This is a poor attempt at reviving paid for square footage from an equally poor attempt at an Irish themed pub.
Whilst I'm no fan of MTM's, and Langton's demise was easy to predict, this review will focus on the folly that is the "new" wine bar.
First, patrons are left scratching their heads at why the first floor of the former Langton's space is vacant and the Wine Bar is isolated to its former upstairs? Employees will tell you it's to utilize the first floor as a banquet space. Um, ok, but the space is visible and open to the upstairs wine bar. Conceptually that's odd and what will this actually be like from a guest experience when both the Wine Bar is open and the banquet space is in use?
Second, let's talk decor. Nearly all the quasi-Irish decor is still in place despite the obvious conceptual change. Examples: the stained glass work, the artwork on the walls, and the usage of snugs.
Third, let's talk televisions. Whilst the abundance of TV's (with sports on most) is a hold-over from Langton's, they have no business as part of a wine bar. In fact, one of Langton's and now the Wine Bar's shortcomings is having TVs in the remaining snugs. I've been to countless pubs in Ireland and countless wine bars throughout this country, none of which have TV's in snugs. It defeats the purpose of a snug.
Fourth, let's talk music. Current pop/dance-type music is not congruent with a high-price point wine bar. The music simply doesn't match the concept.
Fifth, the wine list is uninspiring. Nothing but well known, upper end labels and they are priced accordingly. Wow, you have Silver Oak, Decoy, etc. . . how imaginative! Listen, I appreciate good wine and will pay for it, but it's much more satisfying to see a well-curated wine list that is geographically diverse and price diverse. It's pedestrian to have a concentrated list of high end Napa/Sonoma offerings. Also, the staff seemed to have very little knowledge of the wine list itself. That's ok at a place that is $7-12 glass. It's not ok at a place that's $22+ a glass.
Lastly, the food was a joke. Teresa ordered a cheese plate that looked like it was assembled as an afterthought. I lament not taking a photo. It was a sloppy, disorganized pile of cheese, dried fruit, and crackers that appeared to be remnants from other servings piled haphazardly. There was no description of the cheeses on the menu, nor was one offered by the server.
Conclusion: expensive, poor food quality, sports bar atmosphere, uneducated staff, and feels exactly like what it is: a desperate attempt to rebrand a space as something else with no effort. read more
