We love Aristedes for people watching and chilling out with a beer under the stars, but the heavy crowds and loud music can be a drag. Since 8va wine bar and vinoteca opened in May 2010, options for a low-key night with glass of wine out on the avenue are looking a little brighter.
Daniel Vela and his daughter Agustina opened 8va with the hopes to appealing to a more relaxed and mature crowd. The space is actually a cute cottage owned by the Vela's, renovated to include a small cocktail bar and vinoteca, with seating throughout the front rooms of the house and a few tables on the sidewalk patio.
One room is furnished with used wine barrels repurposed as cocktail tables, another with deep leather seats and coffee tables.
8va's patio is perfect scene for quiet dates or long talks over a bottle of wine. The vinoteca sells around 100 bottles, many from boutique producers. We wish there were blends on the list, but the excellent selection of single varietal styles is a good way to train your palate to recognizing the nuances of our local grapes. Enjoy your purchase with cocktail service for a 10 peso corkage fee. Also, check out the daily wines by the glass at 15 pesos a pop.
8va's menu is limited to tablas, platters of cured meats, artisan cheeses and with accoutrements, but the selection is impressive. The all-Patagonian list features smoked and salted meats like wild boar loin, venison sausage, smoked pheasant served thinly sliced and dressed with mild Mendocino olive oil. Each of the selections we tried was tender and well crafted with rich flavors and agreeable textures.
Patagonian versions of French classics like crottin de cabra, and Roquefortmousse were each funky treats, complex, creamy and well-made. No less than eight dainty cups of nuts, fruit spreads and pastes, and stuffed olives and tapenades bolstered our meats and cheeses plate. Although the portion wasn't as huge as many picada platters around town, the quality and diversity of the selection at 8va still seemed like a good value at 50 pesos for a platter for two.
8va is comfortable and a bit luxurious without being stuffy. Maybe it's the hominess of sipping local wines in the little house's living rooms, or the fact that Daniel or Agustina are almost always around to offer a suggestion, but as long as they keep it up we'll be stopping in for a relaxing glass of wine.
By Amanda Hall
