Taste Wine-Beer-Kitchen Verified listing

Taste Wine-Beer-Kitchen—the cozy little spot tethered to Olives Gourmet Grocer—has officially been resurrected after a five-year nap. From 2015 to 2020, it was one of those quintessential neighborhood joints: intimate, creative, and quietly confident. Then the pandemic hit, and the owners and loving couple, Erin O’Hagan and Laurie Semon, opted to shutter the space. But now, with their longtime collaborator, Chef Brad Neumann, and one of the best sommeliers in the game, Chad Alger, they have reopened the doors with a rotating, seasonal menu and a newly minted wine program.

“We’re pretty excited to be back open,” Erin said. “With the new menu and the changes we’ve made, it’s going to be fun for the community. How can you not like a mini-tasting menu with wine pairings?”

Erin’s words are true: They now have what is kind of the perfect Girl Dinner with their wine “flights and bites.” Shifting monthly, three wines are paired with three accompanying bites. It not only reflects Chad’s love of vino but Chef Brad’s growing interest in learning how wine pairs with food.

“I used to be a strictly beer guy, but as I’ve gotten older, the complexity of wine is fascinating,” Chef Brad said, noting how odd it is that many chefs don’t know how to pair themselves and lean entirely on their sommeliers rather than working with them.

Written and photos by Brian Addison.

For Brian Addison's latest feature on Taste Beer-Wine-Kitchen, click here.