"Tannins is a great little restaurant on Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano. It’s an Italian place, and it’s one of San Juan’s best-kept secrets, known for good food and a huge selection of wine. One of my favorite aspects of this place is that there’s a second little kitchen dedicated solely to making their amazing pizzas. I’m not talking about New York or Chicago style here, it’s really more of an authentic Italian feel. Thin, crispy crust, and relatively simple toppings. Tannins delivers these pizzas, and while they are not as cheap as Domino’s or Pizza Hut, this pizza is on another level. It’s completely worth it. The rest of the menu is equally impressive. My personal favorite item is a salmon spinach salad. It’s got this awesome chopped dressing with tomatoes and capers and olive oil…it’s tangy and salty and delicious in just the right way. The salmon has perfect charring and is a little crispy on the outside, but moist and flavorful inside. The staff at Tannins is attentive and helpful when it comes to wine selection. They really want you to have the perfect pairing of food and drink. The bar is intimate and cozy, and Tannins has an award-winning happy hour, with elegant nibbles and perfectly-composed drinks. This is a small, local spot, and it really deserves to get more recognition!"
