Company description
Cork Wine & Tapas Bar offers Meeting Rooms services in New Bedford MA, MA area.
More details
- Editorial Text 2
- If you want a restaurant with a big-city feel, handsome decor and sophisticated but fun food, head to Cork in downtown New Bedford. Loring and I had made a reservation for 5:45 on Saturday evening, as we were headed to an 8 p.m. concert at the Zeiterion. There were few patrons dining when we arrived, but the room rapidly filled up. The piped-in music was uncomfortably loud when we sat down (calibrated for a full room, I'm sure), so I asked for the volume to be lowered. The request was met with a bit of a furrowed brow, but the music did get softer ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? for a time. Within its character-laden stone walls, Cork has funky lighting, a "party" table at the center of the room, red-painted barn doors at the Route 18 side, and wood-topped tables with a gloss you could drown in, set with substantial cutlery, nice glassware and a dishcloth napkin. A tubular ruby glass vase displayed a yellow alstromeria blossom. The downstairs lounge, called NiX (for Mr. Cardoza's son, Nic), offers even more-relaxed seating, arranged for conversation over a cocktail or glass of wine, though food is served there, too. Loring got started with a Blanton's bourbon and soda ($11), while I asked for a glass of Cono Sur Viognier ($5). When it turned out the Viognier was unavailable, I switched to Adesso Trebbiano (and was charged the lower price). To dine at Cork, it helps if you don't mind sharing your food ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? because that's the idea at a tapas bar, to order several small plates and graze your way along. However, we both decided to start with soup, a sumptuous tomato and blue cheese for Loring, and a delicious, bright carrot and ginger bisque for me (each $4). A grilled slice of rustic bread accompanied each generous bowl. A bread plate arrived with slices of a decadent chocolate-cherry and rustic raisin loaves. We began our sharing with a caprese salad ($9). This teamed the classic sliced tomato, fresh mozzarella, basil and olive oil with the extra flourish of roasted lemon, which I found weird. There was no sign of the toasted feta that the menu description included. Cork serves all its food on handsome, square white plates that function as a frame for the eye-appealing cuisine. We had to request a couple of side dishes in order to split the salad. Next came one of the "house favorites," Philly cheese steak spring rolls ($9). These feature finely chopped steak and melted cheese wrapped in a crisp, phyllo-type wrapper. The four halves stand upright in little puddles of Worcestershire aioli, with a tangle of divine onion strings on the side. Having had this before, I knew Loring would enjoy it as much as I did ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? and I was right. Next to arrive was the plate of four pumpkin-stuffed ravioli ($9), served with a restrained amount of hazelnut cream, cubes of ham and macadamia nuts, crowned with microgreens. This is another harmonious and delicious dish from Chef Derek Arruda, a Johnson & Wales alumnus. Chef Arruda, who created the Cork menu, is now overseeing the kitchen at Cardoza's Wine, Spirits and Food Emporium, located in the former Smokeybones restaurant in North Dartmouth. A number of my co-workers have made enthusiastic reports about their forays to the new store, open since late January. A number of Cork favorites appear on the gourmet take-out's menu, such as the caprese salad, Cork salad, Philly cheese steak spring rolls and pork empanadas. But there are plenty of homey dishes available, too, like meat loaf, chicken parmesan, pulled pork, and mac and cheese. Our final savory dish was the mixed grill ($9). With it, we ordered glasses of red wine (which we felt would also complement the dessert we had in mind). Loring chose a glass of Oyster Bay merlot ($7), while I had Lavis pinot noir ($6). The mixed grill comprised a skewer each of marinated beef and pork (a couple of ounces each), and two halves of sausages (cut lengthwise). The meat was fine (though some would have wished the beef was more rare). The sausages were described as chicken-apple and whiskey fennel, but while tasty, I couldn't detect any fennel flavor. Perhaps another variety was substituted. Accompaniments were a suave and wonderful braised red cabbage, a handful of good french fries, and a grainy mustard sauce, served on the side. For dessert, we split a Black Forest bread pudding ($8), one of the evening's specials. The three slices of marbled bread pudding (no doubt made with some of that great chocolate bread), were served on a plate lavished with fudge sauce and dusted with powdered sugar, teamed with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. On its Web site, Cork promotes a five-course tasting menu for two for $29 from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays, and Thursday "Flights Nights," when a complimentary "chef's choice" tapas comes with a tasting flight of wines (three half-glasses). On Saturday evening, a dinner-for-two special was offered for $49, including a bottle of wine. Our main server, Kathryn, was polished, informative and professional, but her young assistant needed a little more refinement. "May I clear?" is miles better than "Are you all set with that?" (Which is only marginally better than, "Are you still working on that?") The pacing of our dinner was fine throughout. Kathryn had promised to "taper" the order, and it worked to perfection. Our tab came to $56.05, not counting the drinks and tip, for a really delightful meal in a great setting. Judging from the crowd Saturday night, Cork opened strong and has maintained its popularity ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? deservedly so. In a whaling-era building renovated by local businessman Peter DeWalt, Richard Cardoza opened this upscale spot in autumn 2006.
- Additional Info
- Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Full Bar, Late Night, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
- Features
- Bar, Communal Tables, Great Wines, Off-Site Catering, On-Site Catering, Private Parties, Theater District, Wine Tastings
- Editorial Text 1
- Cork is a treat for eyes, palate By Joanna McQuillan Weeks
- Payment Accepted
- American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
- Credit Cards Accepted
- American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
- Parking
- Valet parking is complementary., Valet
- Rating
- 60% of 5 people liked it on Urbanspoon
- Ambiance
- Casual, Dim Lights, Elegant, Romantic
- Cross Street
- Front St. and Union St.
- Cuisine
- Traditional American
- Attire
- Business Casual
- Dress Code
- Business Casual
- Dining Style
- Casual Elegant
- Neighborhood
- New Bedford
- Average Price
- moderate
- Cost
- Moderate
- Meal Served
- Dinner
- Entertainment
- Lounge
- Price Quartile
- $$
- Tip Policy
- 1%
- Web Site
- http://www.corkwineandtapas.com/
