“Past the trail of tile-work in the iron-enclosed patio, a central redwood bar twinkles with 'stars' in the painted ceiling. The small, the plush interior can only accommodate about 25 people at a time, be they after-work professionals, cooing couples or Landmark theatergoers. A smart wine list runs the gamut from Italian Montepulcianos to Argentinean malbecs, themed flights and a reserve list of bottles over $100. Nibbles include imported olives, cheese and charcuterie.” – Tara de Lis
|
“There is a whole international subculture dedicated to the serious consumption of wine. Although many of these connoisseurs are probably perfectly nice people, they preserve a stereotype of snobbery that tends to alienate the rest of us who enjoy a glass of wine yet don't know a tannin from a tankard. The Wine Lover, a relatively new wine bar in Hillcrest, strives to unite both groups, experts and novices alike. Although servers at the bar undoubtedly fit into the former group, they'd prefer to share their passion and knowledge than horde it for themselves.
Thus, The Wine Lover is the perfect place to try wine culture on for size. Inside, a jazzy, underlit onyx bar sits beneath a fiber-optic starry sky. There are several window-facing tables, although they're packed in pretty tight. There's more room on the patio, where lush shrubbery and fancy iron railings create a unique sort of secret garden. Watch the people go by with a date and a red, or order one of many flight options to test the palate. Appetizers are prepared to pair, like cheeses, pates and, of course, desserts.” -- Kirsten Noelle Hubbard
|
“The stylish, upscale wine bar appeals to an older, better-dressed crowd, with women in dresses as well as pants, men in ties or business-casual outfits. The intimate bar area with eight chairs is flanked by small tables and chairs in the front, with a window on Fifth, and seating for another dozen at tables in the back. An outdoor area is open on weekends. The room is inviting, with soft, warm colors and subdued lighting.
The Wine Lover offers an extensive roster of tasting flights of many different varieties and regions of the world. The selections are on tap, displayed and kept fresh in a special wine-dispensing unit behind the bar. Flights go from $13 for three Sauvignon Blancs up to $71 for four Meritage wines. The most expensive wine: Opus One at $300 a bottle.
You can customize your flights by selecting a 1.5-ounce taste or 5-ounce glass of scores of wines from the comprehensive list. The 1.5-ounce size is the smallest pour we found in our search; The Wine Lover is also the most expensive. For example, a 1.5-ounce taste of the Groth Sauvignon Blanc was $5.75, then $12.50 for the 5-ounce glass and $46 for the bottle. In a standard 750-milliliter bottle, there are 16.9 tastes at 1.5 ounces each. So a bottle of Groth sells for a staggering $97.21 when served in 1.5-ounce increments, more than twice the cost of the bottle if purchased from the wine list. If you want to taste multiple wines at The Wine Lover, go with friends and order the 5-ounce tastes to split with two or three people.
To accompany your wines, The Wine Lover offers a tasty selection of wine-country suppers for $9.50, featuring pâtés, cheeses, sausage plates, breads and crackers. Out of character: cheap plastic serving ware.
Rating: ambience, 9; wine selection, 9; food selection, 7; value, 3.” - Tom Gable
|
