Vinateria Vinateria

Vinateria

2211 Frederick Douglass Blvd. (W. 119th St.)
New York, NY 10026
Map
Cuisine: Eclectic / Italian / Tapas
Harlem’s wine-centric global cuisine in a modern-chic room.
Openings: Dinner nightly, Brunch Sat.-Sun.

Features


Vinateria Restaurant Review:


Started by a mother-and-daughter team deeply rooted in Harlem, cozy and smart Vinateria has a sleek design using recycled items as well as a strong awareness for culinary preferences. The menu features creative small plates and also more sizeable choices, but the former are so interesting, in fact, that you may want to order three or four to compose a meal. Expect dishes that vary seasonally with many Spanish and Italian links. Black squid ink spaghetti is a knockout, properly cooked with pieces of octopus. Steak tartare is given a modern take, with a texture almost like quinoa, crunchy yet richly bound by its fried quail egg. The appetizer of lamb ribs is as filling as a full plate. As a main, try the strip steak with chimichurri sauce or the signature grilled pork blade with puréed potatoes and hints of rosemary. Wines span the globe and are organized under the headings of “light,” “medium” and “full,” with selections from South America to Australia but surprisingly lacking in South African vintages. Rosemary and mint panna cotta is a cool finish.