Inside: Wine Bar Rocky River

Winos rejoice. On charming Linda Street in Rocky River houses a wine bar–the Wine Bar—that’s sure to become a favorite stomping…er…sipping ground.

Food: The menu features an array of dishes that are meant to pair well with your wine or to be enjoyed on their own. There’s a good mix of starters to share, larger dishes and sweets.

On our visit, our eyes were immediately drawn to the brie and avocado bruschetta ($10), which we ordered before perusing the rest of the menu or sampling wine. Unfortunately, this dish fell short of expectations, which were rather high since typically anything that includes brie coupled with avocado should be an automatic winner. Not so in this case. The bread was barely toasted, which meant the brie wasn’t melted as described by our server. Additionally, the avocado wasn’t as ripe as it was likely supposed to be. The only ingredient that really jumped out was the honey mustard drizzled over top that was borderline overwhelming.

The rest of the meal was on par with this dish, except for an order of the wino fries with malted vinegar and cabernet ketchup ($6)—these were quite addicting and rather satisfying.

Other dishes included the BBQ chicken sandwich special on a pretzel bun with corn salsa ($9) and the chorizo and manchego quesadilla with pineapple salsa ($11). The chicken was overcooked and tough, though the bun and salsa were nice accompaniments. As for the quesadilla, this was another dish that based on ingredients alone should have had us coming back for more…but it won’t. You couldn’t tell there was chorizo or manchego stuffed in this tortilla. Two distinct flavors, particularly the chorizo, were sadly rather bland and unidentifiable.

Perhaps next time we’ll stick with the cured meats and cheese selection.

Libations: Where the food lacks, the wine picks up, and is clearly the focus of this establishment. Wine Bar features an impressive selection of wines from all over the world for every palate and price point. The menu is nicely sectioned in categories making it easy to navigate. Groups include: bubbles, slightly sweet, forever fun (sauvignon blanc, fume blanc, pinot gris), toasty (chardonnay), slightly sweet (rose, Riesling), sensational (blends, cabernet, Bordeaux), soft curves (merlot), sensitive (pinot noir), dramatic (chianti, syrah, malbec, zinfandel) and ports. There are also 15 white and red wines each, both ranging from $6.50 to $13.

If you’re not in the mood for wine, there’s a full bar and a handful of domestic, imported and craft beer.

Décor: While the inside of Wine Bar is fairly traditional and cozy with its dark wood and idyllic two top that sits right under the oversized wine window, the patio is the main focal point–and for good reason. Outlined by the quaint little stores on Linda Street and mature trees offering privacy and shade, the patio is perhaps one of the best in town. There’s plenty of seating and even a pergola in one section. It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon or a long summer evening.

Service: Friendly and efficient. If you’re unsure about what kind of wine you like, ask for help. If your server isn’t overly familiar with wine, they will get you one of their wine enthusiasts to offer tastes and help make a selection.

Insider tip: On Sundays, the Wine Bar is dog friendly on the patio for its weekly brunch.

On Friday, July 23 and Saturday, July 24, join them for "Uncork the Cure," a special cancer fundraiser for Prayers for Maria (a children’s cancer foundation). The benefit includes a bocce tournament and free outdoor concert. In addition, Michael Chiarello from the Food Network will be there on Saturday. Linda Street will be closed for a special street fair to go along with the wine sampling and plethora of food.

Really want to know your pinots from malbecs? Every Wednesday, Wine Bar offers Flight School from 6 to 7 p.m. Learn about wine and food pairings and then be sure to ask about the more advanced classes and special dinners.

Bottom line: Though the food may fall short of expectations, the wine offerings and atmosphere surely don’t. Wine Bar is a great place for a date night, catching up with friends or to increase your wine know-how.