Vino Veritas Opens on the West Side

Vino Veritas on Broadway combines European and American culinary sensibilities

Photo courtesy of Vino Veritas

There’s French music in the air, sparkling lights on the wall and the smell of flatbread crisping up in the kitchen. It’s the most recent restaurant addition to Broadway: Vino Veritas. It’s practically across the street from Spirito’s Restaurant and roughly a block from Nick’s on Broadway. Various eateries have occupied this corner location. Hopefully, Vino Veritas is the right restaurant for this spot.

Vino Veritas is the dream child of three men. They’ve known each other for years, and have independently worked in the restaurant industry at different times. Chef Mynor Orellana has spent time at Cafe Dolce Vita and the now closed Blue Grotto. Rob Caron also spent time at the Blue Grotto, which is where he and Mynor met, and at Capriccio. Then there’s Brian Crookes, who cooked while teaching high school in Central Falls. It was years in the making, but they finally came together.

There are touches of each of their personalities throughout the cozy locale: handmade cherry tables from Rob and a final menu created by putting all of their heads together. The direction of the menu leans European with strong Mediterranean influences. There are also a few New Orleans inspired creations like the Oysters Bienville – which are broiled in the shell with a light bechamel cream sauce – and brunch beignets. They also have French onion soup, a hand-formed burger, hand-cut pasta and plenty of seafood and vegetarian options. There are lots of dessert choices as well as coffees and after dinner drinks.

Then there’s the name, which is a play on the Latin phrase in vino veritas, which translates to, “in wine, there is truth.” Vino Veritas is an honest passion project for Mynor, Rob and Brian. Lucky for us, it’s a delicious truth, too. 486 Broadway. 383-2001.