A visit to Rare Earth works something like this:

"Rare Earth works something like this" REWB Marketing July 11, 2014 v1.03 

Arrive and seat yourself at the bar, a table, kitchen side or outside on the patio. You are warmly greeted and brought water and an iPad. If it's your first time, they walks you through the process. Using the iPad at your table, you browse through the weekly specials, the dinner entrees, the raw bar, cheeses and appetizers. And finally the heart and soul of the place, you get to chose from over eighty plus rare earth wines using the “Taste Cloud” feature on their website.

You pick two of seven categories, like a “country”, “region” or “appellation” (for example, Riquewihr, Alsace, France), next you pick a “Varietal”; like “Pinot Noir”, “Cabernet Sauvignon” or “Sauvignon Blanc” (lets say you pick “Pinot Gris”). Out comes a wine suggestion that meets your criteria, in our case we get “Pinot Gris - Hugel Classic 2010”. Other options to find the perfect rare earth wine for you that are in the Taste Cloud are “Taste”; like “Fruity”, “Full-Bodied” or “Apple” and “Type”; like “red”, “white”, “sparkling” or “rose”. Every wine that Rare Earth serves has a complete “Wine Profile” on their website. In the “Wine Profiles” you'll find tons of interesting information about each Rare Earth Wine on the menu. Like “Tasting Notes”, “About the Winery or Producer“, “About the Region or Appellation”, “Food Pairing Suggestions”, “Fun Links” and even “Community Reviews” where you can read what others are saying about that vintage, and you can leave your own tasting note.

Or you can try a “wine flight” where you get four 2 oz. glasses of the best selection to savoir and experience with your meal. Your wine flight is complete with an wine expert on hand to answer any questions that you have.

If you can't find a pairing suggestions on the website, anyone on staff will be excited to make several for you. Adding food or drinks to your order is as easy as hitting "send" on the iPad menu app when you're done. Your order prints out in open kitchen, where you're welcome to watch Chef Paul cook your meal. Your order is delivered when it's ready. If you need something else, there's a button to request a “floating concierge” stop by your table. The Rare Earth staff are more than just wait staff. All employees are trained in all facets of the business. Everyone, including the owner Mike, helps cook, tend bar, serve drinks and even wash dishes. Best of all everyone is paid a “fair living wage”. And yes, this is that place where you don't tip, a first for the Capital Region. Feel some gratitude for a good meal? Donate to a cause! All tips are donated to local charities. This month is Luzerne Music Center.

And don't forget about the Paris-style Wine Cellar Private Dining Room that's available for private parties.

Rare Earth is truly a different type of unique dining experience for the Capital Region. Would you like to try a nice Verget Bourgogne Blanc Terroirs de Côté d'Or 2010 paired with the perfect meal? All winers welcome.

-Rare Earth Wine Bar Marketing Review sample July 10, 2014