Upper Bar Ferdinand

Beautiful wine bar with a chill ambiance. Nice selection of wines and unique food offerings. The seasonal tomatoes were divine, as was the potato and tuna pizza. We chose a wine from the great selection on display. However, the woman serving us didn’t seem to have a clue. She opened the bottle, poured very full glasses (I had to stop her), never offered to let us taste the wine before filling our glasses and walked off with the cork. Maybe wine just isn’t her thing.

I went for one of their wine tastings. Got there right when it started, and the expert wino was willing to answer any and all wine questions. The sommeliers seem very connected to the regional wine community, which is reflected in the great regional selections, although they have plenty of wines from around the globe.

We were impressed with Bar Ferdinand. The venue is a little hard to find, but it’s worth the effort. The layout and decor are inviting and exciting - definitely a hip spot. We had an outstanding, creative meal. Our burrata tomato mushroom appetizer was perfectly seasoned with a great cook on quality chanterelles; the herb dressing was a touch too watery to get enough of the flavor onto the components, but what we did get was excellent. The beet and goat cheese torte was rich, earthy, and packed with flavor on a perfectly cooked, flaky pastry dough; I only wished for something peppery or sour to cut the earthy beets and naturally funky goat cheese. The mushroom and soft-boiled egg entree was genius, as was the cold, medium rare lamb over aioli. Two of the most creative and successful entrees we’ve had lately. As a wine bar my wife reported that they had an excellent selection of “Rose of the Day.” Picky picky, but I order sparkling water with lime on every date and the venue didn’t have any limes (really?). While service was a little slow, our server was friendly. This is a venue geared toward a younger, more adventurous crowd versus a business lunch or special occasion, and it won’t be in our “Hall of Fame” (venues we’ll visit more than once every couple of years), but I highly recommend giving Bar Ferdinand a shot and we will be keeping track of the chef - he’s a rising star.

Very quaint, unassuming place. Read a lot about it so I tried it one night while in town on business. Great staff. Wine selection was superb, as was the tasting menu I had. Smoked smelt was divine. Mushroom and ricotta dumplings were the best thing I have had in a long time and I don’t even like mushrooms. Truly stellar. It’s a winner.