Kate and Chris Peters, owners of Sisu Bar Bottles in Little Italy—one of my new favorite spots—met working in the hospitality industry in Philadelphia. As we sat and got to know each other a little bit better for this piece, all three of us agreed that Philadelphia is a great city that also re minds us a bit of Baltimore. Don’t you love Philly? Unpretentious, cool without trying too hard. That’s definitely how I would describe Sisu. Why have I gravitated toward Sisu? First, at its core, it’s a neighborhood bar. They have lots of regulars. But as a new guest, they welcome and engage with you so genuinely. Second, their approach to wine is so down to earth. (I joked that they like non-somm somms.) They want you to discover and enjoy wines that you will love. They meet you where you are and don’t speak down to you or make you feel intimidated or uneducated. I LOVE THIS. And at Sisu, they also offer excellent beers and well made cocktails. For food, it’s more like a place you’d go before or after dinner somewhere, so know that going in. However, a few months ago a friend and I went to Sisu and had charcuterie and snackies and left full – not like toooo full, actually, perfectly full.After working together in both Philly and State College,Kate and Chris fell in love with Baltimore while traveling between Philadelphia and Washington, DC, where Chris has family. And a regular customer at the restaurant where they worked together did a lot of business in Baltimore and asked if he could show them some properties, specifically in Little Italy. After one deal fell through, they found their current location on High Street, the former home of Joe Benny’s. (Joe has since reopened across the street from Sisu.) Handy former contractor Chris renovated the space, while Kate stayed up in State College working. The name Sisu actually came from the experience of dealing with the Baltimore City government on the various permitting and other challenges that come with opening a new place. If you or anyone you love has opened a business in Baltimore City, you can surely agree that Sisu – a Finnish word that translates to “stoic determination and tenacity of purpose” – is quite spot on.As we sat and chatted, I asked Chris and Kate what they’re most proud of and what’s their favorite thing about their place. Kate said, “I’m really proud of how far we’ve pushed through our personal boundaries. I honestly never thought this could happen or how it could’ve turned out so well for us”. Chris: “I love introducing people to something new. Like, pouring someone a glass of Bulgarian wine. They’re like, what? And, that’s so much fun.” Sisu IS so much fun – I hope you enjoy Chris and Kate’s answers to my 13 questions and that you make it to Sisu very soon. You will love it. Chris: Cake or pie? And, what kind?Funfetti because if you’re going to have a dessert why not feel like a kid! The entrance to Sisu Bar Bottles in Little Italy. Your most prized possession?A pocket knife from my dad. What’s your favorite thing to order out at restaurants?Something with real spice on it. What’s your favorite thing to cook at home?Whatever Kate cooks. What is your morning beverage and how do you take it?Underberg. Better than coffee. What’s your personal motto?Do what’s right. What is your favorite holiday and why?Arbor Day because we could all use a little more nature in our lives. A charcuterie plate from Sisu Bar Bottles. Photo credit: Chris Franzoni / @eatmorebemore. Best advice you were ever given? And from whom?Don’t open a business you can’t do every part of — from Andy Dickerson, a chef I worked with for 20 years. What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?Making others feel like our bar is a home. The last text you sent?To a wine rep discussing what time we should start tasting Burgundy. What is your idea of perfect happiness?On a balcony in Bermuda. What do you love most about food?The feeling that cured meat in my tummy gives me. Your favorite place in Baltimore?Sitting looking at the harbor from almost any vantage point. Kate: Cake or pie? And, what kind?Blue cheese with a glass of Oloroso. I’m all about the savory.  Your most prized possession?My dogs and their ability to give me an instant boost of serotonin. Bottles sit on the doorstep outside the entrance to Sisu Bar Bottles in Little Italy. What’s your favorite thing to order out at restaurants?It depends on where we are going. We do have a rule when we travel, we always have to go somewhere and get a classic cheese pizza. It’s fun to see how dough and sauce can differ depending on MANY factors. The best pizza we’ve agreed on so far… from Guadalajara, Mexico!  What’s your favorite thing to cook at home?Tacos. We eat them for lunch at least 3 times a week. It’s so easy to make different each time. What is your morning beverage and how do you take it?Black coffee or tea, it’s got to be bitter!  What’s your personal motto?“We aren’t saving lives, we’re just serving fries.” — my old boss Curtis. We’d be in the service industry trenches and everyone would be losing it and he’d come in calm, cool collected walking through the restaurant repeating this.  What is your favorite holiday and why?Christmas, It’s the one holiday we actually still consider shutting down for to enjoy it ourselves… well maybe not this past year.  Cheeses from Sisu Bar Bottles. Best advice you were ever given? And from whom?I think I agree with Chris on this. Lots of good advice from Andy, but this is so true to what we do at Sisu.   What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?Sisu! Ten years ago I never would’ve thought this could happen, a pipe dream… yes. But we actually made it happen. It helped me learn that sometimes getting a little uncomfortable can get you to where you really want to be and it’s worth taking the risks.   The last text you sent?To my grandma! “Good! Thanks for coming, love you, too!” What is your idea of perfect happiness?No debt. What do you love most about food?That it pairs well with wine. Your favorite place in Baltimore?A hard question but where do I find myself alone most of my Monday nights off.. Costiera.  A great culinary and beverage experience AND open on a Monday, let alone a few short blocks from my bed.   ...read more read less