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Is it possible for the city's best-loved wine bar to be underrated? Not only has Tom Monroe and Kate Norris' wine collective been an incubator for some of the best wines in town—including, especially, the co-founders' own Division mark, which has deservedly caught the national eye—but the bar itself is a worthy showcase for THEM. Chef Althea Grey Potter offers up inventive dishes like a bold-flavored carrot-harissa-chickpea plate startlingly attentive to texture ($12). Meanwhile, the much-recommended "surprise" wine flight ($14) is equally likely to tap a lovely Basque Txakolina as it is a lovely first vintage chard from natural wine up-and-comer Statera, and a truly singular syrah from Norris' own Gamine imprint. The only problem you're likely to encounter regularly at the cozy Division Street wine bar is finding a seat.
Happy hour: 2-4 pm daily. $2 off drinks, $1 off food.
2425 SE 35th Place, 503-208-2061, sewinecollective.com. 4-9 pm Monday, 4-10 pm Wednesday-Friday, 1-10 pm Saturday, 1-9 pm Sunday.
Willamette Week
