There’s a new wine bar in Town & Country, and the focus is on ‘country’.
Located at 13350 Clayton Road, in the new Blacksmith Grove development on the corner of Clayton and Mason, Wild Crush Wine Bar(n) feels as natural as the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City. All that’s missing are the hinged doors.
Blacksmith Grove is clad in barnwood, a radical (and oh so welcome) departure from the modern strip hub, the perfect setting for “a country-vibe wine bar that’s not in the country,” says Jay Delsing , owner of the business with his crush, Karen Paslawski.
Paslawski, a commercial interior designer by trade, was looking for an event venue that she and her daughter, Lexie, an experienced hospitality professional, could own and operate. A professional golfer, Delsing always wanted to own a restaurant or a bar.
“When we saw this beautiful rustic building rise up and discovered that it opened up to 7 acres, including a lake and park with a waterfall, fountains and an amphitheater, we looked at each other and we we said, ‘Maybe this is just the place,’ Karen said.
Blacksmith Grove features 13-foot-high wooden ceilings, windows that span front and back bays, and rustic touches. Karen outfitted the space with salvaged pews from a North County church, western art, whimsical house rules, and a scattering of playful window frames (salvaged from the Delsing home) on along a wall festooned with windy linen curtains.
In another DIY touch, the partners built the pendant lights. “One started with a beam from an antique mall and progressed from there,” says Lexie. “Our electricians just shook their heads.”
At a Wild Crush crowdfunding board, guests can fill out a tag in conjunction with the theme, which the owners will change monthly. (What is your passion? What is your favorite wine? Who is your personal crush?, etc.). “You can see some of them popping up on social media, using #whatsyourwildcrush,” Lexie says.
A central bar serves as the anchor, with rustic stools on one side and a 24-tap self-serve wine dispensing system on the other (reducing the need for manpower in restaurants as protocols COVID-19 and hiring shortages persist).
In another nod to the next-gen wine bar, Wild Crush offers a limited food menu, including a variety of deli-style share dishes from St. Louis Cheese Boards, with options including cheeses, meats, nuts, olives, raw and seasonal vegetables. Fresh fruits.
Picnic boxes and snacks are available to enjoy indoors, on the expansive back patio (destined to be one of the best known in town), or on a leisurely stroll exploring the walking trails leading to gardens, fountains and a pavilion.
After the start of normal business hours on October 22, a limited selection of spirits will be available, complemented by 10 exclusive cocktails, including the Back in the Saddle Bloody Mary (with Tito’s Zing Zang and pickled fresh vegetables) and favorite water from Young Troubadour Ranch Water (with Codigo Tequila Blanco, Topo Chico and fresh lime).
A handful of local beers and a few craft beers are currently on offer, and the plan is to have two frozen drinks on hand at all times (including frosés, ice-cold strawberry vodka lemonade, and ice-cold champagne with fruits).
Logically, the wine and the temperature-controlled dispensing system are the main draws. A preloaded card allows customers to pour themselves a 2, 4 or 6 ounce serving of wine, all at the price per ounce. The wines run the gamut from popular chardonnays (such as Sonoma Cutrer) and light French rosés to premium reds (such as Belle Glos Pinot Noir). Prices by the glass range from $7 to $42. Full bottles are also available, with prices between $30 and $50, though some selections are north of $100 (like Duckhorn Cab, at $142).
In another nod to the new normal, Wild Crush is a hybrid of self-service and full-service. Load a card and enjoy wine by the glass or use a QR code (secured at each table inside and out) to order bottled wine, cocktails and snacks. Delsing says the ordering process was designed to be fun, quick and accurate. “Customers can either order themselves for instant gratification or use the QR code, and we’ll get it to them almost as quickly.”
And one more thing: Wild Crush is completely cashless.
On October 22, regular hours will begin (Wednesday through Friday evenings, as well as Saturdays and Sundays during the day). Private events can be booked on Tuesday evenings, Saturday evenings and early in the day on Saturdays and Sundays. (See full hours below.) “While private events are not booked at these times, we plan to remain closed,” Lexie notes. “In this industry in particular, customers value consistency.”
Before October 22, the hours are as follows:
- September 26: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Common Ground music from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
- October 1: 5-10 p.m.
- October 2: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
- October 8: 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
- October 9: Town & Country Fall Festival Concert and Fireworks
- October 10: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
- October 15: 5-10 p.m.
- October 16: from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- October 17: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Then, from October 22, the restaurant will be open to the public from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
It will also be available for private events from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
