Tarcísio Costa
Sommelier, Beverage Director and "Jack of many trades"

Tarcísio Costa is quick to point out that he is, literally, a sommelier-in-training. Although Costa holds certificates from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, a highly respected London-based institute, the study of wine is an ongoing passion.

Costa's interest in wines, particularly Portuguese, goes back to his childhood in Brazil, where the habit of drinking wine was a daily dinner ritual, "an influence passed down to the family by our Portuguese and Italian ancestors." The result is a wine list that is carefully mapped out and highly educational in content.

Alfama's wine list is divided by "Vinhos Verdes", young wines, "Vinhos Brancos", whites and "Vinhos Tintos", reds, each category subdivided into different wine-producing regions in Portugal and accompanied by detailed tasting notes. Such attention to detail paid off, as the restaurant has been continuously awarded the prestigious Award of Excellence (2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004) from the Wine Spectator. But his involvement with Alfama goes way beyond the realm of wines. In addition to having developed and maintaining the award-winning wine list, Costa is also responsible for creating Alfama's signature cocktails, a showcase of creativity and of Portuguese liqueurs and spirits. In addition, Costa is also in charge of Alfama's marketing communications/public relations as well as the restaurant's web site content and development.

"It is easy to completely delve into a project when you love what you are doing," he says, "and although the work can sometimes be overwhelming, I absolutely love what I do."

Indeed Costa's energy is boundless -- whether he is walking around the dining room, passionately enticing diners with his wine suggestions, or acting as master of ceremonies on Fado nights or jumping behind the bar to prepare cocktails or giving motivational speeches to the staff -- he can be considered a "jack of many trades."

Costa holds undergraduate degrees in French Literature and Music Performance from Queens College and a Masters Degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from New York University and is fluent in French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. In addition to his involvement with Alfama, Costa holds the position of Associate Director at Nancy J. Friedman Public Relations, a Manhattan-based public relations agency specializing in hotels and destination travel.