Briciola was the second stop of our wine bar hopping night and it’s located at 370 W 51st St, right across the street from Xai Xai. And it is freaking adorable.
The unassuming, if not downright ghetto, deli-green awning gives no indication to the quaint little gem that lies beneath. This wine bar is absolutely charming. It’s a tiny, narrow space made to look like an Italian deli. There are fake cured meats hanging from the ceiling in the back, glassfront cabinets stocked with pastas and grocery items along one wall, and a white tiled bar surrounded by stools on the other.
We took a seat at the bar and the bartender greeted us immediately and slid the cutest little menu I’ve ever seen across the bar to us. It was a mini-chalkboard with the available wines hand written on it. It was darling. I think I may have actually said “awwww” and squeaked a little as I was taking a picture of it. There were no producers or vintages listed, however. Glasses were between $8 and $12 and bottles were all less than $40. I ordered a glass of the Nero D’Avola and my sister in law got a glass of Chianti. My wine smelled like cherry, herbs, and maybe a bit of tomato leaf smell to it as well. It had a great flavor of dried strawberry and was robust, well rounded, and it had a great backbone of acidity. It was very Italian and very fantastic! And it was only $8. It tasted a lot like a similar wine that I had purchased in Italy that I regret opening so early and/or not buying more than one bottle of because it was so tasty.
The atmosphere was warm and friendly and it reminded me of Italy. I’m not much for accents, but the bartender might have been Italian as well. This is a cozy little neighborhood spot and I really wish there was a place like this near me in Brooklyn because I would be there all the time.
We finished our first glasses of wine and were enjoying the atmosphere so much that we decided to stay longer and ordered some oysters. The bartender suggested a Muller Thurgau to pair with them and she gave me a small taste of it. I happily nodded in agreement and she gave us each a healthy pour of the wine. It was crisp, refreshing, and it tasted like green apple. It was delicious and a spot on recommendation. I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes by Ernest Hemingway: "As I ate the oysters with their strong taste of the sea and their faint metallic taste that the cold white wine washed away, leaving only the sea taste and the succulent texture, and as I drank their cold liquid from each shell and washed it down with the crisp taste of wine, I lost the empty feeling and began to be happy and make plans." You cut to the core of me, Baxter Hemingway.
I really can’t rave about this place enough. It’s so far removed from the typical wine bar scene of New York that it’s really a unique experience. I will absolutely be back. Probably weekly. The wines are amazing and very well priced for what they are and the service is genuine. I give Briciola a rating of 4.8 out of 5 glasses.
You'd never know that there was an amazing wine bar under this awning!
The deli-like interior of Briciola
The "groceries"
The most adorable menu ever
My glass of Nero D'Avola
Muller Thurgau and tasty, tasty oysters!