Raoul Segarra
General Manager

Raoul Segarra studied chemistry and anthropology before finding his true calling: wine. Weekends spent in the Hudson Valley, sipping cider while his parents enjoyed a glass of young Millbrook Winery cabernet franc, may very well have triggered his passion.

He began his career in 1997 and advanced from bartender to cellar rat to assistant sommelier, working at Keens, Judson Grill, and Jean- Georges, under the direction of great sommeliers-mentors who noticed and nurtured his talent. In 2004, he joined the Beanstalk Group (The Red Cat, The Mermaid Inn, The Harrison, Pace) as Wine and Beverage Director, where his creativity and bargain hunting skills were put to work. "I love finding a lesser known region or wine at a great price," states Segarra. "Although I love Chateauneuf-du-Pape, I don't always feel like spending that much. Instead, I'll get a Corbières or Lirac, and enjoy it even more!" Raoul brings his philosophy to the wine list at North Square, which features 100 wines from 15 countries, 65 priced at less than $50.

A great educator, (he has been leading classes for the American Sommelier Society since 2002), Raoul loves sharing his knowledge with his staff and his clients, without the pretension that is often associated with wine geeks. He adds, "North Square's cuisine is simple, based on the freshest ingredients, turned into delicious, eclectic dishes. Wines need to complement, not overpower or mask the mastery of Chef Cruz. This is a really fun challenge for a sommelier."