CORK Wine Bar opens in Ferguson
admin | Oct 12, 2009 | Comments 7
The fabulous CORK Wine Bar, located at 423 S. Florissant Rd in Ferguson
I’m a tough customer when it comes to restaurants. It’s not that I’m a food snob – my tastes are really pretty simple. Where I draw the line is atmosphere.
I want cozy. I want unique. And I want a place that shines with the love and quirkiness of the people who created it. Blueberry Hill offers that. So do the Venice Cafe and Shangri-La Diner.
In a world filled with bland chain restaurants, it’s a beautiful thing to find. And that’s why I’m thrilled and proud to say that it has finally come to my neighborhood!
CORK Wine Bar is the type of place that no one expects to find in North County – smart, sophisticated, casually elegant. In fact, when my friend Mike Lonero first started talking about opening a wine bar in Ferguson, plenty of people told him it would never work.
But Lonero, who also owns Vincenzo’s Italian Ristorante at 242 S. Florissant Rd, believed that an upscale bar could not only survive in NoCo, but thrive. And he was right. Since opening in late September, CORK has drawn steady crowds and rave reviews.
The restaurant has a cozy corner spot in the new, vintage-style Streetcar Lofts building, offering a warm atmosphere and loads of natural light. The walls are lined with colorful work from local artists, and every detail of the decor was thoughtfully chosen.
The bar top is made from recycled cork, as are the menus. A handmade wine bottle chandelier hangs just inside the entrance. And the wine display case – a massive hand-built creation spanning at least 15 feet long – is a clever concoction of salvaged wood and pipe. Lonero says that nearly everything in the bar, except the seating, was recycled, found or handmade.
As for the wine, the selection is amazing. More than 100 choices are available (25 by the glass), and the house pinot noir that I tried was velvety smooth. CORK also offers top-shelf spirits and a number of tasty microbrews, including hard cider. (No A-B products, hooray!)
The food at CORK is also fantastic. Little gourmet bites of cheeses, dips and salads, many made with locally grown ingredients and all quite affordable. (I highly recommend the fondue, served with apples and fingerling potatoes.) Desserts are locally made too – at Ferguson’s own Cose Dolci bakery.
Lonero has his own farmer and garden plot at Mueller Organic Farm up the street, so he tries to cook locally and in-season whenever possible. As if that’s not progressive enough, all of the food waste generated by CORK will be used to make compost at the Old Ferguson West Community Garden.
Yes, folks, this is in North County. Somebody pinch me! And did I mention that CORK is smoke-free? And that the servers are all fun and friendly? Bliss!!
In the coming months, look for the bar to have live music and other special events. (In nice weather, outdoor seating is available.) Until then, why not curl up with a pint of ale or a nice glass of wine in this cozy, fabulous labor of love…CORK Wine Bar, my new favorite place!
CORK is open Tuesday through Thursday, 4pm ’til 11pm, Friday & Saturday, 4pm ’til 1am, and Sundays 4pm-9pm. For more info, call (314) 521-WINE. Cheers!
Filed Under: Food & Drink
Locations in Florissant,
Chesterfield & West Port
North County's Largest Music Festival - Sept 24-25
Sept 11 CC's Knitting & Crocheting Demo & Sale 8am-12pm, Les Dames L'Escoffier and SLU Childrens Walk & Shop the market 9:30am, Live Music - Maple Jam Band 9-11am, Northern Arts Council Art Activities and Demo 9-11am. ALSO 45+ vendors!
Saturdays 8am-2pm in the 2500 block of Woodson Road
We have been waiting for this to open and are going to try the place out tomorrow night. We live in Florissant and wish they were as pro-active in our Old Towne as Ferguson is. Love the farmers market.
CORK is exactly what you want from such an establishment. Very sophisticated with an excellent selection of wines, craft beers and liquors. The food was terrific and unique. I will definitely be going back!
Cork is a nice cozy place; good drinks, food and service. Thanks Joe for another great venue. Ferguson residents appreciate not having to go far from home……
[...] tour, including an 1887 Victorian, a loft in the retro Streetcar Lofts building, and the home of CORK Wine Bar owner, Mike Lonero. This circa-1914 home at 111 Wesley is one of six houses featured on the [...]
My wife and I went to Cork last night for the first time! Great atmosphere, good food, and Great drink.. The waiter that we had was a little aloof, but I guess some people like that sort of thing. (He was actually suprised when my wife picked up the bill.)
Thanks for the heads up on this great establishment! We will be going back.
This is very sad. It is impossible to resurrect ferguson or make it sophisticated. It is very funny to hear someone from north county try to act snobby like that. This and all the other places lonero opens are frequently empty. I’m not sure where he keeps getting the money. Its norco, drink busch in a can and shut up!
Ferguson Sucks – the only thing sad here is your small-mindedness. Clearly there’s a market for CORK, as it’s frequently packed with customers. And who is being snobby? Just because you’re stuck in a tired old Busch beer mindset doesn’t mean everyone else in NoCo has to be.