Sweet goodness, I'm in heaven here! The ambience is perfect - trendy, casual, upscale - all at the same time. The wood paneled ceiling over the bar was stunning. The guitars signed by the likes of Billy Joel were great talking points. The tvs with football on made for a comfort feel. But the wine menu was anything but traditional. It had [albeit pricey] offerings from around the world. And the bartender was knowledgable about them all.
I asked him about a French white that was listed as a wine by the glass. He told me it was comparable to a Sauvignon Blanc, which I don't typically care for. He explained that SVs out of France taste different than those out of Cali or New Zealand. And then he offered me a sample - it was delicious. I ended up ordering the glass and loved it.
Towards the end of our drink the bartender overheard us talking about the entree pictures on Yelp and gave some suggestions for the house specialties at Tarbell's. He did not steer us wrong! The scotch beef and sausage pasta were to die for. He also connected us with a couple sitting near us who frequent both Tarbell's and The Wine Store - they recommended the cheesecake at Tarbell's for the caramel sauce. It was nice chatting with them as well.
I really appreciate the atmosphere, quality wine, and great service at The Wine Store. Can't wait to come back soon!