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The Wine Kitchen~ Wine Bar |
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I had to wait a few days to write this Flying Colors Review, otherwise it would have read like the diary entry of teenage girl with a crush instead of the beginning of a serious relationship with Loudoun’s latest libation location…
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The combination of an impromptu date night and a few posts on a local message board sent The Man and I on a hope-filled mission to try the new wine bar in downtown Leesburg, The Wine Kitchen. It couldn’t be more aptly named- a warm place with the welcoming ambience of a family kitchen, and a diverse wine selection to please LoCo’s “Wineauxes!”
Where to start- The Wine Kitchen really does look like a kitchen, from the armoire behind the bar to the chalkboard drawing of the most delicious cut of beef. The place is abuzz with laughter and happy conversation- not an ounce of stuffiness or pretention here. It was packed when we arrived, so we left our names with a delightful and friendly waitress and strolled around the quaint shops of Leesburg for a few minutes while we waited for the crowd to dissipate. Side note- I highly recommend checking out the Old Country Peddler shop on King Street- so many interesting and original gifts ideas- and delicious local flavored honey… sorry- I digress!
When we returned we were immediately seated and another smiling waitress showed us the ropes: wine can be ordered for individual tastings, flight tastings, by the glass, bottle and even retail. Charming, descriptive descriptions accompany the wines, are cleverly presented on business card sized tear away cards so you can take your favorites with you! The proprietors and staff here know the menu, understand the wines, and are a big part of why your experience here will always be followed by another, and you just can’t wait to be the one to introduce your friends to The Wine Kitchen!
The menu is country comfort mixed with upscale American, with tapa-sized portions big enough to share and affordable enough to you can try a nice variety in one sitting- this is what we ordered. The sandwiches looked mouth watering and hearty- they overflowed outside of the toasted breads and I can’t wait to try one. The Man would consider it cheating if I came to The Wine Kitchen without him, and ordered the mac ‘n’ cheese- a decadent, creamy, cheesy homemade love served on an individual black iron griddle. The best part: the crunchy edges scraped from the baking dish- these will cause fights at the table, so I highly recommend ordering two and skipping the drama.
The pork belly pairs perfectly with the mac ‘n’ cheese: think bacon, but better. Thick, tasty strips of pork served with spicy mustard- so perfect with a glass of Pinot Noir. We also loved the Ahi Tuna- it was buttery soft, served with little chunks of sweet oranges and what appeared to be clover… oh, wonderful. I’ve never had tuna this way and it was a truly special flavor that would pop with a tangy, bright white wine.
The wine. We went on an international journey of reds- from a Lebanon to Napa Valley and across the pond to France! I won’t go on about the wines we enjoyed or the ones we disliked- wine is a very personal and subjective choice and I would rather hear from you what you found impressive. I will say that we tried a beast of a wine that could only be tamed by the finest pepper-encrusted cut of beef and hearty potatoes… I will be using my best prime rib recipe to free “The Prisoner”- that’s the wine, not The Man! Suffice it to say that we met some new wines that are sure to become old friends, and purchased a few bottles to take home since their retail prices are reasonable. Several local beers grace the menu as well, which would also pair well with the mac ‘n’ cheese- actually, I can’t think of anything that wouldn’t go well with it…
Such an entertaining variety of flavors here, from the griddle to the glass- I never wanted it the evening to end! This place is unlike any other in Loudoun County, and is sure to be a huge success with the superior S.A.M. (Service, Atmosphere, Menu) it offers. Get a sitter for a few hours and plan date night, or meet a group of friends and enjoy reconnecting in this lovely place. It’s a perfect fit in historic Leesburg- it doesn’t try too hard to be trendy, and it welcomes its guests with sincerity and warmth.
You go for the wine, you stay for the atmosphere, you return for the connection with those you care about and happy feelings this place brings out in everyone around you. I’ll see you there, because~ The Wine Kitchen Passes with Flying Colors! 
http://thewinekitchen.com/
7 South King Street, Leesburg VA
703.777.WINE
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