Atlanta’s newest wine bar readies for its debut in Boulevard Heights

Courtesy of Rebecca Carmen Finca to Filter and Side Saddle Wine Saloon will open soon in Boulevard Heights Owned by Kayla Bellman the coffee shop and natural wine bar take over two repurposed buildings at the Penman apartment complex sharing a patio along the Southeast corridor of the Beltline But after announcing the openings for May a last-minute permitting snafu caused Bellman to walk back the date The postponement means Finca to Filter is only open for to-go orders and provision at Side Saddle remains on hold while Bellman works to resolve the permitting issue The Located on Hamilton Avenue Finca to Filter opens early in the morning for coffee espresso and baked goods made in-house by Emily Davis As Finca to Filter sunsets later in the afternoon Side Saddle opens for wine cocktails and food from veteran Atlanta chef Carla Fears Fears whose resume includes working alongside chefs like Taria Camerino Zeb Stevenson and Todd Richards was operating pop-up Gourmet Street Food when Bellman solicited her to develop the menu for Side Saddle Fears isn t afraid to push boundaries and Bellman likes that she brings fresh flavors and perspectives to the dishes at Side Saddle The menu features everything from antipasti of olives and pickled vegetables charcuterie and salads to confit chicken wings a cheeseburger and a Monte Cristo PB J Chef Carla Fears Courtesy of Rebecca Carmen Related stories The majority anticipated Atlanta restaurants opening in Keep an eye on these five Atlanta food trends in Did you miss these April Atlanta restaurant openings Courtesy of Rebecca Carmen Expect events at Side Saddle and Finca to Filter including winemaker talks and tastings pop-up markets drag shows outdoor jazz and weekly trivia Bellman plans to allow seating in both spaces during the evening using Finca to Filter as a spill-over area for more lively events like trivia But that s not all Bellman has planned at the Boulevard Heights complex This summer Bellman will also open a frozen dessert stand selling frozen bananas chocolate bars and other sweet treats We want this all to be a welcoming circumstances for everyone to hang out throughout the day declared Bellman who proudly celebrates her businesses as queer- and woman-owned Side Saddle and Finca to Filter owner Kayla Bellman Courtesy of Rebecca Carmen Side Saddle Wine SaloonBellman first opened Finca to Filter five years ago inside the taproom of Wild Heaven Beer in West End followed by a location at Create ATL in neighboring Adair Park Both locations closed in but not before Bellman could open another location in the Old Fourth Ward where business is booming Like Finca to Filter Side Saddle continues Bellman s mission to backing women people of color and the LGBTQ area in every aspect of the business from the staff beverages and food to events and other services Bellman named Side Saddle for the antiquated seated position women were made to endure when riding horses in heavy skirts The saddle forced the rider to sit sideways rather than astride deemed an appropriate position to protect a woman s modesty The name Bellman stated represents the societal challenges and constraints women and other marginalized people face and work to overcome It s crucial to Bellman that supporting marginalized communities isn t just lip amenity at Finca to Filter and now at Side Saddle Wine Saloon Bellman and her staff will provide Plan B and Narcan upon request at the Boulevard Heights businesses Across Atlanta bars restaurants and coffee shops like Finca to Filter regularly carry Narcan a life-saving drug that reverses the effects of an overdose The staff at Side Saddle and Finca to Filter in Boulevard Heights Courtesy of Rebecca Carmen The wine and cocktails As with the coffee at Finca to Filter the beverage list at Side Saddle heavily features wine and spirits produced by women people of color and small estates and distilleries focusing on sustainable and low-intervention wine production Our house wines are made by a B Corp-certified producer that uses recycled glass for bottles and paper for labels We have boxed wine that is sustainably produced helping to educate people on reducing the glass bottle carbon footprint declared Side Saddle wine director Jett Kolarik I m happy to offer wines by producers who incorporate fair labor practices sustainable winemaking and taking care of the climate into their business models A wine consultant and educator Kolarik worked for Sarah Pierre at Parks Wine Shop and under sommelier Steven Grubbs at Commune in Avondale Estates Bellman brought Kolarik on last summer to run the Thursday wine nights at Finca to Filter which became a proving ground for Side Saddle The bulk wines by the glass average around with nothing over per glass People can order flights of three half pours for Look for half-off wines and weekly specials including women winemakers highlighted on Wednesdays and funkier more esoteric wines offered on Fridays The buzz outside of Atlanta is big One importer I spoke to in recent months explained Atlanta is promptly becoming one of his favorite wine cities because it s so diverse and people are bringing new ideas and events to the table declared Kolarik of Atlanta s wine scene Women and people of color are leading this industry here It s exciting to be a part of this right now Courtesy of Rebecca Carmen Jett Kolarik Courtesy of Rebecca Carmen As with Kolarik s wine list affordability factors into the cocktails from general manager and bar manager Flemming Love Side Saddle features four regular house cocktails for Ranch Water Margarita Kentucky Mule and Dirty Shirley with drink specials on Mondays and Tuesdays Bellman gave Love runway to get weird with the cocktails at Side Saddle like a cold brew riff on Long Island Iced Tea and the Horse Girl made with mezcal amaro sour cherry liqueur and egg white One drink even includes lettuce-infused olive oil with a Negroni-infused olive With access to Finca to Filter s coffee and syrups Love is also able to whip up plenty of non-alcoholic mixed drinks I see Side Saddle and Finca as district hubs and we must keep these spaces welcoming and our menus organization and events inclusive Bellman declared We re super proud of the people we re partnering with and we want people to know it Hamilton Ave Boulevard Heights Finca to Filter open daily a m to p m Side Saddle Wine Saloon open Monday-Thursday - p m Friday and Saturday p m to a m and Sunday - p m The post Atlanta s newest wine bar readies for its debut in Boulevard Heights appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta