Epoca restaurant: A Romanian wine country delight

Our Romanian wine country explorations lead to a few gastronomic discoveries. Such was the case the day we visited Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea in Southern Romania. That evening Spaswinefood had the opportunity to dine at Epoch restaurant in Craiova. Whenever we visit a new wine area for me dining at local restaurants is a top priority. 

Arriving at Epoca © Spaswinefood

Epoca Steak House & Wine Bar, Craiova © Spaswinefood

Nearby Wine Country

Earlier that day at Domeniul Coroanei we viewed some of the expansive vineyards, toured the winery, and tasted the wines. Our wine tasting included wines made with international and Romanian grape varieties. I enjoyed tasting both groups of wine however, the wines made with the Romanian grape varieties, such as Fetească Albă, and Tămâioasă Românească were the ones that caught my attention. 

Domeniul Coroanei Wines © Spaswinefood

After a fantastic wine tasting we enjoyed a picnic style lunch from Epoch restaurant before leaving the winery. We returned to Craiova where we spent the night at the Bavari Hotel. That evening we walked to dinner at the nearby Epoca Steak House & Wine Bar.  

Dinner at Epoca
Epoca's Swiss born Chef, Jakob Hausmann is known for preparing delicious dishes with flavorful sauces, spices. While the restaurant has a reputation for its specially prepared beef it does offer an open menu adaptable to all tastes. It also offers internationally and seasonally inspired small plates. Needless to say there is a great selection of wines to accompany the dishes. 

Epoca, Vinarte DOC, Tămâioasă Românească © Spaswinefood

It was a delightful dinner that evening. Let’s take a look at this gastronomic affair.

We began dinner with an Epoca,Vinarte DOC, Tămâioasă Românească wine. We enjoyed this delightful wine with bruschetta and salads.

Bruschetta, Epoca © Spaswinefood

Caprese Salad, Epoca © Spaswinefood

Greek Salad, Epoca © Spaswinefood

Our main courses included calamari and pastas.

Calamari, Epoca © Spaswinefood

Shrimp Pasta, Epoca © Spaswinefood

Pesto Pasta, Epoca © Spaswinefood

During dinner we also enjoyed red wines such as, Epoca, Negru de Drăgăşani and Vinarte, Nedeea 2011.

Epoca, Negru de Drăgăşani © Spaswinefood

The Vinarte, Nedeea 2011 is an excellent red wine made with Fetească Neagra, Negru de Drăgăşani, and Novac grapes. Try this wine and you will understand why it gets top reviews.

Vinarte Nedeea 2011 © Spaswinefood

Vinarte Nedeea 2011 (back label) © Spaswinefood

It is important to note that all the wines we tasted during dinner were produced by Vinarte. Fortunately we would get to visit one of Vinarte's wineries later in our travels.

Yes, we had desserts. Let's take a look.

Chocolate Desert, Epoca © Spaswinefood

Delicious Crepes, Epoca © Spaswinefood

Dinner at the Epoca was indeed a special treat. I can see why, since the opening of Epoca in 2012, this restaurant has become popular with locals and tourists. It was indeed a delightful way to end a visit to Domeniul Coroanei, by dining at Epoca restaurant that evening.

Domeniul Coroanei Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Getting to know the gastronomic scene in Romanian wine country was indeed special. Both our visit to Domeniul Coroanei and the dinner wines at Epoca were a great introduction to Romanian wines, like Fetească Albă, Fetească Negra, Tămâioasă Românească, Negru de Drăgăşani, and Novac. Next morning it was onto Dragasani, the Napa Valley of Romania. I invite you to join me in my Spaswinefood inspired travels in Romania and elsewhere at Spaswinefood. I would like to give special thanks to Razvan Stoenescu and George Wine, for being such wonderful hosts during Spaswinefood’s vine-filled explorations in Romania.

Sharon

August 2016

Craiova, Romania

© Spaswinefood


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