DeGrassi Aperitivo Bar: Italian style and local charm

Opened in December 2021, DeGrassi Aperitivo Bar is a part of a boutique hotel that shares its name. With its beautiful ambiance and varied offerings, it attracts both visitors and locals throughout the year. Guests can choose from delicious breakfast or brunch, cocktails or wines paired with savory snacks, all served either on the incredible terrace or in the elegant interior. We explored the history, philosophy, and unique features of this popular Izola spot during an interview with Jakob J. Dolenc, director of BM21, the company that owns the hotel and aperitivo bar.

What inspired the name DeGrassi, and how is it connected to Italian culture?

The name DeGrassi was inspired by the fact that this building was once the home of the DeGrassi family, one of the three most prominent fish-product producers in the region, alongside Arrigoni and Delamaris. Izola is known for its rich fishing tradition, and we wanted to emphasize that this place is a part of that heritage. While we haven’t yet connected with the family’s descendants, we still wanted to highlight the building's historical significance.

What is the bar's philosophy, and how does it differ from others in the area?

Our guests are mainly locals, along with visitors who appreciate a pleasant ambiance and quality service. Guests often mention how much they enjoy the terrace, where they can escape the hustle and bustle of the seaside promenade. In the colder months, the beautiful interior becomes a cozy spot, and we organize musical evenings to enhance the experience.

Besides coffee, guests enjoy cocktails and local wines, with some coming specifically for our quality French wines. What sets our aperitivo bar apart is our breakfast and brunch offerings, available not just to hotel guests but to anyone seeking quality local flavors in the morning.

What are the most popular aperitivos, and what flavors can guests expect?

Our most requested aperitivo is, of course, the Aperol Spritz, but the DeGrassi Spritz—a mix of Campari and Aperol—is also very popular. We take pride in our bartenders, who craft a selection of signature cocktails that our guests truly appreciate. Non-alcoholic cocktails are gaining popularity as well. In the summer, lemonade and iced tea are favorites, while mulled wine and hot chocolate take center stage in the winter.

Do you serve any snacks to go along with the drinks? What kind of snacks are available?

A drink pairs well with a bite to eat, so we offer cold cuts, focaccia sandwiches, and cheese platters. Occasionally, we fire up the outdoor grill for special offerings. Every weekend this summer, we’ve been serving tagliata, prawns, and grilled cheese. For those with a sweet tooth, we also offer cheesecake, tiramisu, soufflés, and crepes.

Do you organize special events and themed evenings? Are they always culinary-themed?

Almost always, since it complements what we offer. Our sushi events are particularly popular, but we also host showcases of local winemakers, brewers, and restaurants. We hope to expand these to feature producers from other regions. We’re also planning to focus more on educational events, such as whiskey or rum tastings and introductions to other beverages. Additionally, we organize music events and themed evenings, like our French night, where guests can enjoy French wines, snacks, cheeses, desserts, and music. We plan to expand these offerings, as guests find them very engaging.

How does the terrace enhance the guest experience? Do you use the location to attract visitors?

Many guests have commented that our terrace is the most beautiful in Izola. We’re considering covering it, so guests can enjoy it in both the hottest and coldest months. The terrace is essential for attracting visitors, offering a wonderful ambiance for relaxing with drinks and snacks.

How does DeGrassi Aperitivo Bar adopt sustainable practices, such as using organic ingredients, recycling, or reducing waste?

We’ve followed sustainable practices from the beginning, since the reconstruction of the building, where we installed energy-saving light bulbs, a high-quality heat pump, water-saving taps, and more. We use eco-friendly cleaning products, consumables, and toilet paper, and we minimize plastic use whenever possible.

What would you say is your trademark, and how do you promote it among your visitors?

In the beautiful ambiance of our aperitivo bar, we strive to offer guests a selection of dishes and beverages that are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the palate. This is probably why locals often choose our bar for special occasions. Plus, we’re open 365 days a year.

We use social media, events, and email marketing for promotion, but word-of-mouth remains our best advertising. We aim to be trendsetters and spark interest among younger audiences as well.

You’ve been open for two years. How would you describe the guest experience, including the atmosphere, service, and menu? What feedback do you receive?

We’ve received many compliments on Google reviews. Guests frequently praise the ambiance, the friendliness of our staff, and the quality of our wine list. They’re also very pleased with our cocktails. We take feedback seriously—when our German-speaking guests mentioned they missed dark bread at breakfast, we added it to the menu.

How do you work with local producers or suppliers when selecting drinks and snacks?

We collaborate with local producers for breakfast ingredients, and we promote local wineries such as Bordon, Klenart, Zaro, Markovič, and Steras, as well as Vinakoper. We also serve local beers, including Istrian brews like Varuh and San Servolo, and this year, we added the excellent beers from Ajdov brewery Pelicon. We focus on suppliers who can provide year-round availability.

What’s your advice for guests who already visit your bar, and those who have yet to discover it but are looking for the perfect aperitif experience?

Join us for morning coffee, an afternoon after-work party, or an evening glass of wine. Bring your partner for a date, invite friends you haven’t seen in a while for cocktails, meet business partners for breakfast, or bring the kids for pancakes on a Sunday afternoon. And of course, don’t miss our events!

What are the plans for DeGrassi Aperitivo Bar, and how do you plan to further enhance your offerings and guest experience?

We plan to cover the terrace, increase the number of culinary events, organize bartender showcases, and host music events regularly throughout the year. We also want to expand our focus on educational and tasting events. As always, our aim is to be—and remain—trendsetters.

And finally, Jakob's top 5:

If I were an aperitivo, I would be a non-alcoholic cocktail.

An experience in Izola I really enjoy is Pier of Tastes.

Something I always recommend to my guests is visiting local wineries.

My favorite event in Izola is The Fishermen’s Festival.

My favorite free-time activity is riding my motorbike on winding roads.