Sip, swirl and savor at South Tampa’s wine shop and bar

Story by: Erika Vidal Holmes

Wine lovers know: the right foods go a long way in bringing a wine’s true character to the surface. That’s one of the many philosophies behind Bianchi’s Enotecha, a wine shop and bar on South MacDill Avenue, located just steps away from Yoko’s and Osteria Natalina.
Owners Susan Bianchi and Romeo Patron opened Bianchi’s several months ago. They met while working at Bern’s Fine Wines & Spirits. Each had traveled through Italy and the rest of Europe, developing an affinity for the Italian enoteca—a neighborhood wine bar and café serving local food and regional wines—along the way. Susan, a longtime restaurateur, and Romeo, a former chef at SideBern’s and sommelier, decided to take the plunge and open their own enoteca.

In keeping with the concept, Bianchi’s menu emphasizes regional cuisine and artisanal fare and wines. In addition to meats and cheeses, the menu consists of breakfast items, fresh salads, Italian-inspired paninis and small plates such as country pate, salmon rillette and an eclectic selection of bruschetta. Some clients have called Romeo’s omelet the best they’ve ever had. Susan and Romeo focus on finding good, affordable “Old World” wines that you can’t find at your local grocery or big box store.
The European style café features art by Ritch Holben, a wall of wine and clean lines with a small outdoor patio.

Sweet Cheesus
If Bianchi’s eclectic selection of wines doesn’t make you drool, the gigantic case of cheese will, assuming, of course, that you’re part of the 99 percent of the population who loves cheese. Take Romeo up on his pairing suggestions—think honey and bleu cheese—and you can’t go wrong.

(813) 837-2233 // 3215 S. MacDill Ave., Ste. G, Tampa, FL 33629 // www.Bianchi’sEnoteca.com