2200 First Ave. North (Goodall Brown Building)
413-8609
www.thewineloft.net
This is one of a small chain of franchised operations, but it's such a nice addition to downtown we had to list it. It's a beautiful space in the loft district, comfortable and sophisticated with a definite urban feel. While obviously the focus is on wine, there's also a menu of light fare designed to complement the wines. Options include baked brie with lavender honey, shrimp and blue cheese wrapped in puff pastry with Thai chili sauce, wild mushroom and manchego bruschetta, oven roasted lamb lollipops and mushroom tart, artisan cheese plate, filet mignon salad. We liked the baked brie, found the wine list a little pricey but thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere. The Birmingham News' Fletcher Harvey, in a 2007 review, enjoyed the charcuterie board, calling it "a good value for the price," and escargot vol au vent, which "could have been served a little warmer, but the sauce made up for any shortcomings."