Once upon a time in the ‘90s, when the South End was the still the gayborhood with nary a stroller in sight, the Franklin Café opened its doors on Shawmut Ave. This restaurant industry-friendly hot spot has been Boston-famous ever since, known for its great bar scene, excellent food, and, of course, its 2 a.m. liquor license. The dining room is small, with just ten usually-full tables, but the menu packs big bang for your buck: each appetizer costs less than $10, each entrée less than $20, and cocktails max out at $8. And the wine? That’s the best part- not a single bottle on the list is marked up more than $15. In a city where the standard restaurant mark-up ranges from 200-300% (meaning the Bodegas Montecillo Gran Riserva you thought was a steal at Toro for $50 costs a mere $35 here) the Franklin’s unique price structure is a refreshing surprise.
Like the restaurant itself, the wine list is small yet sophisticated, and because of the minimal mark-up you can experiment with confidence, knowing that any bottle you try will be at least a good value. These great bottles are not to be missed, in part because you won’t be able to afford them anywhere else.

Don’t Miss:

Truchard “Carneros” Syrah $34
This elegantly structured 100% Syrah is smooth & sexy, with a slightly peppery finish.

Robert Foley Charbono $39
Never heard of this varietal? Neither had we. If you’re curious, this is the one to try.

Louis Roderer Cristal $199
If this is how you roll, the Franklin’s minimal mark-up is probably the last thing on your mind. Wanna-be ballers can head to the Franklin to see how the other half lives.

278 Shawmut Ave, South End, Boston | 617-350-0010 | www.franklincafe.com

Enoteca [en-oh-teck-ah] noun. Definition: An Italian term used to reference to a place where the food menu is a garnish to the wine menu. It’s a wine bar, a wine shop, and a wine library. Bin 26 offers 50 wines by the glass and anywhere from 175 to 200 wines by the bottle. The number fluctuates because options here don’t grace most wine lists, making the production scale for many wines small. Hard-to-find wines surprise the palates of patrons with fresh flavors and fill the small and chic space with unique aromas.The originality doesn’t stop there, because Bin 26 knows that sometimes a glass isn’t quite enough and sometimes it’s just a little too much. They’ve taken the liberty of offering wine in 100 mL, 250 mL and 500 mL pours, as well as the more standard 150-180 mL normal pour. Choosing a wine here is no boring task either- with helpful humor and attitude, the menu gives historical anecdotes and descriptions for the majority of choices.

Even though the prices suggest an aloof atmosphere, the knowledgeable wait staff is friendly and down-to-earth. Feel at home in chardonnay-yellow lighting as street lamps filter Charles Street charm through a front window. And make sure to drink enough to demand a trip to the restroom- A wall papered with bottle labels marks the way, and the bathroom ceiling itself is a cavernous jungle of upside-down wine bottles. Quaint charm and modern atmosphere make Bin 26 Beacon Hill’s newest quality stop for wine.

Don’t Miss:

Muller-Thurgau/Traminer, Re Manfredi, Basilicata, IT 2005
The varietals in this unique blend aren’t typically grown in Basilicata. This white wine is food-friendly, aromatic and rich.

$7 100mL/ $15 250mL/ $27 500mL/ $38 btl

Erbaluce Ferrando, di Caluso, IT 2005
This white wine is unique and acidic – and delicious with cheese.

$8 100mL/ $17 250 mL /$30 500 mL /$39 btl

26 Charles Street, Beacon Hill, Boston | 617-723-5939 | www.bin26.com

You’ll never forget your meal at that awesome trattoria in Rome…the one you discovered on a narrow, cobblestone side street, with hand-written menus and just two kinds of wine: red and white. If you want to relive it stateside, look no further than Pomodoro (two locations, one on Hanover Street in the North End and one in Brookline).Everything about the North End Pomodoro screams legit, from the tiny dining room that exudes rustic romance to the cash only policy, to the polite-but-no-bullshit waitstaff. Each menu is a hand lettered, individually crafted collage: a subtly charming design choice that suits the homey, hip vibe. There’s no bathroom, coffee, or dessert, and while some diners might find this inconvenient, we say, “Who cares?” These unapologetic nuances seem to be what separates the wheat from the chaff at the North End Pomodoro, making the tourist quotient surprisingly low for a neighborhood that’s usually thronged with them. Pomodoro’s second, sleeker location in Brookline Village has all the bells and whistles the original North End spot lacks (a wine list, a full bar, bathrooms, dessert), so expect a different but equally delicious scene.

In either incarnation, Pomodoro’s small, affordable menu takes center stage. Fresh ingredients and perfectly cooked pasta are the stars at this restaurant. Food is prepared the real-deal Italian way, showcasing the flavors inherent in the ingredients by nudging them to fruition with garlic, salt, and fresh herbs. The result: dishes that are simple, and simply delicious. Basta.

And just like that unforgettable trattoria in Rome, if you head to Pomodoro in the North End you’ll have only two options for wine: red and white. Insufferable wine snobs who frequent Pomodoro love this—when else do they get a break from poring through the wine list in the hunt for the perfect bottle?

Don’t Miss:

We only got half way through the “wine list” at the North End locale, but can definitely recommend:

The Red, This Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a perfect table wine. It’s enjoyable, smooth, not particularly complex or persistent, and highly drinkable. It paired perfectly with everything we ordered, from the smoked meats of the antipasti della casa to the spicy Fra Diavolo and the rich Chicken Carbonara, which is not to be missed.

Pomodoro, 319 Hanover Street, North End, Boston | 617-367-4348
Pomodoro, 24 Harvard Street, Brookline | 617-566-4455

It seems that any establishment with slightly run down furnishings, PBR on draft, and the Pixies playing on the jukebox is now referred to as a “dive bar.” Although this is becoming regular nomenclature, there are many imposters. Shay’s, however, is a true “dive bar.” The concrete floor, shaky tables, and pipe running across the bar (just low enough for a basketball player to smack their head on) validates its authenticity. Aside from having the only outdoor patio in Harvard Square, what sets Shay’s apart from other “dive bars” is the excellent wine list.

The wine list rotates very regularly, but I highly suggest inquiring into the stock of half bottles. I tasted some excellent wines from good vintages and I did so out of large-bowled Bordeaux style wine glasses. Yes, you heard me right, decent glassware in a “dive bar.” After polishing off a few half bottles, my companion and I were ready for food. Having already eaten dinner, we split the warm brie and fruit plate. Draining yet another half bottle – they actually go quickly – we ordered some wine by the glass, knowing we would need it for the trip home on the Red Line.

58 Jfk St, Harvard Square, Cambridge | 617-864-9161

Don’t Miss:

Half Bottles:

2002 Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico
2003 Fess Parker Santa Barbara Syrah
2000 Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva

This cozy, subterranean haunt is tucked away in a tiny side street just off of Tremont near Downtown Crossing. The dining room is definitively retro: the banquettes are lined in velvet and the walls are plastered with photos and liquor advertisements from a bygone era. An antique road sign emblazoned with “Vosne Romanée,” hangs beneath the staircase. This memento from the Burgundian monopole, an appellation controlled by a single winery, loosely translates from the original French as “wine nerds welcome.”

The Silvertone is an unorthodox concept, one that is reinforced by the back page of the menu: mixed in with the standard restaurant rules such as “we don’t seat incomplete parties,” and “we do not accept reservations” are lines like “no running with scissors,” “gold stars given for clean plates,” and “don’t swim for at least one hour after eating.”

The menu itself is reads like a laundry list of comfort foods, as interpreted by your foodie best friend. The traditional comforts of mac & cheese ($8) and the stellar meatloaf & mash ($11) are nestled next to more adventurous fare like steamed mussels with white wine and fennel ($9) and a jerk chicken served with fried bananas ($15). While such fare can sometimes leave vegetarians out of the fun, this menu is thoroughly inclusive with such satisfying options as a Goat Cheese Crostini ($6) and Penne Pomodoro ($10). The appetizers, a solid mix of soups, salads and pub grub standards like wings and quesadillas, run between $4 and $9. The entrees, with the exception of a few nightly specials, top out at the $15 mark. There are also a number of tasty imbibing options for your non-wino friends; a selection of 5 tap beers ($4), 10 in the bottle ($3-$7), and a killer selection of cocktails ($6-$8) ensure that all the members of your party will be happy no matter what their poison.

Don’t be disappointed if our recommended bottle isn’t on the list when you pop in for a visit. Although the food menu hasn’t changed in 10 years, the wine list changes weekly. This constant rotation of the roster ensures that the product is fresh, seasonally appropriate and an exceptional value- there’s not a bottle in the house that is priced at more than $10 above wholesale cost. Filene’s Basement: You’ve got some stiff competition around the corner.

69 Bromfield St, Boston | 617.338.7887

Don’t Miss:

Villa Sparina 2003 Gavi di Gavi. Fat and floral, this perfect aperitif is a steal at $16. It also went beautifully with the aforementioned mussels and the creamy lemon caper dressing, bacon and eggs that accompanied the baby Spinach Salad.

Sonsie’s lower-level Wine Room offers a dimly lit and enlightening retreat within one of Newbury Street’s trendiest spots. Formerly the Red Room, this cozy space has been a haven for winers-and-diners since 2005. Peek through a glass wall into a temperature-controlled wine cellar, organized horizontally in black triangular sections, as excessively knowledgeable wait staff hustle efficiently in and out, retrieving and replacing bottles.
Though the 250-bottle-strong wine selection accomplishes an impressive level of variety, it cleans up with quality as well. Find both Pinot Grigios and drier, more acidic Pinot Gris. Choose between popular Sauvignon Blancs (like Cakebread and Pascal Jolivet Pouilly Fume) and other, more obscure options. For red lovers, the menu offers over 15 Italian reds from regions like Tuscany and Piedmont, as well as beloved and bold Zinfandels and fruity California Cabernets. Unwind and have your fill of samples before committing to a glass or a bottle. Order from a seasonal sampling of Sonsie’s upstairs menu and enjoy classic jazz and trendy melodies that harmonize with exposed-brick walls and candlelit tables. A chic crowd mingles in the middle of the bar and couples canoodle in a back-of-the-room nook. From Argentina to Alsace, and from Sonoma to South-Australia, Sonsie’s Wine Bar is as far-reaching as it is fabulous.

Don’t Miss:

2004 Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon – Chile. $38/$9
The rocky soil of the Chilean landscape breeds a wine that’s full-bodied and not as fruity. This Cabernet is deep in color and uniquely smoky in flavor.

2000 Cliff’s Edge Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz – South Australia $41/$10
Splurge for a glass of this full-bodied Austrailian Shiraz. Accents of sour fruits give it an intense aroma and a rich flavor.

2003 Reserve “Ribeauville” Trimbach Pinot Gris – Alsace, France $38/$9.50
A classic Pinot Gris, this Trimbach is a go-to with its fruity and smooth tones of grapefruit and tart cherries.

This Moroccan restaurant completely rocks. Be prepared to drop some cash here, but it’s worth it for the tasty tagines and the smoky hookah lounge that really feels a lot like an opium den, not that we’ve ever been in one. Low lighting, thick curtains, pillows everywhere, Arabian art, and contemporary middle-eastern music together create an authentic atmosphere. Occasional belly dancers come out of the woodwork and are just as hot and exotic-looking as the waitresses.Deliciousness on Tangierino’s menu is separated into “traditional” and “contemporary” categories, and we highly recommend trying both. Start with the disintegrating tuna tartar- layers of succulent yellowfi n tuna, crab meat and rice, honeyed mango, avocado, and goat cheese mousse… wowza! Entrees are harder to choose, though the traditional Sultan’s Kadra is hard to turn down with its za’atar-spiced tender fi let of lamb, cheese-fi lled eggplant, shiitake mushrooms, poached fi gs, caramelized apricots, and rosemary reduction.

Even if you’re not eating, this place deserves a lengthy visit to its sweet-smelling Casbah Lounge. One of the only establishments in Boston with an indoor smoking license, this is a space that will appeal to your debaucherous inner child. They’ve also got great sangria and a solid wine list.

83 Main St. Charlestown | 617-242-6009 | www.tangierino.com

Going to Zon’s on a Monday night is like going to a party with very socially adept friends; everyone you meet introduces you to everyone they know. I came into the small and cozy bar alone, but I left with about half a dozen new friends. The bar area is dark, but cheerily decorated by whom I can only imagine is the owner’s aunt, who studied art in Eugene, Oregon and returned back East years later. The bar only has six stools, but the tight space, lit by Christmas lights and a monkey lamp, can comfortably fit a few dozen friendly faces.The other half of the establishment is a restaurant, with tables, but unless you are here on a fi rst date or truly want to be left alone, the bar is the only place to be. The menu ranges from burgers ($11) to mac and peas ($15) to baked halibut ($23), with a daily soup and regular specials. The wine list is very unpretentious with most wines by the glass or bottle. The beers should also to be noted, but neither the wine nor beer list is extensive – there is a Mag-Lite next to the mini-fridge containing the beer in case things get lost – they are more than adequate. I don’t live in JP, but if I did, this would be my bar.

2 Perkins Street, Jamaica Plain | 617.524.9667 | www.zonsjp.com

Don’t Miss:

Domaine Talmard, Burgundy, FR 2004
This was the bartender, Winston’s choice. Light with a strong acidity, but very agreeable. – $8/ $32

Sipp Mack, Pinot Blanc, Alsace, FR 2004
Balanced acidity, a touch sweeter than I typically enjoy, but the pour was heavy so there was no need to complain. – $6/ $24

Stags Leap, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, 2002
This is a steal at twice the price. Although I didn’t have the bottle (I’m not oppose to drinking a bottle by myself but it wasn’t really the time or place) I always keep an eye out for steals. This bottle costs more at some wine stores than it does at Zon’s. – $58 per bottle

The OtherSide Café is known in hipster circles across the country as the place to eat and drink while in Boston. It’s easy to spend hours sipping on pints while utilizing the free Wi-Fi and rocking out to the just-loud-enough-to-still-hold-a-conversation music. The quality beer selection along with a food menu packed with everything from the Southern style ‘Bama Breakfast (eggs, grits, fried greens, sausage and a biscuit) to fresh vegetarian options has kept me a regular patron since I moved to Boston. Although they are best known for their beer, The OtherSide Café has recently installed one of the only all sustainably farmed wine lists in Boston.

The OtherSide Café has always had wine, but the new list contains only sustainably-grown, organically produced or biodynamic wines, available by the glass or the bottle. Earthy, terrior based wines from Italy, France, South America and California grace the affordable menu (from $7 per glass and $28 per bottle).

The wine is served in tall, narrow glasses, which resembles something that comes with a pitcher of beer. On one hand, the glasses aren’t conducive to getting the full aroma of the wine. On the other hand, you’re surrounded by tattoo-clad patrons while the Pixies scream over the sound system. The glassware was chosen as a nod to the small Italian villages, where wine is served in glasses, not stemware. Plus, this isn’t the Four Seasons; it’s a place to hang out with friends and enjoy good food and drink.

The wine list is the brainchild of Henry Patterson, the proprietor and general manager, since 2005. “We’re not going to put anything on the list that isn’t sustainably farmed,” Patterson says. Having pioneered one of the first extensive wine-by-the-glass lists in Boston, he has now taken a heavy interest in biodynamic and sustainable farming. “Things like organics aren’t just a trend, they’re essential,” Patterson states. He gained his wine knowledge from running restaurants and working many harvests in Italy’s Piedmont region (home of the famous Barolos and Barbarescos) and France’s Burgundy and Beaujolais regions.

Food classics such as the bread, fruit and cheese platter – the best $10 spent in Boston – the vegan chili and the extensive sandwich selection have been appeasing carnivores and vegans alike for years. Welcome additions to the menu include a full brunch, served 10am to 3pm on weekends. Be sure to order a Mimosa or Bloody Mary with one of their creative breakfast items. A pastry counter filled with mouth watering, sugar loaded desserts has been added as well. However, the most recent and exciting addition to the Other Side’s menu is the completely vegan, raw food bar.

The reputation of The OtherSide Café having snooty servers who are only nice to their friends is quickly fading. In my regular excursions here, I have always been treated with respect. One thing to note, however, is the service can be very slow on weeknights and they do tend to run out of select menu items. But in the grand scheme of things, this is a minor issue. As long as you come to The OtherSide Café with the same laid-back attitude as the regular patrons and the staff you will always make new friends on the patio and this will become your favorite hangout in Boston.

FOOD AND WINE PAIRINGS

Although most of the traditional food at the OtherSide is best paired with beer, some of the new additions fit well with the wine list.
The veggie pies, similar to quiche, are completely vegetarian are served with a salad. Compliment one of these dishes with some of the crisp white wines, such as the Cesconi Chardonnay ($9 glass/ $35 bottle) or the Cantina Gries Pinot Grigio ($8 glass/ $32 bottle).

The bread fruit and cheese platter, served with a yogurt and honey dipping sauce screams for wine. Assorted fruit accompany soft and hard cheeses surrounded by a sliced baguette. Pair with the Mattei Barbera ($7 glass/ $28 bottle) or the Des 2 Anes Carignane Blend ($8 glass/ $32 bottle).

For a delicious vegan, raw food bonanza start with the veggie “chips and dip” which consists of dried beet and carrot chips with a hummus-like, cashew dip. Follow this with the “pasta” with pesto, which is thinly sliced zucchini tossed with vegan pesto sauce surrounded by fresh tomatoes. If you’re a baller and just got paid, clean them out of all the Wild Hog Zinfandel ($12 glass/ $42 bottle) they have!

Finish your dining experience by splitting one of the many delicious desserts from the pastry counter accompanied by a half bottle of the lightly sparkling and sweet Piero Gatti Moscato ($19 half bottle).

The OtherSide Cafe
407 Newbury St
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 536-8437