Jazzy’s Restaurant: The New “Soul” of Temecula
Carmen Micheli
By guest Wine Chix Carmen Micheli
Carmen is a freelance wine, food and music writer living in Temecula Valley Wine Country. An amazing home chef, mother of two and wine aficionado she writes about those in-the-know and on-the-go. With a pulse on the latest in dining, entertainment, events and more, Carmen delivers the latest news and happenings around the city, showcasing the best that Temecula Wine Country and the SoCal area has to offer.
The New “Soul” of Temecula
Temecula’s soul has indeed been awakened. On May 30, 2012, press and media gathered to welcome the city’s newest and most anticipated restaurant to the valley, Jazzy’s Restaurant. Owners Omar and Adrenia Smith are both extremely proud and passionate about their business and base their restaurant and cuisine on “just plain good food from the heart” combined with great live music, art, and a comfortable atmosphere which can only be described as “Jazzy”. They pride themselves on using locally grown products and support local businesses.
This press party smartly combined great food, premium wine and local music talent. The vibrant pop/country sounds of Ashley Zavala rocked the room as I sipped on a lovely Bronze Medal 2009 Sangiovese from Temecula’s Robert Renzoni Vineyards. The aromas of nutty English toffee and raspberries nicely rounded out the bittersweet black cherry and oak on the palate. Chicken Parma Pesto from Jazzy’s Dinner menu was our first course. The tender, perfectly done Gnocchi accompanied with the moist prosciutto wrapped chicken breast and the herb pesto cream sauce was an ideal pair with the Sangiovese.
The second course arrived as Deek and Long performed a spicy version of Alanis Morissete’s “Hand in my Pocket “. I couldn’t help but see it fit to the Jambalaya Pasta. Chicken, turkey kielbasa, shrimp and crab, served over a bed of fresh pasta and finished with a hint of cream provides just the right amount of heat and creaminess. Robert Renzoni’s 2008 Concerto instantly made friends as the wine also had that perfect balance of depth, spice, and soul. Notes of cloves and eucalyptus create a harmonious medley with the rich, lingering finish of blackberries, oak, and nutmeg. What a masterfully crafted blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, and Merlot! The Concerto paired with Jazzy’s Jambalaya Pasta is truly a treat.
Jazzy's Owner Omar Smith
Drunken Rib Eye and Renzoni’s Pinot Grigio was the final course of the night and a show stopper. The perfectly tender Rib-Eye marinated in Merlot, on a bed of creamy polenta, and fresh green beans is destined to be a customer favorite. Robin’s Nest Desserts and Catering provided the mouthwatering display of decadent sweets. The favorite was a Lemon Meringue Tart with a hint of fresh lavender, a surprising delight. Chef Monet Taylor is an alumna of Culinary Institute of America whose influences are both Italian and Southern. The menu consists of items such as Wings and Waffles, the already popular Temecula Cheesesteak, Chicken Parma Pesto, and Cajun Catfish with collard greens and cornbread. All menu items are made from fresh local ingredients of the highest quality and are crafted with passion, heart and soul.
Jazzy’s Restaurant is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Crave some live entertainment to help feed your soul? Check out Jazzy’s on Friday & Saturday nights for live entertainment featuring artists such as Legendary Saxophonist Richie Cole, Ray Brown Jr., and Tracey Niles. And don’t forget to stop by for “Soul Food Sunday’s”, a tribute to the art of Southern Cooking. Jazzy’s is located at 30590 Rancho California Road #C303 in Temecula, just minutes from Wine Country. They are a must visit in the beautiful Temecula Valley.
