2003 Best Wine/Liquor Store: Midtown Wine & Spirits   A prime example of the adage that it's not about size but about what you do with what you have, Midtown has turned its cramped building into a connoisseur's delight. Its specialty is obvious as soon as you walk in: Wine crates fill every available space, stacked and crammed, so that there's not room for more than one person to pass through the aisles. Unlike most small stores, which concentrate on popular name brands that turn over quickly, Midtown caters to those who love special finds and one-of-a-kind items--whether it's a hard-to-find boutique wine or a small-case specialty from the world's vineyards. Owner Paul Patel's soft-spoken manner doesn't hide his passion for what he sells, and even the youngest, greenest members of the staff share his enthusiasm. The store's desire to provide special finds extends beyond wine. Despite limited shelves, you can find everything from rare rye whiskey to an unusual bottle of brandy. The neighboring Midtown beer store is similarly packed with quality microbrews and imports. The store's welcome expansion, now in its finishing stages, will only provide Patel with a larger playground--and one that will continue to surprise and delight his loyal customer base.

--Michael McCall

Reprinted with permission from The Nashville Scene