LIFE IS GOOD:
Press 626 offers an exceptional
list of wines

The site of the former Winehouse didn't stay empty very long. The former bank building at 626 West Olney Road (corner of Olney and Colley Ave.) has re-opened as Press 626, a new wine bar and restaurant under the management of Lindsey & Ed Bennett. Lindsey, Todd Jurich's former bar manager, and her husband, Ed, a Virginia Beach entrepreneur, have redecorated the formerly rather gloomy Winehouse interior, cleared all the supermarket bottles off the wine list, and brought in New York Chef Andrés DeMarchena to run the kitchen. The result is an intimate, cozy, upscale, neighborhood boite that remains elegantly casual.

The wine list features 50 wines under $50. Lindsey, who learned about wines serving with Sommelier Marc Sauter (now at Surf Club Ocean Grille) when he was with Chef Jurich, has brought in a rich selection of reds, whites and sparklers. A few surprises lurk amongst the listings, and savvy winos will be able to find that unique bottle to accompany lunch, dinner, or with which to lubricate convivial conversation. The first Monday of each month has been designated "Wine Geek Night" at Press. Come and test your wine knowledge at a blind tasting conducted from 6:30-7:30. Seating is limited, so make your reservations early. Press 626 also features a full bar, and several bottled beers for the thirsty Hop-Head. Something for the entire family.

Press 626 occupies a prime location, across the street from EVMS, CHKD and the Jones Institute. To take advantage of the proximity of so many medical professionals, Mon. and Tues. nights are scrubs night. Come off your shift feeling hungry or thirsty and don't feel like changing clothes? Stroll over to Press 626, dine and relax and receive 15 percent off your entire check (if you're still in your scrubs!). For the hard-studying med student, take a break from the books and come over Mon. – Fri. from 9 to 10 p.m. and check out the nightly food and beverage deals for the docs-to-be (Free Wi-Fi available if you just can't bear to be offline). Also, check out the food and beverage specials Mon. – Fri. from 3-6 p.m.

Comfortable, yet sophisticated, Press 626 is well worth a visit. Then another visit...and another...and another...