Now if you remember Washington DC about 10 years ago, 14th Street and Logan Circle were in the ghetto. Not only was it a dangerous area, but it was dilapidated and completely disgusting to walk through. It is amazing what a few years can do to an area.
Now apartments in Logan Circle range from the 1,300 per month to 3,000 per month and the nightlife of Logan Circle is booming for both straight people and gays. There are thriving restaraunts, nice grocery stores like wholefoods and fun pubs like Stoney’s, Logan Tavern and Commissionary with great bar food and nightlife. We even have Halo (which renamed itself to another name recently even though I still hate it there) which is DCs only completel dedicated Gay Lounge (You could argue 30 degrees lounge, etc… but I still consider that part of Cobalt). Anyways, with the springing up of new restaraunts and trendy places to eat and things to do in Logan circle popped up a wine bar named Cork DC.
I went to Cork DC (Cork Wine Bar DC) the other day with my friend for his birthday and I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed. The overall experience was absolutely fantastic, but there were a few issues I had with Cork DC and their Staff. Lets start with the bad and end with the good.
Cork DC Address
1720 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.365.CORK
I walked in and I was a bit earlier than my friend. When I came in I was ignored by the (what I want to say is b*tch) greeter at the door with reservations. I stood there for 5 minutes staring before she even said can I help you. After being ignored, even after asking a question I said screw it and walked up to the bar. Sorry but she was a real b*tch. When I went to ask if we could get a table she gave us an attitude as well and instead of saying something friendly or even a hello, she said “Are you eating” not are you going to be having dinner, will you be ordering food, something polite, not “Are you eating?” and when we said no we were just having wine she told us no. She also said tables are for guests eating sit at the bar. She should have said “I’m sorry but the tables are reserved for guests who are having dinner with us, however you are more than welcome to enjoy your wine at the bar where we have appetizers (Always push an upsell or crossell) and a full selection of (ramble on for a second and smile). The apologize and let the guests go back to the bar. Cork had very poor service when it comes to their greeters and I highly encourage you all to complain if you end up getting that same rude b*tch at the front door of Cork Wine Bar DC. Anyways, that was the majority of the bad with Cork Wine Bar in Washington DC.
Now for the good with Cork Wine Bar in Washington DC.
The wine selection was absolutely fabulous. Their wine menu was broken down by whites, then roses, then reds. It also then sorts by which country the wine came from. I wish they took it a step further and went by the sugar scale or region or varietal but hey, not everyone can be that OCD. =0). I stuck with the White Wines at Cork and after I realized I had about 4 glasses I thought that I should have done a flight (a three glass wine pairing that they set up across a piece of paper for you to have 3 smaller sized glasses of which ever wine color or varietal you choose). Although the flight wouldn’t have been as satisfying as the full 4 glasses I had, maybe it would have helped me and my friends walk out of their a bit easier.
The bar tender was absolutely amazing. not only did he joke with us, but he helped us find the perfect pairings for our tastes, describe each wine thoroughly and when we would ask for a particular kind that was on the menu and they were out of it, he knew a great substitute for it. The bar staff at Cork Wine Bar DC is absolutely wonderful.
Not only did the Bar Staff at Cork DC know the entire selection and menu by heart and by number, they also were smart, could learn people’s pallets very fast and make perfect recommendations, but they also knew how to joke, have fun and really upsell and cross sell the menu. Heck they got me to pay for these horrible home marinated olives. To be fair though the olives looked amazing, but unfortunately their marinade took all the flavor out and they just tasted like olives soaked in olive oil. No spice, seasoning, flavor etc… Even the Kalamata Olives were bland which is very rare considering kalamata olives are normally extremely potent.
Overall I would give Cork DC 4 out of 5 Stars but only because of the wine selection and the very friendly and knowledgeable bar staff. The food gets a 1 out of 5 stars based on the olives and reactions I saw from other people eating. No one was like wow on their first bite and no one I talked to really went crazy over the food. I wish I could give a zero out of five stars but unfortunately one is the lowest number based on the front door staff.
Cork is a very fun and friendly atmosphere (Once you get past the b*tch at the door) and perfect for an anniversary, if you need something to do before dinner. For a cocktail party or social networking event or even just for a girls night out with your friends. It is gay friendly and straight friendly and a perfect evening out. I will definitely be back to Cork Wine Bar DC and if the horrible b*tch greeter is there, I’ll definitely complain this time. Cork DC is a must if you like Wine Bars and are in Washington DC.
Cork Wine Bar is located at:
Cork DC Address
1720 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.365.CORK
Here are a couple pictures of the wine bar.
Cork DC
Cork Wine Bar DC
