Postino WineCafé opened its first California location at Park Place shopping center in Irvine on Tuesday, Dec. 13. The Arizona-based wine bar and restaurant concept started in 2001. It expanded with more than 20 locations in Texas, Colorado, Georgia and Arizona.
The 5,200-square foot wine bar restaurant at Jamboree Road and Michelson Drive is housed in a mixed retail and dining plaza, which includes concepts such as North Italia, Puesto, Jan’s Health Bar and Lady M Cake boutique.
The look for each Postino location is different, says co-founder Lauren Bailey. The Irvine restaurant’s midcentury modern décor is interspersed with retro music nods — a wall of stacked boomboxes, rainbow-colored light fixtures, a flame-shaped chandelier and dark wooden tables.
Co-founders Lauren Bailey and Craig DeMarco sought out a California location for years. The restaurant group also plans to expand into San Diego. Bailey says Orange County was so enticing because they had met several locals who had traveled to Arizona and were already familiar with Postino.
The wine and beer offerings at Postino include a rotating selection curated by advanced sommelier and beverage director Brent Karlicek. Unexpected regions include Argentina and South Africa; along with boutique and more recognizable labels from France, Spain, Germany. Since this is Postino’s first West Coast location, there are also several wines from California and Washington offered by the glass.
The wine country-inspired menu includes bruschetta boards with chef’s charcuterie and cheese. A vegetarian board along with gluten-free bruschetta and paninis are available all day. The “snacky things” part of the menu is the most intriguing with a medley of crispy maitake, oyster and cremini mushrooms served with lemon zested lebni yogurt.
Specials at this location include a $6 wine and beer list available until 5 p.m. and a $25 bottle and bruschetta board offering available after 8 p.m. Weekend brunch includes sharable bites such as cast iron sticky bread with cinnamon and spiced pecans, ricotta fritters with apple butter, and an Umbria egg toast.
Information: Postino WineCafé, Park Place, 2981 Michelson Drive, Ste. E, Irvine; 949-336-2600; postinowinecafe.com/locations/california/park-place/