WORK • Tuesday Routine
LIZ NICHOLSON • owner / buyer • Della’s & Frankly Wines
Neighborhood you work in: Tribeca
Neighborhood you live in: Battery Park City
It’s Tuesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I run/own a wine store, Frankly Wines, and a wine bar, Della's, both of which are located in the same building. The shop was purchased from the original owner, Christy Frank, in 2017. Two years later, we expanded into the neighboring retail space, and after encouragement from neighbors, opened Della’s in 2022. Della’s is very cozy (just 17 seats) and has a small food program that’s more or less been run by myself and a couple of cooks. The aim of the bar is to feel like you’re having dinner at your grandmother's kitchen table, assuming your grandma is Italian and has over 20 wines open to enjoy.
Tuesday is almost always our biggest food delivery day of the week at Della’s. Truthfully, Monday is the more consequential day for me, as that’s when I take in the status of inventory in both spots and start to plan out the orders for the week. Fortunately, I don’t have to be on-site to physically receive things, so I usually use Tuesday morning to answer emails and organize the week. It’s far easier to do all that from home, because once I’m physically on site, I get pulled in a million directions, and dedicated computer time is hard to count on. By the afternoon I’m there, confirming that all orders came in correctly, and I’m checking in with the kitchen that they’re on top of prep. Then, it’s back to the shop to help in the rush.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I’m lucky to have worked with many talented people over the years who are doing amazing things, so my list is largely built around seeing what these friends have brought to life. I just made it to Leon's by Union Square and must go back to explore more of the daytime menu. I also finally stopped in to see the new Marc Forgione space here in Tribeca and had a proper bar meal (like I used to, at the old location). I'm headed to Coqodaq this weekend with some out-of-towners, and I know they’re going to absolutely love it! We’re hoping to pop in at Kru in Williamsburg at some point as well.
Other Brooklyn destinations would include Popina, my regular stop for a bowl of pasta and a delicious glass of whatever James has open, or Theodora, another former colleague’s restaurant that I somehow still haven’t made it to, though I vow to amend. Finally, because I’m a pizza queen, Emmett’s in Soho. I love a thin crispy pie, and the tavern cut (as well as the correctly made sausage topping) takes me back to my childhood.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
A Mansur Gavriel bucket bag I bought in Sag Harbor. It's so chic and versatile, and can be casual or a little dressy.