Zavino Wine Bar
Zavino is the cutest wine bar I’ve been to in Philadelphia. It is casual yet classy, and I felt at home as soon as I walked in because of how inviting the staff and the atmosphere were.
My friend and I chose to sit at the bar (that probably could seat no more than 10 people), which not only had bottles of wine, but books about wine on the shelves. The set up of the place was so comfortable and the bar and wait staff were friendly and funny. By the end of my time at Zavino I felt like I had made friends with Erin and Josh, the two charming staff members, which my friend and I are clearly now on a first name basis with.
Zavino’s Happy Hour runs from 4:30 to 6:30 PM on Mondays through Thursdays, and features $8 wine and appetizer pairings, which change daily and weekly.
This particular day I went with cremini mushrooms stuffed with goat cheese and balsamic reduction, topped with breadcrumbs and paired with a glass of Pinot Noir (Caneletto 09’) from Italy. It was a smooth and light red wine – not bitter like most red wines I’m used to drinking. It was fruity and flavorful and tasted great paired with the sweet taste of the balsamic reduction and cheese. I was sad when I took my last bite.
When we first sat down, my friend and I were offered both complimentary still or sparkling water, which for Philadelphia is not something that you see very often. We were also able to watch the pizzas being made and put into the oven from the bar. There were seasonal specials that included cheese, meat, and veggies, beautifully written above us on a chalkboard. These also change everyday.
Zavino has signature cocktails for $8, and I ordered a “strawberry basil fashioned” because it just sounded awesome. This drink certainly packs a punch. I enjoyed my drink while listening to the relaxing instrumental music playing in the background. I was already laughing from my cocktail when the bill came in a little pouch that read “the damage”, which made me laugh even more. Good wine, good food, and good cocktails made for more than a good time at Zavino.
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