Wine!
The best wine bars in Manhattan not only introduce new and exciting wines to connoisseurs, but make newbies feel welcome to ask questions and try new wines, which is especially important in a city as intimidating as New York. Wine bars that have a geographic focus are always more inviting; as the list more focused and easier to take in. This way, patrons and wine bar staff are able to discuss wine in terms of regional taste, and speak in a wine language that is particular to a region. The best wine bars in Manhattan also create intimacy in an otherwise fast-paced and sometimes impersonal environment.
The Bourgeois Pig
The Bourgeois Pig
The Bourgeois Pig serves only French wine, and is very passionate about its superiority. The extensive wine list boasts bottles from Beaujolais, Languedoc, the Rhone Valley and Bordeaux. Prices are more than fair at the Bourgeois Pig; they don't mark up their bottles much, and the staff is very knowledgeable about each bottle. The average price for a red wine is around $30 to $40 (2010 pricing).
The décor is mostly red, dim-lit and intimate. Fondue is a specialty here; the Bourgeois Pig offers Gruyere with Kirsch, Mozzarella, Parmesan and Romano with rosemary and thyme and Cajun aged cheddar fondues. There is also an impressive cheese menu with Belgian and French cheeses. Reservations are not accepted.
The Bourgeois Pig
111 E. 7th Street
New York, NY 10009
(212) 475-2246
bourgeoispigny.com/
Aroma Kitchen and Winebar
Aroma
Aroma's wine bar offers great specials during the week, like a "Frugal Feast" on Tuesday and Wednesday nights: a two course menu and a bottle of wine; "Social Sundays," where diners may create their own three-course meal for $25; and Mondays, a five-course tasting menu is offered for $35 with wine pairings for an extra fee.
Aroma features two private rooms that are available for party rentals, as well as a main dining room. The wine list features over 150 wines, mostly Italian, and the menu offers rustic Italian-influenced dishes like orecchiette with fennel and sausage, Sicilian meatloaf and cod ravioli.
Aroma Kitchen and Winebar
36 East 4th Street
New York, NY
(212) 375-0100
aromanyc.com/
Casa Mono
Don't miss out on Tapas and Spanish wine!
For a Spanish wine experience, visit Casa Mono, which won The Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence in 2008. Casa Mono serves Catalan food, as well as dishes from other regions of Spain, like Bacalao croquetas, duck eggs with mojama, piquillo peppers with oxtails and fried sardines.
The wine is reasonably priced, fairly small but well thought-out. It features several Tempranillos and a one-of-a-kind Verdejo.
Casa Mono
52 Irving Place
New York, NY 10003
(212) 253-2773
casamononyc.com
Tags: Casa Mono, Aroma Kitchen, Aroma Kitchen Winebar, bars Manhattan, best wine, best wine bars, Bourgeois Bourgeois