What mom doesn’t need a break? With Mother’s Day around the corner there is a cozy place tucked inside the Riverfront area of downtown where mom can get away and relax. No, it’s not a spa; it’s a tapas and wine bar called al Lado. Spanish for “next door,” al Lado has been serving up small bites for less than a year, but its reputation as a Richard Sandoval restaurant has quickly made it a popular place for unwinding after work or meeting that special someone.

Specializing in the tastes of South America and Spain, al Lado can transport anyone around the globe in minutes with a single glass. General manager Kelly Berger enjoys virtually sending guests to their favorite Latin spots. “That’s the fun part of my job — I'm not just going to throw a wine at you. Together, we'll chat and find something you'll love,” she says.

To cover more ground, try a wine flight, which features three 3-oz. pours, grouped either by reds, whites or country — Spain, Argentina or Chile. Along with the glasses, you also receive a map to show where the wines come from. For our late afternoon flight, we chose reds from Spain. First up was Flacco from Madrid, made with the “noble grape of Spain,” Tempranillo. It's a soft, fruity wine, a way to ease into your evening. Next we tried the Juan Gil from Jumilla, highlighting the Monastrell grape for a very crisp and strong sip. The final glass was La Cartuja, from the coastal area of Priorato and made with the Garnacha grape. The strongest of the three, La Cartuja is very dry and sweet with bold tastes of raspberry and blackberry. The flight was paired with a meat and cheese plate, which included a Spanish cow’s milk cheese called Tatia and flavorful bites of cured meats along with toasted flatbread. For dipping, there was a tangy mustard with just the right amount of kick to offset the sweetness of the wines.

For the month of May, al Lado is celebrating all things rosé. A light and crisp spring wine, rosé doesn’t age well, so it’s perfect for opening right away and sharing with friends. If you’re looking for a unique gift for mom, consider a wine membership. For $100, membership includes a personal locker with three bottles of wine that mom can drink whenever she wants during the next three months. May’s lockers will host these tasty rosés: Alma Negra ‘Brut Rose,’ a 100% melbec from Mendoza, Argentina, Muga from Rioja, Spain, and Bandol from Chateau Pradeaux, France. 

Al Lado is located near the Millennium Bridge in the Riverfront Park area north of Lodo.  Happy hour is 5–7 PM, Monday–Thursday, 4–7 PM, Friday and 5–7 PM, Saturday and features $5 wines, $3.50 cervezas and $3-$7 tapas (1610 Little Raven St.; 303-572-3000).

Photos by Carrie Dow