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The Round-Up:
- Wine - 3.5 out of 5
- Decor - 3 out of 5
- Service - 3.5 out of 5
- Total - 10 out of 15
Average price per bottle of wine: $20
Open seven days per week.
3809 Albert Street, Regina, SK.
Phone: 306-585-1661
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There's a new shop in town and it's garnering some attention these days. Willow Park Wines & Spirits officially opened its South Albert Street doors about a week ago.
Now before you go and point out the obvious (that this blog is supposed to be about food and restaurants) let me justify. If there is one thing that goes with food, besides a good appetite, it's wine. OK you got me there, too. Plenty of other drinks go with food -- but wine ranks right up there, that's for sure.
Willow Park is the first of Regina's new privately-owned wine stores, something the provincial government is trying out on a limited basis. So, how does it differ from the good 'ole LB?
Most noticeable are the slightly longer operating hours. Willow Park is open until 10 p.m. six nights per week (that's an hour later than SLGA stores). Plus it's open for an extra two hours on Sundays (until 7 p.m.).
Unless you're a wine connoisseur, you're unlikely to appreciate this next point: Willow Park carries many wines that you won't find on the shelves at Normanview Mall or on Victoria East. Except for a few bottles of beer, wine is all they carry so that shouldn't be a surprise. However, if there's a label you just haven't been able to find at the SLGA stores, Willow Park is a good place to take your search.
The store's interior is suited-up for wine and food tastings. Expect a number of both in the coming months.
Willow Park's geographic location, on Albert Street's busy south end, seems like a safe bet. On the other hand, the actual store itself is tucked back about 100 feet from the street in a dated strip mall. Some extra signage might go a a long way.
Whether you'll use Willow Park for your next wine purchase or stick to your neighbourhood joint remains to be seen. But a little extra competition can't hurt the marketplace.
www.willowpark.net