Bar Rollins
Wine bar · Charleston ·
Natural wine spot with pop-up chefs, local persimmons, lamb skewers
Natural wine spot with pop-up chefs, local persimmons, lamb skewers
"On my first visit for Vilda Gonzalez’s pop-up it was perfect in its simplicity: local persimmons tossed in olive oil with hand-pulled mozzarella braids, delicate lamb skewers with fresh oregano, and a flaky sourdough flatbread — the right amount of food to pair with a few new-to-me wines, and the servers were spritely and ethereal enough to make the evening feel dreamlike." - Erin Perkins
"Credited with bringing fresh ideas to Charleston’s dining scene, this small operation is being noted for injecting new concepts and energy into the local restaurant landscape." - Erin Perkins
"I noticed that Bar Rollins, a natural-wine hangout, is welcoming chef Vilda Gonzalez into the kitchen every Sunday this month; Gonzalez, who stepped back from restaurants after an autoimmune disease and then studied holistic nutrition, developed relationships with farmers and now focuses on cooking for true nourishment. She brings that philosophy to Bar Rollins with meticulously sourced dishes such as local persimmons tossed in olive oil and served with hand-pulled mozzarella braids, delicate lamb skewers with fresh oregano, and flaky sourdough flatbread. She’s in the kitchen from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. each Sunday." - Erin Perkins
"A natural-wine 'wine dive bar' with mismatched bistro furniture, exposed brick, and colorful bottle-lined shelves; the owners built local buzz with pop-ups and curated bottle selections before opening this charming storefront." - Erin Perkins
"I visited the new natural-wine spot that officially opened its doors at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 24, at 194 Jackson Street in Charleston. The bar offers a selection of natural whites, reds, and rosés by the glass, a few non-alcoholic options, and snacks of meats and cheeses. Owners Chris Rollins and Jess Vande Werken spent the past few years drumming up excitement for their bottle selections with pop-ups featuring chefs like FIG’s Jason Stanhope, and they describe the place as a “wine dive bar.” The space is charmingly appointed with mismatched bistro furniture, exposed brick, and shelves of colorful bottles; Rollins and Werken renovated the room themselves (with help from architects and designers Evan Smith González and Diego A. González) after finding it down to the studs—Rollins even notes it was the first time he’d done limewash and painted floors and ceilings. It reads as a casual-yet-hip spot for friends to gather and sip selections handpicked by Rollins, and it’s open Thursday through Monday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., located on Jackson Street amid a wave of newer businesses reflecting rapid change in the East Side neighborhood." - Erin Perkins