Farina
Crossroads pasta spot that gets wine right
Crossroads Arts District · Kansas City · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 29, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The list at Farina is compact enough to read before your bread arrives, which is exactly the point. This is a neighborhood pasta place that knows what it is — no sprawling encyclopedia, just a focused, Italian-leaning selection that matches the room. It feels curated rather than assembled.
Selection Deep Dive
Italy anchors the list, with representation from Piedmont, Sicily, Tuscany, and Veneto — all sensible given the kitchen's focus. The Fabio Oberto Roero Arneis and Tenuta Terre Nere Rosé from Etna show real editorial intent; these aren't shelf-filler picks. France gets a nod with the D66 Grenache Blend, and there's a small but interesting dessert wine section headlined by Far Niente Dolce and Inniskillin Icewine. Gaps exist — no serious reds from Barolo or Brunello country, and the California presence is almost entirely confined to the sweet wine section — but for a restaurant this size, the focus is a feature, not a bug.
By the Glass
Five by-the-glass options at $9 a pour is honest pricing for Kansas City, and the glass list appears to pull from the better parts of the bottle list. We'd love to see a few more rotations — five options is lean — but at that price point, you're not paying for someone else's experimentation.
Fabio Oberto Roero Arneis, Piedmont, Italy — $9/glass
Arneis is one of Piedmont's most underrated whites — bright, slightly bitter on the finish, and built for pasta. At $9 a glass in a sit-down restaurant with a sommelier on staff, this is the move.
Felsina Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy 2019
Most people skip the dessert wine section entirely, but Felsina makes one of Tuscany's benchmark Vin Santos — amber, nutty, oxidative in the best way. It's a rare find on a KC wine list and worth ordering even if you skip dessert.
Acinum Prosecco, Veneto, Italy
Prosecco as a list opener is fine, but Acinum is a mass-market brand you can find at any grocery store. With wines like the Terre Nere Rosé available, spend your first glass somewhere more interesting.
Tenuta Terre Nere Rosé, Etna, Sicily + Cacio e Pepe
Etna Rosé has the acidity to cut through the fat in the cheese sauce and enough minerality to keep pace with the pepper. It's a volcanic wine meeting a Roman classic, and it works better than you'd expect.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Farina is doing quiet, honest work with its wine list — no flash, no nonsense, just well-chosen bottles that belong next to a bowl of house-made pasta. Yes, send a friend here for wine, especially if they're buying the Arneis.
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