Mini wine walkabout: Aperitivo, Olas, Boutique Wine Cellar
I met my buddy O-Zone on Saturday afternoon in The Bookworm – the place has been hopping during my two visits this year – and we ended up on a wine walkabout. Here are three spots visited, with a pro and a con for each.
Aperitivo
This tried and true venue draws a strong regular crowd and – according to one loyal patron – has one of the best shaken Margaritas in town. With about a dozen by-the-glass choices, we tried the Italian Sangiovese at RMB38 and found it simple, fruity, and easy to drink, that is, something we could guzzle without food.
Pro: This place offers plenty of seating options, a decent deck when weather is warm, and clean toilets.
Con: It doesn’t seem like the wine menu has changed for over a year – a little diversity would be nice.
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Olas
This Mare spin-off is on the west side of The Village. It offers a substantial tapas menu, but only a handful of wines by the glass. We picked a French Cabernet Sauvignon from Languedoc at RMB38 and found it ho-hum.
Pro: This place has a nice long bar for those who prefer to pull up a stool and grab both a drink and a bite to eat.
Con: The toilets are on the second floor of the next building, which means a chilly journey in the winter.
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Boutique Wine Cellar
Located in the former Mingle space below Luga’s Villa, the decor here is a mish-mash of styles that ultimately make me think of eighties living rooms. We ordered the Australian Shiraz-Cabernet at RMB30 for a 250 ML pour, and found it a decent drop for the price.
Pro: The relatively low prices and polite staff would make this a decent stop for a glass or two, but..
Con: Unfortunately, the choices are limited to one red and one white. If you are positioning yourself as a wine bar, and your by-the-glass menu is on par with nearby spots such as Cheers and Nanjie, you might want to take the list up a notch (or five).
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