Top Ten Wine Bars
I have to admit finding ten wine bars in the Baltimore area wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. (Where are Vespa and Spike & Charlie's when I need them?)
I wanted to include places that weren't primarily restaurants, or if they were primarily restaurants, also had a separate wine bar. Obviously my list varies wildly in how many wines are offered and what else is on tap (flights, tastings, knowledgeable bartenders), but the idea is that the focus is wine at all of these.
Here's my list; please feel free to disagree or let me know about ones I missed: ...
*Aida Wine Bar, 7185 A Gateway Drive, Columbia, 410-953-0500. This is the comfort food version of the wine bar, homey and comfortable. It offers a large list of half-bottles (they say one of the largest in Maryland) and an unusual guarantee: If you don't like it, they take it back. It doesn't have to be corked.
*Annabell's Fine Wine Shop & Bar, 8210 Main St., Ellicott City, 410-750-8800. The specialty is a wide-ranging assortment of wines with specials to lure you in, like $1 off wines by the glass during weekday happy hours, and on Wednesdays, three cheeses and three wines for $15.
*Chesapeake Wine Co., 2400 Boston St., No. 112, Canton, 410-522-4556. The urban shabby chic bar, in the middle of a retail shop, offers 24 wines by the glass. Sparkling wines are a specialty: There are always 5 by the glass. Since my last visit, the bar has become nonsmoking. Good move!
*Cinghiale, 822 Lancaster St. in Harbor East, 410-547-8282. The new enoteca just launched a Tuesday special: 50 percent off bottles in the wine bar between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. If you like Italian wines, there are over 40 by the glass. Four wine flights are currently being offered.
*Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 720 Aliceanna St., 410-332-1666. I know this is an odd choice, but there are 100 wines offered by the glass at the bar, and that must count for something, right?
*Grand Cru, 527 E. Belvedere Ave., Belvedere Square, 410-464-1944. The draw isn't just 45 wines by the glass served in Riedel stemware, the hip contemporary decor, or the wine-friendly snacks. It's that you can bring in food from anywhere in the Belvedere Market to go with your wine.
*Helen's Garden, 2908 O'Donnell St., Canton, 410-276-2233. The expansion into the row house next door means that this charmingly funky restaurant now has a separate wine bar with supposedly the world's longest happy hour: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (reduced prices on glasses of wine).
*Iron Bridge Wine Co., 10435 Route 108, Columbia, 410-997-3456. The food sometimes obscures the fact that this is a very nice wine bar (if you can get a seat) with more than 30 premium wines by the glass and bottles available at retail plus a corkage fee. The biggest problem is that it's too popular for its own good.
*Metropolitan Coffee House and Wine Bar, 902 S. Charles St., Federal Hill, 410-234-0235. The specialty here is an eclectic list of moderately priced wines, many from small producers, by the bottle or glass. There's a new bar upstairs where weekly wine tastings are held (five tastes for $15 every Tuesday).
*Wine Market, 921 Fort Ave., Locust Point, 410-244-6166. The retail shop and the restaurant sometimes overshadow the wine bar, which has 30 or so wines by the glass (the list changes almost weekly), bottles for a $9 corkage fee from the shop and 3- and 6-ounce pours so you can create your own flights.
And although this doesn't quite count because you have to buy a plane ticket to drink there, I do want to mention:
*Vino Volo, Concourse A, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. This is such a civilized way to deal with a delayed flight. I think you have to be flying Southwest to take advantage of it. You can get wine by the glass, wine flights, or bottles you can take (unopened) on the plane.
(Algerina Perna/Sun Photographer)
in Top Ten Tuesdays, Wine and Spirits
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Comments
This is a great list for thoes of us looking to find new places to venture to. Any thought's on Taste at Belvedere Square?
Posted by: Dan | November 27, 2007 10:11 AM
Taste is terrible. Over priced, arrogant wait staff and really, really bad food. I'm never going back and would suggest you never go. We need a new restaurant in the square.
Posted by: ryan | November 27, 2007 10:36 AM
I second Ryan's feelings on Taste, except I wouldn't say their food is "really bad." Average food, overpriced and arrogant staff - definitely.
Posted by: Greg S | November 27, 2007 11:14 AM
I know this is not in Baltimore, but a new wine bar named The Purple Tooth Wine Bar opened recently in Annapolis. It is located in a former firehouse that was renovated by the wine bar's owners. The bar has around 20 wines by the glass/taste/flight or you can select a bottle from their over 125 wine inventory and they'll cork it for you. Give them a visit! http://thepurpletooth.com
I'm delighted to know this because I thought of including Annapolis, but just didn't know the wine bar scene well enough to feel confident doing it.
Posted by: John | November 27, 2007 11:35 AM
Very useful information since my wife and I are new to the wine bar scene...thanks!
Posted by: Eric | November 27, 2007 12:13 PM
What about Vin in Towson? I seem to recall sitting at their bar with lots of wine offerings by the glass.
Posted by: SKS | November 27, 2007 12:32 PM
You didn't mention it, but Chesapeake also opens (for a small corkage fee) bottles purchased at the retail store. Plus, the Tuesday tastings can't be beat: 8 tastings for $25 in a casual setting - no stuffy pretension allowed.
Posted by: Sherry Lynn | November 27, 2007 12:41 PM
Salt is great bar for wine tasting
Posted by: susan | November 27, 2007 2:09 PM
Cafe Matisse across the circle from the Westin Hotel in Annapolis is another great place to get a glass/bottle of wine and cozy up for a while.
The owner is friendly, the decor cheery, and free parking (in Annapolis!!). It is an espresso/wine bar but they like to emphasize both party equally.
Check it out: http://www.cafematisse.us/
Posted by: Mike M | November 27, 2007 2:41 PM
I really like how this list covers a range of areas in and around Baltimore. It actually seems to me that there are many more wine bars than I initially anticipated at the announcement of this Top Ten topic. Plus, I am SO going to The Purple Tooth! The reasoning behind the name itself is worth the drive to Annapolis.
Posted by: SGI | November 27, 2007 3:10 PM
Taste at Belvedere Square is the worst place I have ever been too. Food was bad but the service HORRIBLE
I have never been treated so rudely by a waiter in my life
Posted by: Greg | November 27, 2007 3:40 PM
I agree with the comment above. Salt is a delight. They have a good selection of wines and small plates at the bar that are, in some cases, perfection. Sliders and Duck Fat Fries are delicious with a nice Malbec or Tempranillo. They are hard to beat. I really like the place, the friendliness, the ambience.
Posted by: Jan Angevine | November 27, 2007 4:18 PM
Since we are piling on Taste at Belvedere Square, I'd like to know if anyone tried their dinner in the dark--?
I agree about the service. Our 70-something guest was NOT amused to be called "young lady" by our smirking waiter the last time we went there.
Posted by: Darlene | November 27, 2007 5:20 PM
I am suprised there are so many bad reviews on here for Taste! My experience was very nice and my lobster tortellini was delicious. But I guess things are different for everyone.
Posted by: Lauren | November 27, 2007 6:11 PM
Not happy with Taste either and will not be going back. The food was mediocre and service was not good.
Posted by: Lauren | November 27, 2007 9:40 PM
I have to laugh at all the comments about Taste.
Their tag line is "UPSCALE FOOD.....
Unpretentious everything else"
Posted by: J.H. | November 28, 2007 11:54 AM
I guess that's two different "Lauren" making contradictory comments above?
Posted by: Eric | November 28, 2007 1:51 PM
I'm glad to see Annabells on this list. There isn't another place that has both cool wines AND a laid back atmosphere. I usually head over there for the Wednesday special: 3 wine tasting with a 3 cheese plate for $15, no corkage, and 10% off retail
Posted by: Logan | November 28, 2007 9:53 PM
I am just curious if anyone has tried Junior's Wine Bar on S. Charles? It is located in the former Vespa site. I wasn't aware anything new had opened.
Posted by: Missy | November 30, 2007 9:21 AM
Missy - I don't believe they have had their grand opening yet.
Posted by: Tennisgal1206 | November 30, 2007 2:03 PM
Chesapeake Wine Company is our hands down favorite. The wine list is unique, and inspired. Moreover, the staff treats everyone like old friends and Mitchell Pressman has the best customer service in Baltimore. Iron Bridge is likewise excellent, with an eclectic array of wines and a sharp, attentive staff.
Posted by: Tommy | December 1, 2007 11:57 AM
The world was our oyster this weekend so we decided we'd venture out of Baltimore and check out either Annabell's or The Purple Tooth. Out of concern for being able to hitch a ride home via taxi, we ended up at Annabell's and truly enjoyed the experience. The cheese choices were wonderful - none too obscure or pedestrian. And, the service was stellar. Lastly, we had the quintessential wine bar experience. We met some great people, dished with them on our fave cheeses and wine offerings and stumbled out by the end of the night. Wish we had discovered Annabell's sooner.
Posted by: SGI | December 3, 2007 7:18 AM
For all of those people bashing Taste...when was the last time you were there???
Did any of the people who hated the food and service mention this to the Manager on duty???
There is no way to correct a problem unless and until it is brought to the attention of the Management.
Posted by: Ann | December 4, 2007 8:00 AM
My family and I did dine at Taste during the first week of November. The service was unbelievably bad. The food was not cooked to the right temperature on most dishes on the table. They also 'forgot' about our reservation (for 8 people) after calling to confirm it the day before. Yes, we did make them aware of about 75% of what was wrong with the dinner and we were presented with the a gift certificate for $10 off drinks in the bar, good for 3 weeks. Needless to say, we did not return to use it. Very poor, shoddy service and total disregard for customers.
Posted by: Mary | December 4, 2007 12:38 PM
Looks as if the general unhappiness on this blog with Taste has come to the attention of the chef now ...
Posted by: Darlene | December 4, 2007 2:55 PM
Nope, not the chef - just someone who dines regularly at Taste. You sound like someone who just wants to make trouble - perhaps an ex employee???
Posted by: Ann | December 4, 2007 6:40 PM
Nope--I have no personal ax to grind. We've eaten there three times, as we wanted to give a new local place a chance to win us over, but we probably won't be back, for all the reasons others have enumerated above.
Posted by: Darlene | December 5, 2007 6:56 AM
theres a new wine bar in bel air called Pairings Bistro. its got very limited seating, but is great- nice break from all the chain restaurants in bel air. It's "small plates" are actually pretty generous and well-priced, pretty good wine cellar to choose from as well
2105 Laurel Bush road
bel air md 21015
Great. Thanks! EL
Posted by: outside baltimore | April 8, 2009 2:21 PM
Wine Me Up in Westminster. Cute, cozy, and a friendly staff.
Posted by: Christy | April 9, 2009 9:49 AM