Description
To get to the back of the Best Cellar, pass the early-'60s photos of Paris landmarks and shelves upon shelves of wine. In the back are four dark wood tables set with wine glasses, small plates, and buckets (for the wine you don't drink). That the name of Richard Stetler's Wilton Manors wine bar/boutique wine store exclaims the venue's greatness is not surprising given the proprietor's penchant to brag. In his words, the weekly winetastings at his shop would "cost $200 anywhere else" and are "priceless." That's particularly true on Wednesday nights, when the "novice meets the sommelier." Stetler boasts about the impressive knowledge of his customer base and the prominent industry insiders he says come through the door. He also brags that his skill at shopping for wine produces lower-than-you'll-find-anywhere-else markups, showing he takes pride in all aspects of the Best Cellar. All of this self-congratulation is served up on a teaspoon of quiet charm that gives the lanky mustached Stetler a tolerable authority as he leads tastings from Wednesday through Saturday nights - starting at 8 p.m. and ending when they end. The $15 tastings, which are accompanied by bread, crackers, and buffalo mozzarella, include an average of 12 to 15 wines, but with the bonus wines that Stetler likes to pour, that number can reach well above 20. Reservations are recommended.
