Wine bars seem to come and go so quickly around here. (Adieu, Wine Steals. Au revoir, 100 Wines), yet Splash perseveres. Their secret? “Selection, interaction and value,” said Debra, the enduring establishment’s gracious hostess and knowledgeable manager.
Selection. Splash, located in the heart of North Park, features 64 wines from around the world at every price point. “We’ve learned what type of wines the neighborhood enjoys, and if they ask for a specific vintage, we’ll get it for them,” Debra explained. “Miss Kitty,” fresh as a daisy after spending the day viewing desert wildflowers, and I sampled several varieties of grapes; she partial to reds, me more versatile enjoying both reds and whites. To wit:
Saveé Sea, Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand: The crisp light-bodied pale-straw hued pour greets the palate with lots of fruit – grapefruit, green apple, and peach – and finishes quickly. Breezy, but lacking an enduring earthiness. Château Laurès Entre-deux-Mers, White Bordeaux, France, 2013: The complex blend of Old-world grapes begins with Semillon, half as much Sauvignon Blanc and a measure of Muscadelle. The result is a smooth grassy, honeyed, zesty wine with a long-lasting finish.
Dancing Coyote, Petite Syrah, Lodi, 2012: The dry fruit-forward pour presents plum and black cherry on the tongue before saying goodbye with a smokey, peppery medium-length finish. Rabble, Zinfandel, Paso Robles, 2014: The medium-bodied deep ruby red wine, exudes ripe berries and lavender, dusty lilac and brittle chocolate. Lush tannins and an uplifting finish. Morgan, Syrah, Santa Lucia: The fresh not overly complex blend of Syrah, Tempranillo and Granache, produces a medium-bodied deep-red wine with soft tannins, offering caresses of cherry, blackberry and cola with earthy mushrooms and minty bramble.
Interaction. The cozy intimate space features modern automatic wine dispensers. Patrons pre-load their key card before exploring a variety of wines. After locating a tantalizing selection, simply insert the card into the machine, press the button and a 1 oz. “splash” is dispensed. The price of each splash is deducted from your card. Want a 3 oz. pour? Push the button three times. A very clever set up. “The word most used in reviews is ‘fun,’” Debra stated. Educational, too, I would add.
The menu features flatbreads, salads, a selection of cheese and charcuterie, as well as small plates. The White Crunch Crostini ($6) is a mouthwatering blend of chopped artichokes and spinach, silky cream cheese, minced garlic and a caress of cayenne topped with diced tomatoes, all served atop warm crunchy Sadie Rose bread. Sooooo satisfying.
Bonnie, the affable approachable head chef from North Carolina, admitted she “liberated” the recipe, and lucky for us she did! The classic colorful Caprese ($6) features thick slices of mozzarella cheese, fresh vine-ripe tomatoes, spicy basil, silky olive oil and a vibrant balsamic reduction. Although not trained in the traditional sense, Bonnie explained she “learned how to cook good food and appreciate great wine” by hanging out with chefs. She’s learned well, indeed.
Value. Miss Kitty and I visited Splash on a Tuesday evening when all wines are half off. Astoundingly, our bill, including $20 on pre-paid cards, totaled $33; a lot of good food and great wine for very little money. Splash offers a daily happy hour and other specials, such as Saturday’s $40 dinner and wine for two. Off-street parking is available.
You owe it to yourself to discover why Splash succeeds where others have failed. Eat and drink this, hungry readers. You’ll be glad you did.
Splash
3043 University Ave.
Open 7 days. Hours vary
619-296-0714
