John D.
Yelp
Last night my wife and I were invited to the opening of Crush'd Wine Bar. We weren't quite sure where it was on Railroad Ave., but easily located it across from Lunardi's supermarket, which is good because their parking lot compensates for the lack of on-street parking,
First impression of the new space? Handsome, airy, simple - kind of neo industrial but very comfortable.
There are soft couches and chairs. a bar with high stools, and a more traditional lounge with booths. There is also a display area with gourmet food and drink (no prices were posted on our visit).
Their approach to wine sales is to dispense it from multiple taps behind the bar (12 white, 12 red) in 3, 6, 9 oz measures, or a 46 oz carafe, which is the equivalent of 750 ml bottle. I recognized wineries like Chalk Hill, Trethethen, Dry Creek, DAOU, Steven Kent, Epoch and OZV, but the rest were not wineries I knew. Almost all are from CA, with a smattering from Italy, Germany and New Zealand.
The staff and service were exceptional. They tended to every need, cleaned up regularly and always had something funny to say. They worked their tails off with a crowd that had to number 60-80.
The food focus of the evening was a charcuterie table loaded with artisan cheeses, salumi, dips, olives, homemade chips, bread, roasted nuts and caviar. There were also passed hors d'oeuvres, including lamb meatballs, deviled eggs w/smoked salmon and trout roe, and fat and scrumptious oysters. I believe many of these are on their regular menu.
I must also mention their cocktails. I had the bourbon and spice (with amaro Luciano, chai and lemon), a friend tried the blackberry blossom which she loved, and of course there were martinis and old fashioned as well.
So, as persons who love a local spot to eat lite bites and sip wine or cocktails in late afternoon, I think we have found a new home. Here's hoping Crush'd succeeds in downtown Danville.
8/15/2024