VUE

W hat many of us admire about Champagne are the feelings associated with it—more than the taste. It's oen characterized as the official special occasion drink, be it the accompaniment to a sappy wedding toast or an extravagant New Year's Eve party. Champagne brings forth a kind of escapism we would rarely indulge in every day, earning its reputation as a traditional ceremonial spirit. However, some could argue that any night out is worth celebrating, and that Champagne itself is way more approachable than we're making it out to be. Located on a charming corner spot in the West Village sits e Riddler, a quaint 700-square-foot Champagne bar (and top-rated San Francisco import). Although the space emits opulence with its chic black-and-white color scheme, intricately gold leafed ceiling and an abundance of reflective brass surfaces, e Riddler aims to take the fuss out of what we know to be the fanciest of sparkling wines. Owner Jen Pelka chose the name specifically for its humble history dating back to the 19th century. A "riddler" was a Champagne houses caretaker who was tasked with the not-so- glamorous job of rotating each bottle by hand every day in order to keep the sediment from settling into the neck of the bottle, resulting in a crisp and clear final product. Today, the arduous yet essential process is carried out predominantly by machines, but was originally invented by 27-year-old Madame Clicquot—better known as the widow ("veuve") who inherited Veuve Clicquot and revived her husband's declining Champagne empire. Pelka plays with this approach of contrasting high-low throughout e Riddler, noting that she wanted to "create a place that is both a neighborhood hangout and a wine-lover's destination." For the interior, she tapped San Francisco-based hospitality design studio ROY, who also worked on the West Coast location. Baring visible similarities, e Riddler features an abundance of reclaimed materials including 100-year-old French lighting fixtures, a vintage hostess stand and reupholstered black leather booths. Also on display is Pelka's own collection of antique Champagne buckets that vary from mixed-metal to crystal-encrusted, and are uniquely chosen for each guest based on personality upon arrival. "When we started working with Jen on this project we knew each and every moment, interaction, material and finish had to feel uniquely distinctive and yet warmly familiar all at once. We wanted to pay homage to a classic Parisian bistro while also creating a space that felt elevated, fresh and exciting," said Hannah Collins, Principal Designer and Founder of ROY. "We focused on grounding the design with historic architectural references like the curved wall, arched doorways and stately moulding details, while introducing modern feminine shapes and nuances. Honestly, the whole space is a delicate jewel box of wow moments." V U E N J . C O M 109

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