Dish
Something to Sip Into

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

A former civil rights lawyer and a labor union director are working to open something they think will add some buzz to Logan Circle: a wine bar.

Construction of the 70-seat Cork Wine Bar (1720 14th St. NW) is expected to begin after Labor Day. Owners Diane Gross and Khalid Pitts-- first-time restaurant operators, veteran wine fans and newlyweds -- hope to have their ode to the grape open by the end of the year. Although "finding a space in D.C. was a real challenge," Gross, the former lawyer, says she and her husband lucked out when they secured a spot, the former Sparky's Espresso Cafe, a mere five blocks from where they live.

Modeled on wine venues the couple toured in Europe, Cork Wine Bar will have "lots of wood, lots of light" and will retain a few features of its predecessor, including the tin ceiling and brick walls. As for liquid refreshment: To start, there will be 20 wines by the glass and about 100 by the bottle. The partners will look to small, Old World distributors and family vineyards for their list. "We're very partial to Rhone wines," Gross says.

It's too early to hire someone to head the kitchen ("We have an eye on a couple of people," Pitts says), but the couple has drawn up a starting dinner menu, which includes: cheese and charcuterie platters; a salad of smoked trout, hazelnuts and tangerine vinaigrette; grilled baby lamb chops with chimichurri; and duck confit with mushroom polenta.

The inspiration for such detail? "The great thing about this project is that my sister is a chef," Gross says. Sharna Gross of Boulder, Colo., plans to fly in to train the staff as the launch date draws near.

-- Tom Sietsema