Before The Wine Loft opened downtown in the Luckie-Marietta District, an after-dinner drink might consist of stopping in a loud bar where patrons have to yell just to be heard; or, it might mean staying at a restaurant all night, where the staid scenery and high prices can get old after a while. But at The Wine Loft, an after-dinner drink takes on a whole new meaning.
The 10th and largest of The Wine Loft franchises—the original is in Louisiana—the Atlanta location is a whopping 710,000 square feet of sexy, sophisticated space. Boasting a large, second-story patio facing Marietta Street and a private room that can accommodate up to 200 people, plus an eye-catching bar and plenty of space for lounging, The Wine Loft is quickly becoming the place to be … or at least the place to see and be seen.
“It’s made to feel like an extension of your living room,” says Harry Constantinescu, general manager and certified sommelier. “We have 57 different varietals of grapes. If somebody feels adventurous, they’ll find [something new] here; if they want something more familiar, we have that, too.”
The Wine Loft has 230 wines available by the bottle and 89 by the glass. Bottles range from $32 to $1,000, but select ones are half-price on Tuesdays. On Wednesdays, complimentary wine tastings are offered from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Each night, certain wines are featured in the Enomatic, a machine that uses argon to prevent the wine from ever touching the air, thereby eliminating oxidation and keeping the wines as fresh as if the bottles were just opened. These wines are available by the glass or half-glass.
To go along with the beverages, The Wine Loft serves small plates—which are actually rather large—specializing in baked brie en croute, served with vanilla-infused honey, spiced pecans and a small mixed green salad with balsamic reduction. Other offerings include Japanese pumpkin ravioli with sage brown butter and Parmigiano Reggiano, lamb lollipops with wild mushroom tart and mint-pine nut vinaigrette, and scampi with goat cheese grits and Italian sausage. For something sweeter, molton lava cake with vanilla-infused honey and ice cream quenelles and classic tiramisu with cinnamon dust are available.
The major aspect of The Wine Loft that makes it stand out, however, is the décor. Very new-looking with warm brown and tan tones and bronze accents, the look is plush, rich and opulent. A muted pattern draws interest to the black and brown carpet, the ceilings are exposed but painted chocolate brown to look finished, and the rooms are filled with suede-like couches and chairs set up around dark, rectangular coffee tables. Some walls are brick, others painted tan/beige, and one is all windows.
The lighting is dim, the music lounge-y and the bar extremely attractive. The accents—on the barstool legs, light fixtures and bar—are ornate without going overboard. The entire package is one that creates interest, draws the guest in and makes him or her want to stay a while.
At The Wine Loft, an after-dinner drink with friends or loved ones often turns into two or three.
