Uncorked

After opening about three months ago, the restaurant Twisted Cork decided some change was in order.

Now known as Distinctive Cork, the new wine spot located just a few blocks south of the bustling downtown Naperville scene is ready to show off its "Pairings and Sharings."

Motif: Bistro-sized tables with large wooden chairs reside beneath an open ceiling. Art from the Naperville Art League hangs on the walls; the menu advertises that select pieces are available for purchase. The bar is large and offers a glimpse at the selection of wines offered at the restaurant.

Crowd: Wine lovers, including amateur vino enthusiasts, looking for the wine bar experience a bit closer to home frequent the one-room restaurant. It was ladies night when we stopped by, and, even at an earlier hour, the restaurant was beginning to fill up. As we prepared to leave, a large party was arriving.

Liquid consumption: Eight categories of wine await your palate with enough varieties to cater to any wine lover. Wines are available by the bottle, glass or 3-ounce tasting portion; bottles can be had from around $20 on the low end to just over $100. Distinctive Cork also features six flights to choose from in red and white varieties, featuring clever, alliterative names such as Cutting Edge Cabernet and Whites That Wow. Each region is well represented by the vast wine list, with Spanish, French and American wines each getting their fair share.

Food: As it should be, a large focus of the restaurant is on the "Pairings and Sharings" of their wines with both entrees and selections of cheeses and meats. Distinctive Cork intends for a social dining experience between you and your tablemates. This allows for a comfortable climate to enjoy the selection of cheese plates and well-portioned entrees. The food is contemporary American with a variety of influences from the Chicken Skewers Morocco to the Mini Tenderloin Burgers to the Lobster and Tiger Shrimp Risotto. The menu also includes a few salads and some tempting desserts. The requisite cheese and artisan meats can be paired to compliment the wine on your own accord or chosen by the eager wait staff.

Service: The staff is eager and knowledgeable by definition. A gang of waiters approached as we entered, looking to ensure an enjoyable dining experience. While our waitress was very quick to make suggestions that we did enjoy (you could tell she was a wine lover), she and the rest of the staff tended to hover just a bit too close while we were still conversing. These little snags should be worked out as Distinctive Cork is still very new on the scene.

Bottom line: The selection is diverse for both wine and food and the wait staff does know their vino, albeit some channeling of their enthusiasm is necessary. As to this point it comes off a bit too eager for what is otherwise a very swank and suburban wine bar with a lot of promise.

Distinctive Cork

192 W. Gartner, Naperville, (630) 753-9463

Hours: Closed Sunday and Monday; open 5 to 11 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday; 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday (martini night) and Saturday