SIP @ Riverside

Opened on Friday, November 12, 2010, Sip @ Riverside is located in the former River Room space. Under the same ownership as the River Room, Old Vinings Inn and SIP Crabapple, SIP @ Riverside is conceived as an innovative tapas restaurant, lounge and wine bar. Last evening a friend and I checked it out.

The menu presents small plates (tapas) and entrees with suggested wine pairings. We sampled several small plates with wines.

The wine list offers a selection of over 50 wines that may be ordered by the 1-ounce sip, half glass, full glass or bottle. This format makes it easy and more affordable to sample several different wines if you're curious to try new things or want to pair a wine with each course.

According to the press release, "The star of the wine bar area is the restaurant’s self-serve cruvinet wine machines, a temperature-controlled system that keeps wine as fresh as the moment they’re uncorked for up to six weeks." From the booth where I sat in the restaurant I didn't notice the machine and don't know if the wines that I ordered were tapped from it, but I can say that each wine was fresh and enjoyable.

Roasted Beet Salad ($6) with goat cheese crumbles and herbal hints of mint drizzled in an orange marmalade vinaigrette:The beet salad had bright flavors, though the addition of lettuce or micro-greens would be a benefit. I'd also prefer the beets sliced or cut into wedges rather than diced as they'd be easier to fork, but this is my sole complaint of the evening (and a rather nitpicky one, I admit).

Vietnamese-style Crawfish Spring Rolls ($8) with bibb lettuce and nuoc cham dipping sauce:Crunchy and sweet with pleasant contrast of sour.

Smoked Chicken Stuffed Poblano ($9) with smoked gouda and a roasted tomato cream sauce:This dish is a divine combination of soft and crunchy textures as well as spicy heat and savory sweet notes. Atlanta may be in the Southeastern U.S., but this dish will have your taste buds doing a line dance like a native Southwesterner.

Pistachio Crusted Scallops ($9) with orange juice reduction and roasted baby zucchini:These scallops were cooked to perfection.

Truffle Papas Fritas ($5) are twice-fried potatoes tossed in herbs and white truffle oil served with a spicy house-made ketchup: Some truffle dishes get bogged down with the truffle flavor, but not here. These thin potato bites are crunchy yet soft and have just enough truffle aroma and flavor to add interest.

BBQ Pork Tacos ($7) slow cooked pork in soft flour tortilla with granny smith apple slaw: Another divine dish that may make you wonder if you've stumbled into Texas or further Southwest.

Sweet Corn Fritters ($6) with spicy cucumber relish: Crunchy and sweet with a hint of spice that's cooled by cucumber.

SIP @ Riverside is located in the Post Riverside Town Square at 4403 Northside Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30327. For more information, call 404-233-5455.

Bottom Line: A tasty addition to the Atlanta dining scene. Don't miss the stuffed poblano pepper and the pork tacos—though consider yourself warned that a taste may lead to addiction.