Happy New Year & Vintry Wine & Whisky

Ok, ok, so we haven’t blogged in ages; apparently since May 2009 in fact. Before you go all ‘east coast’ on us, please bear in mind that 2009 was a busy year for the Drink the Good Stuff bloggers. We opened up our retail shop, specializing in California wines, in the Financial District of Manhattan just a scant 13 months ago. Having just survived our first real holiday season, we are now moving in to the doldrums of January. With new years’ come new intentions and we are sincerely, definitely, maybe going to keep blogging on a regular basis – starting………… NOW!

Few wine related bars or restaurants impress us all that much anymore so we have to give a shout out to the folks at Vintry Wine & Whisky. This bar recently opened on Stone Street amongst a sea of beer bars, Swedish meatballs, and 5 dollar foot longs. Needless to say, it is an enormously welcome addition to the neighborhood and we have fast become regular clientele.

Vintry pretty much gets everything right. The atmosphere is an oasis of calm and sophistication without being fussy or overdone. It’s comfortable and fun and the tunes will have you jolting from Frankie Blue Eyes to Led Zeppelin, to The Killers in a matter of minutes. In a good way. The wait staff is knowledgeable and super friendly and they seem to keep their calm even on the busiest of evenings.

The small plates of food are delicious, even if you are ‘over’ small plates. The menu offers tastes of high quality, well-made food that pairs well with the wine and whisky menu (we’ll get to that in a minute.) Our current faves are the sheep milk ricotta gnocchi & lamb ragu (heavenly little pillows of goodness) and the veal meatballs. The pan seared ribeye is not bad either, which is not surprising considering the family association with Harry’s Steak.

Speaking of Harry, many of the wines come from his cellar, which means you can get amazing vintage stuff from Burgundy, Bordeaux ― you name it ― all in superior condition. The list of wines is deep and varied and can keep you busy for hours. Not that we would know. The only thing we can find lacking is any substantial representation of good California wines on the list. That said, we are considerably more picky that most in that area. And it is OUR area, so stay out of it! ;)

The whisky list may be even more impressive. Bourbon, Scotch, Irish Whisky, Japanese Whisky, you name it they’ve got it. We’ve discovered more than a few excellent whiskies at Vintry, including our latest favorite, the 16 Yr Scapa Single Malt Scotch Whiskey. In a word, “wow!”

All in all, we have always had a positive experience at Vintry and we think you will too.

Vintry Wine & Whisky

57 Stone Street

(212) 480-9800

Giving 'Flights' A Whole New Meaning at JFK

If you are a frequent flier in to or out of JFK airport, get ready for a much more refined experience. A wine bar, Vino Volo, has just opened in American Airlines Terminal 8.

Although Vino Girl has yet to visit Vino Volo, I hear that it is every bit the swank wine bar that you would find smack in the middle of Manhattan. The menu is replete with wines by the glass, wine flights (who could resist?) and the ever popular 'small plates'.

This is the fifth Vino Volo, an aspiring airport chain out of San Francisco, to open its doors. The first was in Dulles airport in Washington, D.C.

It’s always nice for the weary traveler to have a better option than the ubiquitous Au Bon Pain, Cinnabon or Mickey D’. And given the way airports are operating these days, your flight to San Francisco might just be your fourth or fifth 'flight' of the day!

Perhaps the frequently traveling Winemonkey will scout it our for us?

Beer & Wine – Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?

Have you ever noticed that it is very difficult to get good wine and good beer all under the same roof? It seems that all good wine bars discriminate against what they probably consider the reprehensible beer drinker and beer bars victimize the allegedly high and mighty wine drinker. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Most wine bars have a few beer selections for those patrons that do not wish to partake in the grape. The problem is that they are most often uninspiring offerings such as Stella Artois, Amstel Light and, at Italian wine bars, good old Peroni. Wine drinkers quite possibly have it worse. Go to a good beer bar that offers extensive beers on tap and a massive bottle selection and what do you find for the discriminating wine drinker? Glass of red, glass of white, take your pick. These generic “red” and white” choices are mostly horrible, barely drinkable stuff that has been sitting — open — behind the bar degenerating for days. Count me out!

This whole issue has come up before and I must say that if Winemonkey and I had the gumption to open a watering hole in NYC — living the topsy turvy life of bar owners — then we would most definitely get it right. It’s not a difficult concept: interesting wines, interesting beers, all in one place and plenty of options. However, since this is not currently our inclination, I invite (no, beg) someone to “steal” the concept and give us somewhere to hang out with all of our wine loving and beer loving friends!

Then everyone could be happy. Cheers.

Blue Ribbon Downing Street Wine Bar

There has been much hype of late about the opening of the Blue Ribbon Downing Street Wine Bar (can you have a longer name for a smaller place?) this past week in NYC. The bar happens to be on my block in the West Village (right down the street from Blue Ribbon Bakery) and I have been anxiously awaiting its arrival for going on 6 months now. I am not privy to the issues that may or may not have taken place while constructing the tiny, almost perfectly square space but I will say that I have seen at least one other business move out of location, put a "for lease" sign up in the window, find a tenant and have a grand opening in the time that it took for this miniscule spot to paint the exterior. That said it is beautifully done both inside and out, right down to the light wood chosen for the walls, the raw lighting and the completely hidden entrance to the restroom.

I stopped in on Valentine's Day eve, the second night the bar was "unofficially open" (the kitchen is not completely done yet) to see what I have to look forward to. The bar was predictably packed and the windows fogged over, giving the place an air of anonymity. Perhaps that is why Julianna Margolis and her youngish male companion looked so contented sitting amongst a crowd of unmoved Manhattanites at the bar. The staff was extremely welcoming and the wine list, although there was a little too much commotion for me to dig into it, looked like it had a lot of decent options. The small plates, some recognizable from other Blue Ribbon menus and some new, seem the perfect accompaniment to the list.

This is honestly one of the smallest spaces I have ever seen in New York (which is saying something) and I “worry” that, although I live practically across the street, I will be unable to score the aptly name "Gold Coast" bar po by the windows. Further more, will I ever be in the mood to cram myself in to the congested space simply for a glass of wine and a toast point? I hope it doesn’t come to that but I suppose I am doing myself a disservice by blogging about it in the first place. Well, I can always head across the street at 5pm when the bar opens, score myself a bar stool and let people pack themselves in around me. Now that’s more like it!

Blue Ribbon Downing Street Wine Bar
34 Downing St., New York (btwn Bedford & Varick)
212-691-0404
5pm – 2am

Wine Bar NYC - Park Blue

The semi-regular juice on New York City’s growing wine bar scene

Park Blue
Midtown West
158 West 58th Street bet. 6th and 7th Aves.
(212) 247-2727
Hours: Monday through Tuesday 5pm-2am, Wednesday through Saturday 5pm-3am (really 4am)

New York has seen the rise of the half bottle in wine bars around town. It is a format that we enjoy quite a bit since you can try twice as many wines for about the same price. One particular wine bar of note is the late night lounge Park Blue located across from the back of the Essex House.

This classy little haunt is located incredibly close to our offices and as such we have been enjoying its food and wine since it opened last year. Unfortunately, it's been a while since we've been there since we are notorious for spending way too much money and having far too good a time (especially on a weeknight.) Luckily for you, owner Fonda Tsironis has been able to maintain the place in our absence.

With over 100 different labels, the bar has an interesting and eclectic selection of only half bottles from excellent and sometimes culty producers. Fonda is a true wine lover and does not fill his list with plonk. In fact, if you are a true wine geek (like us) ask if he has any interesting "off the list" selections-- and if he does, grab them before they're gone. Now your pocketbook might smart from all the wines you taste (it's amazing that some people are put off by a $50 bottle but are happy to purchase a bunch of $30 half bottles) so we recommend going the whole distance and stuffing your gullet full of food from Eric Simeon's kitchen. His small plates, while a touch pricey, are worth every penny. Our call is to wait until after 11pm to get a hold of his decandent Lobster Eggs Benedict (pictured.)

The bar's location and grown-up demeanor make it a good choice for an after work rendezvous and New York foodies should already know this is where hoi poloi can mingle late night with the midtown restaurant scene as chefs pile in when each of their respective establishments close.

So kick back, listen to the jazz and order another (half) bottle.

Wine Bar Quest - Bin 71

The semi-regular juice on New York City’s growing wine bar scene

Bin 71
Upper West Side
237 Columbus Ave. between 70th and 71st St.
Hours: Mon-Tue, 5pm-2am; Wed-Sun, noon-2am

Is the Upper West Side morphing into “wine central” New York City? That is a question we asked ourselves over lunch at the tiny wine bar, Bin 71, the other day.

There seems to be wine stores and wine bars popping up every other week in the land of Fairway shoppers and Bugaboo strollers. What gives? Well, although the postage stamp sized bar was not filled to capacity on this particular, incredibly rainy Wednesday afternoon, it seems that it is bursting with revelers trying to grab a spot at the u-shaped marble topped bar every evening of the week. Suffice to say, the UWS is ripe for anything grape these days.

The good news is that Bin 71 is a cozy yet sophisticated place to taste wine and experience the Italian cooking of the owner’s father, who is apparently the one making your meatballs in the tiny basement kitchen. There is a nice sized list of by-the-glass pours as well as a long one-page list of wines by the bottle. The list is interesting if not extensive and includes wines from around the world with an emphasis on Spain, France, Italy and the U.S. The bartenders are very familiar with everything on the list if you need some help deciding. In fact, everyone we met at Bin 71, including the proprieter, Lawrence Bondulich, was very cheerful and accommodating.

The bad news is that I have spoken to folks who live on the Upper West Side and, although they share my enthusiasm for Bin 71, they rarely make an attempt to go because it is always so crowded. Patience, my friends, patience. A little bird told us that Lawrence is soon to open another wine joint in the hood in the not so distant future.

As far as ordering wine, we would recommend staying away from the 2004 Coturri Grenache from Mendocino. We chose it because red wine seemed the best choice on such a damp day, Grenache is something different that we usually drink, and Coturri has a pretty good name in California. The wine is made with no sulfites and natural yeast and it just tasted funky (not really sure if one has anything to do with the other.) The wine had some good earth on the nose but the palate was tart and the fruit tasted a bit cooked. Perhaps it was an off bottle but we wouldn’t go there again regardless. Incidentally, the wine retails for about $25 and is on the Bin 71 list for $44 – not a bad markup, believe it or not.)

As an aside, there is a flat screen television (not something you find in most wine bars) if you want to catch the game!

Wine Bar Quest - Bar Carrera

The semi-regular juice on New York City’s growing wine bar scene

BAR CARRERA
East Village
175 2nd Ave (at 11th Street)

Bar Carerra is Spanish. This fact alone should make you want to grab your amigos and head on down to the East Village – rapidamente! I say this because although there are plenty of tapas bars in NYC there are not many authentic Basque wine bars around town.

My impression is that Bar Carerra’s owners put a lot of thought into making the experience authentic from the gracious atmosphere, tiled walls and distinctive wine list to the simple tapas preparations. The décor is austere but not as clinically so as it’s next door neighbor Bar Veloce. Oddly enough, both wine bars are run by the same proprietor. With a name like Frederick Twomey I suspect he is neither Italian or Spanish but from the looks of both places I think he has a better handle on the Spanish bar scene (I have not been to many wine bars in Italy where they serve you Montepulciano in a lab coat!)

While the bar does not go so far as transport you to the Basque resort town of San Sebastian, it is a worthy escape from the ale houses and cowboy bars that litter the surrounding East Village. The bar is minute in size, so not a good place for a big group but for a nice glass of wine and a snack before dinner or a leisurely and convivial evening of wine and tapas the place cannot be beat.

In short, if you are looking for more casual Spanish vibe and less Patatas Bravas, Bar Carrera is the place for you. Salud!

Wine Bar Quest - Peasant Wine Bar

The semi-regular juice on New York City’s growing wine bar scene

PEASANT WINE BAR
AKA Cantina 194
Nolita
194 Elizabeth Street, between Prince & Spring

Perhaps Peasant figured out that being coy and calling their terrific little wine bar ‘Cantina 194’ after the address of the restaurant was not the best way to use their reputation to attract customers. At any rate, the bar is now referred to simply as Peasant Wine Bar.

The bar is located directly underneath the restaurant and you enter by following the stairs to the right of Peasant’s doorway. Although it may look like you are on your way to an abandoned basement, a warm and friendly atmosphere awaits you through the door at the bottom of the steps. The feel is ‘Italian Enoteca’ with communal tables, brick walls, non-scented white candles and a simple menu of no fuss foods. Although I must admit to being sick of all decent wine bars in NYC being Italian wine bars this one has the formula down right.

The perfect place to tuck in with a friend for a quick bite and a glass of wine, Peasant Wine Bar is also a great spot to settle in with a group and share a few bottles paired with cheeses, Italian cured meats and possibly a panini or two. The Italian wine list has some interesting selections and the descriptions provided should help even a wine novice navigate their way past the Prosecco and Chianti Classico.

PWB seems to be a popular spot for locals in the ‘hood but we think it’s worth a trip from anywhere in the City. Just grab the N/R to Prince Street or the 6 to Spring and raise a glass -- you won't get the 'boot' until 2 or 3am.

Taste & Take Away in NYC

If you live in New York City you know that wine bars seem to be popping up faster than you can hail a cab these days. The concept of an authentic wine bar first entered my wine loving conscious in Italy. I can still remember sitting in an unassuming little wine bar just across the Arno in Florence called L'Volpe eL'Uva. It was perfect. Just a counter and some stools, a simple selection of bruschetta, cured meats and cheeses, and a great selection of wines, all of which were also for sale to take away. Besides the fact that the setting was ultra relaxed and the owners exceedingly friendly and helpful, the place was unique in that if you liked what you tasted, you could walk out the door with it (well, after you paid for it) and drink it with dinner. Perfetto!

While the ‘wine for sale off-premise’ concept is a bit more difficult to get around in NYC wine bars (damn blue laws) there are two new wine bars that have taken the notion and run with it.

VinoVino
This relatively new wine bar in Tribeca has two distinct entrances (the requirement for wine bars/retail stores in NY) but the place looks like one big space, a glass wall the only thing dividing the bar from the shop. VinoVino's decor is relaxed but fashionable with lots of dark wood and candles. The bar carries a decent selection of wines from various regions, mostly from lesser known producers. Choices include 10-15 selections each of dry whites and reds available by the glass or bottle, as well as a smattering of sparkling and dessert wines, sake and beer. The fact that the wines come from various regions and not just Italy is a plus to me mainly because most of the wine bars that get it right in NYC are Italian and, well, sometimes you just want some alternatives. The menu is simple -- cheeses, cured meats and pates -- and the simpler the better I say. All in all VinoVino is a great place to meet up with friends for a libation and a snack.

(Note: VinoVino also features jazz and tastings during the week but best to check out the calendar on their website and not subscribe to their e-mail newsletter until they tone it down and you can actually read beyond the design madness.)

CentoVini
CentoVini opened even more recently near the shopping madness that is Soho. The bar also has an annexed retail shop with a separate entrance. Although the wine is all Italian and the menu a little more involved, the wine selection is bigger and the food is genuinely Italian influenced. The décor is fashionably funky, as you might expect knowing that this is a joint venture between the owners of Moss design shop and I Trulli restaurant. A welcome addition to the neighborhood, Cento Vini is a comforting place to escape the insanity of Broadway during the day or to settle in after the tourists have left and enjoy a full bottle and a light dinner.