Chef View
By Dana Johnson
Dewz Wine and Dine Wonderland!
Dear Santa, I can explain… Yes, thoughts of sugar plums danced in my head and I could hear ring-ting-tingling, too! Come on, its lovely weather for a Mercedes sleigh ride together with you, while friends are calling “Yoo hoo!” After drinking around the wine bar that brings almost as much bliss as the Christmas tree, we frolic and play the Modesto way, singing joy to the world from inside the Dewz dining wonderland!
Now if you were able to follow all that; you may already know all about the new Mercedes minibus company (seats up to 14 guests!) www.groupvago.com is located right here in Modesto! Owner, Robert Waterhouse, has brought this luxury style alternative transportation to shuttle his patrons safely and plushy to and from magical destinations whether they are near or far! So I simply gave him a call, got my holiday fancy on, red scarf and all, with drinkie in hand 🙂 we picked up Modesto View’s own mega-talented photographer, Michael Mangano (MJ!) and headed to Dewz!
Per my request, Modesto View’s very own Santa all year round, Chris Murphy joined us for the Dewz experience he’s already been privy to. Then friends of the View, Michelle VanArtsdalen and Susie Fagundes of Intrinsic Elements happened to be there so naturally we invited them to sample the parade of desserts before us. All accompanied with perfectly paired dessert wines, as Dewz features 40 cordials and ports. Yes, we all moaned as we spooned into each dessert made from scratch; Cinnamon Toast Bread Pudding, Tiramisu Parfait, and the Gateaux Riche all having the illustrious title of “Dana~licious!” Thank you to Nathan Egerer who served us saying; “You shouldn’t have to touch anything except to your lips in the Dewz experience.”
Dewz, one of downtown Modesto’s premier favorite restaurants for the past 18 years! Owner, Scott Aspesi, husband to Christine, dad to Kelcey 16 and Taylor 13, and son to Judy and employer to 41 employees; Scott still managed to find time to chat with me! He told me of the importance of his family, his gratitude to his Mom as he called her the backbone to Dewz, and how he appreciates his devoted longtime employees, especially Dewz partner, Chef Vincent who has been there since the beginning as he just showed up and said “I’m going to work here!”. Go figure that Scott now refers to him as the best chef ever!
Dewz was named after Scott’s only brother Dewayne who passed away too young at age 26 from leukemia in 1996. Dewayne was known for his cool ‘hair-do’s’ and the name Dewz was affectionately born. Ironically, the Modesto View was born in the original Dewz back in 1998 over many amazing meals & meetings as Chris Murphy fondly remembers.
Mo View signature question: 1st to Nathan, Beatles or Stones? Beatles, but the Stones are EPIC! So we high-fived! 2nd to Scott; STONES! It was that simple. But Chris can still come play his Beatles songs at Dewz as they showcase live music on Fri/Sat nights! Find me there indulging in the bleu cheese butter crust NY Steak, crispy duck legs, divine veal escalopes, and, NOT OR baked brie! So Dana~licious!
Wow, thinking of all involved in this fine dining experience, I think the Group Van Go is the only way to go! So you see Santa Baby, I’ve been an awful good girl!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Address: 1505 J St, Modesto, CA 95354
Phone:(209) 549-1101
Hours: Monday 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
Tuesday 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
Wednesday 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
Thursday 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
Friday 5:00 – 10:30 pm
Saturday 5:00 – 10:30 pm
Sunday Closed
