Virgola Oysters & Italian Wine Bar is bringing a taste of old-fashioned Italian romance to Patchogue.
Virgola opened this weekend at 7 Village Green in New Village.
Virgola, which originated in NYC, specializes in Italian wine, oysters, crudo, caviar and ceviche. The menu also includes specialty Italian meats and cheeses, as well as salads.
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The company’s founder, Joseph Marazzo, a longtime NYC restaurateur, opened the original Virgola in 2013.
That location was described by The New Yorker as “the most romantic bar to open in the West Village since Gottino.”
The other owner of the Patchogue location is Roy Cifuni of Mount Sinai.
Marazzo and Cifuni met through mutual friends.
“I grew up on Long Island,” said Marazzo. “I felt the concept would do really great out here but I don’t live out here so we joined forces.”
In Patchogue, Cifuni has brought along Alyssa Henrich as the general manager. She’s joined by assistant manager Luiggi Liriano.
Henrich moved from Port Jefferson Station to New Village specifically for the job.
“So I can be here 24/7 if I need to be … and I can walk to work,” said Henrich.
“I love how everything is very authentically Italian,” she said of Virgola. “I love how everything is imported. You’re getting amazing quality meats and cheeses, wine and seafood at a good price.”
“The decor is geared toward romantic, but this is Patchogue,” she added. “You can come here for the experience before going out to hit Dublin Deck. The concept is based on getting to know your customers and building relationships. ”
Cifuni and Marazzo each agreed the vision for Virgola Patchogue was built-out perfectly.
“I’m proud of it but I’m jealous at the same time,” Marazzo said Friday night, the first of two soft openings for friends and relatives.”It’s much bigger than my location. I think Roy’s really set up for success.”
“What I really like here is you have something for everybody,” he continued. “We have outdoor seating, the lounge, a communal l table, the bar. It’s dark, sexy, elegant. It’s nice for a romantic couple in the corner or a couple guys having drinks at the bar.”
if you go
Virgola faces the Village Green in the New Village complex just north of West Main Street but there’s free parking available along Lake Street to Virgola’s rear. There’s free on-street parking as well.
The phone number is 631-714-5000.
