Pro Italian Chef Cathy Whims is Opening A Euro Wine Bar

Pro Italian chef Cathy Whims’ Nostrana is set to get a wine bar sibling, with Portland Monthly reporting that Enoteca Nostrana will open next door to the SE Morrison restaurant in the coming months.

According to PoMo, the 40-seat wine bar will focus on European wine, with an eye to natural wines. Austin Bridges from Northeast restaurant D.O.C. will head up the wine and spirits programs.

But given it’s a Whims project, food will undoubtedly be a draw — the Monthly story suggests that Enoteca Nostrana will lean more modern, in contrast to the “rustic” style of its older neighbor. “Iconic regional Italian dishes” are set to be part of the attraction, and diners will be able to pick specialty regional ingredients to top their spaghetti. But don’t expect a build-your-own-dish set-up — Whims is rightfully all about keeping spaghetti simple, not overloading it.

Enoteca Nostrana should be opening sometime in March — stay tuned.

• All Nostrana coverage [EPDX]
• Celebrated Chef Cathy Whims to Open Enoteca Nostrana [Portland Monthly]