A former event space in the Carlton Hotel turns into a wine bar that is the collaboration of Collective Hospitality (Laurent Manrique's company, which also owns SF's Aquitane, Blanc et Rouge, and Rouge et Blanc) and the CIVB (Bordeaux Wine Council). Decorated much like a minimalist Louis living room, the spot has chandeliers and a curved bar and serves up not just reds, but whites and sparkling Bordeaux selections. The menu features some nice Saint Julien and Pomerols, and food to go along with it includes simple small nibbles such as oysters with fennel sausage, saumon rillette, foie gras torchon and deviled eggs. There's flights of both red and white for those who want a smattering of a few good things. But our favourite is that this spot carries canelés bordelais; the best French cake (in our opinion). Open Monday to Saturday from 4 to just 11pm, this elegant spot is perfect for dates, or those who just can't stand loud bars, or hipster hotels. A welcome addition to a neighbourhood where getting a glass of wine heretofore meant jockeying with some snotty hostess for a seat in a fake library.

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