Check Out the Menu at Frenchie, Opening Tonight in the South End

Tremont Street has a new wine bar with global French small plates and more.

By Jacqueline Cain· 1/24/2017, 10:20 a.m.

Frenchie. / Photo provided

We would not have questioned the motto “In Vino Veritas,” but tasting notes on the menu at the South End’s newest wine bar are still welcome. Frenchie opens tonight from a team of Boston-area French restaurant veterans (emblazoned with the Latin phrase,”in wine, truth”) with continentally inspired small plates, charcuterie, Cafe Madeleine pastries, and a concise, offbeat but accessible wine list.

Owner Sandrine Rossi grew up around French gastronomy, and is a Level One Sommelier. She is joined by manager Loïc Le Garrec, who previously owned and managed Petit Robert Bistro in the South End.

Alex Falconer, who formerly cooked at the fleeting but delicious Josephine in Kenmore Square (which shuttered in August), is on board as executive chef. With dishes like steamed mussels with chorizo, roasted carrots with the Egyptian spice blend dhukka, and salt-crusted branzino for two, the menu shows a modern range of influences on French cuisine with Italian, Spanish, North African, and Asian flavors. The menu format—small plates, raw bar selections, daily charcuterie and cheeses, and a few shareable entrees—is designed to encourage sticking around for a few glasses of wine.

That list has more than two dozen bottles, predominantly from France, with a couple from Italy, Spain, North America, and some lesser-known wine regions. Most are priced under $100 (one bottle is $110), and each is available by the glass. The wines are sorted by flavor profile, like aromatic and dry whites, and earthy and spicy reds. Frenchie has a malt and wine license, rather than a full liquor Check out both the dinner menu and wine list below.

The revolving restaurant space that now houses Frenchie was most recently Kitchen. The makeover brightened up the 48-seat space, with the aforementioned signage, and whitewashed brick. It keeps the glass-walled dining area in the back, and has a new, wall-length wine bar, and an open kitchen. This spring, the team hopes to debut a 16-seat patio.

Frenchie opens tonight at 4 p.m. When things ramp up, it will eventually be daily from 11 a.m.-11 p.m., and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

560 Tremont St., South End, 857-233-5941, frenchieboston.com.