“It’s a big, casual, friendly bistro, with plenty of room to spread out at the bar, gnosh at the stand-up cocktail rounds or get serious with food and wine at one of the large tables along the wall opposite the bar. The lighting fixtures, exposed heating ducts, burgundy hues and mix of furnishings give The Nose an eclectic, undefined feel.
About half the crowd (men and women in business casual and just plain casual, in the 25-34 demographic) seemed to know one another and were more into martinis than wines. A few people in dress shirts and unknotted ties sipped studiously at the bar.
The Nose pours flights by demi-glass or full glass. The Caymus Conundrum white-wine blend was $5.25 and $10.50; $40 for the bottle. The Franciscan Chardonnay was $4.50, $8.50 and $33. Most expensive bottle on the list was the Coppolla Rubicon at $120.
The Nose had the most complete menu on our rounds, with soups ($6), appetizers ($6 for the herb-roasted head of garlic to $11 for the charcuterie platter), salads, pastas ($13) and entrées ($13 for the filet mignon burger to $16 for the salmon Wellington). It’s a place where you could meet a group of 10 or more without dominating the space. Good service, although slightly harried and distracted at times.
Rating: ambience, 8; wine selection, 7; food selection, 9; value, 8.” -- Tom Grable
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