Details, Details

Sandra Shinall’s secret to success isn’t so secret.

The co-owner of Suzanne’s Cuisine in Ojai credits her restaurant’s solid reputation to a work ethic that’s been popular for ages.

“A lot of it is really cliche, in that it’s hard work and as much focus on detail as we can manage,” said Shinall, who owns the 5-year-old restaurant with her mother, Suzanne Roll. “We don’t claim the food is perfect, but we keep working on making it as good as we can.”

Those efforts have paid off in the form of one of the top ratings in the 1998 Zagat Survey for Los Angeles/Southern California restaurants.

The publication, which bases its ratings on the opinions of discriminating diners, gave Suzanne’s its second-highest ratings for both quality of food and quality of service among restaurants in the Santa Barbara region. (Zagat’s doesn’t recognize Ventura County as a distinct culinary locale.)

“A lot of times in this business, I think, things escape you, but you keep trying to work on the little details that will make someone’s night in the restaurant special,” Shinall said. “I think the reason a lot of restaurants go out of business is because to do it correctly is all-consuming.”

Other local restaurants recommended by the Zagat guide include Tuscany Il Ristorante of Westlake Village, which tied for the fourth-highest ranking in quality of food among Italian restaurants in the Los Angeles area. The Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill in Agoura Hills was rated the top barbecue spot in the Los Angeles region. (Wood Ranch also has establishments in Moorpark and Camarillo.)

Downey’s restaurant of Santa Barbara received top scores for food and service in the Santa Barbara area, with La Super-Rica of Santa Barbara deemed best value and the Four Seasons Biltmore judged tops for decor.

For Suzanne’s, this is the third consecutive year that Zagat’s has acknowledged the restaurant among its top-ranked culinary spots. And this has done wonders for business.

“When we first got listed in Zagat in the 1996 publication, that was the turning point for our business,” Shinall said. “I personally was at a point of thinking, ‘Why am I continuing to do this? We work so hard and yes, business is building somewhat, but why not more?’ Then when we first made it [in Zagat] there was a dramatic increase in business. It was the first recognition that yes, we are making it.”

Suzanne’s Cuisine is at 502 W. Ojai Ave.

Champagne Shopping: Tom Walling may no longer be the Food Dude on KCLU-FM (88.3) (his culinary show stopped airing last summer), but he stills knows his wine. And we consider him more than qualified to tell us with what bubbly we should ring in the New Year.

For Walling’s money--and remember, he’s a certified public accountant, so he’s aware of these things--the best sparkling wine (a California champagne) for less than $10 is the Domaine Chandon of St. Helena in the Napa Valley. For those willing to dip into their wallets a little further, Walling suggests a Roederer Estate sparking wine from the Anderson Valley region of Mendocino County. It can be found, Walling said, for $13-$17.

“For the price, it matches any of the top French Champagnes.”