Italian wine bar Basso Cicchetti e Specialita opens in Greenport

Greenport's newest eatery is Basso Cicchetti e Specialita, a wine bar-delicatessen that has taken up residence in the town's rejuvenated Stirling Square. (Due to open later this summer is American Beech, which takes over the space that was Keith Luce's Main and, before that, North Fork Oyster Co.)

"Cicchetti" (pronounced chih-KET-tee) is the Venetian word for the little snacks consumed with wine and, in fact, a leisurely snack with a glass of wine is the main event here. Owner Nick DeCillis serves about eight wines by the glass, most of them Italian (glasses are $9 to $12; bottles, $30 to $40). Nibble on Italian prosciutto, sopressata or coppa, or try the jamon serrano from Spain, or American salumi from La Quercia in Iowa or Fortuna's in Vermont -- all of which are cut to order on the shop's gleaming Berkel slicer.

Basso also sells a small but well-chosen selection of dried pasta, olive oil, canned fish and jarred peppers which, DeCillis said, are popular among the sailors (and yachters) moored at Greenport harbor.

Basso Cicchetti e Specialita is at 300C Main St., Greenport, 631-333-2175.