SHARE WINE LOUNGE AND SMALL PLATE BISTRO OPENING IN BETHESDA DOUBLETREE ON TUESDAY

WINE BAR CONCEPT

WILL TAKE ON

FELLOW NEWCOMER

VINO VOLO

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

We've had burger wars, pizza wars and lobster roll wars in downtown Bethesda recently.  Next Tuesday, Yoda might announce, "Begun, the Wine Bar Wars have."

That's because a surprise entry into the field will be opening Election Day, inside the Bethesda Doubletree.

Share Wine Lounge and Small Plate Bistro is a new dining concept already tested in several cities by the Doubletree brand, including Iowa City, Culver City, and Tampa.  The Bethesda opening is the boldest one yet, as none of the previous cities is particularly renowned for fine cuisine.  In our town, Share Wine will take on competitors like the world-famous Jose Andres, and homegrown wine-centric restaurants like Grapeseed.  And of course, there's that other new guy coming to town, Vino Volo.

Fortunately, the Share Wine concept will allow the Doubletree to be competitive.  That's because the "corporate menu" can be altered or added to by the executive chef in each location.  For example, the Iowa City location tends toward traditional American cuisine.  But the Monroeville, PA outlet offers a premium Tuna Tower, and the chef's own special pork chop recipe.

With our Doubletree having had a succession of talented chefs, and never having fallen into the standard-hotel-dining-room trap, you can expect that the flexible menu will give the current chef and staff a chance to shine.

So, while every location has the gremolata fries and charcuterie board, this Tuesday, you'll be able to try dishes specific to Bethesda like the house-special ribs.

Share Wine - as the name implies - is designed to be a place where people can gather in a relaxed setting after work, explore new wines, and share small plates.  Assisting in that exploration will be a custom wine list, Enomatic machines, and demipours of wines by the glass.

This Tuesday, reward yourself for voting by stopping by the Doubletree and for an exciting new concept.  Bethesda diners will choose a winner in the wine bar wars, so start the difficult job of doing your research Tuesday!

Doubletree, 8120 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda.