After our culinary trip to Italy at Fritto Misto in Santa Monica, we walked a few blocks over to the 3rd Street Promenade to a wine bar called Pourtal. Get it? Pourtal, like, pour the wine.
As you approach the bar, you notice chalkboards out front that announce specials and tastings.
Pourtal has a spacious outdoor patio, but on the night we went it was a bit too chilly to sit outside.
Inside you purchase a card at the bar and load it with cash. Once you have your Pourtal card, you walk around to the different wine bottles, insert the card above the bottle, and the machine dispenses a few ounces of that vino. It's like the vending machine of wines!
I started with the Martinborough Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. It had a great, fruity taste.
Next I tried a rose called Mea Culpa. This was so delicious that I spent the rest of my card refilling my glass with this perfect, pink beverage.
In addition to the novelty of the Pourtal concept, the bar had chic, sexy decor.
If you aren't into walking around and testing out the wines on your own, you can also sit at the bar and the bartender will guide you.
During the several hours we were drinking and gabbing, the bar was playing the best medley of Motown music. The more I drank, the tougher it was not to dance and sing along. Stevie Wonder, he gets me every time!
In addition to discovering a new rose, I loved Pourtal because it was unlike any wine bar I'd been to. I'd highly recommend this spot for a Friday or Saturday night out with friends. I hope this concept makes it way to Boston!
