Heads Up Report: 33rd Street Wine Bar

For my “Head’s Up” Report this week for the Food for Thought Radio Show, the fine folks at BrowardNETOnline.com set up a tasting for me at 33^rd Street Wine Bar .

33^rd Street Wine Bar is absolutely the coolest, yet unpretentious, yet upper-class, yet welcoming and neighborly little neighborhood wine (and beer) bar that you can imagine. They just celebrated their 3^rd Anniversary (congrats, Candace!), and all I want to know is, how come I didn’t get the memo?! Not knowing about this place until now is not a good thing, but at least I am among the enlightened now!

I absolutely love the tasteful and dark décor, the sophisticated ambience, the custom (and for-sale) artwork, the classy bar, the vibe, the energy, the Warhol-esque feel, the music (Sinatra greeted me when I came through the door), the customers (loved meeting Bleu, the French Poodle!), the staff (Amanda rocks!) and most of all, Candace—she’s the glue that makes this whole thing work, the maestro of the synergy that makes the 33^rd Street Wine Bar a magical experience. But more about her in a minute.

I am no wine aficionado. Vodka, oh yeah, pour me some Ketel One. Fine Bourbon? Now your’re singing my song via some Maker’s Mark. Don’t get me wrong, I love wine, and the entire family of Reds, and specifically Pinot Noir. It is just that I’ve not ventured into finer wine tasting that far yet. That was until Candace turned the lights on for me!

In a non-judgmental, patient, and understanding manner, Candace walked me through a flight (3 different flavors) of Chilean Red Wines. Friday Nights are “Flight Nights” at 33^rd Street, wherein 3 different wines (3 ounces each) are presented on a “trio mat” that allows for notes and reflections. Seasonality plays a big part of what each different Friday’s offering consists of, so check www.33rdstreetwinebar.com before you go, and each flight comes with a complimentary cheese board.

One of the many reasons I appreciate about Candace (besides the charming personality, obvious good looks, charisma and winning smile) is her endless pursuit of making sure the little things in the operation are taken care of. “The Devil is in the details” is what my grandfather used to say all the time, and it sounds like she used to hear it too.

Candace tells me her father was a former Marine, and that comes shining through. She is most definitely “squared away.” She didn’t skip a penny on making sure she has the finest (and most wine-appropriate) crystal for truly nosing and enjoying the different bottles of wine in all their splendor. She also took the extra step to purchase the Infinity System (which drains opened bottles of excess air before resealing them with a rubber cap) but sees it as an investment to keep those opened bottles fresher for longer.

Candace doesn’t serve food, other than cheese trays and “cool tapas” (no kitchen), but she was saavy enough to forge a coalition with every local restaurant to make sure that hungry diners can have food delivered (never in Styrofoam, always on plates!). That’s what she did for me, from Fish Tales next door, and the Ahi Tuna was delicious.

On July 31^st she is having a “Candy Warhol Party” (details on www.33rdstreetwine.com) with a D. J. and the full range of eclectic characters who make 33^rd Street Wine so special.

She won’t steer you wrong when it is time to order or sample or try something, but my favorite was the Elyse Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. It was fantastic, with “big cocoa” and “big chocolate” flavors to it.

33^rd Street Wine Bar has approximately 100-plus different varieties to choose from, and better than that, they have the greatest hostess in the world. They are located at . (They are open daily from 5 p.m. to closing (2 a.m.), or when she chooses to shut it down! Sip, Savor, and Swirl!

BrowardNETOnline.com would love to feature your joint in an upcoming “Heads Up” Report. Our roving diner will report not only in print, but also in a live food radio show, The Food for Thought Radio Show, broadcasting on 1470 WNN radio every week on Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. from Oceans 234 in Deerfield Beach.  Email for details. And DECIDE BEFORE YOU DRIVE.

Steve is an aspiring writer, devout Floridaphile, marketing guy, and food & drink lover who enjoys sharing his experiences and hearing of others. Find his local bar articles at http://www.examiner.com/x-12903-Miami-Bars-Examiner and his personal blog at http://clubcabeza.blogspot.com/. He can be reached at .

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