Apéro Hour: Corsica Wine Bar
By Phantom Foodie
In European apéro culture, the hours around dinner are the main event, with a good glass of wine and a few small plates to share. Corsica Wine Bar in Reston Town Center is built around that concept, and we went to see how it translates to a fall evening in Reston. It's been a year since Corsica took over the space formerly occupied by Mon Ami Gabi.
We were greeted with a smile and seated quickly in the dining room, although the inviting bar nearly made us reconsider. The room was dim enough initially that a few diners used their phone flashlights to read the menus until the staff turned up the lighting. Our server walked us through the seasonal menu, making ordering easy.
Warm sourdough is often a benchmark for the rest of the meal, and this one set the bar high. The bread arrived fresh and soft, but the cultured butter was the real star. It's the kind of small detail that tells you the kitchen cares. The fall salad was excellent. Ribbons of squash are pickled, and the pickling liquid becomes the dressing. It's strong but delicious, a taste of what's to come.
The lamb arrived with peperonata, a mixture of tomatoes, onions and red peppers finished with a green spice. It also appears on the vegetable menu, making it an easy side to add if you want more.
The lemon bucatini packed a peppery punch. I love anything lemon-pepper, and I was still glad I ordered the smaller portion. There's plenty of flavor in every bite.
The grilled chicken thighs surprised us. They were outstanding, and the sauce added even more flavor. Ms. Foodie also enjoyed the savory meatballs and shrimp with capers, so the table was happy all around.
Plan on two to three items per person, and don't be shy about taking leftovers home, as we did. Plates were cleared as we finished them, a touch that felt attentive but never rushed. We skipped dessert, but everything on the menu looked good, so save room. Corsica Wine Bar is warm and welcoming, with friendly, polished service and food worth a visit.
Corsica Wine Bar
11950 Democracy Drive
Sunday-Thursday: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m.
Happy hour: Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m.
Brunch: Saturday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Half-price bottles: Sundays
Gift cards and private dining available
Disclaimer: The Reston Letter and its staff do not receive solicitation, compensation, or special endorsement from any restaurant or culinary establishment. Our reviewer dines unannounced to make the experience genuine. Our mission is to provide our readers with an accurate representation of our reviewer's experience so they may make their own informed decisions. Taste, service, and culinary preferences vary.
Comments