Back Wine Bar and Bistro, A New-American Mainstay in Folsom

Jun 29, 2015 11:16AM ● By Style

Pan-roasted Salmon - Photo by Dante Fontana © Style Media Group

Back Wine Bar and Bistro has been humming along in Folsom since 2008, a testament to the impressive menu and knowledgeable staff that owners Gail and Jeff Back have assembled. The New American fare coming out of their kitchen is consistently enjoyable and their wine program robust.

Back was first established as a wine bar, but over time they’ve developed and expanded their food (and beer) menus, which feature tasty small plates, sandwiches and entrées. Don’t worry though: Their wine list continues to be comprehensive and many of the offerings are available in a half-glass size, making it easy to try several varieties or put together a DIY pairing or flight. Explore the list on your own, or let the expert staff guide you toward something delightful. Next time I go (which will probably be during their late-night Happy Hour), I’ll be asking about their wine club.

On my latest visit, I started with the Hawaiian ahi poke, a mouthwatering dish of tender, lightly marinated tuna chunks amassed atop a stout bed of sticky rice. The tiny, tasty tower was garnished with sunomono (pickled cucumber) while a drizzling of chili soy sauce and crushed macadamias made for a lovely presentation.

The filet mignon was also praiseworthy. The grilled-to-order certified Angus beef with a red wine demi-glace resulted in a lusciously tender piece of meat. Paired with smashed garlic Yukon gold potatoes and perfectly sautéed asparagus, it was a quintessential steak supper.

The most memorable entrée, for me however, was the pan-roasted salmon with bacon-thyme vinaigrette. The slab of salmon was seared with a perfect, golden-brown crust and moist, crumbly interior. The vinaigrette was zesty with its underlying brawn, and matched perfectly with the rich, fatty salmon. Along with more of the smashed potatoes and asparagus spears, this dish was some seriously good eats.

We finished with the decadent chocolate lava cake and sat while enjoying the stylish but comfortable dining room—already planning when we’d be “back.”