Vinoteca By Sula: A Spirited Hangout
For some swilling and tapas sampling in a hyper social ambience, head to Vinoteca by Sula.
The bar is topped by an undulating chandelier made from unmarked wine bottles
Simply put, Vinoteca is a wine bar with Spanish influences from the house of Sula. A black and white photo montage of the brand's Nashik vineyards and a wall dedicated to its produce, stamps the label's seal on this 1,600 sq ft lounge which located in Worli. Positioned ambitiously in the domain of Ivy, the go-to destination for Mumbai's wine lovers on a budget, Vinoteca has managed to acquire a following of its own. In the afternoon it is dominated by ladies who end their shopping sessions at the nearby Atria mall with a swig of wine and a pinch of gossip. Evenings attract the local office crowd that huddles around the two-way bar (which caters to the indoor and al fresco dining areas) to cool off with some citrus flavoured sangria and an impressive spread of tapas.
The 50-seater bistro understands that its small build forces most visitors to stand around the bar without a table. That's why it serves conveniently-sized portions of food in the form of tapas and pintxos. So it's quite pleasant to know that the kitchen is helmed by a young Spaniard, Chef Silvia Grimaldo-Torres, who draws recipes for a large part of the menu from her hometown, Ibiza. Since meat is the staple in Spain, with pork and sea food taking the lead, the Mediterranean fare had to be modified for Indian preferences and has a sizable spread of vegetarian dishes.
The pintxos, which are basically cocktail snacks on a toothpick, change every day. This is a pity really. Their fine offering of Serrano ham and manchego cheese drizzled in olive oil is something many would come in to eat regularly. The sommelier suggests I enjoy it with Sula's full-bodied Cabernet Shiraz with notes of seasoned plums and blackberries and a peppery aroma. Another star dish is the Tabla Mediterrnea. This is a sweet and salty mix of eggplant, ripened tomatoes, juicy olives and diced figs, with rashers of salami Milano; the perfect Mediterranean summer dish. It pairs well with the citrus-flavoured Cono Sur Bicycle Chardonnay, a young wine from Chile. The Cono Sur label is among the few imports at Vinoteca, besides Hardy's from Australia and Spanish brand Torres. For those who have yet to find their palate for wine, the menu thoughtfully suggests ideal pairings. Of course the sommelier is always on hand for a second opinion.
BT MORE RECOMMENDS
For reservations ..(022) 40046234 |
The pintxos, which are basically cocktail snacks on a toothpick, change every day. This is a pity really. Their fine offering of Serrano ham and manchego cheese drizzled in olive oil is something many would come in to eat regularly. The sommelier suggests I enjoy it with Sula's full-bodied Cabernet Shiraz with notes of seasoned plums and blackberries and a peppery aroma. Another star dish is the Tabla Mediterrnea. This is a sweet and salty mix of eggplant, ripened tomatoes, juicy olives and diced figs, with rashers of salami Milano; the perfect Mediterranean summer dish. It pairs well with the citrus-flavoured Cono Sur Bicycle Chardonnay, a young wine from Chile. The Cono Sur label is among the few imports at Vinoteca, besides Hardy's from Australia and Spanish brand Torres. For those who have yet to find their palate for wine, the menu thoughtfully suggests ideal pairings. Of course the sommelier is always on hand for a second opinion.
