Missy Flynn and Gabriel Pryce, co-founders of iconic London eatery Rita’s Dining and New York-style sandwich shop Bodega Rita’s, are opening a pop-up bottle shop and deli in Soho.
Ahead of the opening of Rita’s Soho early next year, Bodega Rita’s Bottle Shop will take over the space at 49 Lexington Street from 11 December.
The shop will sell natural, low intervention and biodynamic wines, a range of popular Bodega Rita’s deli items, Christmas hampers, pre-mixed cocktails and gifts.
“We’re essentially squatting in our own restaurant,” said Flynn. She spoke of her and Pryce’s excitement to welcome people to the restaurant in the new year, but they couldn’t resist popping up between now and then to provide Soho dwellers with Christmas treats.
Pryce added: “It feels great to be able to share some beautiful wines, bubbles, mulled wine and a few deli bits over the festive season.”
In store, shoppers are met with the powerful aromas of Ponche de Vino Tinto, a hot Mexican red wine punch, mingling with fresh coffee sourced from sustainable East London roastery, Ozone Coffee.
On offer is the Christmas Hamper (priced at £85), which includes two bottles of wine, 500ml of the hibiscus-laced House Rita Mix, dried ancho and guajillo chile, habanero chutney, cornbread stuffing mix, and Mexican mulled wine spice kit, as well as a number of other festive treats to spice up this Christmas with a South American twist.
The pop-up also offers a number of wine bundles featuring hand picked cuvées and vintages including Anders Frederik Steen’s ‘I prefer to be where I am’ biodynamic Cabernet from Ardèche and Domaine Brand et Fils ‘La Chimere’ biodynamic Alsatian Riesling, and Domaine La Calmette Nyctalope Pet Nat, plus the newly launched Social Bubbles – a sparkling wine gifting service, with prices ranging from £20 to £90 in store or online.
Bodega Rita’s Bottle Shop will be open from 11am to 8pm on the following dates in December: Thur 10, Fri 11, Sat 12, Sun 13, Thur 17, Fri 18, Sat 19, Sun 20, Mon 21, Tue 22, Wed 23, Thur 24.
