One of the latest hot spots on Richmond’s restaurant scene is Secco, a Carytown wine bar with inventive cuisine and a trendy atmosphere. Owner Julia Battaglini headed up River City Cellars, the wine shop next door, for 11 years before branching into the restaurant business. She uses her same team of wine and cheese experts to make unique selections for Secco.
The menu features reasonably-priced wines by the glass or bottle; build-your-own meat and cheese plates; inventive spreads like country-style pate with pickled shallots, blueberries and purple radish greens; and mouth-watering small plates like ale-braised, paprika-dusted grilled octopus with olive wood-smoked potatoes or ancho-and-cinnamon-cured duck confit with caramelized Brussels sprouts, Japanese turnip puree, fried cipollini and duck jus. There’s also a selection of craft beers and specialty sodas for non-wine fans.
The atmosphere is relaxed and cosmopolitan with a cush sofa, warm bar and cozy tables for conversation. Another great feature? If you find a wine you like, you’ll most likely be able to buy a bottle to take home next door at River City Cellars.
