Celine Roberts and Christie Kliewer, owners of Nine O’Clock Wines bottle shop and wine club in Lawrenceville, share with TABLE readers four spots with spot-on wine lists.
An outstanding wine list should have a few things: a breadth of styles, and the ability to play well with the restaurant’s menu. Bonus points are awarded if the restaurant’s culture supports the education of the staff, so they can be empowered to recommend wine options to guests. At Nine O’Clock Wines, we lean heavily into natural wines and seek to provide a selection from around the globe. Here are a few places that nail our metrics.
The Vandal
4306 Butler Street
The Vandal keeps a tight, but diverse wine list both by the glass and by the bottle, which suits their menu well. Their staff always has a nice recommendation or two, as well.
Fig & Ash
514 E. Ohio Street
If you’re looking for a few higher-end bottles, along with a manageable by-the-glass menu, Fig & Ash has you covered. Diners who prefer California wines have some nice options, alongside other selections from both Old and New Worlds. Their list also includes wines with a wide breadth of body and texture.
40 North Bar & Restaurant
40 W. North Avenue
Pair a meal from James Beard-nominated Executive Chef Bethany Zozula with one of the bar’s wide variety of offerings available by the bottle or glass. While sipping, diners can enjoy the occasional live performance curated by local arts nonprofit City of Asylum inside Alphabet City, their shared space on North Avenue in Pittsburgh’s North Side.
Bar Marco
2216 Penn Avenue
Any wine list recommendation wouldn’t be complete without Bar Marco’s program of entirely natural wines. The staff is always looking for the next excellent bottle, upcoming region, or promising winemaker, with old favorites getting their due. They also give guests a unique experience in the wine room with multicourse wine-pairing dinners. (Full disclosure: we honed our wine knowledge working in that dining room).
Story by Celine Roberts and Christie Kliewer / Photography by Tira Howard
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