DEAR ANNIE

we’re conveniently located on mass ave in cambridge, between harvard + porter squares. metered parking is available on mass ave. we’re also a 5-minute walk from the porter square T station, a 15-minute walk from the harvard square T station, or a 2-minute walk from the 77 bus stop at exeter park.

ABOUT OUR SERVICE FEES:

OPENING A WINE BAR IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC WAS NOT OUR PLAN.

BUT IT’S WHAT THE WORLD THREW AT US. WHEN WE FINALLY OPENED OUR DOORS, TWO YEARS (AND SEVERAL SHUTDOWNS) LATE, OUR IDEAS ABOUT HOSPITALITY HAD EVOLVED QUITE A BIT. WHILE WE BELIEVE THERE’S ROOM FOR MANY DIFFERENT SERVICE MODELS IN OUR INDUSTRY, WE KNEW WHAT FELT RIGHT FOR US—A EUROPEAN-STYLE (OR PUB-STYLE) MODEL, WHICH WE FEEL CUTS DOWN ON WASTE, PROVIDES OUR TEAM WITH A COMFORTABLE DYNAMIC, AND CULTIVATES THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY WE CRAVED AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF SEPARATION.

WE’VE JOINED A GROWING GROUP OF BARS + RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE DECIDED TO OPERATE WITH A “SERVICE INCLUDED” MODEL. WE NOW INCLUDE A 3% KITCHEN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE AND A 20% SERVICE ADMINISTRATION FEE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

SIMPLY, WHEN YOU GET YOUR CHECK, YOU DON’T NEED TO ADD GRATUITY (UNLESS YOU’D LIKE TO LEAVE MORE). IN MORE DETAILED TERMS, WE’RE RECOGNIZING THE MEANING AND VALUE OF THE WORK OUR ENTIRE TEAM PUTS INTO THIS SPACE EVERY DAY. FROM THE FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS TO THE MUSIC, TO THE DECADES OF TRAINING + EDUCATION, TO THE COOKING, BAKING, SOURCING + FARM VISITS, TO THE YEARS OF RELATIONSHIPS WE’VE WORKED TO BUILD TO OFFER YOU THE SELECTION OF FINE + RARE WINES WE SCOUT, OUR SKILLS HAVE VALUE. THESE FEES ENSURE THAT EVERY PERSON WHO SPENDS THEIR DAYS HERE IS COMPENSATED FAIRLY FOR THE LOVE THEY PUT INTO THEIR LABOR. WE COULD JUST RAISE OUR PRICES, BUT WE FEEL THE SERVICE FEE IS A MORE TRANSPARENT WAY TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND RECORD THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS WITHIN OUR BUSINESS.

HOW DOES THAT WORK WITH THE HYBRID STYLE OF BAR SERVICE YOU OFFER?

WE’RE STILL HERE FOR YOU! WE’D LOVE TO DIVE DEEP INTO THE WINE YOU’RE TASTING, HELP YOU BUILD A MEAL OF OUR FAVORITE SEASONAL DISHES, TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE WOMAN WHO MAKES THE CHEESE ON YOUR CHEESE PLATE, GRAB YOU ANOTHER GLASS, BRING YOUR FOOD TO YOU, CLEAR YOUR PLATES AND GLASSES AWAY, CHITCHAT ABOUT THAT INGREDIENT YOU JUST CAN’T PUT YOUR FINGER ON, AND CLEAN UP AFTER YOU WHEN YOU GO. WE’RE STILL BRINGING DECADES OF HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE TO YOUR EVENING, ALONG WITH A TEAM OF SOMMELIERS TO GUIDE YOU THROUGH OUR SELECTIONS. YOU MOSTLY JUST GET TO SIT DOWN AND RELAX WITH YOUR COMPANIONS WITHOUT US BOTHERING YOU EVERY 15 MINUTES ABOUT WATER. IF YOU DROP YOUR FORK, YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO BRING YOU A NEW ONE. OTHER THAN THAT, IT’S THE SAME AS ANY PLACE RUN BY A SMALL TEAM OF VERY PASSIONATE PEOPLE.

WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO PAY THE FEE?

PLEASE LET US KNOW—WE’D BE HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU.