"NIU Wine is always one of our favorite spots in town for a date night. The narrow space has an intimate dinner party energy, a noise level that’s perfect for conversation, and lots of candlelight, which will elegantly conceal the pimple that sprung to life six hours before your date. There’s not really a wine menu here. You just chat with the staff and they'll bring you some bottles to try. But there is a rotating food menu, and it’s full of wine bar-appropriate tapas, little sandwiches, and a spiced chocolate truffle you definitely want alongside a glass of that red you picked because you liked the label. This place is super tiny, so grab a reservation and you won't have to stress about not getting a table." - ryan pfeffer, mariana trabanino