry sauce on the side.  The “pastry” was fine and crispy.  It was utterly divine!   

The portions of our dishes were a perfect size – they were enough to satisfy our hunger while sipping on our drinks.  The presentation of all our dishes was very creative and absolutely magnificent.  I was convinced that the chef was an artist, which would be very apt, given the modern and stylish atmosphere of the wine bar. 

Our server was very helpful, knowledgeable and efficient, and she had a brilliant memory of all that was on offer.  Our food and drinks were served quickly and in a friendly, polite manner.

I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent quality of the wine, food and service, and all-in-all I had a fantastic evening.  I would highly recommend a visit to this exciting wine bar.  Don’t miss their happy hour, Tuesday through Friday from 5:00pm to 6:30pm, with specials on food and drinks, and “Wine Wednesday,” with half off all bottles over $40.