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Categories: American (New), Wine Bars
Neighborhoods: Edgewater, AndersonvilleMon-Thu. 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Fri-Sat. 3:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sun. 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
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That previous review was bogus; I don't remember being that ambivalent. I generally like this place for cocktails and have used it as such on several occasions after dinners in Andersonville. But I have yet to eat a meal here...maybe someday.
What I love about their extensive drink list is that they obviously speak cocktail here. From elegant classics to inventive moderns, the menu communicates a sense of knowledge and craft which I appreciate.
The other night I stopped in because I had recently read about a seasonal cocktail involving apple cider and bourbon--a combination which I frequently imbibe at home, but which I wanted to experience through the hand of an professional mixologist. It turns out that the waitress had no idea what I was talking about, but she practically insisted on letting the head bartender ad-hoc something together for me. The resulting drink was merely good but not great, but I really appreciated the willingness to do something special for a customer.
APE-ricot (not APP-ricot) syrup made the Germania Club a little too sweet for me, but very good otherwise. I tried two other drinks but none were as good as my beloved Sazerac. However, I feel as if I could try almost every drink on the menu, or maybe someday the absinthe service. The place balances classy and fun, and serves a great product. That's pretty much all you need, right?
Oh, and the staff here is generally very attractive, especially the other night. In fact, our lovely dark-eyed server and the female bartender were definitely giving me the eye. I know--I find it hard to believe too. But it's true. (By the way, someone recently pointed out that my reviews often mention the cuteness of the staff, but I feel that this is definitely Useful and possibly even Cool information, so I'm going to embrace it. Here's to a joint with attractive employees.)
I've been here twice, for a private party upstairs and for Yelp Book Club 3. It's a great space; I… Read more »
Impressive drink menu!
What I liked most about In Fine Spirits was, whatever you're in the mood for, they will *probably* have (beer, wine, cocktails, etc)...except in my case.
"Can I get the Poire Rose?"
"Actually, we're out of St. Germain tonight."
Whaaa???
:(
I was truly crushed. Our server, Natalie, suggested a similar drink--the Apricot Blossom. I was not disappointed. It was a very sexy champagne cocktail with apricot liqueur. Prior to that, I started with a Pimm's Cup, which was just okay. I had a great Pimm's Cup at the Violet Hour a few months ago and felt this one was watery and lacked flavor.
I'd like to come back and try some food. A neighboring table had a divine looking cheese plate. On Saturday night at about 10pm, this place was packed. It got pretty loud and became difficult to carry a conversation, so if you're looking for a quiet place to cozy up, this is not it!
So, um, you may want to byoSG (bring your own St. Germain). Just in case.
Try the whiskey flight.
Oh, wait. I made that up. Yeah, the whiskey flight is a three-round battle between you and gravity. The first round is between you and a Sazerac. The next round, you and a Manhattan. The final round, between you and an Old Fashioned.
Who wins? Everyone. Well, not your liver, but everyone else.
We went here a couple times when this place first opened. The first time (not too busy, great drinks), amazing, the second time, not so much (very busy, so-so drinks). But it appears this place has worked out the early kinks and is firing on all cylinders.
We went here on this Saturday. The place was packed, but the service was excellent and the drinks off-the-frickin-charts magnificent. We didn't try the food this round, but we had apps way back when and we were much impressed. The menu has expanded vastly since our last visit and looks amazing. We'll be back for sure.
Sweet, sweet patio. Flights 'o wine. Tasty small plates. Malt ball-filled milkshakes with liquor. Whiskey flights. I can't think of any downsides to this place.
Selfishly, I was glad it's not as well known as other Andersonville watering holes -- the patio had no wait on this week's warm Saturday November night! We had an incredible evening sipping wine and noshing on small pots, cheese, and olives. The only downside was that it's a bit pricey for what you get.
Love this place.
I've been here many times now (vowing to yelp about it following each one, but I'm usually a little bit drunk when I get home...)
Great food, friendly atmosphere, and I LOVE their selections. The servers and bartenders give excellent suggestions. The bartenders know their stuff, to the point where I'll usually sit at the bar just to watch them mix amazing concoctions.
I've been here many times and I've never been disappointed. Everyone I bring here for the first time ends up coming back time after time.
Stopped by In Fine Spirits on a Thursday and was really taken by their dedication to craft brews, an extensive wine list with tasting flights, and local ingredients for their menu. I did not partake in their Eat Local/Drink Local Thursday menu that uses fresh ingredients from the local Farmer's Market, but I love the idea! They have Monday-Thursday specials through September 30.
I loved my server's recommendation for craft brews, including the Metropolitan Copper Lager. Service was excellent for our medium-sized group all night, kudos!
The atmosphere is casual sexy, so you can come here with a date, or crush on how hot your friends look in the low lighting against slate gray walls. I hear In Fine Spirits has some dedicated Mixologists and I plan to come back soon to belly up to the bar, chat about drinks my grandparents favored, and test them out!
I came for a cocktail and stayed for the food.
It was a gin kind of week. Everything was just a little blah and the grayness and rain sure didn't help matters either. So, I was really looking forward to getting together with some yelp friends for good times here and to be honest, I wasn't disappointed.
My cocktail of choice for the night was the 4 part play, made with Haymens Old Tom Gin, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, grapefruit and lime juices. This drink was refreshing and opened up my palate to experience all the fine food I had here as well.
For my first course, I wanted to try their country pâté. I had never had pâté before and wanted to try something new and exciting and this dish certainly was all those things. The pâté was served with dijon mustard, red onion marmalade, cornichons, and toasted bread. Delicious.
My second course was awesome too. I opted for the prince edward island mussels, served in a zesty sauce with spanish chorizo, roasted fennel, and peas. I liked how the tastes of spice and sea tantalized my taste buds without either being too overwhelming.
Then it was time for dessert and even though I was starting to feel a food coma come on, I knew I couldn't pass up their flourless chocolate torte served with brandy-drenched berries, being the chocolate fiend I am. However, I'm glad I didn't skip this part because it was superb and divine, a slice of chocolate nirvana if I do say so myself.
The service was great too. Our waitress was very professional, friendly and answered all of our questions, so that we could experience the fineness this establishment had to offer. Kudos to her and to the chef for making this night five stars!
Also, did you know that they distill their own water? Well they do and with your meal you get a choice of sparkling or still water. Talk about being awesome. Oh and the decor is very modern and colorful, which I loved.
The only disappointment was that it rained and we had to stay inside. However, I will be back on a sunnier day to sample some more cocktails on the patio.
All in all, a great way to make a gray day brighter.
In Fine Spirits is one sexy bitch. I mean this in the best way possible.
Using local brews and ingredients couldn't be done any better that's for sure.
Although I didn't partake of the food...well besides the cheese/meat platter they sent over complimentary (we're cool Yelpers like that!). Which by the way had a cheese on it that the owner (chef, both? can't recall) went out and made himself. Wow. That's quality and love of your restaurant.
Our server was a fountain of information. It was incredible how you could say what you normally like, and she could describe to you how each one would taste. Every. Single. Thing. Seriously. I just wanted her to keep talking about the (huge) drink menu because it was fascinating.
I opted for the Metropolis Dynamo (yum) first and then an IPA on tap that I can't recall the name of. Both were top notched and exactly the taste that they said it would be. The descriptions were flawless.
The scene was lounge-y (hence the name!) and comfortable. The crowd was plesant and I didn't have to yell too much to be heard. Comfy seats and plenty of water makes me want to stay forever.
Oh, my dear In Fine Spirits,
I will be back.
We will have drinks.
I will be your bitch once more.
Came in here for a glass of wine and a little conversation. I was seduced by the cocktail list. It's quite extensive and impressive (so I got a glass of wine to help me whilst I scanned). My companion decided on a Pimm's cup (delish) and the gentleman next to me got an old fashioned. I was impressed, not only with the crafting of the cocktails, but with the ice. I really love clear ice and this place has clear ice blocks (broken off into chunks by the bartender). Best ice in the city.
On my second visit, more perfectly crafted cocktails and the cheese plate. Perhaps one of these days I'll order something off the food menu.
The service prevents this from being a 4-star review.
A friend and I stopped in here for a drink before dinner on Labor Day. Perhaps they anticipated a slow night as there was only one waiter on duty and the host didn't give him much backup. The buggy back patio was nearly full and the waiter was not working at full speed.
The wine list is great though with an excellent by the glass selection. I got to try a wine I had been itching to try and would have had a glass of another had the service not been so slow as we had dinner reservations elsewhere.
While the waiter may not have brought his "A Game" whoever was in the kitchen certainly did as the barbecue pork pizetta we had was delicious.
So I vacillated back and fourth between 3 and 4 stars and finally decided to give it 3...
I am not sure if my expectations were to high because this place is all my buddy has been talking about...
I have been mildly under the weather which also has a tendency to make me hyper critical...
Having said that-I wanted this place to be 5 stars but it is not!
The drinks are well worth 5 stars; no doubt at all... The food is not acceptable, I have read on Yelp In Fine Spirits Lounge plan on doing more in the food arena... If you know your food is a disappointment then stop sullying your reputation; own it and move on!
4 and a half stars on service the waitress was kind enough to steer me clear of the dessert... but also mentioned plural squash flowers and what not in my lightly garnished 8 dollar asparagus plate tell me up front its a plate of asparagus and then I will be pleasantly surprised by the few moments of color brought to the dish by the unmentionable other vegetables...
The meat and cheese tray was a joke I am not exaggerating when I say maybe an ounce of each meat was plated we figured they were charging us 60 bucks a pound for meat... To top it off the meat is served with a dry luke warm bread with just a small puddle of decidedly wonderful sauce... We asked for butter...
Here is the thing I know I sound like a cheap bastard, I have spent $600 on sushi for two before-walking out happy... I am a foodie I eat everything from hot dogs to truffle... I really don't mind paying for quality but this was not what they were delivering in the food department...
I was so wowed by my wonderfully crafted Templeton Rye cocktail with hints of honey and apricot and a fresh sprig of mint it was Lush! I thought just tear the food pages out of the book and only serve these fabulous drinks! My friend had a Pimms cup and it was equally amazing!
They were even playing Andrew Bird in the bathroom which I only hear on my ipod... This place has the potential to be a 5 star spot-its just not there yet... I will be back because my friends love it so much and its so close to my home... I will be just cock-tailing until I see a major improvement in the food selection and delivery...
One of the best parts about this place is it is in Andersonville which means a complete lack of annoying "Thuga-wannabe" teenagers like Halsted has begun to attract over the last couple years...
Sorry for the rant I don't do it often and I promise happy Jeff will be back soon!
I figured I'd better update my review to include the yummy food at In Fine Spirits. I've now been three or four times and had various small plates that were all amazing - it's my new go-to spot for meeting friends for drinks in the 'hood.
The first time I went for food, they had pork belly on special, which was spectacularly done and tasted heavenly. At $10 for a large portion, it was also a great deal. I've sampled the marinated olives too, but the real winner is the CHEESE. You can select 3 cheeses for $15 - the selection will boggle your mind. My absolute fave is the ricotta with thyme and truffle oil. The "holy cow" is also wonderful, as is the fait gras. They don't skimp on the portions of cheese, and they are served with crusty bread and a delicious quince jam with figs. It's basically my idea of a perfect meal. Yes, I could live on bread and cheese alone.
Last night they had flatbreads on special for $5, which is basically half-off. My friend and I tried the pepperonata, which was fantastic, with sweet roasted peppers, spicy arugula, salty prociuitto, and creamy goat cheese - terrific ingredients, all of it. Between that and the cheese plate, we had ourselves an amazing dinner for 20 bucks!
My friend enjoyed one of the white wine flights while I stuck with a New Zealand Pinot Noir. The service here is terrific; all the employees are super nice and helpful with food and wine selections.
It's the perfect spot to catch up with a friend over drinks and a light bite. I'm so glad In Fine Spirits is in my 'hood!
Another classy bar with a great wine list in Andersonville? I dig it. One more place to make our… Read more »
Totally fun place and great selection of wine. Appetizers aren't great but everything else is well above average.
The cocktails are superb - I had a perfectly made Pimm's Cup and a Pisco Sour, which I don't find everywhere. The owner, Johnnie, is also very welcoming and friendly. Our party of 5 walked in and the only table left was for two. He spun it sideways (which somehow made it feel longer), summoned a server straightaway, then brought over 3 extra chairs within minutes.
I needed a drink one day and decided to check this place out. I didn't technically sit down on one of there cool looking booths but I did stand at the bar and ordered one of their fine tasty margaritas. HOLY MARGARITAS! It was so darn good I had to get another one.
I gave this place 3 stars since I really didn't hang around too long. Place looks very welcoming and plan on checking this place out some time in the near future.
I was here for Book Club 3 and liked the place. I can't comment on the food but their menu of drinks is very impressive. I loved the wine I had and would gladly have had much more had I not been driving. There were several more cocktails I would have loved to have tried as well. Alas, it will have to wait until another day.
The prices are high but I think they use quality stuff. Also, for the area it's about par for the course.
The waitstaff was very friendly and helpful. They even kept separate tabs for us without us needing to ask. Always something I like!
This is an absolutely amazing place. They have every sort of top shelf drink you could think of. They even have Chartreuse, an old Cystertian liqueur made in the French alps. The atmosphere is very chill. They have some great small appetizers. Plus, the bartenders is extremely knowledgeable. She is able to answer all of your questions, make phenominal drinks, and she was very friendly. Everything you could ask for from a bartender. This place is amazing and I can't wait to go back. I am certainly glad I found this place!
For the true cocktail freak, this is nirvana. They take their mixology as seriously as any place I have ever been to, and the outcomes are spectacular. If you want a trough of cold vodka to lobotomize yourself, this is not the place (try Charlie's Ale House up the street). But for finely crafted old-time cocktails that will wow you with subtlety and complexity and so on... this place is a temple. I have only on rare occasions over the years gotten such well made drinks.
I guess the wine list is good, and they serve absinthe with great fanfare, which some people like (this is a passing fad, trust me), but the real draw is the drinks. I was with a larger group of absinthe-swilling hipsters, so service was a little slow. In fact, I was downright pissed off... until that first Manhattan showed up. Then it was all love and rockets.
"It's going to be an early night for me," Mandy told me on the phone. "I hope you don't mind." We were some of the first to arrive that night and the last to leave.
We sat at the bar and we were served with style and grace, us three girls. It was our last Friday before returning to work after Winter Break and we had a lot to discuss. We intended on having only one bottle but that turned into two. After the second was dwindling away we ordered some food. Lovely tastes of cheese and bread. Then Benjamin, our bartender, put the menu back in front of us and opened it to the cocktails page and stood in front of us waiting. "Oh no," said Mandy pushing it away. "Some of us like to get naked."
Like magic the menu reappeared and soon after a cocktail called...oh who cares. It was fabulous. There were two more. One with something about Russia or Moscow in the name and another with Ginger. Nice.
Benjamin can mix a cocktail. These dreamy drinks are absolutely stellar. So if you go, look for the tall bald bartender with the mellow voice and Sweet smile and ask him to make you his favorite. Then tip him big because he deserves it.
A great addition to the A-ville area. I was here for the first time and the inside is cute, great, but not overwhelming wine list, and pretty decent wine bar food.
Our server was cute and friendly and knew her stuff.
Loved it!
I've walked by here dozens of times and finally decided to stop in. It was certainly worth it. There is an amazing wine list and cocktail list.
I was impressed with the bartenders who kindly (and without snobbery) helped me figure out a cocktail to try based on other cocktails I like. Truth be told there were many liquors in the drinks that I didn't know. I enjoyed the Vesper and the Aviation!!
The prices are a little expensive but seem on par with the quality of the ingredients they use. I will definitely come back, and bring my friends.
I'm not a fan of this place. I've been here three times now and each time has been disappointing. The food is incredibly MEH! It really is not very good. The only thing I've ever had here that is good is the cheese platter, so stick with that and skip the rest. The drinks are very expensive. The mixed drinks and the wine are pretty good, but it's surprising how overpriced they are. And finally, the service is slow and not incredibly savvy. But, it's the only wine bar in the 'hood so I'll probably be back and then bitch and moan about how much money I just spend and how hungry I still am!
We did the Valentines Day meal... overall very good. Started with a cheese plate consisting of a ricotta cheese(tasty), foie gras (not the best) and a smoked trout salad (tasty). The next course was a lovely cream-based vegetable chowder.
The following main course consisted of a section of delicious filet mignon with scallops and a great sweet potato mash... very good but very small for the price. They didn't even give a full scallop... it was two strips of scallop.
The dessert course was pound cake (awfully dry) with fruit and chocolate sauce. The flavor was good but the dry cake diminished it.
The service was ok... maybe it was because it was Valentines day and the waitstaff was flustered but service could have been better for the price. Most of the restaurant goers were under the impression that you only got one glass of wine with each course but some tables requested more and when others saw that, it was confusing. The service just seemed hurried.
Overall, it was a good experience... not without things that could be improved. The courses, all-be-them small, were tasty.
I really enjoyed our trip to In Fine Spirits.
We were giving our friends from out of town the Tour-de-Andersonville.
This place is sorta set up like a tapas bar but with American food. New American. Yes. NEW.
While I was getting loaded off delicious wine (I've tried a few types of wine there and they're all delicious), we ordered a ton-o-tapas to share.
Among them, was grilled cauliflower, a cheese plate, flatbreads and salads.
It was a swirling blend of New American goodness, and I liked it. The flatbread was by far the best, the salad came in second.
My fiance and his friend tried some absinthe....they brought it to us in a nifty contraption that dripped water on a sugar cube, which dissolved into the absinthe. It had an...interesting taste. I'm not sure I would order it again (not because of the quality of it, I just am not a fan of things that taste like licorice).
Oh, we'll go back here. Wine, flatbread and salads for all!
As I expected (this is a second review) my second visit sans bad service more than made up for it. It is amazing how many places take service for granted. I just made that last sentence up.
The Fine Spirits Lounge is a fantastic place to visit in the summer if you have loads of loot and time to spend. There's nothing I can say about their spirits that you should listen since others already have. Furthermore I rarely indulge in them to be able to steer you.
There's nothing I can say to you about their wine -wait, there is. Just take your server's advice. When compared to beer an spirits I find it a bit sad that beer isn't as well represented. They do have a good selection of beer nonetheless.
This makes me real sad because I really like their store next door. I find their staff helpful to… Read more »
I must start by saying that In Fine Spirits lounge is a lovely space. It's slightly elegant, relaxing and comfortable. They have an impressive selection of unusual wines and tony cocktails. In short, my kind of place...
Except for...
THE SERVICE
Mind you, I have only been here once, so my judgement may be a little harsh, but I was put-off enough that I haven't yet been back to give them a second try.
Three of us visited on the Sunday before Labor Day. With a nice Monday off, what better thing to do than have some cocktails? Apparently, we arrived about an hour before closing time and the patio was closed.
The bartender, who seemd to have places he would rather have been, kept reminding us that the place was closing in an hour. Fine -- no problem. We ordered our drinks and the surly bartender quickly made them and slapped them on the bar. Artful presentation? Oh no! Witty bartender repartee? Again, no. Slapping down the check immediately after pouring the drinks as if to say "you may want more, but it's not going to happen"? Oh yes!
It was also terribly hot in the place. We sipped our cocktails more quickly than the quality would normally demand and went on our merry ways. All in all, it was not a pleasant experience....
....and I still keep thinking I should give them another chance, but just can't quite bring myself to do it.
Really nice place! I went on a Friday night and it wasn't overly crowded but not near dead. We snagged a few tables in the back and ordered some appetizers and bottles of wine. The server was very helpful and the wine was delicious and offered something for everyone both by palette and price. The lighting was muted with very nice jazz music in the background that didn't distract from our conversation but added to the overall quality of the evening. I am very excited to go back!
I've only been here once, and it was a pleasant experience. Silly me: I didn't get wine from a wine bar, but I just wasn't in a wine mood. Instead, I got a Vesper Martini (gin, vodka, and a French citrus liqueur, garnished with a lemon rind). It was very strong (duh!) and I by the end of the cocktail I was trying to disguise from my date how much I was feeling it. He ordered a Scotch whisky, neat and some other whisky that I found disgusting because I hate whisky. He seemed to enjoy them well enough.
The environment was nice (although a little over-lit) and the server cute and bubbly.
Next time I go, I plan on doing a wine flight.
Put on a fedora, grab your smokes, and transport yourself to somewhere where they know how to make a cocktail that you can sip and enjoy. Even though you can't really smoke in here and the decor is a far cry from the age of the atomic cocktail, I know someone like my grandfather, or even Don Draper, would've loved this place
This is no "Wooooooo! DUDE!" kind of bar. You won't get sloppy pours of PBR or Old Style. Here, the alcohol isn't just thrown in a glass over ice with hopes for the best. No, it's selected primarily from small producers and shaped by well-versed bartenders into classic cocktail creations. Wines are also carefully chosen and reflect the care and knowledge exhibited by the owners of the adjacent wine shop. Multiple wine flights are available where you can sample a wide range of styles and regions.
IFS Wine Lounge is the kind of place to stop in to unwind from your day or have a pleasant evening out with a date or friends.
Grampa, I'll be back there again soon, so I'll raise a fine glass of gin & tonic to you. It'll probably taste like the ones you used to make at your swanky cocktail parties! I'll be sure to sip it slowly and talk of good times. Anyone care to join me?
This makes me sad. THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE FOOD ONLY.
Tremendously disappointing. I love the wine and drinks here - those are made with care, and are still stellar, 5 stars. However, the food. Pull up a chair.
First, we ordered the beet salad. It was around $8 I believe . . . for four thumbnail size beets, a blob of cream cheese, and annoying to eat arugula sprouts (just large enough that there was no way to consume them elegantly) swimming in a green, gelatinous mass. Since "gel" is not one of my food groups, this was . . . a bit weird. Or it may have been gellin' from being chilled in a refrigerator? Undetermined. The taste was bland. But seriously . . . how expensive are beets? This Russian girl was dreaming of gorgeous purple sliced beets, maybe in a nice vinegarette. And pepper. THAT is a beet salad. Not this insipid little wussalad.
The next thing. Cucumber carpaccio. Thin sliced cucumbers with apparent blue cheese sprinkled over. A pinky nail sized strip of . . . olive gel? Again with the gel! Gel does not pair well with the (now THIS was excellent) Malbec I was enjoying three glasses of. Again, a tiny amount of food that was . . . mostly uninspired.
Now. I'm not some large girl who wants giant portions. Mon dieu, no! I get that these are little amuse bouche-type things, not full meals, or even full appetizers. That's fine, but then - guess what - price accordingly. And have more cheese and olive plates - I wanted to see more of that.
The menu needs a lot of work. However, I still love this place for wine drinkin', I'll just not order food here again unless that menu changes. Drinks, wine, craft beers - YES! Food at IFS - sadly, no. I'll walk north a bit to Huey's for a hot dog before I come here.
GREAT addition to the 'hood. Came in here last night for some delicious wine and a pleasant evening.… Read more »
Love it! Love it! Love it! The drinks here are the best anywhere in the city (including the Violet Hour - though that place might be a step up in terms of ambiance) and the service is friendly and attentive. The food is a perfect accompaniment to whatever you're in the mood for - wine (new and different stuff from smaller producers) or a tasty concoction made up by an expert bartender. I love the charcuterie and cheese options; if you want something more substaintial, go with a few small plates. Go during the week and the place is usually moderately full. I've been there a few times during the weekend when it's more crowded, but I've only had to wait for a table once. If you're up in Andersonville and looking for a place to have drinks with a few friends, this is an excellent option.
The layout of this place is really cool, I did however, lose my mind and not make it out to the patio.
The waitress seemed attentive, even though she was dealing with a big group, and if you timed it right, you didn't wait too long without a drink.
Diana and I took a little trip around the world (in a bubble) with the sparkling wine flight. All were very good, especially the prosecco.
These people know how to make a good cocktail- I had an old fashioned and Pimm's cup and both were fantastic. the prices seem to be on par for specialty drinks.
So go there with some good company and enjoy- it's a great place.
Saying this is a great addition to the neighborhood is redundant, but so true. In some ways, In Fine Spirits is to wine what Hopleaf is to beer. The bar doesn't just serve wine, it has a philosophy. Like the store, the bar focuses on New World wines and smaller producers. Yes, they make sparkling wine in New Mexico, and you can try it here. They do offer some European wines, but even these come from smaller producers with whom the owners have developed a relationship. Because they work with smaller vineyards, some of their selection is "seasonal" -- when a batch is gone, it's gone. In this way, you get to experience a wider variety of wine than you might at a bar that wants to be sure that all of their wines are constantly in stock.
IFS also sells craft beers and "classic American cocktails." I should know, because I had a few, and they knocked me on my ass. For their cocktails, they've gone back to classic recipes, so a martini, for example, is something more than chilled vodka in a glass. They've started incorporating absinthe in some of their cocktails as well, such as the Sazerac, an old New Orleans favorite that, until recently, generally replaced the absinthe with Pernod or Herbsaint. With such an extensive collection of cocktails, I never made it to wine last night.
I have some very gay friends who complained about the stenciling in the decor, but unless you are very gay, you're not likely to notice. The room is long and clean, with lower tables up front by the windows, and a series of cafe tables along a high banquette. The stools are wide and well padded, which is important if you are as well. There's also an enclosed patio in the back, and a private party room upstairs. Rumor has it there is no charge for using the private room, which would make sense in a spot that is so dedicated to service.
The service was excellent, despite the fact that we had a large group and the room was full. Our tables were set with complimentary bottles of water, which I think may be standard. There seemed to be only one server working, but she was very efficient, and the manager jumped behind the bar and helped the bartender fill orders. The manager is perfectly suited for this lounge. He is very enthusiastic about the business, and offered us free pours of ruby port, and tastes of a violet liqueur they use in a few cocktails. He's even excited about the fruit they use as garnishes, which also come from small producers.
My one complaint is the food menu, which is small and not very satisfying. But they have plans to expand their offerings, so we'll see where that leads. Still, as a place to have a glass or two of wine or to spend an evening, In Fine Spirits fits the bill.
I wasn't a fan of this place at first - mainly because the waitress was rather aloof towards me and she came to our table 3 times and ignored me all three times when I was pointedly staring at her to place an order. It isn't fun being in a wine bar among the yelp winos and being the only one without a drink. Oh, wait, maybe it is fun being the only sober one - a steadier hand to take incriminating photos which is slowly becoming my raison d'etre at yelp events.
However, I noticed that the place was rather full in the middle of a holiday week, and the waitress was the only one working the room. Okay, I forgive that - the woman was busy. And she was nice once she finally took my order (a juicy Ransom Pinot Noir from Oregon).
While wine is their raison d'etre, other drinks such as beer and mixed drinks (with spirits and of the prohibition variety - non-alcoholic to those of you who don't get my whimsy) were plentiful as well. Each item has a quite fascinating and well written description - even the Old Style beer.
In Fine Spirits Wine Lounge is an extension of a wine shop that already existed and a nice addition to Andersonville area. It is a well laid out space with an excellent wine list that includes flights, which I've noted in previous reviews is a great value for your money.
Add in the food they serve that pairs well with their wines and outdoor seating in the rear of the building, this is another great reason to make a visit this this part of town.
Servers are helpful and attentive and the atmosphere is lively. A must try when it comes to wine bars.
This place was phenomenal. Met up with some people for a birthday event and they knocked the ball out of the park. The drink list was spectacular and the service was attentive and friendly. The manager stopped by several times to chat things up and helped to ensure the group was happy with some custom drink requests. The waitress provided great assistance in choosing drinks and made sure the water and all of our glasses never stayed empty for long.
The only thing missing was on the food side. I actually didn't have any myself, but that was only because the dishes of cheese plates etc that I saw handed out around us looked high quality, but super unsatisfying even for a wine bar. They also did not have any chocolate to accompany the late harvest zin, which is a necessity in my mind. Everything else was perfect. They gave us a nice complimentary drink for everyone at the table for the birthday event and as mentioned earlier they were very accommodating to custom drink requests.
The place started out pretty empty around 8:00, but picked up considerably before dying back down at 11:00. It is an ideal place to have a couple of high end, yet pretty reasonably priced beverages before heading out to the 'real' bar or to scary karaoke places.
It was definitely good enough that I will make the trek up from Lakeview again for it.
Even though I was only here for a couple of hours--I still enjoyed my experience. I came here straight from work and really wanted to unwind my brain.
I'm pretty sure it was the patio that did it & along with some great yelp friends. I wasn't in the mood for some wine, but that didn't stop me from having a nice glass. What was it again? Who knows, my friend picked it for me.
I just loved the patio. Simply, well...simple. Very open, with lights hanging over us. It was lovely.
I'll be back to try this place again, next time I'll concentrate on the actual wine.
Came here again for a yelp Wine-a-Thon hosted by John B. which was a blast and sick at the same time.....there was some toes being cleaned that I could have passed on. The 11pm trying to find food in the rain was fun too.
I still say that staff is extremely knowledgeable and the owners pick some of the greatest wine you will ever drink. I also really like that they support the smaller vendors. Whatever mood or favor your into they have a wine or spirit for the occasion.
I will say again that they really need some real food there which I hear they are working on.
I am purely giving 5 stars based on service alone. I have never eaten here nor had a chance to drink… Read more »
This is one of those snooty high-end bars where you will be razzled and dazzled by all those highfalutin wines, beers, and cocktails, but for me, a snob since birth, I'm all for class and sophistication.
The actual decor of the bar is inviting and clean, not too trendy but also not dumpy. Their wine list is great, and many by-the-glass pours are reasonably priced and tasty. They also whip up mean cocktails, many ones from all over the planet, and some out of this world.
They have real absinthe, two kinds I think. And no, sorry, it is not going to make you hallucinate. I think they took out whatever chemical that used to form in the old process of making it back in the 1800s.
And then there's the food. They have a good range of nibbles, from cheeses and dried meats, to a delicious mushroom mousse that I could have eaten several bowls of. I have also tried their ricotta fig tart for dessert, and it was awesome. Maybe not for everyone, but if you're into trying different desserts besides apple pie or crumb cake, I suggest you give it a venture.
The service from our waiter was just okay. But then, maybe we went on an off night. The place was pretty dead because it was a Sunday night, and I understand that when it's slow the staff tend to lose interest. I'm not excusing it, but as a waiter, I know I'm much more on my game when I'm busy than when I've got one table to attend to. It sounds counter-intuitive, but it just tends to be the case.
Neighborhood: Edgewater
Category: Beer, Wine & Spirits
Neighborhood: Edgewater
Neighborhood: Edgewater
Category: Wine Bars
Neighborhood: Edgewater
Category: Wine Bars
Neighborhood: Edgewater
Category: Gastropubs
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