Cork Wine Bar: Pouring a 'wineological' trend
What better way to gentrify a former prostitution/drug strip than to place a wine bar there? That's what the befittingly-named Cork did, signifying the start of the end to Logan Circle's sketchy neighborhood into the latest scenester in Washington.
Cork is as one expects from a wine bar: a low-key atmosphere, where it's very normal to drink wine, featuring a minimalist-chic décor with straight lines and bottles displayed on the wall, knowledgeable bartenders who also give the impression that wine is very normal, and the kind of place where patrons want to be as cool, chill and laid-back as the ambiance the wine bar aims very much to be.
And that's exactly what Cork is: a laid-back, chill environment for all those who work there and how all those who drink there want to be perceived. In fact, it's so popular to be wine chic that the bar is usually swamped on a weekend night, beginning on Thursdays. Dinner is available, but more in a bite-sized manner lighter manner. In addition, tables are not turned around quickly, so if you're looking to sit down and spend an evening, come early. In warmer weather, outside tables can be scored if lucky. The wine bar is a great place for a date or small group of friends.
Food is contemporary American and European. Choose from a selection of charcuteries and cheeses to complement the wine, or if you're hungrier, there are salads and sandwiches, such as soppresatta with olive tapenade, arugula and roasted peppers; grilled vegetables with goat cheese and pesto, smoked ham with Camembert. Entrees include quiche, meatballs, grilled skirt steak, fried chicken and pizza. Picnic baskets are also available to order, and can be made into gift baskets as well.
There's a complete wine list, and prices are not exactly low, but neither is the quality of the beverages. Cork offers nearly 50 wines by the glass and 160 bottles from small producers around the world. Wine tasting occurs every day and is free on weekends.
HelloWashingtonDC Tip: For more in-depth study into wine, Cork offers classes on a regular basis, including a four-series Wine Fundamentals course that will teach students to recognize wine varietals, different vocabulary and be able to pair wine and plan a dinner.
Posted by Rin-rin Yu
