My husband and I were so excited to try this place out, sit on the balcony and enjoy a fine glass of wine while listening to the live music advertised on the street sign. After climbing up the stairs and speaking with the bartender, we learned that they stopped having live music a while ago (hmm, maybe it's time to revise that sign?)
Not to be deterred, we settled on the balcony anyway and each ordered a glass of wine. My husband's was undrinkable and mine was not good either. I decided I'd drink mine while he informed our waitress that his was corked. We were trying to avoid coming across as total snobs both sending our glasses back. Well, not only did the waitress not apologize for my husband's bad wine, she didn't even offer to take it back or replace it with anything else! She just mumbled something and left....so he was left watching me while I tried to get mine down. Â Then we finally received a check (for both glasses) that we paid in full. We placed it next to my husband's still full glass and left.
Romantic indeed.
Needless to say, we won't be back.
Hidden little gem on Central Ave. Â The staff is knowledgeable about their wines and extremely helpful. Â Super casual atmosphere and the balcony is great for sipping a glass and nibbling on a cheese plate or dessert while watching the fun spectacle of St. Pete passing by below you.
Tip: Â Great place to meet up with friends or after dinner drinks for a date
I had 45 minutes to kill waiting for the shuttle to go to the baseball game, so I found ATfW on line and checked it out. Â The inside space is very simple, with a bar, some chairs, and a seating pit. Â There is some retail, but it's apparent that this is a wine bar, not a wine shop. Â The wrought-iron fenced balcony overlooks the street, New Orleans style, and on a breezy day like today, it's definitely the best choice. Â Rochelle is the proprietress, and she could not have been nicer. Â I know a little bit about wine, and I thought their selection and prices were very appropriate. Â I wandered outside to enjop the fresh air, and Rochelle periodically checked on me, even reminding me that half-glasses are available. Â What made the most favorable impression on me, though, was her going out of the way to help me find a bag for a gift I was carrying. Â She had no financial stake in the project, but she was very willing to help this out-of-towner with a need. Â Brian N, I realize your review is now roughly 3 years old, but any place can have an off night. Â I'd encourage you to give ATfW another shot. Â If you go in open-minded and expect it to be what it is: Â a pleasant oasis to enjoy a glass or two of wine, I think you'll come away with a completely different impression.
Review Source:Three visits over the last 2 months.
First visit was just before the space reduction; Â unfortunate, as not only did it remove space, but it also removed a little vibe; that said, they did a good job remodeling with the space they now have.
The staff was knowledgeable about wine, and they offered a good selection.
It terms of vibe, I think music would help, especially earlier in the evening.
While not a restaurant, they do offer a variety of tasting apps that more than satisfies; the reference to "smoked salmon" conjured up images of the traditional thin sliced piece of orange fish - what I got was a succulent, deep colored Salmon "Steak"; rolled in freshly ground pepper - truly magnificent!
The 2nd floor balcony affords great people watching opps, especially during evenings (like first Friday's) when the volume of people on the ground level can be a bit overwhelming.
Finally, a quick mention of Renee - a very nice, helpful and energetic staff member - on my first visit, she went out of her way to setup a space for me and my friends outside. Â Without her extra effort, we probably would not have stayed...and this review would not have been written.
This is a great place to just sit and converse and enjoy some great drinks and snacks.
Now that they have some great beers the hubby enjoys it a lot more too. Their snacks, although not many, are very good and a decent enough assortment to please everyone.
Nice outdoor seating overlooking central ave. too
By far my favorite place in St. Petersburg and one of the best in Tampa Bay! This is such an excellent spot that I almost wish more people didn't hear about it but it's a must for nights that you want to enjoy a glass of wine (great selection), with great jazz (usually playing when I go), in a nicely decorated interior. Love this place!
Review Source:Blake N-Give them another shot. Â They haven't been in business for 15 years for no reason. Â It sounds like you hit an uncharacteristically off night.
I go there pretty much once a week, (or three times) and assure you, I'm not on the payroll. Â I take every one of my out of town guests here, and have never had any complaints. Â The wines by the glass change often, with some favorites always available by the bottle. Â Don't expect any grocery store wines here; they specialize in wines that are hidden gems, like the place itself.
This is absolutely a place to meet up with friends and people watch. Excellent outdoor "Southern Style" atmosphere in the heart of dt St Pete.
I reccomend their Riesling selections and the fruit and wine trays. Love the staff! They are very knowledgable with tastes and pairings...
This place fits in well with the eclectic- almost San Francisco-like St Pete night life!
I don't know... but I am wondering if the folks rating this place are either on the payroll or are not big wine drinkers. Â I went here with two of my good friends from out of town thinking that they would have some great wines, etc. Â We each ordered a flight of 4 reds. Â The bartender/waiter was horrible to say the least. Â After 10 mins (yes, that's correct... 10 mins, to pour wine on a not busy Thursday evening), I finally recommended he just bring them over 1 glass at a time vs. 12 glasses at once. Â He thanked me for the great idea and brought 3 glasses. Â Now... who serves Cabernet at 40 degrees F? Â Every glass he brought out was chilled. Â 60 degrees... no problem... but each glass of red wine was ice cold. Â Then, as we sat their starving and I was wondering if/when our appetizers were going to come out, I gathered that the bartender never put the order in. Â Bingo! Â So... having been there for an hour, we each got 4 crappy glasses of chilled red wine varietals with a forgotten food order and poor service. Â Maybe I could give them a break, if the place had been busy. Â Not the case... there were 7 people total. Â
This is NOT a place for anyone who really enjoy's wine. Â I recommend walking a block to Ceviche Tapa's bar as they have a decent wine selection (served at the proper temp), friendly atmosphere, and they don't forget your food order.
This is definitely a hidden little treasure in downtown Saint Pete, you will miss it if you are not looking. Â I love the atmosphere and the wine list is pretty good. Â I have not tried the food yet, but it looks good. The place gets real crowded on First Fridays, but otherwise is manageable. I even bought some oil paintings from their showcase of artists that sell on consignment there. The balcony is definitely the place to enjoy a glass of wine and their great service!
Review Source:After enjoying the nightlife of Ybor City, we left for downtown St Petersburg to enjoy some of the calmer and hipper nightlife it has to offer. Â We went into A Taste For Wine and really enjoyed ourselves. Â We sat on the balcony and were served by some of the friendliest waitstaff ever. Â The wine list was very impressive, not extensive but some quality wine. Â It was a very hip atmosphere. Â I thoroughly enjoyed it along with the St Pete nightlife.
Review Source:Thanks guys from below!!
I think I really made a smart choice by checking this website before driving here. I am assuming most of you guys do the same. So please keep up with posting reviews guys. And that is exactly what I am doing, writing my first review.
Okay let's cut to the chase. The restaurant is located on the second floor unlike other restaurants at the same complex, but all it takes is stairs. Building exterior is kind of old worn out at the balcony but I found it sort of adds the laid-back-cozyness to the atmosphere. The owner was very kind of what kind of wines we were willing to try. She was very helpful and offered her two cents, which we didn't mind. We are not wine connoisseurs by any means but we came to have good time having a social time after enjoying the sunny day at the beach in Clearwater and seemed like we have done just that. Addition to that we had some appetizers as well; 6" pizza, some beef contained bread (sorry don't recall the name) and some truffles for desert. Everything was good except the truffles because I thought the truffles should had rums in them, which the place offered didn't; it looked more like mini chocolate with some stuffing. Overall, I hope more people will rave about this place because this place definitely deserves it. And you should try it if you are nearby. I wouldn't mind having one near by my home town.
If this is a hidden gem, I hate to see what happens once it gets discovered! Â
I came here on a First Friday to enjoy some wine and listen to the music. Â We nabbed the last possible table on the balcony overlooking the festivities and settled in for a nice time. Â There were two wait staff managing the whole balcony - very good, very friendly and amazingly fast. Â As crowded as it was, these two kept everyone in beer, wine and food with very little wait. Â
The scene was eclectic and friendly - kind of a festive neighborhood gathering. Â The wine list was small but focused - a little heavy on chardonnay by-the-glass options, but overall really great selections - and the servers knew their wines. Â We didn't get food but what we saw looked good.
They have indoor seating as well, and a sign said live music several nights a week. Â Definitely a great place to sit and enjoy life.
Nice wine/beer bar on Central Ave in downtown St Pete. Â Best place to enjoy First Friday since its balcony overlooks the mob.
This is a not a place to meet/pick-up somebody, but rather a place to bring friends when you're tired of the mashup scenes. Â Live music some Fridays and Saturdays that drifts between folksy to light jazzy. Â
About 20 or so beers (all bottles) are available. Â Don't come looking for Bud/Miller because you won't find it. Â Bar wine selection is varied but not very large. Â However, they have a large selection of bottles you can purchase and enjoy.
I consider this a hidden gem.