We’re venturing into Englewood for this week’s Wine Spot Wednesday to visit the Hideaway at Nico B’s! We can’t believe this escaped our notice for so long, but we are thrilled it’s finally on our radar! After a really tough couple of weeks, I returned from a trip, dropped my bags, and we decided to head to Englewood to check it out.
Do not wait like we did to try it out! Put it on your must-visit wine spot list!
The hidden away Hideaway on Placida Road in Englewood
Quick Facts
- Location: Englewood on Placida Road
- Details: Website
- The Vibe: A hidden away little gem with a friendly staff and a carefully curated list of pours
- Food: A full menu of elevated options of small plates, salads, and entrees. The desserts are made in house and are not to be missed. Shout out for a vegetarian section on the menu…it’s small but mighty (and tasty!)
- Specialty: The Hideaway calls itself a wine bar and is actually more than that! It’s a unique blend of good food, good wine, and good service. It was casual and comfortable, and well worth the drive from Venice.
Ambiance: A Hidden Gem
The owners, Darel and Stephanie, curate both the wine list and the menu, and even offer pairing recommendations on the menu. We had the opportunity to chat briefly with Darel and enjoyed the conversation about wines and their new restaurant, opening in Wellen Park, called La Maison. (Update 6/2/26: We drove by La Maison while in Wellen Park and it’s coming right along! Can’t wait til it opens!)
Why Visit
- The food menu is interesting and the wines are thoughtfully selected to pair with the food (or enjoy on their own!)
- We love good service, and theirs did not disappoint! We had a lovely conversation with the bartender while we were there
- It’s always a positive when the owners are present and have a true passion for wine…and are happy to chat with you about it. It’s clear that’s the case here 🥂
🏝️ Our Venice Wine Spot Wednesday Experience at the Hideaway
Maybe we should keep this Hideaway hidden so that it doesn’t get overrun, but alas, we cannot because we enjoyed it so much! We had a fantastic evening and savored every detail, from the ambiance to the food to the wines. I had the Fleur du Cap Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa and really enjoyed it. It was medium bodied and differed from my beloved Napa cabs with less dark fruit and more oak and vanilla.
My partner in wine started the evening with the 2022 Barbera d’Alba from Guidobono. It was a medium bodied, semi-dry Piedmont Italian with red fruits and pepper with a hint of licorice – a pleasant glass to begin with, and one he’d happily enjoy again. He also tried the 2020 Bordeaux Superieur Cap Royal and enjoyed that glass, too. It was slightly drier than the Barbera and had more earthiness with hints of vanilla.
We enjoyed sharing the bruschetta before our entrees, and really appreciated how fresh the tomatoes were and how generous the serving size – we had plenty to bring home for my lunch the next day! My partner in wine had the tomahawk pork chop, of course, and especially loved the cooked cherries on the top. I enjoyed the gnocchi – and got to enjoy it for dinner the next evening thanks to the large portion!
🍷 Our Final Pour Wrap Up
The Hideaway is a great new addition to our favorite wine spots and we look forward to our next visit. You won’t be disappointed if you make the drive south of Venice to check it out and enjoy both the food and the wine options. And while you’re there, you might as well take home some Sassy Tarts (their locally famous bakery located 2 doors down)!
You can find other great spots in our Local Guide to Wine Spots, but if Englewood is where you like to enjoy your wine, check out these Englewood options: Chophouse 285 and Rumours Wine Bar!