RELM is an inviting, comfortable wine beer bar and bistro in the middle of the downtown district of Carlsbad.
RELM was one of the first in the market to offer a large retail wine shop within the comfortable bar and bistro. Its energetic owner is Rene Fleming who, 4 years ago, decided to take her knowledge and experience in selling wine at the wholesale level, and set up a retail wine operation that would give smaller vineyards and wineries a place for customers to discover their brands. “Here it’s all about new small production wines to open our minds and palates to what’s new and wonderful,” she said.
“What has helped this strategy is a younger wine demograph that loves to discuss new wines. If you don’t know our wine labels, that’s exciting for us.”
The RELM name was a natural and underlines the feeling that Fleming projects, that of coming in, and having a home away from home. “I always want our bar and bistro to be a place for a sense of community. We have people that have met here and become close friends”
Rene Fleming, operator of RELM Wine Beer Bistro in downtown Carlsbad
Equally exciting is the growth of the small bites menu, created and shaped by Chef Aaron Ahlquist. The menu is seasonal although certain favorites stay in their permanent boxes due to popular demand. They would be Prosciutto Harvarti Mac and Cheese and the Hummus Trio, which is made from scratch at RELM. The bar encourages sharing.
Microbrewed beer has been a fast and trendy seller and RELM was quick to add some 5 draft and 6 bottled beers to the menu. “It’s really cool that San Diego is the micro beer capital. We carry nut brown ale and amber ale from Stone Brewing, the most popular name in micro brewing, that got it start in 1996 in nearby Escondido. We get a big turnout for sporting events when lots of couples gather and ask for the beer list. This trend is here to stay,” she declared.
RELM is now up to 15 employees and has added another location in San Elijo, which is doing just as well. A happy time to try RELM are their Happy Hours from Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 6pm. All food items are 25% off. A select number of white and red wines are $7. each and “happy beer” is just $5.
A recent wine tasting event brought some 40 wines to the show for customers to taste and Fleming promises more to come, as well as live music every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 8pm. Cooking classes with wine are on the events menu as well as speed dating.
It’s been a long road for Rene Fleming from representing wine companies, operating cafes and wine education, to the RELM model of Relax, Enjoy, Laugh More. To that we can add a comfortable destination for great food, drinks and a community spirit of giving. RELM has a “random acts of kindness” program that is unlike anything I’ve seen where giving back to community is just as important as financial success. Get the full story on RELM by visiting www.thewinerelm.com.
Wine Bytes
- Vittorio’s Restaurant in Carmel Valley San Diego is having a Super Bowl Party Sun. Feb. 2 at 12 Noon and showing the game at 3:30pm. Happy Hour the entire day and half priced bottles of wine. 30% off on delivery and take out. Call 858-538-5884.
- Twenty/20 in Carlsbad at the Sheraton Hotel is planning a J Vineyards Wine Pairing Dinner,Wed. Feb. 5 from 6pm, with a 5:30pm reception. Cost is $70. pp. with a 4 course tasting menu and 5 wine pairings. To RSVP call 760-827-2500.
- Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas has a Zinful Zinfandel wine tasting Fri. Feb. 7 from 6 to 8pm for $20. ea. Call 760-479-2500.
- A 90+ points Wine Dinner is happening at Capri Blu in Rancho Bernardo Wed. Feb. 5 at 6pm. From Pinot Gri to Cabernet, enjoy the best with a 4 course dinner. Cost $55. Call 858-673-5100.
Frank Mangio is a renowned San Diego wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. He is one of the leading wine commentators on the web. View and link up with his columns atwww.tasteofwinetv.com. Reach him at [email protected].
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