For those lucky few who don't care much for food and wine (I seethe with jealousy when I think about how many dollars and calories they save), the Wine Bar at the Walnut Room might seem a bore. For the rest of us, the place promises more magic than Disneyland.

Set in the historic Walnut Room on the seventh floor of Macy's on State Street, the wine bar features a 36-foot communal table handcrafted from walnut to match the rest of the handsome, wood-paneled space. Only the reasonably priced wines contradict the rich decor. To encourage shoppers to try and buy wines from the lower level wine store, the price of each glass reflects only a minor corkage fee (versus the restaurant rule of thumb to charge wines by the glass at the wholesale cost of the bottle). At any given time, the wine bar offers a selection of roughly 25 wines by the glass and 100 by the bottle: from dry, sweet gewurtztrameiners to soft, velvety pinot noirs. In addition, a selection of cheese, fruit, olive, and chocolate plates (less than $10 each) help bring out the complex tones of a corresponding range of wines.

If you're a little green when it comes to reds and whites, the knowledgeable and friendly service will gladly guide you along. Wining and dining may make you poorer and fatter, but it sure does make you happier too.

Centerstage Reviewer: Amanda Nyren