Wine & Dine

The other day, I met some of my favorite girlfriends for an impromptu lunch date in town at Bread + Butter, located at 1585 Kapiolani Blvd. Expecting the usual soup, salad or hearty sandwich, I was more than excited when I walked in and the first thing I noticed was the giant sign that said “Pinot Bar.” Nothing says “working lunch” quite like a little vino!

After looking at the menu, which includes a nice variety of local and internationally inspired bites, I decided on the Beet & Peach Arugula Salad. But then it was on to more important things: the wine list. The clock had just struck noon, so I didn’t even think twice about ordering a glass.

I was disappointed to see that they don’t offer a rosé, but the selection of reds, whites and craft beer was impressive. I ended up settling on the Santa Cristina ($8 for a glass/$35 for a bottle), a crisp Pinot Grigio that paired perfectly with my salad and was a refreshing treat for a hot afternoon.

The wine list is wide, featuring more than 50 bottles — including more than 30 varieties of pinot noir. If you prefer beer, the craft beer list, too, is varied, with IPAs, ales and sours from breweries that range from local ones like Big Island Brewhaus to international labels.

The menu and selection of wines makes Bread + Butter a place I’ll definitely be seeking out for dinner — especially for their Third Thursday wine and tapas pairing events or Tuesday Paella, where a glass of Pinot and paella is only $20.

Be sure to add this cozy spot to your summer bucket list — salut!