Nestled right off the Oxford square, the Wine Bar presents a prime location for patrons to take part in a different type of culinary experience.
Patton Valentine opened the Wine Bar with his family in August of 2014. Valentine, a 2005 graduate of the University of Mississippi, recognizes the importance of being located on the square.
“Oxford is renowned for its contributions to art, social culture, music and culinary experiences and the square is the epicenter of everything that makes this place so special,” Valentine said. “We take being on the Square very seriously. To be alongside some of the best eateries in the state is a major responsibility and we strive to maintain the integrity of the Square while also contributing something unique, something satisfying, and something fun.”
The Wine Bar, keen to its name, has a various amount of wines that people can choose from. The staff there is knowledgeable about the different types of wine that customers can choose.
“Our wine list covers a broad range of prices and styles, and our knowledgeable staff loves to open new doors for wine novices as well as experts,” Valentine said. “We serve many wines that aren’t found elsewhere in town, from Italy, France, Spain, Australia, Africa, and North and South America, and that list continues to grow. I do want to point out that despite our name, we aren’t just a ‘Wine Bar’. We serve an extensive collection of beer, liquor, and specialty cocktails to satisfy any palate.”
The food at The Wine Bar provides a different type of experience for customers than other restaurants in Oxford. The food ranges from an eclectic mix of gourmet bar food, tapas, delightful Chef-inspired entrees and pasta, as well as sandwiches and, of course, cheese.
“While we carry many standard dinner items, we also wanted to allow our chefs to be creative and offer dishes and flavors that you can’t get anywhere else. We started as just a small plates restaurant offering patrons the ability to share their food, but have since grown to offer full dinner items while staying true to our original plan of giving people a fun, engaging and communal experience,” Valentine said.
The chef at The Wine Bar is Erika Lipe, who has been in Oxford going on nine years. Erika’s love for food has been an inspiring profession for over 10 years now. Lipe cut her culinary teeth in New Orleans during and after the time of Hurricane Katrina, and has since worked at local restaurants Waltz On The Square and Lenora’s. Erika also did a stint on Jekyll Island, Georgia, at the famous Jekyll Island Club Hotel and off-shore restaurant Latitude 31. She loves to dabble in classic Creole, Spanish, Italian and American foods, as well as Vietnamese.
“We are so thrilled to have Erika at The Wine Bar. Her engaging personality, culinary acumen, and beverage knowledge make her an invaluable member of our team. Her late summer menu is scheduled to hit the tables in early August, ” Valentine said. “The Wine Bar will be showcasing some of her dishes as specials throughout the weeks ahead. I’d put her food up against any in the country.”
Collin Brister is a staff writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at collin.brister@hottytoddy.com.
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