The Hidden Vine

G had some meetings in the Nob Hill area at the Farimont Hotel for the past few days so we decided to use that time as a good excuse to check out places in that neighborhood. Everyone in San Francisco knows, unless you live in Nob Hill, you don't usually hang out there since the hills are very........well, nobby. We took off from our short term stay at the Fairmont and decided to hit the hills, literally.

If you have been to Le Colonial, you can easily find The Hidden Vine. It's located across the alley-way and there is another entrance through the Fitzgerald Hotel. Once you find the door, you walk down a staircase into another world of wine and cheese paradise. There are plush red velvet chairs and couches, nook and cranny tables placed in strategic locations, and tea candles scattered throughout the room which made the lighting oh so complementary. It's the perfect place to bring your friends or your more-than-just-friends. I was impressed with the relaxed, European atmosphere.

We found a nice seating area next to the fireplace on some cushiony chairs and started to study the wine list. Soon after, our perky waitress came over to chit-chat and help us pick our selection. They had a wine tasting special from wines from Austria which looked interesting but not enough to indulge in that night. Nothing against Austria, but it's not a country I think of as producing a lot of high-end wines. We settled on an Italian Bombinno(sp?) cabernet sav. and to eat some Cowgirl creamery, Humbolt fog cheese and bread. Once the wine was poured, we had a quick toast and continued our blissful evening at this camouflaged wine bar. The wine was superb and so was our bread and cheese which was accompined with dried blueberries and something similar to a mango chutney. Delicious.

If you can brave the hills, I would highly recommend grabbing some good company and enjoy your favorite drink of the grape variety at The Hidden Vine. I hear there is free bread and cheese on Thursdays. Get there early! 5 out of 5 stars.

The Hidden Vine 620 Post Street or 1/2 Cosmo Place at Taylor, San Francisco, CA