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“Vino opens Tonight on the Upper East Side”

Tonight marks the opening of a new Upper East Side Wine bar, this one a taste of Tuscany simply called Vino (1268 2nd avenue, between 66th and 67th Street, 212-744-5370) owned by Florence natives Massimo Stocchi and Vito Mezzatesta, who own Mediterraneo), and Massimiliano Caldini, formerly of Da Silvano.

The 70-seat room is cozy and rustic, with floor to ceiling windows, vintage chandeliers, Alabaster stone, ornate frames and lamps, and walls lined with Fiascoes (Italian wine bottles wrapped in rope). To keep things very authentic, the playlist is stocked with Modern Italian music, and famous soccer matches and classic Italian films are showcased on a flat screen TV.

The wine list is exclusively Italian and includes 60 selections by the bottle, like Pomizzi Vernaccia di S. Gimigniano ($37), Terruzzi e Puthod Terre di Tufi ($49) and Sassalloro Supertuscan ($60), and 20 wines by the glass, starting at $4.

The kitchen is serving a menu of traditional stuzzichini like Crostoni Burro E Alici ($3)—marinated Italian anchovies with butter and toasted bread and Frittatine ($4)—a Florentine-style omelet with zucchini and red onions. Shareable assortments of warmed specialty focaccine and classic affettati options like Cacciatorini Toscani, Mortadella di Bologna and Finocchiona Toscana (3 for $14) as well as heartier larger plates like Guazzetto di Mare ($8)—a signature stew of Baby Octopus with wine and tomato base, and Lasagna Bolognese with bechamel sauce ($8).

Vino is open every day, Sunday to Thursday from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday 12 p.m. to  2 a.m.

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Posted: May 22, 2008 - 1:17 pm

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