
The Wine Bar at Provence Marinaside in Yaletown has recently opened. I received an invitation to experience the food, wine, and ambiance. The Wine Bar entrance is through Provence Marinaside. When you enter you are first beside the bar. It is fairly narrow, but a good spot to sit at the bar and chat. Beyond the bar there is a seating area with several tables. They have quite a selection of wines by the glass; I think more than 50 wines. I like that so that I can try different wines, and pair them with the small plates they have to offer. Their wine menu breaks the wines into categories, like Old World Reds, and New World Whites. You will find wines from around the world, as well as from here in BC. What I also like is that you can get prosecco by the glass. It is always nice to start an evening with friends, with a glass of sparkling wine.
I started the evening with a glass of prosecco and tasted it with several of the appetizers that were being served to us. I think the prosecco went nicely with the bocconcini & tomato, and the pissaladiere. The price of the appetizers are between $5 and $6. I think these are quite reasonable and you could make a meal from ordering a few of these plates, and sipping some wine. Their wines by the glass are kept in a wine bottle preservation and dispensing system, so they are always fresh and at the right serving temperature. The wines change in/out of the system, depending on the season. In the system this week I saw a bottle of Nichol Pinot Noir, Herder Cabernet Franc, a Cotes du Rhone, Chianti, and a bottle of Sassicaia.
I did get to meet the chef, and yes he is French. I spoke a few broken sentences of French to him. Give The Wine Bar a try if you work downtown, enjoy some wine, French / Mediterranean food, and maybe take in some live entertainment. Enjoy!




