New French wine bar opens in Monroe Ward

The big picture: For more than a decade, shop owner Melissa Stallard dreamed of opening a French-inspired wine bar, she tells Axios.

• She decided to take the plunge last year after the sale of the insurance company where she worked — and her 50th birthday.
• A lifelong Francophile, Stallard tried creating a place that reminded of her the shops she visited on her frequent trips to the country.

Zoom in: The front of the store is dedicated to a retail area with kitchen items, olive oils, gifts, pantry items and a selection of wine that's largely French but includes some Italian and domestic options, too.

• In the back is the wine bar, where diners will find small plates and wine by the glass. Both rotate weekly.
• Much of the menu items are sourced locally, including breads from Richmond-based Flour Garden and Jane Dough.

On the menu: Recent offerings include deviled eggs ($12), a sandwich (Jambon de Paris, gruyere and sea salt butter on baguette, $15) and a charcuterie board ($30).

• For wine, there are typically six or seven available by the glass, usually French and generally priced between $9-$14 (the retail bottle selection averages around $30-$40).

Worth noting: She hasn't yet seen any price fluctuations on her Europe-sourced wines due to tariffs, she tells Axios, but it's certainly something she and her vendors are keeping an eye on.

• "I picked a great time to open a French wine bar," she jokes.

What we're watching: In the coming weeks, Stallard plans to add a French-speaking night and custom grab-and-go gift baskets and hostess gifts.

If you go: Chez Nous is open Wednesday through Sunday. It opens at 3pm on weekdays and noon on weekends.

• Pro tip: The restaurant is about five blocks from Altria Theater, making it a new walkable option for folks going to a show.