Barsha is an enchanting wine shop in Manhattan Beach. Run by two experienced chefs, Adnen and Lenora Marouani (who also partner as husband and wife), the store feels like a cozy pantry that’s been decoratively stocked with wines and expertly crafted foods.
Adnen serves as the sommelier and works directly with “small producers that focus on high quality and good value”. Lenora takes the lead as the chef and turns out stunning tapas and salads to pair with the wine. Before settling in Manhattan Beach, the two honed their wine and food experience at renowned restaurants in Las Vegas, Beverly Hills, Europe, and North Africa.
With a focus on small batch, artisanal wines, Barsha has plenty of wines available by the bottle and 30 wines to sample by the glass. Each Tuesday, two flights offer choices from wines that fit a certain theme. The “Up and Over” flight, for example, featured wines from the Northern Hemisphere while “Down Under” flight featured wines from Chile, Argentina, and Australia.
Carefully paired with the wines are Lenora’s small plates. On the menu as Marouani’s Bread and Butter, these tender bites are so much more than the name implies. Essentially home made tapenades served with fresh, crusty bread, I sampled cherry tapenade, arugula almond pesto, harrisa (a Tunisian Chili paste), and marinated Tunisian olives.
Charcuterie, cheeses, and small plates are also available as “sustenance” on the menu. The charcuterie I sampled* came out so lovingly crafted that I was almost ashamed to eat it; the presentation was beautiful! Alas, I had to confirm that the meats and spreads were just as pleasing to the palette as they were to the eye. In a word: yes. The complete menu is available online.
Along with spirits sales and wine tasting, Barsha also hosts special events. Community fund raisers, art shows, and themed events are held regularly. The tasting room is also available for private parties.
Saavy wine consumers might also consider the Barsha Wine Club. Benefits include a monthly selection of two bottles of wine, discounts in the tasting room, and more. There’s even a charcuterie add on to make sure the wine and cheese are paired perfectly.
Barsha is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM until 9 PM. Happy Hour takes place Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 6 PM and includes $7 wine flights and reduced prices on all menu items.
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Barsha Wine and Spirits
http://barshawinesandspirits.com- 917 N Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266; 310-318-9080
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarshaWinesAndSpirits
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarshaWines
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