Splash

San Diego is not short on wine bars, and I am not complaining. I am lucky to have met a close group of treasured friends who all enjoy three of my favorite things: wine, cheese, and talking. The excitement I feel when first walking into the chosen establishment to meet these lovely ladies is palpable. So when asked what I wanted to do to celebrate my birthday, it came natural to suggest a girls' night at a new wine bar. My specific request was that the setting be new and mellow but also fun. Jody, who has her finger on the pulse of San Diego, found Splash Wine Lounge.

Set in the up and coming North Park community, Splash sits among an electic street where recently opened boutiques and restaurants sit next to a payless shoe store. It is the combination of old and new that makes this small San Diego neighborhood intriguing.

Their concept is simple and unique: Self-serve machines that beautifully display close to 100 wines from around the world. So, how does this work? You purchase a pre-paid card for any amount you choose. You then browse the many wine stations (shown below) and choose from which you want a "splash", or one ounce taste. With some splashes costing as little as .99, $20 can take you on a long and spontaneous journey.



Compared to simply purchasing a full glass or bottle at the typical wine bar, Splash makes the process interactive and social. The layout seems deliberate and genius. The round wine stations are strategically centered throughout the bar - from the entrance to the back. Couches and tables are set to the sides. There is enough space where you do not feel crowded, but close enough that when you look up there are people standing and sitting throughout the long and narrow room. Browsing for your wine forces you to move about the room, thus the opportunity to interact with others.

To balance the wine, there are small bites to eat. We ordered the goat cheese boat. You cannot go wrong with warm goat cheese, topped with olive oil, pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes. This appetizer was served with warm bread and each bite was more flavorful and fulfilling than the last. The flat-bread pizzas also do not disappoint, and neither does this entire experience.

Splash stands out among the Wine Bar genre as a hip, yet modest establishment that is well worth a visit and highly recommended.