"At first glance, Melanie looks like many other good wine bars around town. There’s a well-curated list filled with mostly European natural wines, a cute space that resembles a popular friend’s living room, and a menu filled with snacks you want to eat while drinking chilled beaujolais. But what makes this spot great are the people serving you the wine. No question is a dumb question, even if you’re date asks if orange wine is made from oranges. As far as the food, the mussels are a standout. They’re plump, buttery, and bathed in a rich vadouvan curry. And though it’s not technically on the menu, ask for a side of their crispy tater tors. Consider it an exercise to see how good your date is at letting you eat all of them." - brant cox, sylvio martins