Wine, Light Bites, and Lively Nights Await at Corsica

Corsica Wine Bar offers tastes of the Mediterranean coast

by Ellyn Wexler, Staff Writer

Reston Town Center's new Corsica Wine Bar is open for business in the former Mon Ami Gabi space. Photo by Benjamin Burgess.

Reston Town Center has a new destination for wine lovers and small-plate enthusiasts with the recent opening of Corsica Wine Bar, located at 11950 Democracy Drive in the former Mon Ami Gabi space.

From the team behind Barcelona Wine Bar, a longtime favorite at the Town Center, Corsica offers a fresh take on European coastal flavors in a lively, welcoming setting. “Reston Town Center really feels like a dream spot for us,” said General Manager Lauren Brown. “If you love Barcelona, you’ll feel right at home at Corsica. It’s that same sense of excitement—being in a room buzzing with people, trying new things, and just having fun.”

Unlike the formality some associate with French dining, Corsica is designed as an approachable, let-your-hair-down space. Creative Director Drew McConnell describes it as “a bar and restaurant where escapist small-plates, intentional design, and an approachable wine list transport guests to the rustic Mediterranean coast. We’re bringing European apéro culture to Northern Virginia.”

“Apéro,” short for apéritif, refers to a social ritual in France and other cultures involving drinks and light snacks before a meal, designed to unwind, socialize, and “open the palate” for the upcoming dinner or lunch.

With its energetic atmosphere, shareable menu, and adventurous beverage program, Corsica is already shaping up to be a new favorite gathering spot in Reston Town Center—whether for after-work drinks, a romantic dinner, or a night of exploring Mediterranean flavors with friends.

Guests can choose their own vibe: multiple dining rooms, a lively bar, a 75-seat wrap-around patio, and even a Chef’s Counter where guests can sit just outside the open kitchen. A private dining room accommodates 20 for special gatherings. The decor combines terracotta tiles, custom leather booths, eclectic serve ware, and McConnell’s own large-scale art and photography inspired by travels along the French and Italian coasts.

In the kitchen, Executive Chef Cesar Mayorga fires up focusing on Mediterranean-inspired dishes prepared with local and seasonal ingredients. Many are cooked over the restaurant’s open-flame robata grill, giving everything from vegetables to seafood a rustic char. “Everything on the menu is designed for adventurous eating and sharing,” Mayorga said. “Our Chicken Genovese with Agliata Verde is inspired by Genoa, where pesto was invented, and it’s so fresh and vibrant the green practically explodes off the plate.”

Menu highlights include Tuna Carpaccio with Calabrian chile, Barbajuan, a pastry stuffed with Swiss chard and ricotta that is popular in Monaco; Mussels L’aziminu in saffron-lobster broth; hearty Baked Lumache pasta, and the Apericena platter, a selection of small bites meant for the bar crowd. All menu items can be customized to individual food allergies, intolerances, and other dietary needs and preferences. Prices generally range from $12 to $15, making it easy to mix and match.

Corsica’s wine program features more than 200 bottles, with a focus on France, Italy, and the island of Corsica. Developed by Beverage Director Emily Nevin-Giannini, the list emphasizes small producers, women-led wineries, and biodynamic practices. “The wines on our list are crafted by farmers, not factories,” McConnell explained. Guests can order three- or six-ounce pours, or try a $5 “Spruzzo” (splash) tasting portion. On Mondays, every bottle—no matter the rarity or price—is offered at half off.

The cocktail program also leans into Mediterranean traditions, offering lighter, lower-alcohol drinks meant to pair well with food. Options include the Clericot, a citrusy, wine-based cocktail, and the Golden Hour Negroni, made with spiced gin and sherry. Seasonal offerings will rotate throughout the year, including cocktails infused with Corsican herbs.

Brown noted Corsica will also host special events, such as wine tastings designed to feel more like lively parties than formal classes. “We’re looking forward to bringing our friends and neighbors together to discover what they love about wine,” she added.

Corsica Wine Bar isn’t just a place to eat and drink—it’s an invitation to linger, laugh, and raise a glass, Mediterranean style.

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