From Market to Tapas Bar
At Saudade, we serve Mediterranean bites made with both traditional and Southern ingredients, paired with wine, cocktails, and craft mocktails in a polished space with an adjacent specialty wine shop.
Owned and operated by longtime restaurant professionals Greg and MeLaina Mincher, Saudade evolves from their years working at La Tienda Tapas Bar. As demand for La Tienda's online retail business grew, the pair collaborated with the Harris Family to take over ownership of the restaurant portion in January 2020. When the pandemic hit, they partnered with World Central Kitchen to operate a community kitchen in Williamsburg, offering pay what-you-can meals for neighbors facing food insecurity.
Over the years, the restaurant continued to expand its role in the community through creative offerings like mocktail classes, pig roasts and special events. Now, Greg and MeLaina are stepping fully into their own vision with Saudade — pronounced "Saw-dawd" — a name drawn from a Portuguese and Galician word describing a nostalgic longing for people, places and experiences that stay with us.
That sense of memory and connection is reflected throughout the menu. Saudade will feature a mix of Mediterranean and Southern influences, shaped by MeLaina's Portuguese heritage and travels around the Mediterranean, as well as Greg's background in Southern, Spanish, French, and Israeli cuisines. Guests can expect an extensive cocktail and craft mocktail menu, wines from across the Mediterranean, and community-driven experiences like Sunday Suppers — family-style meals designed to bring people together.