On Other People's Bars, Sparkling Wine, and Eggs
12/30/2017
A letter from Brunette, the wine bar my husband and I owned until Spring 2020.
We just returned from a couple of days in Montreal. Despite the arctic temps, we managed to meet a dog named Lola in the cutest shop, knit a pair of mittens, pretend to read French at Drawn & Quarterly, and complete a puzzle so quickly that only 1 bottle of sparkling chenin and 1 medium-sized bag of Fritos was necessary. There were also bagels, a surprise egg salad sandwich, the cutest sugar cubes, and ramen on a -12 degree day.
Tuesday night, we tucked into Larrys, a wine bar in Mile End. Almost the same size as Brunette, white brick on one wall, peach tile on another, paintings of brunettes in the bathroom, and many kindred spirits on their glass and bottle list. Is there any wonder we were charmed?
A couple rounds from the glass list (who were we kidding?), then we ordered snacks, a bottle of Québécois pét-nat, and settled into our seats until the buzz of the bar overshadowed the whip of the wind outside and we could no longer tell the difference between the bar and home.
It’s nights like this — anonymous in someone else’s bar — that we hold in our pocket, excited to bring back to our own humble bar in the quiet part of our tiny town. We return inspired, refreshed, excited to see our regulars, and excited to make new regulars, even those of you who only make it to town once a year.
And now we’re back to do just that!
Today, we're adding Callipyge to the glass list. It's a rustic cabernet franc from the southwest of France, but what you really want to know is that callipyge means a person with a beautiful butt. And if you giggle while you order, we’ll love you even more.
On Sunday, we’ll have sparkling flights and oeufs en cocotte. Because eggs baked in cream, a sprinkle of chive, a trio of pét-nats, and cozying up to the bar with YOU is what I want to kick the last day of 2017 off with. I hope you feel the same!
Wishing to see you today and tomorrow, and every day in the new year, too.
Much love,
Your bartenders,
Jamie and Tracy