bahr ché

Last week, I received an invite to bahr ché on Astor Place, from the wine bar’s PR rep.  And since Caitlin and I had planned a glass post-yoga, we walked south in bliss to Gwathmey Siegel’s curvilinear glass structure, stuck tall in the sky in a brick/stone hood.  Teetering at the edge of the East Village, but not quite in, the entrance to bahr ché sits hidden behind Chase Bank, just a pip’s throw away from the entrance to the train.

Read Full Post »

Veritas

Last week, Suzanne and I dropped in at Veritas, down the street from Moore Brothers on East 22nd Street, to sit at the bar for a couple of by-the-glass wines.  And while the bar menu is sweet–the Charred Bread, Honey Truffle Ricotta is divine–we were less drawn to the ten or so glasses of red and white wines on the list, because the cocktail menu, and its bottled ingredients behind the counter, were more compelling to us than this.

Read Full Post »

EATALY

The other night, Caitlin and I met at Eataly for a few glasses of wine in the belly of the octopus.  At a marble, elbow height table, we stood amongst shoppers, imbibers, and consumers of cheese and charcuterie, talking a thousand words a minute because there was much catching up.  At the crossroads of 23rd and 5th, Eataly is an Italian haven for all things delectable–a one-stop spot where one can shop and drink!  A welcome upgrade to the likes of Whole Foods and Fairway, where shopping always drives me to drink (never mind the Fine Fare downstairs, which is enough to drive your mother to a life of crime).  And since Eataly is such a visual delight, I thought it best to share the experience with a bit of imagery…

Read Full Post »

Barcibo Enoteca

After meeting, and quickly getting squeezed out of Lawrence Bondulich’s Bin 71, on a Thursday night, Suzanne and I walked south to Barcibo Enoteca, Bondulich’s wine bar/Italian restaurant on Broadway and 69th.  Tucked away beneath a layer of scaffolding, Barcibo Enoteca is an easy one to miss.  The front room full of high tables and stools is warm with walls of brick, and dimly lit…but only if you overlook the flat screen TV that hovers bright above the six seat bar.  The televised sporting events weren’t the only elements that gave the bar a neighborhood feel; with this, one could consider the post-collegiate crowd, after work and casually attired, the small groups and dates. 

Read Full Post »

Clo Wine Bar

On Wednesday, I met Lee and Jenn at Clo–the three month old wine bar, located in the Time Warner Building.  A small space partitioned in the “mallway” just outside of Per Se, Clo offers spectacular views of Columbus Circle and innovative ways to order wine.  And while the rotating 100 bottle selection aims to pleasure a variety of taste buds, the price list caters to bankrolled boozers or to the curious, out to sample a couple of artisanal wines.  To quote Lee on this matter: “For professionals like us, it’s probably cost $2,000 to get drunk here.”

Read Full Post »

Pierre Loti Wine Bar

Named for the 19th century, world wanderer and writer, Pierre Loti, this New York locale (at 17th Street and Irving Place) offers a rotating selection of wines.  Last night, Cathy and I were fortunate enough to experience a menu that offered just what we needed to study for our IWC exam–tasting flights that included four 2-oz. pours for $18–and a healthy selection of Old and New World wines.

Read Full Post »

Xai Xai-South African Wine Bar

Last night at dusk I slipped into Xai Xai on West 51st–a dim lit wood centric South African wine bar.  At six, the small bar was nearly full, but the tables were empty.  I sat by the window without a draft, in warm light that was readily absorbed by a dark slate floor.  With brick and textured walls, high ceilings, wood rafters, enchanting tunes, and beautiful cypress logs- ancient and stripped of bark-as columns on the floor, the space was a warm reprieve from the midtown autumn chill outdoors.

Read Full Post »

Vinovino, A Tribeca Enoteca

After scoring a sweet pair of boots at Century 21, I headed up West Broadway to Franklin, where I found the  Vinovino Wine Bar Wine Shop.  At a few minutes past five, I practically had the place to myself.  By the time I left at around seven, the bar was a little livelier, but far from packed.  Perhaps the downtown crowd had lost its heel, in the face of this week’s financial crash.  Or maybe Vinovino is somehow off the beaten track…

Read Full Post »

Presidential Debate at Harlem’s Nectar Wine Bar

Tonight, Friday, September 26, 2008 is the first Presidential Debate between Senators Obama & McCain during this historic election season.  Come to Nectar to watch and discuss this meaningful event as it unfolds while enjoying wine, cheese, and charcuterie.

Nectar will be donating a portion of the evening’s sales to the Obama/Biden campaign.  We hope to see you tonight!!!

Nectar Wine Bar

2235 Frederick Douglass Boulevard

b/w 120th & 121st Streets

PH: 212-961-9622

Read Full Post »

Casellula Wine & Cheese Bar

At six o’clock on Thursday, Casellula Wine and Cheese Bar was full beyond capacity with members of the button-down after work crowd.  After putting our name on a list and leaving for a drink elsewhere, Farrel, Ellen, and I returned when called by the host, and were promptly sat.  Within the first ten minutes, I perused their extensive wine list and quickly learned that the staff at Casellula does not take the cheese element of their wine bar lightly.

Read Full Post »