Hotel Biron is a quite small but very cozy wine bar and art gallery that lends touches of Paris to its comfortable and appealing ambiance. Very dim lighting, modern yet comfy decor, a handful of copper tables, wrought-iron bistro chairs and zinc-green walls decked with a revolving exhibition of local add to the mood, and form the perfect setting for an after-work get-together or romantic rendezvous. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the wine list is interesting and not expensive. If you can, it makes sense to buy by the bottle as for the most part bottle prices are only 3 times that of the glass prices when offered. A brief food menu including cheeses, seasonal fruits, charcuterie, and olives is designed to complement the wines.I arrived a bit earlier than my friend and luckily was able to snag a table near the bar area, and ordered a glass of 2006 Sur "de los Andes" Torrontes. It was light and refreshing, but lacked a fruity quality that I had hoped it would have. Once my friend arrived we tasted a few red varietals, and decided to go with a bottle of Jenke Vineyards Shiraz from the Barossa Valley. It needed to breathe just a bit, but notes of berries and a strong earthy quality made it really delicious and interesting. We also tried a couple of the cheeses. Old Quebec, a Canadian raw cow's milk cheddar aged for 3 years was rich and creamy, and Serra da Estrela, a Portugese washed rind raw sheep's milk cheese, was also decadent and delicious. Hotel Biron is really an adorable spot I hope you get a chance to check out if you haven't already done so. It's just off Market Street on Rose just behind Zuni Cafe.
Hotel Biron
45 Rose Street in San Francisco
