Avec

avec, a wine bar from the award-winning team behind Blackbird restaurant, opened in October 2003. A menu crafted of rustic food, including handcrafted charcuterie, inspired by the wine-growing regions of Southern France, Italy, Portugal and the coast of Spain. In addition to cuisine that reflects the aromas, flavors and colors of the Mediterranean, the wine bar features a moderately priced wine list that focuses on boutique vineyards throughout southwestern Europe.

The James Beard Award-winning design, by Thomas Schlesser, incorporates the elements of wine-making into the architecture of the 1,500-square-foot bar and dining area. Designed in a Danish Modern style, the room finds ornamentation in structure and materials. The honey-colored room is wrapped in cedar and anchored by a light hickory floor and outfitted with red oak seating. The space holds five communal tables, each seating eight guests, encouraging a convivial atmosphere.