Embrace Your Inner Oenophile
Wine bars seem to be all the rage these days; the NY Times just covered the trend, and everyone from Daniel Boulud to Die Hard star Bruce Willis are getting in on the action. But somewhat surprisingly, although we've done the best sake bars in NYC, as well as the best wine shops if you're looking to BYOB, we've never mapped our favorite wine bars. After the jump, an oenophilic idea of paradise. And for an even more options, check out Dr. Vino's incredibly extensive map. (photo)
Gottino
52 Greenwich Ave
New York, NY 10011
Tin ceilings, exposed brick and a generally sleek interior separate this West Village wine bar from your run-of-the-mill rustic Italian spot. Prices are reasonable, and … the wine list and food are exceptional. [link]
UVA
1486 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10075
Not to be confused with the Bedford wine shop of the same name, UVA is a popular Upper East Side wine bar serving predictable Italian dishes. The wine list is … international, the surroundings are rustic. The rear patio is perfect for summertime wine sipping. [link]
D.O.C Wine Bar
83 N 7th St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
This Williamsburg spot just won Citysearch's Best Wine Bar 2008, and for good reason. The bar may be small, but that's all the more reason to grab a table and stay for … some of D.O.C.'s delicious pastas. The staff is especially friendly, and the restaurant is just far enough from the Bedford strip to make you feel like you could be anywhere. [link]
Bacaro
136 Division St
New York, NY 10002
The younger sister to the downstairs wine bar at Peasant (also a fabulous spot), Bacaro offers a perfect mix of great wine and people-watching (it's usually crowded with … downtown creatives). The food here is top-notch, so as long as you can get a table, it's well worth checking out. Reservations aren't accepted. (photo) [link]
Bar Veloce
175 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10003
This Manhattan chain serves small plates along with its Spanish wines. Its East Village location is usually quite full (the digs are incredibly small), but if you're … lucky you can squeeze onto a stool and swig some Rioja with your bacon-wrapped dates. (photo) [link]
Epistrophy
200 Mott St
New York, NY 10012
Typically filled to the brim with Europeans, Epistrophy is an aesthetically minded wine bar just steps from Lombardi's in Nolita. With Merlots by the glass and a … carefully chosen set of books available, you'll be in good company at this lackadaisical spot. (photo) [link]
Terroir
413 E 12th St
New York, NY 10009
This recently opened wine bar's name obviously references the wine-geek word for a grape's environment. According to the NY Times it's also quite a hit with the ladies. … With only 24 seats, the feel is one that's intimate and cozy. (photo) [link]
