For us, a date night is just a bit more ‘us’ when we find two seats at the bar. There is a vibe that exists only at the bar, where the food and drink is enjoyed in what I can only describe as the ultimate individual communal experience. But perhaps our favorite part of the ‘bar’ experience is the personal relationships that develop. Sometimes they’re fleeting, but sometimes they’re more long term. The amazing staff members we meet face-to-face become a part of our experience, not just by their service but by how they blend their service with personal charm and eloquence.
On this night, we met Molly. And Molly would change my world.
Welcome to Louie’s Wine Dive
Before I even walked into Louie’s Wine Dive in Clayton, I knew two things. First, I remembered their Kansas City location being included in USA Today’s 10 great restaurants with great wine lists. I remembered because I was intrigued by their policy of offering to open any bottle on the menu if diners agree to purchase two glasses. The bottle is then listed on a chalkboard, opening up the possibility of trying a glass to everyone else. “You’re being inspired by other people, so it feels a bit like a community experience,” Potter says. “They usually have 10 to 20 bottles on the chalkboard at one time.”
Second, I wasn’t in a wine mood.
What to Drink
Louie’s is a wine bar, but beer and spirits lovers will find much to celebrate with a robust selection of local and national craft beers and some of the their favorite liquors on display.
Descheutes Brewing Company beers are among my favorites, so when I see a chance to enjoy a pour, it’s a no brainer. On this night I was lucky that their Fresh Squeezed IPA was on the rotating tap. 6.4% ABV | 60 IBU, this beer made with Mosaic and Citra hops is one of the most flavorful IPA’s you’ll find anywhere.
Make sure to ask your server for the beer list and to find out what is on the rotating tap during your visit. You probably be very pleasantly surprised.
Another pleasant surprise was finding Yeti Stout on the beer menu. This was my first bottle of this brew from the Great Divide Brewing Company, but one I had read much about. An award winning Russian Imperial Stout, this is what winter beers are supposed be like. At an APV of 9.5%, it’s heavy, but not too heavy. Powerful on the swig, bursting with burnt malt but then it settles down on the swallow. Everything I expected it to be.
Like I said, I wasn’t up for wine in a wine bar, but my lovely wife was. The wine list is broad and eclectic to say the least, but the fun is playing the board. As we mentioned, as more wine is tried by other customers, those bottles go up on the board as open and ready for action. On this night, Leigh started with the Famille Perrin Réserve Côtes du Rhône Blanc. This wine pours clean and yellow and has maximum floral scents. On the lips you’ll find delightfully playful fruits, mostly apple and orange. The wine is well balanced and has bit of a bite.
It was a white wine night. We also tried glasses of the 2013 Jordan Russian River Chardonnay and a 2015 Dönnhoff Riesling.
Now back to me. I normally don’t move from beer to spirits, but something interesting happened. I was watching the bottles as we discussed some important upcoming events, when Molly removed one bottle to make a customer a drink. The move revealed behind it a rye I had been dying to try – Whistle Pig Straight Rye Whiskey.
Whistle Pig, a Canadian whisky but crafted on a farm in Vermont in oak barrels, has become one of my most sought after whiskies, but I had been scared off by the bottle price ($70.00). At $14.00 a pour, I was reluctant to indulge until the man sitting next to me at the bar caught wind of my dilemna. “Do it,” he said, “you won’t regret it.”
A simple nod to Molly and the Whistle Pig was mine.
Whistle Pig Rye is among the best Rye’s I’ve ever had. Smooth and full flavored, the burn on my tougue was not overwhelming. The finish was pure pleasure. I do not have any $70.00 bottles on my bar, but this bottle has forced me to rethink my range on higher priced whiskies.
What We Ate
Compared to many wine bars I’ve been too, Louie’s packs a pretty solid menu. Starters include standard cheese and meat offerings. The salad selection includes one I recommend as a meal simply due to the price. The Sesame Crusted Tuna features field greens, ginger pears, radish, toasted coconut, spiced walnuts, lime zest, orange soy vinaigrette for $16.00.
The rest of the menu features pasta dishes, shared dishes and a selection of comfort foods, of which we ate from. We selected the Shrimp Tacos, which featured chopped, grilled shrimp served with a spicy chipotle mojo sauce, cucumber pickled onions fo
What Looked Good
With so many pasta options in a city like St. Louis, I was surprised to see how many folks around us were gobbling the pasta dishes served at a wine bar, but that was happening. I asked Molly what they were and she let me know that two of their pasta dishes have become local favs. The Pesto Tagliatelle features house-made tagliatelle, ricotta, pesto cream, tomatoes (add chicken +$4) (add shrimp +$5) (add salmon +$7) for penne, creamy arrabbiata, fresh herbs, green onions, lime sour cream ( add chicken +$4 add shrimp +$5).
Overall
We really enjoyed Louie’s vibe. It was high tempo and loud enough to give a positive energy, but not loud enough we could not hear each other talk. Service was fantastic, led by Molly of course. By the time we left, there was line for seats for the bar, but everyone had a smile on. When a place gives off a good vibe and the clientele are smiling, something is going right.
