Meredith V.
Yelp
When I heard a new champs bar had opened in Old town, I knew I had to investigate. Except it isn't new. It's the same place as Grape & Bean, same management, same everything. Looking at the website, it's somewhat confusing because it sounds as though it's at a different, sister location but it's still in the same small little bar as Grape & Bean on Royal street.
When I arrived there was no greeting. Such a pet peeve of mine. I finally had to ask if I could seat myself and was answered 'sure' very stuffily. Okayyyy. So here's the thing about this place. It's JUST so freaking small inside. You can literally hear every single conversation, communal tables so you are seated directly next to the other parties, and the tables themselves are very small. The owner, who is French, finally came up to me and went through his pretentious schpeil. I found him the entire night to be quite rude but perhaps it was just a cultural thing.
My friend and I ended up trying the aged Champagne flights, which was really the only redeeming thing about this place. Very interesting to see and taste the differences btwn an 18 month champ and a 20 year champ. We also ordered a couple plates, bacon wrapped dates and the raclette. Both perfectly fine, nothing spectacular.
And it's a pricey place, so you're going to spend some coin here for premium wine and champagne. Which would normally be fine but for me, the ambiance just does not cut it. This place is so tight and cramped and you can hear the acoustics and voices throughout the entire place that it begs for much more intimacy & privacy. The clientele was mainly couples and older folk, not to mention the stuffy, unfriendly service. For my money, I'd rather go down the street to Sonoma cellars where there is higher energy, friendlier service and you can sit out back on the lovely patio with more privacy.