MetroVino: 99 Bottles of Bubbly on the Wall...Maybe...I Wish

For the past year, I've walked past the desolate old DF location at NW 11th and NW Northrup every day on my way to work, a lump in my throat welling as I remember the days of delicious DF pork tacos and fresh raspberry mojitos in a cozy booth after a long day at work.

In accordance with the ways of spring, however, new life has blossomed in my old stomping grounds, as MetroVino Bistro Bar & Bottleshop pulls the brown paper off the windows and opens the doors this week. You can celebrate with them tonight at their "Our First Thursday" First Thursday celebration.


There are quite a few reasons I'm interested in checking out MetroVino. According to this article in Oregon Winepress, MetroVino owner Todd Steele is utilizing state of the art European technology that will allow him to pour multitudes of wines by the glass (the article says up to 80!), even super expensive rare bottles, and plenty of bubblies (my favorite, if you haven't noticed). Metrovino's executive chef is Gregory Denton, formerly of ill-fated fancypants restaurant Lucier. MetroVino also has a tasting area in the works, and will sell bottles to go.

I peeked inside this morning, and the interior is inviting, with a Pearl-posh feel.


The one page menu contains a smattering of basics--grilled salmon, red wine braised short ribs, slow-roasted pork shoulder, and also veers all over Europe--showing a German/Swiss bent with a raclette appetizer and alpine cabbage and bread soup; Scandinavian influences with salmon gravlax bruschetta and a smoked trout and cucumber salad with dill vinaigrette; and some more traditional European fare like roasted marrowbones and crispy sweetbreads. Then there's a side trip to SE Asia, with the scallops in green curry with pickled red onion and cilantro. Should be interesting.

Sorry, this picture is pretty fuzzy. I'll try to take a better one later.

MetroVino is located across from the Pearl District's lovely Tanner Park at 1139 NW 11th Avenue (corner of NW 11th & Northrup). The telephone number is 503.517.7778, and the partially functional website is at metrovinopdx.com/contact.html. MetroVino has also partnered with OpenTable to offer online reservation-making capabilities.

See you there tonight!

-Jen