I love wine, especially full-bodied red wine. To be more specific I have a soft spot for Malbec, it’s my favorite type of wine… although I have truly enjoyed a variety of wine from Tuscany too. This summer, I want to venture to more wine bars, and if possible experience wine tastings every once in a while. So, if anyone has any ideas of where to start, I would love suggestions!

I recently went to a wine bar in Murray Hill — I know, I never spend any time in Murray Hill (unless it’s at my boyfriend’s apartment, or seeing a movie at the AMC). So when I was invited to Wine:30 I thought it would be a hit to find something great in a neighborhood I am not a big fan of. When I first walked in I only saw a couple tables out front, and of course they were occupied — I immediately assumed that I would be sitting inside. I was pleasantly surprised when I was lead out to a back garden that seated dozens! It was the perfect weather to enjoy a glass of wine outside!

Of course I ordered my favorite Malbec, but there was such a wide selection of wine I’m sure every wine lover would be satisfied. A new foodie friend of mine joined me and we ended up ordering some Bruschetta. I highly recommend everyone who is looking for some vibrant flavors to order some bruschetta. Plus, if it’s just you and a friend, Wine:30′s order of bruschetta is perfect because each selection comes in two pieces. So, you can order 3 types and 6 pieces will arrive at the table (perfect, a sample of each for both people).

We ordered 3 types: tomato, mozzarella, basil, balsamic, honey, and extra virgin olive oil as well as  caramelized onion, goat cheese, and melted gruyere and finally the last one we ordered was roasted corn, black beans, chihuahua cheese, cilantro and lime juice.

All three of them were fantastic, but if I had known about some of the flavors I would have ordered other options because of my food mood (if you know what I mean). I love gruyere cheese and hearing the goat cheese gruyere combo with caramelized onions sounded delish — but when it came and I quickly bit into it, I realized that it reminded me of a gourmet grilled cheese. It was ridiculously delicious although I wasn’t in the grilled cheese mood.

I was insanely surprised with the order of the roasted corn, black beans, chihuahua cheese, cilantro and lime juice. I don’t know what I was expecting but I wasn’t expecting for it to be my favorite. It was a cold mixture of toppings which went perfect with the refreshing flavors of the cilantro and lime juice. If this specific bruschetta was heated it wouldn’t have been as tasty. But how interesting are these toppings? Can you say, “Mexican-style Italian bruschetta”??

Last but not least was the tomato, mozzarella, basil, balsamic, honey and extra virgin olive oil. This is such a classic way to make bruschetta and the ingredients always come together beautifully. Typically when I make this combo at home I don’t dice up the ingredients, rather I slice everything up and pile them on top of one another — I like this way much more because then the pieces of cheese and tomato aren’t constantly falling off.

This was just a quick brief overview of what is on the menu — I was so surprised with how large the wine bar’s food selection is and I need to go back soon to sample more. I promise you I will, because I think this wine bar has amazing summer-time-hot-spot potential!