... and now it's time for WINE CORNER

This week on Wine Corner we take a trip to Pops For Champagne, at 601 N. State.

By our resident ghost writer "Double D".


The evening got off to an awkward start when our waiter decided that my friend Gretchen & I sucked for some reason. He seemed annoyed when we asked for water and recommended a "beach wine" to G. (um...it's October. Beach wine? Gretchen wasn't wearing board shorts and sandals) But things improved when our clients arrived and the waiter suddenly got super nice. Maybe he realized the bill had just doubled.

Anyhoo, I ordered a classic Champagne cocktail which was yummy, and G. followed her beach wine with a more season-appropriate Elkhorn pinot. The pinot was very popular at our table - according to the receipt, we ordered 12 glasses. The clients had Bollinger, a couple of martinis and the aforementioned pinot. We also ordered a bottle of L. Mawby Michigan Sparkling Wine, on the recommendation of the waiter (maybe he was still mad at us?) It was actually pretty tasty.

Pros - excellent cheese & charcuterie plate, nice ambience

Cons - frites that were more like steak fries from Blackies (G. pointed out that Hopleaf frites would kick these frites' asses.) They did come with a yummy truffle mayonnaise. Truffle oil - is there anything you can't do? Also, the bar has several large projection screens which were showing some sort of stock-footage soap opera involving a couple that looked like they were in a perfume ad, sipping wine. G. was simultaneously fascinated and super annoyed. I have no idea why Pops thought this was a good idea.

In conclusion - Pops has many delicious wines, cocktails & spirits to choose from, and a nice assortment of small plates. Just avoid the frites and try to stay on the waiter's good side. Also, don't let anyone order you a Hennessey XO at the end of the night because you'll get too drunk to drive home.

-Double D