Palmyra-based Lazzaro’s Italian Bistro recently became a licensed limited winery.
The local favorite, at 49 N. Railroad St., has always operated as a BYOB establishment and will continue to do so; however, in light of their new license, they will now impose a cork fee on outside beverages.
“I’ve made my own wine for about 20 years,” said Lazzaro Merone, owner of the bistro. “My dream was to own a winery.”
According to Merone, the application to become a licensed limited winery was a long process, but in the end, “we got it,” he said.
The achievement was announced on the restaurant’s Facebook page on Oct. 20.
Lazzaro’s now offers white and red table wines.
“It’s more of a dry wine,” Merone said. “We get a lot of compliments on it. People seem to really like it.”
Merone said he hopes Lazzaro’s will eventually offer a full wine list, but for now, he remains focused on the current offerings.
“Later on, maybe we’ll offer a larger selection,” he said. “It’s a step-by-step process.”
Lazzaro’s Italian Bistro will celebrate its 10-year anniversary next July. Although Merone is thrilled to finally incorporate his passion for wine-making into his work, he’s especially proud of the atmosphere of the restaurant itself.
“It’s cozy. The food is good,” he said. “And it’s a family place. My wife, my girls, our employees — we all work together.”
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