Noir Lounge, S.F.: Cozy wine bar in Hayes Valley
With gold-painted domed ceilings and leather armchairs, it has a calming atmosphere that makes you want to curl up with a glass of wine and maybe even slow down long enough to listen to that piano music. The menu is a mashup of Americana inspirations, with fluffy tater tots ($8.50) stuffed with gouda and Parmesan, and the Lamborghini ($5.50), a hefty slider with a lamb patty and house-made bun. California wines make a small showing, but a selection from the Mediterranean, such as the 2012 Chateau Musar Jeune Blanc, a fresh blend of Viognier and other whites from Lebanon, offer opportunities for exploration. Large-screen TVs show black-and-white movies in two rooms, including a smaller back viewing area with space for larger groups.