Written by DCist contributor Andrew Schneider

We had the chance to talk with Paul Ruppert of the Warehouse recently about his plans to open a new wine bar in Columbia Heights, at the corner of 11th and Lamont Street NW, in the old 11th Street Deli space (first reported by the Prince of Petworth). With 28 seats on an open-air patio and 15 seats inside, the casual bar will serve wine, desserts, cheese, and charcuterie, along with a few hot food items and basic espresso. Along with co-owners Dan Searing (Looking Glass Lounge manager), Ben Gilligan and Nick Pimental (Toolbox Design), Ruppert envisions the space to complement, rather than compete with, surrounding businesses such as RedRocks, Wonderland Ballroom, and Columbia Heights Coffee. Aussie chef Ben Gilligan will be in charge of savory foods and wine selection, while desserts will come from Lizzy Evelyn and Nichole Ferrigno at Paisley Fig. Wine prices are likely to run between $8 and $14 a glass. The planned opening date for the wine bar, which has yet to be named, is October 1. Sounds good to us.

Photo courtesy Prince of Petworth