As well-versed as some may be in the world of wine, sherry is often a little more misunderstood. The fortified vino from Spain is gathering steam, though, and one restaurant and wine bar is looking to educate its diners—one glass and slab of ham at a time.
Marvin, a quaint, homey wine bar and eatery on Beverly Boulevard, has launched a weekly Ham and Sherry Night, held every Tuesday evening from 6pm to midnight. Curious diners can choose from a selection of cured hams served with pan con tomate (like a Spanish bruschetta), including jamon serrano ($12), proscuitto di parma ($10) and la quercia tamworth ($12). Paired with a glass of sherry, it makes for a fantastic pre-dinner snack. The sherry list runs around eight bottles long; on a recent night, I tried a glass of the dark and slightly sweet "Sangre y Trabajadero" Oloroso variety. Marvin's knowledgeable staff is fantastic in guiding you if you're having trouble deciding.
In addition to ham and sherry, there's also a small selection of vermouth to choose from, as well as a well-curated list of appetizers. Seafood snacks come in the form of tuna, scallops, mussels and cod in small tins, perfect for spreading on toasted chunks of bread. Creamy croquettas and a playful Caesar salad are available as well. You can essentially make a meal out of Marvin's Tuesday night offerings—and even if you forego the ham, it's still cool to drink your dinner, right?
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