Nathan Zucker
Before we were all on lockdown, you may have frequented Frothy Monkey for its locally roasted coffee blends, barista art, and comfortable, all-day locations—but did you ever go for the wine? Once we get to the other side of social distancing, you should.
The 16-year-old operation, which originally opened in 12 South, has quietly built itself into a wine-lover’s destination. Their daily wine list includes an eclectic mix of by-the-glass options—so, you might find a French cabernet franc, a South African pinotage, or a Chilean Pedro Ximenez available on their all-day menu, which extends into dinner with options like red-wine braised brisket. More than a coffee shop, Frothy is a place where you won’t feel weird ordering a chenin blanc during a midweek brunch or letting that afternoon coffee meeting morph into cocktails and snacks.
The best way to get to know Frothy’s wine program is through its Wine Love Dinners, which take place about four times each year at both the Nations and Franklin locations. The dinners, prepared by chef Chase Ingalls, include five courses with five pairings, with wines selected by Frothy’s wine and hospitality expert, Britt Harrison Russler.
“We kind of wanted to shock people,” Russler says. “Chef [Ingalls] is so talented and I have a wine background so we said, ‘Let’s join these two together and invite people into our spaces, to let them know what we can do.’”
Dinners might be based around a theme, like the one held most recently in March, which featured all-star dishes from year’s past: buffalo tongue and foie gras rillette; passionfruit-braised crispy pork belly. The pairings are meant to push diners into new territory, so Russler might pour a French pinot blanc and then a New Zealand pinot noir.
“It’s really fun for our staff, and it helps raise awareness of what we are trying to do,” Russler adds.
Note: While Frothy Monkey locations remain closed, they are offering online ordering for curbside pickup, or delivery through PostMates. Bonus: You can explore their wine selection by adding a bottle or two to you order.
Wine Love Dinners are about $85, with tax and tip and take place in the Nations, 1400 51st Ave. N. and in Franklin, 125 5th Ave. S.; frothymonkey.com. Check the website for an updated schedule.