TFP Review
Old Vine Cellar
Door/
Nishi-Azabu: Wine
bar
▼5771-2439
▽Data

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Lovers of Australian
wine mourned the
loss of Roppogi's L-
Vino in 2008, but
owner Jiro Kinoshita
has found a stylish
new home for his
formidable 2000-
bottle collection at
Old Vine in Nishi-
Azabu. Autographed
bottles featuring
personalized "Kino-
shita" labels are
displayed at the
entrance, pointing
the way to the res-
taurant's Cellar
Door wine bar.

The candlelit inter-
ior is furnished
with spindly chrome
stools that can
accommodate a slim
six at the bar, and
there are two small
tables by the front
window. In the far
corner of the room,
an additional seven
seats are arranged,
somewhat oddly,
around a curved
counter. The effect
is curious - dining
bar meets fortune-
telling booth.

The focus here is on
the New World, with
particular emphasis
on the bold, fruit-
driven wines of the
antipodes. Around
sixteen wines are
available by the
glass (Y680- ), and
selections change
every two to four
weeks. The bottles
on offer are encased
in a sleek steel and
glass contraption
designed to serve
each wine at its
optimal temperature.


The machine, called
the Enomatic, re-
quires the insertion
of a special card
and dispenses wine
in precise 120, 60
or 15ml pours. Regu-
lars can purchase
their own member's
card (Y5000 or Y10,
000), which allows
for self-service
when the staff's
busy. On rainy days,
cardholders travel-
ing by taxi from
Roppongi or Nogizaka
station have the
added benefit of
receiving a Y1000
credit.

The bar menu fea-
tures snacks like
mixed olives (Y580)
and Italian salami
(Y780), as well as
more substantial
(although consider-
ably pricier) light
bites such as excel-
lent fresh oysters
from Japan, Tasmania
and the US, and
acorn-fed jamon
iberico de bellotta
from Spain. Those
hungry for more can
order grilled tep-
panyaki meat dishes
- a succulent filet
of Yonezawa beef
from Yamagata, juicy
Matsuzaka pork from
Mie - off the dinner
menu. Consider opt-
ing for a table at
the restaurant on
Monday nights,
though: All wines
are half-price with
a dinner reserva-
tion.

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▼Photo (small)
▼Photo (large)
▼Google Map
▼Map for AU phones
▼Map for DoCoMo
▼Nearest restau-
rants
▼Nearest cafes/
bars

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◎Nishi-Azabu 1-10-
6. ◎Open 6pm-4am
daily.

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