Bittersweet Wine and Dessert Bar

With a name like Bittersweet Wine and Dessert Bar, this West Fayette Street restaurant makes it clear to patrons what parts of the meal they are going to remember. Indeed, the wine list and dessert menu offer enough to leave only the snobbiest of eaters unsatisfied. But you might also be surprised at how much you enjoy the stuff that comes in between.

When to Go: Bittersweet, which opened in Armory Square in December 2010, operates from 11:30 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Thursday. Hours are extended to 2 a.m. on Friday. On Saturday, the place is open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. While going out to lunch at Bittersweet could make for a pleasant afternoon, it’s more of the type of place to go later on in the evening. To properly appreciate all that Bittersweet has to offer, you want to come at a time when you can just sit back and relax. You don’t want to have to rush through your meal just so you can get back to your job or afternoon class; this is definitely not that kind of restaurant. The bottom line: Nothing beats indulging in various wines and desserts after a long hard day of work. Afternoon is fine, but evening is recommended.

On Tap: Bittersweet has a solid selection of red and white wines with a price range that runs from about $5.50 to $10 per glass. They also sell bottles. For those of you who are new to the world of wine, the staff can be helpful in guiding you to a good choice based on any preferences you may have and what is most popular with other customers. If wine is not your thing, don't fret. They also sell several fine ales and lagers, including Blue Moon Belgian, Lake Placid IPA, and Saranac seasonal beverages. The bottom line: Bittersweet can make your wine-related wishes come true for a reasonable price, and can just as easily get you a Labatt Blue if you’d prefer.

Blue Plate Special - Paninis: Of course Bittersweet isn’t all about wines and desserts. Their entrées consist mostly of various creative paninis and salads. You can try the Mama Mia (marinated artichoke hearts, salami, ham and provolone), the Nonna Lina (grilled eggplant, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella and tomato) or go with the more classic Alessandra (breaded chicken breast covered in marinara sauce and provolone). If you have a specific sandwich in mind, or you want to experiment, you can also create your own panini. No entrée on the menu tops $8.95. The bottom line: It's not just desserts that will leave you satisfied at Bittersweet.

Blue Plate Special - Desserts:The part of Bittersweet that is going to earn them the most returning customers is the dessert menu. Here you will likely find a type of dessert to satisfy any craving that you may have. Chocolate lovers will flock to the Death By Chocolate or perhaps the Chocolate Mousse. Cake fans have various cheesecakes to choose from, as well as carrot cake and strawberry shortcake. There are also sundaes, fruit kabobs and an item simply referred to as Peanut Butter Dream. If you can’t decide, try the dessert sampler. The bottom line: If you made the mistake of eating too much during the entrée, suck it up and have a dessert anyway. You'll regret it if you don't.

The Scene: Bittersweet provides a laid-back environment with dimmed lights, soft music, and is usually populated with patrons who are there to do the same thing you are: relax and enjoy good food. The wait staff is attentive, but by no means pushy. It’s a good place to take a date or to spend an evening with a few of your classier friends. The bottom line: If you want to indulge in some of the finer things in life without necessarily emptying out your wallet, Bittersweet Wine and Dessert Bar is the place to go.

Profile by Shawn Arrajj