Safi Wine Bar in Over-the-Rhine is the latest from restauranteur Jose Salazar

In June of last year, local restaurant great and James Beard-award finalist Jose Salazar opened Safi Wine Bar in the former Salazar space on Republic Street in Over-the-Rhine. The concept, inspired by a recent trip to Morocco, features wine, cocktails, small plates and a warm, inviting decor.

Salazar also owns Mita’s downtown, Daylily Deli in Columbia-Tusculum and the forthcoming Salazar 2.0, which will be housed in the 8,300-square-foot space on the ground floor of 3CDC’s 101 W. Fifth St. development downtown. Safi Wine Bar, though, is unlike Salazar’s other concepts.

The small wine bar was inspired by the culture and cuisine of Morocco and can accommodate a small get together, an intimate date or a quick drink with friends. While Safi is focused on wine, the food menu has an array of small plates, including warm marinated olives, shaved duck salami and Spanish gourmet tinned sardines served with warm bread, marinated cucumber, preserved orange and hummus, the latter of which comes together in one harmonious bite.

If you’re looking for a bigger meal, the lamb tagine serves two and includes hand rolled couscous, seasonal vegetables, preserved lemon and green harissa sauce. A special celebration might call for the Kaluga caviar, served with sumac-dusted potato chips, red onions and creme fraiche. If this is too indulgent, you can order a Kaluga caviar “bump,” which comes on a small spoon and is the perfect salty bite.

For a sweet option, you can order the “briwat,” which are Moroccan almond pastries, or the truffles with dark chocolate, cinnamon and cardamom.

Though Safi is focused on wine, there are a number of cocktails available, including the Lillet Iced Tea, made with Lillet Blanc (a French aperitif), lemon, Moroccan mint tea and ginger beer; the Strait of Gibraltar, made with tequila, Aperol, lime, saffron and cinnamon; and, of course, Safi’s take on sangria with apricot liqueur, citrus and sparkling red wine.

There are also mocktails, beers, espresso from Deeper Roots and tea from Churchills Fine Teas available.

Wine wise, you are spoiled for choice, with a variety of wines including white, sparkling, red, rose and orange wines on the menu. Wine is sourced from Croatia, Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Slovenia, Lebanon, Germany and, of course, Morocco. The Azimut Brisat is a perfect choice for those new to the orange wine movement, and the Alain Graillot Syrocco is a must-try Syrah from Morocco. If you’re really enjoying your chosen wine, all bottles are available to-go at 60% off the list price.

Safi Wine Bar, 1401 Republic St., Over-the- Rhine. W-Th 5-11 p.m., F 5 p.m.-midnight, Sa noon-midnight, Su noon-9 p.m., M-Tu closed. safiwinebar.com.