Adega

Situated in what was once the old Thomas' department store, Adega is an old world (but not old school) bar and restaurant transplanted to the south end of New Bedford. And the Barflies welcome it wholeheartedly. The decor is a study in timeless elegance, darkly quixotic and moodily European. Adega- which translates from the Portuguese as "cellar"- features one of the city's headiest (and heaviest) wine lists, as well as a better-than-usual draft selection. The array of high end vodka brands, in enough fruity and savory flavors to rival a Baskin-Robbins, is a bit mind-boggling. While Adega has a beautiful length of bar, and a very knowledgeable and skilled barman (John), it is primarily a restaurant. The menu is expansive and the delectables are available at the bar proper. Mr. Mix ordered a cheese plate, which turned out to be a canoe, filled not only with a variety of cheeses, but accompaniments such as guava (?) jelly, bacon, bread, and thick wedges of pineapple. The nature of Adega is inherently romantic, and as much as Mr. Draft enjoys Mr. Merlot's charm, Mr. Cork's sophistication, Mr. Mix' sense of humor, and Mr. 3BOES' boyish good looks, he'd rather be there with Mrs. Draft (who also has charm, sophistication, a sense of humor- and no boyish good looks). Adega 's only fault is that it almost too romantic...a great spot to bring that significant other, or some other you'd like to be significant, or the parents of that significant other to show them how well you treat her, but it certainly is not the usual hangout kind of spot. But what they're good at, they are damn good at. and the Barflies give it a 10. (Roll Call: Mr. Draft, Mr. Mix. Mr. Cork, Mr. Merlot, Mr. 3BOES)