Chick it out

I have this neat friend who more than holds her own in the so-called chick-lit novel genre. She’s written several funny books on domestic married life and the charm of its pitfalls; one of ’em is apparently being optioned as a screenplay. She’s not a huge drinker, either, which may in part explain her success. For those who can do the time, alcohol abuse is jake with me, but it’s highly overrated as an authoring tool (unless, of course, you’re writing a bio on Bobo, the five-legged pink elephant in the holding tank next to yours).

Even so, my buddy understands the camaraderie that develops over a glass of wine or two, which is why the idea of her recent talk and book signing at Tango Wine Company was a minor stroke of genius. The girls who run this Little Italy bar totally know their stuff, and they work at the cutest venue from which to prove it (heavy on the earth tones and rustic vibe). The nice human being who served me, for instance, asked no fewer than 102 questions about what I like in a red, and she served me a spot-on Pinot Noir from Petit Bistro, out of France’s Burgundy region. This one’s very mild and discreet, like a well-behaved friend’s gentle tap on the shoulder—the bouquet may lack punch, but the persistent, oily aftertaste makes up for it. This would be good with a mild cheese or a salad with lots of vinegar. Meanwhile, Tango is at 2161 India St.; the number’s 619-564-7700. It’s cool.

My pal called the next day, worried that her talk might have sucked kumquats. I assured her that everything was fine and that she should be most proud of herself. A bottle of this particular Pinot, after all, is $14.50 or so at better places everywhere—and with her coming movie residuals, she could probably score a bottle or two for every man, woman and child in the state.