Family Risks Retirement Plan on New Little Italy Wine Bar

Owner Giuseppe Gagliano, his daughter, and chef Roberto Ciacciofera, who all hail from Sicily, were already entering a precarious situation by opening R&G Salumeria Wine Bar at the height of the pandemic; compounding the risk was the fact that Gagliano had cashed out his 401k retirement plan to fund the new business.

When R&G replaced Enoteca Style on India Street last month, the team spent even more money building a Tuscan-style heated patio to hopefully weather the dining restrictions under the purple tier, and for a few short weeks were able to offer breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner daily. Hoping to replicate a slice of Southern Italy in San Diego, their menu features Sicilian specialities including meatballs, fish tartare, and other family recipes.

With San Diego County under a new stay-at-home order and restaurant reduced to takeout and delivery, R&G has had to cut their hours to 4 to 8 p.m. Most of the menu is available to-go, including Italian salumi and cheese boards which have proved popular. To boost sales until on-site dining is allowed again, the wine bar is also doing delivery of gourmet baskets filled with wine, meat, cheese, chocolate, and other sweets.

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