A Conversation with Jimmy Kilimitzoglou of Enology Wine Bar & Bistro
The Architecture of Hospitality: A Masterclass at Enology Wine Bar & Bistro
In the heart of St. James, a new chapter in the storied culinary scene of Long Island is being written one glass at a time. Enology Wine Bar & Bistro is the brainchild of Jimmy Kilimitzoglou. It is far more than a simple neighborhood spot. Instead, it is a meticulously curated expression of heritage, education, and a farm to glass philosophy. Drawing on a lifetime of Greek hospitality and professional kitchen experience, Jimmy has created a space where the architecture mimics the structural beauty of a wine barrel and the wine list serves as a global passport. We had the opportunity to sit with Jimmy to discuss the story behind the bottle and why he believes surrounding yourself with experts is the ultimate secret to a successful vintage.
Enology Wine Bar & Bistro
So, why don't you introduce yourself and talk to me about what inspired you to create this very lovely wine bar here in St. James?
Sure. My name is Jimmy Kilimitzoglou. I grew up in Queens, and I come from a Greek background. My heritage and culture are very big on hospitality—we love taking care of people. My family even more so. My father had a restaurant in Brooklyn Heights that was a Greek-French fusion cuisine. My dad was a very traditional cook, and my mom was a very modern, creative cook, so I was inspired by both sides.
I worked in the restaurant and really fell in love with culinary arts. I worked as a dishwasher, then a line cook, and eventually, I was the one cooking in the back. Even though I haven’t cooked professionally for about two decades, I still love food and wine. My mom was really into wine and got me into it, so I’ve been studying wine for many years. I always wanted to have a wine bar, but not just any wine bar—it needed to have a story. High-quality wines, hospitality, quality food; it had to have a personality.
The atmosphere here is very cozy, warm, and inviting. What was it like designing this place?
As you can imagine, I like to go out and eat! Through my travels and culinary experiences, I’ve had a "wishlist," taking pictures and storing them. When I sat down with my team, they took a look at all those stories and pictures, and we put it all together. It’s a play on stone, wood, and metal—kind of like earth, wind, and fire. Bringing it all together feels like a wine barrel or a winery. Everything tells a story.
Now, we're here in St. James. Why this area? What made you decide to open a business here?
St. James has a very strong sense of community. Very nice people who care about each other and the neighborhood. They are into the finer things in life and can appreciate good food and good beverages. It’s just a perfect fit.
Long Island is famous for "farm-to-table" with so many local farms. What can someone expect to order when they walk in?
Small plates that have a lot of pride, love, and intention. They come from local, family-owned farms. Our fish is local. We build on those relationships to make sure the food tells a story and supports the wine.
Tell me about the wine, because you are a connoisseur! What are the elements of a great wine selection in a place like this?
The wine has to "audition" for me. We go through a few different wines to see what really tells the story of enology. It needs to be high quality, biodynamic, organic, and sustainable. We respect the techniques and traditions of winemaking. Is it family-owned? Is the winery in a legendary region or a lesser-known region we want to learn about? It needs to be balanced and represent the grape varietal and region well.
Do you have any favorites offered here?
My favorite would probably be the Ghost Block Zinfandel from Oakville, California. It’s bold, spicy, opinionated, jammy—and everybody loves it.
Are you planning on hosting any upcoming events?
Regarding events, we have private parties and lectures. Healthcare providers come here to talk about different topics, but we also do wine classes. A big component of enology is education. We want to share our passion and expand people's palates. Our classes usually feature six themed wines—for example, sparklers from around the world or a single varietal from different regions like Australia, France, Italy, Greece, and South Africa.
And finally, what’s it like owning your own business? What advice do you have for people with a passion project who haven't taken that step yet?
You have to be real and true to your dreams. If you build it, they will come. But you also have to be honest with yourself—realize what you’re good at and what you don't know. I surrounded myself with experts: people who have opened a hundred restaurants successfully. My chef, manager, and sommelier are all super experienced and inspired. When you surround yourself with experts, you’re bound to succeed.
Visit Enology Wine Bar & Bistro
Address
412 North Country Road
Saint James, NY 11780
Website
enologywinebar.com
Reservations
enologywinebar.com/reservations
