On a normal weeknight at Fausto restaurant in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, wine producers from Italy mingle with diners, sharing stories of their vintages. For the owner, Joe Campanale, many of these independent producers are close friends.
But since this is no longer a safe option, Fausto has gone fully virtual, advertising its Italian wine menu on Caviar, its takeout provider, and promoting the producers on Instagram. Other Italian restaurants, like Maiella, are promoting aperitivo cocktails, snacks, and pizza at happy hour prices. One of the World’s 50 Best Bars, Dante, known for popularizing the negroni in New York City, is selling cocktails, like $10 negronis and the eight oz. bottled version for $25.
All of this became possible just this week after Governor Cuomo acted to limit the impact of shelter at home on small businesses by allowing restaurants to deliver liquor and wine with meal orders.
As New Yorkers order-in, they can embrace the Italian way of FaceTime spritz aperitivo with friends while standing in solidarity with their favorite Italian restaurants.