Chef Jose Salazar's Moroccan-Inspired Wine Bar Safi to Open This Weekend

Cincinnati chef Jose Salazar has set an opening date for his highly-anticipated Moroccan-inspired wine bar, Safi.

Salazar’s newest concept will open at noon on Saturday, June 1.

Salazar operated his self-named restaurant at 1401 Republic St. in Over-the-Rhine for 10 years before announcing at the end of last year that he and his wife, Ann, would be moving the restaurant into a bigger location. They said they would keep the original Salazar space and introduce a new concept there.

The idea for Safi came after Salazar and his wife traveled to Morocco last summer. After returning, they wanted to bring back some of that experience to Cincinnati.

“As I’ve said before, it’s bittersweet to be opening Safi in the same space that housed Salazar for a decade,” Salazar said in a press release. “However, we are super excited at the prospect of another successful business. The neighborhood has been vocal in sharing our excitement and we can’t wait to host everyone in this brand-new space.”

Safi will have a laid-back atmosphere, with a menu that’s approachable, but still offers some “fancier” dishes, as well as small plates. The menu features dishes like chicken pastilla cigars; slow-cooked lamb shank tagine with made-from-scratch Israeli couscous; an eggplant and tomato compote called Zalouk; and Briwat, a Moroccan almond pastry.

One of the most unique items on the menu will be a caviar “bump” — a trendy way to eat caviar where you put a dollop of sturgeon roe on the back of your hand and eat it all at once. Caviar bumps will be served on a mother of pearl spoon with half a glass of champagne.

Salazar says Safi will also be a spot where you can stop for a nightcap or a glass of wine, offering patrons a spot to sit at the bar, at a proper table inside or on a couch outside. Mediterranean wines will be the focus of the wine list, which will feature bottles from countries like Italy, Greece, Spain, France, Lebanon and Morocco. There will be cocktails and beer, as well as non-alcoholic options like espresso, Moroccan mint tea service and NA beer, wine and cocktails.

Cincinnati firm INDIO created the new restaurant’s design, with Trade 31 managing construction. The space has a sophisticated Moroccan look, featuring moody vibes and terra cotta accents. The former Salazar restaurant mosaic tile flooring has been removed, and the bar top has been turned into tabletops.

Safi will open at 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and Sundays and at noon on Saturdays. The wine bar will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Safi, 1401 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine.