Musicians Mathew Daniels and Aaron Johnson love the arts. So when they open their new wine bar, Tavern of Fine Arts, at 313 Belt Ave., in DeBaliviere Place, art “will be reflected on the walls, on the plates and in the glass,” said Daniels. St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Joe Bonwich broke the news last week that Daniels and Johnson were looking to gather signatures for the tavern’s liquor license.
Besides offering a wide selection of wine, Tavern of Fine Arts will offer bottled microbrews, soft drinks, espresso drinks, high-quality teas and a limited cocktail menu. Of the latter, Daniels said they would start with “classic cocktails using high-quality spirits – single-batch bourbons; small-batch, single-malt whiskeys; and other small-production liquors.” In addition, the owners are looking into making their own bitters and tonic water.
Food will be “things you find at a lot of wine bars,” Daniel said, mostly a selection of seasonal small plates – sandwiches, cheeses, deer meat and sausages. The kitchen will also be taking extra measures to prepare house-made condiments and salad dressings, and turn out house-made blintzes, crêpes, cassoulets and French country-style pâtés.
Quality drinks and food are just a part of the offerings Daniels and Johnson have planned for guests. Tavern of Fine Arts will function as a gallery, showcasing high-caliber works created by local visual artists, and as a venue for live classical chamber music. “St. Louis has a really large population of talented classical musicians,” explained Daniels. “Not that many venues are available to them where they can play in small ensembles.”
The artsy duo, both natives of south St. Louis City who grew up in what Daniels called “tavern culture,” expect that their upscale drinking hole will open in February, upon completing minor construction and obtaining a liquor license.
This article appears in Nov 1-30, 2010.