Casual yet elegant. Classic yet hip. Lively yet downtempo. The cool kids in search for some fresh wine now dine at the tasty Wine Is Fine in central Athens.
It’s a weekday evening and we’re headed downtown for some casual wining and dining at the newly launched Wine Is Fine. Located inside the infamous Historical Triangle of Athens, the wine bar is a testament of how a cool team with some classic treats draws the funky crowd to their white-cloth side-street tables.
Two friends from France, Rafael Wallon-Brownstone and Τhomas Brengou, together with Greek chef Stavros Hrysafidis created this little gem a few weeks back in the brink of Spring 2023. In a small corner outpost on Vyssis street, where many door hardware shops sit, and a plain interior design reminiscing a 90s allure lies the perfect spot for a homey night out.
The wine list changes frequently and mostly features mild vinification wines, so-called fresh wines, from Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and elsewhere. The menu is purposefully short featuring a few classic dishes from France, enough to accompany the fresh, wholesome baguettes from Tromero Paidi that are served with butter.
It’s now the second time that I visit so I’m really looking forward to the insanely tasting beef bourguignon served with veal cheeks on potato purée and a perfectly-made wine sauce. The green salad topped with tender twigs of spearmint is really simple but very tasty and fresh, with the mushroom dish also being a favourite one – a variety of wild mushrooms cooked on a light onion sauce.
The beef tartare was heavy on the Dijon mustard last time around so we ask for a lighter approach; instead we now get a mix that is now more towards the sweet part of the palette (most likely due to the ketchup) – so tread carefully when you visit.
Regardless, the dinner is an absolute treat and the spot is also a nice and refreshing addition to the Athenian dining scene. The menu is tasty and nicely priced, despite the relatively small portions. They open daily after 18:00, apart from Sundays when they also do lunch, even though the waiting staff tells us that this is soon going to change. They also don’t take reservations but the high tables across the street can make for a nice conversation starter with fellow diners and a cool spot for the first glass of wine.
Salut!
