The art of escanciar—a high pour that aerates Spanish cider, creating a bright foam and unlocking its crisp, rustic flavor.
Since Sippel opened La Cave two years ago, it has complemented—and contrasted with—L’Ostal. It is not a restaurant but a true European-style wine bar reminiscent of one you might find in Barcelona. Prepared foods such as cheese, charcuterie, tinned fish and tartines are served. “There are about 20 wines on a changing menu of more obscure varietals that guests and servers find exciting,” the chef says, “It creates engagement and conversation.”
Chef Jared and a member of his team at La Cave—which is inspired by the traditional bodegas of Barcelona
The atmosphere is dark, cozy and subtly glowing—mellow and welcoming—with seating for 14 at a bar and high tops. Nightly specials are also written on the blackboard. La Cave can be the first stop of an evening, for a glass of wine with spiced nuts or a plate of sliced Iberico ham and house-baked grissini, or a place to explore the tapas menu with carefully selected wines. The wine bar also serves caviar—one ounce of Kristal, French Baeri or Ossetra Prestige—with crème fraîche, chives and Ibiza potato chips. After dinner at L’Ostal, we ended the evening at La Cave, sipping a half glass of a Royal Tokaji 2018, which our server noted has more minerality than the Aszú we had tried earlier.
A Spread Of Vibrant Small Plates Made For Sharing.
Since last fall, La Cave has hosted exclusive wine dinners. Sippel and his team prepare the food in L’Ostal’s kitchen and bring it over to La Cave. “We get famous producers from a region, and then I’ll feature food from that region,” he says. Recent events have included a three-course Champagne and caviar dinner and a Spanish wine flight with representatives from R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia, the renowned Rioja producer. Sippel’s Spanish meal featured paella, served on the patio. These intimate dinners are held about once a month and sell out quickly.
For some events, La Cave offers two seatings, accommodating 28 lucky guests.
La Cave
42 Center Street, Darien
Thursday, 5 – 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 – 10 p.m.
It can be rented for private events.