Originally published in DoNorth Magazine Fall/Winter 2014 issue.
Click here for the original article.
There can be a moment of panic when your server asks you what kind of wine you’d like and you’re forced to quickly wade through a long list. I was only able to give my waitress the slightest clues: I wanted something red, preferably dry, and a blend. She listed a variety of options that fit my criteria and brought me a small sample of a Spanish wine she thought I’d enjoy. It was fantastic. But that seems to be the norm at Irises Café & Wine Bar.
Located in downtown Plattsburgh, Irises has a bit of everything — martini specials on Wednesdays, live music on the weekends and a rotating selection of monthly events. The inside is immediately inviting. In low light, paintings line the walls, and a fireplace sits next to the bar. It’s the ideal spot for a date or an evening with friends. Or, as a fellow customer put it, it’s a place to unwind “after a looong day.”
The lunch offerings are just as expansive as the dinner menu, and as a vegetarian, I had plenty of options. I started with a salad that combined mixed greens with goat cheese, walnuts, red onions and olives. It was served with light vinaigrette that didn’t overpower the flavors of the other ingredients. I ordered it small, but the portion was sizeable.
My main course was a pita wrap that added Portobello mushrooms to usual Mediterranean fare — artichokes, olives, tomato, feta, hummus. The mushrooms bulked up the wrap into a substantial meal. I enjoyed it with a side of sweet potato fries and a spicy dipping sauce.
The food and the relaxed atmosphere make Irises wonderful. No matter the weather or the length of your day, you can find serenity inside. And a perfect glass of wine.
Seth Thomas 