Openings: Accademia di Vino

Over lunch, a Serious Eats colleague told me about the opening of Accademia di Vino.

"What's that? Some kinda wine bar? Not interested," I said.

"But it's got grilled pizza," she said.

"Well, why diddincha say so?"

One of the dudes behind this place—executive chef Kevin Garcia—came up through Al Forno, my colleague said, where he worked as something called a tournant, or a roundsman. Al Forno is, of course, the grilled-pizza mothership—the joint in Providence, Rhode Island, where George Germon came up the idea of slapping pizza dough on a grate over coals. Mr. Garcia also did a turn under the late Vinny Scotto at New York City's Gonzo, the place credited with bringing grilled pizza to the Big Apple. (Mr. Scotto himself learned the art of the grilled pie at Al Forno.)

Accademia di Vino, will open to the public tomorrow night (August 15) in the old Mainland space at 1081 Third Avenue, on the Upper East Side, at 64th Street.

So, lo and behold, we get back from throwing down some slices (what else did you think I'd be eating?), and there's a flack attack in my inbox. I'll let it do all the non-intriguing non-pizza talking, after the jump.

“Accademia di Vino”, which translates to an academy made of wine, holds a deliberate double-pun, reflecting the integral part that wine plays in the design and menu of this venture. Accademia di Vino will feature a comprehensive collection of over 500 Italian wines offered by the bottle (from $28 and up) and an extensive wine by the glass program (from $8 to $25). The menu will offer an extensive journey through contemporary and traditional Italian cuisine. Antipasti, salumi, and pasta (from $9 - $16); main courses (from $18 to $30); and, desserts (from $7 to $10) will create numerous options for ways to enjoy a simple snack through a full course tasting dinner. The additional flourish of Kevin Garcia’s specialty Grilled Pizza (from $15 to $18) will certainly confirm Accademia di Vino as one of the most exciting new dining destinations in New York, and on the Upper East Side.

Accademia di Vino

Address: 1081 Third Avenue at 64th Street, New York NY 10021 (Upper East Side; map)
Phone: 212-888-6333
URL: accademiadivino.com

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