Bodega di Vinci

Bodega di Vinci brings the wine bar and tapas concept to the University Avenue of Rio Piedras with almost 100 labels and delicious offerings on salumi, carpaccio, pizzetas & more. Restaurateur Lisa Blanco oversees the operation from the 2nd floor of creative pizzeria Mona Lisa and just like its sister downstairs, Bodega di Vinci is a punctilious execution of the subject matter at an affordable price point. Approximately 80% of the wine bottles are at $35 and under and a tabla of premium cold cuts and cheeses goes for just 19 bucks. Decorated in the same self aware pop art of Mona Lisa, Bodega di Vinci uses grungy paint textures and collage wallpaper to create a jovial and whip smart ambiance that is perfect for chewing wine with friends.

The tapas menu is littered with comfort food delicacies like the polenta fritta with spicy salchicha and 3 cheese sauce. This fun and friendly dish is just one of several well pondered items that can pair harmlessly next to a red, white or bubbly. The Sforza pizzeta with mozarella, brie, prosciutto and truffle honey is a combination made specifically for the upsatirs lounge, as it screams for a Viognier or Sauvignon Blanc. Other entries like the scallop carpaccio and the 4 cheese truffle fondue will catch your eye as will the choose-your-own cold cuts with wine pairing staples like manchego and speck. If you wish to order the famous black pizza from downstairs you can do that also.

However what sets Bodega di Vinci apart from the wine bar pack is its friendliness to those new to wine, The wine list is divided by styles (white & light/red & woody, etc.) and comes with pairing suggestions. The emphasis on young Italian varietals adds an element of daring that pushes the patron ever so gently to leap from the traditional greatest hits grapes. Lisa Blanco claims that she has accepted the challenge of making wine easy & sexy for her younger college crowd while simultaneously enticing purple-tooths looking for something casual & fun. We thinks she’s nailed it quite right and expect this haunt to gain a cult following quickly.