CJ - THE DISH

The Dish

A fine wine bar

Jenicca's blends art, music and dreamy desserts

By Sarah Fritschner

sfritschner@courier-journal.com

The Courier-Journal

Jenicca's started with the idea of bringing art and music into one intimate spot.

Owner Rebecca Simpson, originally from Palmyra, Ind., wandered into the Seelbach Bar when singer Nora Jones was there. "It was the coolest," said Simpson. "She was just right at the bar."

She wanted to duplicate that experience.

So she and her sister, Jennifer (hence the name), opened what they are calling a "cafe and wine bar" that does a good job of creating a cozy atmosphere, from the copper wine bar to the hand-blown glass lights.

When she wanted to fashion a menu, Simpson needed food that all the workers could handle. Homemade soups and a small variety of panini (turkey with cheese, ham and Swiss, roast beef and Swiss) and a few small plates (beef fajita, goat cheese and veggie wrap, and brie-stuffed phyllo) along with dreamy desserts make up the approachable menu.

Coffee is the order of the early morning. All the usual suspects are served -- espresso, lattes, iced lattes -- with all the usual flavorings. You can linger over coffee and your laptop (there's wireless access and plug-in) until the lunch hour rolls around, and nosh your way through mid-afternoon.

Eventually though, it's time to log off and order a glass of house wine -- either white (Semillon/sauvignon blanc) or red (cabernet/shiraz) from the inexpensive but tasty "Red Bucket" label of Longview Vineyards in Australia.

The rest of the wine list is as thought provoking as you want it to be. There's no chardonnay, for instance. And the Five Rivers Ranch merlot was chosen not only because the sisters liked it best of those they tasted, but also for its support of an organization that promotes socially aware photography.

Jenicca's, 636 E. Market St., is open Monday-Wednesday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-midnight; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (502) 587-8720.