A Corner Bar for Natural Wine...and Early Edition Feminist Erotica

Anais Opens in Boerum Hill

Henry Rich and the Oberon team, who are owners of Rucula, June Wine Bar, and Rhodora, have soft opened Anais, a new natural wine bar on a quiet corner of Bergen and Bond in Boerum Hill. 

“We wanted to bring a wine bar to the community in Boerum Hill,” Henry told me when we chatted on the phone yesterday. “We have had Rucola for 12 years, and it's where I got my start.” 

Henry had been eyeing this spot, a corner deli, since 2011, chatting on and off with the owner to make a deal. “We wanted to do something small and intimate and special that could be a waiting room for Rucola, a wine bar, an elegant late night spot, and an all-day cafe, with a strong coffee program.” Yes please. 

For now, Anais is open as a wine bar, with the all day cafe hours to come. Allie Huggins, who has been at Rucola for four years, is the beverage director and GM and she has put together a nice list of natural wines, cocktails, and beer.

For hunger pangs, there is a small menu of snacks from group Culinary Director Diego Moya: Mixed nuts, cheeses, marinated olives, a few larger plates like a little gem salad with moscatel vinegar and tapenade, Cantabrian Anchovies with piquillo peppers and calabrian chile, Pate de Campagne with sour cherry preserves, and Jambon Beurre Royale.

If you should need something to read while drinking and snacking, the team has also curated a small bookcase “shop,” selling early edition (1910-1970) feminist erotica. 

“It’s a place to come early, stay late, hang out, read a book, write a book,” Henry explained of his new restaurant. “We are very much trying to create a space for book launches and little events—a place for the community to gather.”

Anais is located at 196 Bergen Street, corner of Bond Street, 718-513-9176. Opening hours are is 5-12 weeknights, 5-2 weekends.