Corks

"Anyone seeking housemade pasta and a sh*t ton of Italian wine should head to Corks. The Richmond wine bar also doubles as a solid Italian restaurant where you can be as chatty or anti-social as you want—staff will just as easily discuss their favorite nero d’avola with you as they would leave you to relive that embarrassing text you just sent in peace. Come here for a solo date with some amatriciana and a glass of something full-bodied, or to debrief the latest work scandals with a friend over caprese and bolognese. " - julia chen 1, patrick wong, lani conway

"Pasta and wine are a match so compatible they would undoubtedly make it to the altar on Love Is Blind. One of our favorite places to get some is Corks, a tiny spot in the Richmond with a bar and just a few tables. You’ll watch as housemade pasta is cooked to al dente perfection, and sip on something from their mostly Italian wine selection. Whether you’re here on a date or a Wednesday night catch-up with friends, get the amatriciana—it’s packed with a generous helping of guanciale, red onions, and bell peppers for a touch of sweetness. " - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez, lani conway, will kamensky

"Sit at the bar at this cozy Richmond wine and pasta spot, and you’ll see house-made fettuccine and amatriciana with generous amounts of crispy guanciale being prepared right in front of you as you sip on Italian wine. Corks is a great place to bring a friend, including one from your camp counselor days—it’s quiet enough inside that you’ll actually be able to hear them tell you about their new lanyard-making strategy, but not so quiet that you’ll want to blurt out something completely unrelated to fill the silence if there’s a conversation lull. " - julia chen 1

"When you want to get flirty over a few glasses of nero d’avola and fettuccine all’amatriciana, get to Corks. The tiny Richmond wine bar and restaurant has just a few tables, and never gets so loud that you can’t hear your date telling you about their detailed skincare routine. Aside from housemade pasta, they also have snacky plates like prosciutto and burrata and caprese salads. " - julia chen 1

"Drinking wine and eating some pasta in the presence of your own company is one of life’s greatest pleasures. You don’t have to share your noodles with anyone, and can ponder all the ways you’ll furnish your imaginary villa in the countryside in peace. One great place for this carb-y solo date is Corks. The lowkey spot in the Richmond has shelves full of Italian wine, shareable appetizers like prosciutto with burrata and caprese salads, and house-made pasta, including an excellent fettuccine all’amatriciana. It has caramelized chunks of guanciale, slick red onions, bell peppers for added sweetness, and is topped with fresh parmesan. And even though that villa might very much be an unattainable dream, the amatriciana will always be here for you." - Julia Chen