Petrarca Vino e Cucina: Petrarca Vino e Cucina is as pleasing as any place called “wine and cooking” should be. Italian versions of both flow freely, as does the language itself—the owners (who also own upscale Arqua across the street) are Italian, as is their staff, so you know the place is authentic. Beans, pasta, lemons, and oranges in giant glass jars brighten up the walls, where countless bottles of vino from the mostly Italian 200+ wine list are on display (wines are available by the quartino or bottles—glasses are for sissies). The place is very lofty—cement floor, dim lights, minimalist furniture, a marble bar with giant glass candle holders. Casual fare and specialty cocktails like the Bocca Bella and Prosecco di Petrarca reiterate the Italian premise, as do the bottles of Cynar, Campari, and imported limoncello and grappa behind the bar. All that’s missing are two short, overall-clad guys named Mario and Luigi. |
