Glancing at the Bellevue suits, the Midwestern tourists, and the fortysomething Botox models perched under the lights at Twisted Cork, the Hyatt Regency’s newish wine bar, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. With a deep by-the-glass list and fun tasting flights, Twisted Cork seems to have all the makings of greatness, even if the plants are fake and the lighting is —like that old ABC song—so hip it hurts. Twisted Cork is a place for wine lovers who aren’t sure where else to go. If you’re looking for a long list of fancy noshes on the cheap, it’s a good choice; all hot and cold appetizers are half off between 4 and 6 p.m. Crispy, hot tempura prawns (tender) and asparagus (perfectly al dente) with spicy, salty ponzu sauce only set us back $5.25. The chicken satay skewers with red-curry dipping sauce ($3.75) were a hit. And where else can you find a six-pack of Hood Canal oysters for $4.50? But the drink specials, available from 4 to 6 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. to midnight, were a bit of a tease. Three bucks off wines by the glass (plus $2 off signature cocktails and $1 off draft beers) sounds like an OK deal, but what’s the point of driving across the bridge if there are only two wine options on the happy hour board? 900 Bellevue Way, Ste. 100, 425-637-0808, www.08seafoodgrill.com. BELLEVUE
Twisted Cork’s Got All the Makings of Greatness
Try the cheap eats and delightful flights at this Bellevue wine bar.