Will H.
Yelp
When Grapperia first rose from the ashes of those who couldn't survive Piccolo Forno's familiar 2-hour wait, we breathed a massive sigh of relief...and then? Well, then we sipped wonderful cocktails!
No longer were people stuck standing on the corner waiting for their table, staring at the dilemma of where to pass the time: Round Corner or Franktuary? The answer, for us at least, became Grapperia.
Perhaps we went too often when Grapperia first opened, but appreciation from the staff was obvious from the outset and continues to this day. Bartenders took the time to get to know those of us who pulled up a seat at the bar, and kindly answered questions about the menu, grappa, and everything in between. Granted, these were the days before the hype reached its current level, but upon our recent visit 5 months after moving away from Pittsburgh, I was happy to see that nothing has changed...except for the larger crowds. The bartenders remembered us ("heyyyy, how's Boston?!?"), the service was good, and the drinks were still wonderful.
If, like me, you can't handle grappa neat, there are plenty of options for you. From a limited, but nicely-curated list of beers on tap (and bottles) and a solid, ever-changing cocktail program, there's likely something for everyone's palette. I'd recommend exploring the cocktails, though. That's really where Grapperia shines. Obviously, they take pride in their grappa selection, too, so if you like grappa, this is definitely your spot.
They offer small bites, but it's clear that, by design, Grapperia isn't there to compete with Piccolo (or any other eatery nearby). It's the ideal place to stop before dinner, after dinner, or just for a few drinks, but don't go there expecting to fill your stomach on charcuterie and cheese. Enjoy your grappa on an empty stomach at your own risk!
If there's one down side, it's that the space is small and it can fill up quickly. With that, comes a loud atmosphere. That said, the seat turnover is quicker than you'd think, and I've never had to wait very long to grab a seat or find a spot to hang. The service is surprisingly quick during peak times, despite a smaller team behind the bar, so that also helps.
Overall, it's hard to have many, if any, real gripes about Grapperia. It's the perfect place to grab a unique cocktail, while enjoying the cozy atmosphere and friendly staff while you wait for a table next door. So far, Grapperia is one of those places that's maintained its level despite the increasing hype, and that's a difficult thing to do. Hopefully it continues!
Cheers!