This is a sponsored post for Pepsi Dig In, but the opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

In 2013, Vinateria opened in what is known as Restaurant Row in the historic neighborhood of Harlem. The owner, Yvette Leeper-Bueno, has created a space where you can enjoy house-made pasta and indulge in Italian and Spanish-inspired fare while pairing your meal with the perfect wine from her restaurant’s comprehensive list. I recently visited this Black-owned restaurant, and during this blog post, I will share more about the menu, extensive wine program, and what makes this a standout restaurant that you should include in your list of establishments to dine at.

The extensive wine program at Vinateria is impressive and includes varietals from Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, and more. Vinateria places importance on highlighting women-produced or managed brands. Since 2017, Vinateria has been awarded the Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence each year. This prestigious award acknowledges the selection available at the restaurant and focuses on the importance of the pairing between the food and wine offerings. Typically when dining, I enjoy sitting at the bar to chat it up with the wait staff to learn about the restaurant. During my visit, I allowed the bartender to select a red and wine to accompany my dinner. For the red, we had the Mas Amiel 'Voyage en Météore' Maury Sec, a glass of French light-bodied wine, and I found it easy to enjoy as a white wine lover. We had Elena Walch Beyond The Clouds, a Chardonnay from France aged six months before being released to the consumer for the white wine selection.

Vinateria is open for dinner and brunch and includes Italian and Spanish-inspired fare and a menu that will make everyone happy. From their house-made pasta, seasonal menu items, or seafood entrees there are plenty of options. When dining at Vinateria, I lean to their pasta most of the time, such as a crowd favorite, Black Spaghetti or Rigatoni. Still, entrees such as their Whole Roasted Branzino or Pan Seared Sea Scallops will leave you dreaming of your dining experience for days to come. Below I have listed some of my top picks off their dinner menu.

Dom's Picks:

• Calamari Fritti

• Bacalao Croquettes

• Polenta Fries

• Burrata

• Roasted Beets

• Black Spaghetti

• Rigatoni

• Branzino

• Pan Seared Sea Scallops

Vinateria's brunch menu includes traditional items such as French toast, eggs benedict, steak and eggs, Huevos Rancheros, and an Applewood smoked bacon cheeseburger made with a Pat La Frieda beef. Brunch is vital to any New Yorker's week, but so is Happy Hour, and this restaurant offers it seven days a week from 4-7 and includes signature cocktails, wine, beer, and bites such as $1.50 oysters. My happy hour duo is Bacalao Croquettes and their Matador cocktail, a tequila-based drink with blood orange and grapefruit.

Vinateria is a restaurant that creates regular customers and memorable dining experiences daily due to the excellent customer service, fantastic food, and wine program. In a previous Forbes article, the owner, Yvette, stated that the idea of the decor for Vinateria came from wanting to "recreate the feeling of an inclusive dinner party in her living room." Although most of the decor is grey or muted colors, the atmosphere upon walking in gives you this warm and inviting feeling. While in Vinateria you cannot happen to look around due to the high ceiling and notice the majority of patrons being fully present in their dining experience and the company at their table.

With the alarming rate that many Black-owned restaurants closed during the height of the pandemic, I am happy to see Vinateria still thriving and providing Harlem with a stellar option for dining.

To learn more about Pepsi Dig In and their initiative in which they have committed $50 million over five years to help Black restaurateurs become more successful by utilizing marketing tools more effectively and how to access capital, click here.

RELATED POSTS