So, yeah, it’s New York. Outside of a winery, what better place is there for #WineFun? I was in NYC for some #Lawyering and definitely had to get in my wine fix. In a city full of restaurants and bars, I was certainly overwhelmed with all of the choices and possibilities. It was tough but I managed. Here are some #wine (with a bit of nosh) highlights from my trip.
WHERE TO WINE
Corkbuzz
I absolutely loved this spot. Corkbuzz is a wine bar and restaurant in New York City’s Union Square.
It has a great vibe for hanging out and I stayed there way too long. The staff was excellent and was more than happy to answer any questions about the wines and let you try one out if you weren’t sure about something.
In addition to several selections by the glass (the bottle game is strong too), they also offer a handful of very interesting flights. What’s more is that all of the selections are available by the half glass so you can create your own flight. Helpful for us very opinionated wine folk. So of course, I did a little of both. The wine bar also hosts several wine events throughout the year. Too bad my trip didn’t coincide with one.
First up was a glass of Orange wine. I’d been seeing the Orange Wine phenomena for months and had yet to try one, so here was my chance. We selected the Movia Ribolla Gialla from Slovenia. You do remember when I was in Slovenia at Movia, right?
And while I’m happy I tried it, I don’t know that I would run back for more.
Island Hopper Flight. Definitely a great “trip to the island” and probably my favorite of them all.
Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko, 2016, Santorini, Greece
Cecilia Ansonica, 2014, Elba Island, Italy
Domaine Giudicelli Nielluccio, 2012, Corsica, France
Like A Boss: Laura’s Favorites Flight
Robert Barbichon Blanc de Noirs Brut, NV, Aube, Champagne
Domaine Bersan Chardonnay, 2013, Chablis, Burgundy
Nervi Nebbiolo, 2010, Piedmont, Italy
Self- Created Flight #1. I was in the mood to go to Loire apparently.
Daniel Crochet Cuvée Prestige Sauvignon Blanc, 2013, Sancerre, France
Domaine les Maisons Rouges Garance Pineau d’Aunis, 2013, Coteaux du Loir, France
COS Nero di Lupo Nero d’Avola, 2014, Sicily, Italy
Self-Created Flight #2
Barmes-Buecher Cremant d’Alsace, 2014, Alsace, France
Shinn Estate Merlot Blend, 2013, North Fork of Long Island, New York
Bodega Chacra Sin Azufre Pinot Noir, 2015, Patagonia, Argentina
And those chips! To die for! Get them!
All in all, a great spot to try many different types of wines. Just be careful as time will slide on by.
Gramercy Tavern
Gramercy Tavern in NYC’s Flatiron has apparently been around for ages. And you could tell there were loyal patrons by the number of people (including families) dining at 3pm in the afternoon. I, of course, sat at the bar and had wine. The “Tavern” part was comfy and like visiting a friend’s parlour. And I loved the colorful art murals around the bar.
Like the folks at Corkbuzz, the service was fantastic. I always love when folks can really tell me about their wines. And they always poured just a bit to make sure you really liked it first. That Tokaji Sec I tried and didn’t like? No worries. Let’s try something else. And also like the folks at Corkbuzz, you could opt for a 3oz taste or a full glass. Taster here. Some highlights I tried were the Fossil & Till Riesling Pet-Nat from Finger Lakes, NY (I was determined to try some Finger Lakes wines since I don’t see a lot of them back home); the MAS Martinet Bru from Proriat, Spain which was a blend of Syrah and Carignan; and the Maneti Cerasuolo di Vittoria from Sicily, Italy which was a blend of Nero d’Avola (which I’m familiar with) and Freppato (which I’d never heard of in my life). All good though. That’s what it’s all about.
I also took a look at the full wine list which I used as reading material while drinking my wines. You won’t be disappointed.
Morell Wine Bar & Café
If you’re like me and have to actually work and can’t get out, the folks at Morrell have you covered. In addition to the daytime #Lawyering, I had to spend an evening in and get some drafting work done. Bummer for sure, but I wasn’t going to do it without good wine. I could have ordered an overpriced, just OK bottle from room service with my food, but life is too short for mediocre and overpriced wine. I needed to stretch my legs a bit and headed over to Morrell Wine Bar & Café in Rockefeller Plaza.
In addition to a wine bar and café (with a very cozy outdoor patio), they also have a very nice wine shop. Do NOT be intimidated by the well-dressed men at entry when you walk in. Just go about your business and get what you came for – good wine. I got myself a bottle of Bordeaux baby! St. Emilion, which has become my “go to” Bordeaux, beckoned to me and did not disappoint.
The only disappointment was working while looking down at Times Square.
WHERE TO DINE
So in the midst of all the wining, it is necessary to eat a meal or two. Here a few that I liked.
Locanda Verde
This was a lovely and lively spot in TriBeCa serving delicious Italian inspired cuisine and is apparently owned by Robert DeNiro. And while I had a major crush on him earlier in my life, I wasn’t swayed by him when deciding to dine here. Locanda was suggested by a #winefriend of mine and it didn’t disappoint.
First, I had my first ever Barolo! Can you believe it?! And loved it so much, that we ordered a second bottle during the meal. Swoon!
Some foodie highlights of the meal included…
The Burrata, accompanied by a little mint pesto and crispy prosciutto. Yes, please.
Blue Crab Crostini, made with garlic cream, jalapeno, and a tomato compote. Blue crab is one of my “death sentence” last meals (along with a Heath Bar) and while this one was good, it didn’t wow me. I’ve been catching blue crab since I was about 5 so I know a thing or two about how to cook them.
Porchetta Toscano which was roasted suckling pig with cannellini beans and fennel marmalata. Yeah, it was good. How could it not be?
Long Island Duck with farro piccolo, cherries, and a Valpolicella glaze. Drool worthy, for sure.
Minetta Tavern
Yes there’s wine and I had some lovely Bordeaux while there, but I’m just going to make one point about dining at Greenwich Village’s Minetta Tavern. Just get the damn burger! Really. Seriously! They have two – one of which is called the Minetta Burger and one called the Black Label Burger. I honestly don’t think you could go wrong with either but I had the Black Label Burger, medium with a whole mess of delicious caramelized onions. Pictures cannot do it justice. OMG! That’s all.
Norma’s
This very popular brunch spot is popular for a reason. It’s stupid good! Located in the Le Parker Meridien Hotel in Midtown, Norma‘s is a great way to set yourself up for all the walking you will do in the City. Like really, you won’t want to eat until dinnertime.
In addition to a delicious banana smoothie, the coffee game is on point. Smooth, rich, and strong – the way it should be.
And though they are known for their Zillion Dollar Lobster Frittata which costs $1,000 and apparently comes with some sort of fancy caviar, I didn’t have that. Ummm, because I don’t roll like that. They also have a caption right under the frittata that reads “Norma Dares You to Expense This.” Challenge NOT accepted and thus I am still employed.
But I did have the Duck N’ Eggs, which consisted of confit hash, peppers, and onions. If you love duck, try it.
I also tried the Scrambled Eggs and Bacon Breakfast Quesadilla. As a Texas native that knows her way around Tex-Mex, I will say that I was a bit skeptical. I just don’t order anything with ‘quesadilla’ in it outside of Texas. Yeah, I was wrong. Apparently this is one of their best sellers and I do see why. Like everything else though, it was just way too much food.
The last dish of yumminess was the Light and Lemony Griddle Cakes with Devonshire Cream. OMG! That cream sauce tho! I thought the duck was my favorite thing until I had this! Just wow! The cakes are also served with maple syrup but you don’t want anything to compete with the luscious cream.
After that, you are definitely good to go for a good twelve hours or so. So you can work off those calories with a bit of shopping.
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