Featured Restaurant: Petrichor Wine Bar
by C. Oscar Olson
Though we’ve been out to sea for years and years, it seems there is always something new to lay our eyes on. A new place to spot the sunset or a new beach to dip our toes into. Or, better yet, a restaurant new to us (but not new) where we can enjoy some fantastic culinary creations and libations.
We walked into Petrichor near 5:30pm and the place was beginning to buzz. Wine was being poured, cocktails stirred, and delicious looking dishes were rushing from the kitchen. Yet the dining room was dark and relaxed, very inviting, and we felt right at home after a hectic day in July. Interesting accent pieces both bright and subtle liven up the space, eclectic art adorned every wall, and we were immediately greeted by owner Jill and her right-hand man John.
The menu at Petrichor is refined and covers all the bases without any added fuss. All the starters are made to share, and the entrees will leave you wanting for nothing. Of course you could come alone, but everything tastes better when shared with good company.
What more perfect plate to start with than a Cheese and Charcuterie? It featured a wide range of house-selected meats, cheeses, jam, fruit, and more, making every bite perfectly unique and delicious. Rich, meaty Manchego and three unique salamis, crispy green apples, and ripe red grapes, crunchy toast and a fantastic fig jam—what more could you ask for? The soft, ripe sheep’s milk brie was our favorite piece on the simple and simply elegant slate dish.
Jill Hollen Viselli, a Nantucket sommelier and year-round island resident, is a certificated graduate of Boston University’s Elizabeth Bishop Wine Program. For more than 20 years, their courses have guided, taught, and enhanced expertise in the art of wine for passionate people like Jill.
Be sure to ask for an unmatched beverage pairing to go with any dish you order. Jill and her staff have expert understanding of wine and spirits that will enhance your meal in ways you wouldn’t expect. And don’t sleep on the full bar: we sampled some of John’s incredible cocktails just to make sure the rumors were true… they are!
The Flying Jilbert is a daring take on the classic whiskey sour. Dubbed “a whiskey walks into a wine bar…,” it’s a refreshing rye sour with a red wine float. The wine adds a dry element that counters the sweet of the mix and brings out the fruitiness in the whiskey. It’s also pretty nice to look at.
Wake up the evening with a round of Night Swimming espresso martinis. It’s the smoothest and most refined we’ve ever had, and we’ve had a lot. These could definitely be dangerous.
Our favorite refreshment was the Good Vibration. It’s a daringly delicious take on a sangria, with blanco tequila, peach, strawberry, and a prosecco floater. The wine adds just the right amount of fizz for the most satisfying drink of summer.
Petrichor’s mid-island location is an excellent place to unwind and hop over the hustle of downtown. There’s plenty of parking and it’s easily accessible from whatever direction you might be coming from. The dining room is spacious and inviting, and once you walk inside you’ll feel right at home.
Petrichor Wine Bar
130 Pleasant Street • petrichorwinebar.com • 617-283-9933
Dinner nightly from 5pm to close
Dinner entrees range in price from $33.50 to $43.50
Full Bar, Lounge, & Table Seating – Private parties & tastings
Major Credit Cards Accepted
