DePalma's Italian Cafe

DePalma's keeps it straightforward: a 60-80 bottle list that leans into its Italian-American identity without pretension. The 18 glass pours at $6-$15 tell you this is a neighborhood spot that wants you to drink wine with your lasagna, not overthink it.

The list reads like a tour through Italy's greatest hits—Tuscany, Veneto, Piemonte—with smart picks like Vietti Barbera d'Asti ($44) and Tommasi Ripasso ($55) that show someone cares. They also throw in California standards (Francis Coppola Rosso, Silver Oak Cab) for the crowd that wants familiar territory. The Zenato Amarone Classico at $130 and Silver Oak at $190-$250 anchor the high end, though the real action is in the $36-$55 range where Italian producers shine. It's not breaking new ground, but it's competent and focused.

Eighteen pours is generous for a casual Italian spot, and the $6-$15 range means you're not gambling much to try something new. The Chianti Classico Castello d'Albola at $10/glass is solid everyday drinking, and the Francis Coppola Rosso at $7 is an easy starter. The selection covers the basics without much rotation—this isn't a by-the-glass adventure, but it gets the job done.