By Bob Barnes
Henderson trailblazer and acclaimed architect Windom Kimsey has a vision to bring about a renaissance to the south end of Water Street in Henderson. He is well on his way to accomplishing this after opening the popular Azzurra Cucina Italiana and Public Works Coffee Bar and now has added Azzurra Wine Bar.
The wine bar shares space with Public Works and is steps away from its sister restaurant and Kimsey’s home and office. Before opening in the summer, the space was remodeled to add a front and back bar, upgraded counters and lighting. A retail and private events space doubles as the wine shop and hosts live music on Thursdays at 6 p.m. and the Taylor Swift trivia brunch.
The décor includes nods to the city with Henderson street signs and a colorful wall mural by local artist Mili Turnbull depicting Henderson Water Street District and prominent residents including Kimsey walking his dogs, past Henderson Mayor Debra March and current Mayor Michelle Romero.
A unique artifact is a phone booth from England that Kimsey acquired when designing the Las Vegas airport’s D gates. The vintage booth doubles as a lending library without a checkout or due date.
Kimsey is a devoted dog owner, so it’s not surprising that one of the walls of the wine shop room is decorated with artwork featuring his dogs, and the dog-friendly outdoor patio comes complete with water bowls and treats.
A smooth transition takes place in the late afternoon, as the coffee bar moves from caffeinated beverages to those made from fermented grapes. The wine list, crafted by GM Samantha Remer, is unique with global fine wines not found elsewhere hailing from California, Italy, France, Greece, South Africa, Portugal and Spain.
There are 25 by the glass ($9-$28) with a rotating selection of guest favorites and new offerings and more than 75 wines by the bottle. Examples are Red Blend, Paulo Laureano Emas Vineyard, Alentejo, Portugal, 2020; Cabernet Sauvignon, Austin Hope, Paso Robles, CA, 2012; Garnacha, Bodegas, Borsao, Spain, 2020; and Pinot Grigio, Riff Alois Lageder, Veneto, Italy.
If you’re planning on taking a bottle home, you’ll get 25% off. If dining at Azzurra Cucina, the discount also applies along with no corkage fee. An excellent option to try more wines are the three wine flights with three pours in white ($15), red ($15) and premium ($28).
The food menu is also the creation of Remer. Standouts are four types of bruschetta such as brie with blueberry preserves, blueberries, honey and basil; arugula salad with goat cheese, pine nuts, fried garbanzo beans and lemon vinaigrette; and the Italian panini with prosciutto, tomato, balsamic and mozzarella on ciabatta bread served with kettle chips.
On Sunday breakfast is served till 3 p.m., with dishes including avocado pesto toast; salmon lox toast; pastries; bacon, Florentine and Italian quiche; and affogato – vanilla gelato, espresso, shaved chocolate and teddy graham cracker.
Great values include happy hour 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays offering glasses of Prosecco, Pinot Grigio or Garnacha for $8, draft beers for $6, mini meatballs for $6.95 and bruschetta for $9.95; a 15% discount on food and drink for teachers on Tuesdays; and 25% off bottles poured in the wine bar Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Azzurra Wine Bar is open 3-9 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 3-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays. Closed Mondays.
If You Go
314 S. Water St. Henderson; (725) 223-3900; AzzurraCucina.com
