Galiano Wine Bar uncorks Mediterranean-inspired experience in St. James

A new wine bar that’s been years in the making has officially opened its doors in the heart of St. James.

Located at 410 Lake Ave., Galiano Wine Bar & Restaurant celebrated its grand opening earlier this month, bringing an elevated Mediterranean-inspired dining experience — and a deeply personal wine program — to the neighborhood.

For owner Vinny Galiano, the concept traces back to an unexpected Christmas gift from his wife, Stephanie, in 2017: a home winemaking kit.

“I always loved the agricultural side of wine, the production, the science of it,” Galiano told Greater Long Island. “Then, we started producing our own wine, and from that first bottling, I knew this was more than just a hobby.”

Galiano, a St. James native with a background in web development, said he quickly realized he wanted to keep the wines boutique and exclusive rather than pursue traditional distribution. Within a few years, the couple had launched their own winery operation, sourcing grapes from California and producing small-batch Galiano wines sold exclusively through their wine club.

Still, Galiano felt the brand was missing something: a physical space where people could fully experience the wines alongside thoughtfully paired food.

When the former Bean’s Bagel space on Lake Avenue became available, he jumped at the opportunity, purchasing the building in August 2025 and spending nearly a year transforming it into what is now Galiano Wine Bar & Restaurant.

“I wanted to build something that the neighborhood needed, a bit more elevated than the current dining experience for the area,” Galiano said. “Lake Avenue is such a charming, unique and quiet street, perfect for families.”

To help bring the vision to life, Galiano partnered with executive chef Roger Martinez, who curated a Mediterranean-inspired menu designed specifically to complement the wine offerings.

“We started working together, and it’s been incredible,” Galiano said. “He brings wonderful ingredients and a menu we are truly proud of.”

In addition to its house wines, the restaurant also offers a carefully selected international wine list meant to fill a variety of flavor profiles and dining preferences.

“You’re not going to see typical names,” Galiano added. “Everything is intentional.”

The restaurant also offers chef-guided tasting experiences, with menu pairings designed to evolve from visit to visit.

“We pair every menu item with one of our wines to elevate that experience,” Galiano said. “It’s unique every time you dine with us.”

He described the menu as “light and airy,” centered around quality ingredients and the kind of dining experiences he and his wife personally enjoy when eating out.

Galiano Wine Bar & Restaurant is open Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. The restaurant is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Scroll down for more courtesy photos from Galiano Wine Bar.