A Wine Bar Offering Small Plates, Unwind, Opens in Tarzana

Longtime restaurant pro Chad Scarmozzino replaces Peasant Wine Bistro with Unwind in Tarzana, bringing back original Peasant chef Marcel Vinson.

Peasant Wine Bistro returned to the Boulevard earlier this year but couldn’t make version 2.0 work in their tucked-away Tarzana location. Unwind, a new wine bar from longtime hospitality pro Chad Scarmozzino, now makes its attempt to cultivate a following in the location.

Chad previously managed Marmalade Cafe in Sherman Oaks and brought back original Peasant chef Marcel Vinson to prepare “gourmet food from around the globe.” Now they’re promoting a menu that’s gone “back to basics,” including shared plates, salads, pizzas, burgers and three whimsical categories: Flying (chicken), Swimming (fish and mussels) and Running (beef and lamb).

Noteworthy shared plates include deviled eggs drizzled with pesto olive oil and balsamic glaze and topped with prosciutto; and Buffalo wings slow-cooked until tender in duck fat, slathered with spicy tomato sauce and plated with creamy house-made coleslaw.

If you’re looking to escalate matters from bar bites to a full meal, consider linguine with clams sautéed with pancetta, English peas, chili flakes and shaved Parmesan in a white wine clam broth. Compelling grilled lamb chops come dressed with grain mustard and herbs and plated with English peas and creamy Parmesan risotto. If you lean toward Swim, consider pan-seared striped bass with Beluga lentils, cherry tomatoes and asparagus tips in coconut curry shrimp broth.

To drink, Unwind has assembled a tight, 32-bottle menu of wines grouped into categories like Champagne, Worldly Whites and Cabernet Sauvignon, most available by the glass. A sommelier is on the floor to help suggest pairings or just a glass that suits your tastes.

The space features a planter-lined patio strung with lights and interior with exposed wood rafters, reclaimed wood walls, L-shaped bar and grey cushioned banquette seats. Unwind offers daily happy hours from 4 to 7 p.m. and from 9:30 p.m. to close. Expect discounted dishes, wines, beers and soju-based cocktails available for $4 to $8.

19100 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, 818-599-6911