I was walking, to reach the needed dose of the daily 10,000, and I pass the Artistry. I did not…read moreknow it was there, until a comedian told me so. For you see, as I passed the outside of the Artistry a comedian/MC stopped me and explained that the spot was having a comedy night. Truth be told, comedy shows are simply not my choice of sport. However, the MC tried to convince me of the value of the show with an honest attempted that I respected. And thus I paid the 5.00 dollars and entered, I was ready to laugh and hope that the comedians would fulfill the hope. Additionally, entering the Artistry would provide me a lounge to wait for my friend that was coming to pick me up, in about an hour or so.
As soon, as I entered the Artistry I was pleasantly surprised. It was a cool, inviting, elegant spot that was hidden from sight. It is the type of place that you only find when the winds of chance whisk you into a moment that impact and build your life. I will be the first one to admit that the winds of chance did not take me to Oz from Kansas, but they did take me to a welcome respite of people and opportunity. And at a more grounded level, I know now where to go if I have a wine-friend visit or I need a non-rowdy bar for peace and quiet.
The place is a mash-up of modern appliances, contemporary art and pieces from days gone by. It is both eclectic and like a backyard sale of a Hollywood starlet. She accumulated trophies and bobbles of worth and next to the mat they are displayed on, you also see the junk she accumulated thought-out her life. In one of my pictures I show a tv that played maybe operatic music. It was signing with word that hit a deep range. This picture also has one of those fans that no longer have blades. The wind comes from an oval shape--- modern science. Another picture shows a Native American picture with a full headdress. It would be dynamic on a runway. Another picture shows a painting that seemed to be one of those famous food stills. So yeah, the collection that makes up the them decor is broad. I can only describe it as a wine cellar that was decorated by three friends, each of them with their own style. The friends were also young, like early 20s, so their taste and vision had not crystallized within them so there was no way they could take their three styles and make it one song in the same key.
I also noticed that the menu had the word with misspelled. The typo added to the magic and hodgepodge of the place.
Maria who works there, was a gem, a treasure, and the Hope diamond. I twisted my ankle a bit and it hurt to move, hence the stroll around town and not a hike to reach a top. I asked her to pour me a glass of water because I was sitting down, and getting up to reach the table, would make the pain amp up. She served me water and I apologized for being too needy as a customer who had become a patient. She then asked me if she could move the table closer to me. I said yes. She struggled a bit to move a table that looked like barrel, with a glass atop, and seemed to be full of wine corks, but it might have been just a layer that suggested fullness. She still managed to push the table. Now I could easily stretch and drink water. I thanked her for her work and kindness. And she said something so beautiful at it is core: I am here to serve. Thank you Maria for being of service.
I ordered a fruity wine. I am not a wine drinker. The server suggested that one. Once I tasted it, it tasted like juice. The server compared it to a Capri Sun. Yeah, it kind of was. Then I drank more and I did not like it. I asked myself why? Like what specifically made me not like this wine? And all I could come up with was, "it tasted cheap." I felt bad for just describing something as cheap without further detail. Then I saw the bill. The wine was only 10.00 dollars. So it was a cheap wine. I mean right now, given inflation, what cocktail or pour is less than 10:00 dollars? A cheap one. And when I say cheap it does not mean that it lacks richness or attire from a brand name store. When I say that it is cheap I mean that it did not have depth of experience. It was cheap in the way that cheap perfume is, it does not have a layered complicated presence or scent and what it offers is lack of nuance, personality, hype and posture. Like cheap furniture, it's promise and function are soon broken.
I would go here and try other wines. And who knows maybe one day I will find one that makes me a wine convert.
