FiDi has long been the domain of one family of restaurateurs - the Poulakakos family. While not the biggest name on the NYC dining circuit, the proprietors behind Bayard's, Harry's, Adrienne's Pizza Bar, Ulysses and Financier are a force to be reckoned with. And now, without any advance notice, they have landed a game changer - Vintry Wine & Whiskey (57 Stone Street) - a wine bar and cocktail lounge that is a welcome addition to the Lower Manhattan wasteland of Irish pubs and sports bars.
Thanks to one of those fancy machines that dispense (and preserve) wine - and Harry Poulakakos' wine cellar - Vintry can offer wines you rarely see poured by the glass. Here, you can try them by 2oz or 5oz pours (or go for a full bottle), sampling vintages going as far back as 1979 at fraction of the price (e.g. $165 bottle vs. $14.50 for two ounces), should you feel adventurous. We tried a number of wines from the dispenser and truth be told we were not exactly bowled over (some of them seemed to be fading and many are not prized vintages), but there were some highlights such as the deliciously earthy 1998 Dujac Morey St Denis ($11 for 2 oz, $25 for 5oz, $125 bottle). Otherwise, you can skip the older vintages and instead have a lot of fun with great values and very good wines. The selection is deep and quite interesting, and there are plenty of wines to try at $3.50 - $5 per two-ounce pour. This is a place to explore wine at any price point.
Prefer something stronger to wine? Or looking for well-made cocktails? Vintry has you covered too, with an exhaustive selection of single malts and bourbons, as well as whiskey based cocktails (sorry, no cosmos here. it is 2009, after all). The Jerry Thomas (Basil Hayden bourbon, dubonnet rouge, grand marnier, peychaud's bitter and benedictine) was an excellent starter as was the Angel's Share (Woodford reserve bourbon, agave nectar, fernet branca, lemon and Hawaiian sea salt), which could easily lose the fancy salt rim. While we enjoyed Harry's Whiskey Sour, made the classic way, it was the ridiculously named Flaming Bubinga (Higland Park 12 year old scotch, blume marillen apricot eau de vie, lemon, fresh blood orange) that was the overall favorite - perhaps the best scotch-based drink we've ever had. Cocktails are $10 - $14.
Small plates of terrific veal meatballs, gnocchi with lamb ragout, cheeses and well-sourced charcuterie (from pheasant pate to jamon iberico) will keep you fortified as you explore the many wines and whiskeys on offer.
FiDi has finally gotten a proper cocktail and wine bar. It's about time.
Vintry Wine & Whiskey
57 Stone Street, website
Thanks to one of those fancy machines that dispense (and preserve) wine - and Harry Poulakakos' wine cellar - Vintry can offer wines you rarely see poured by the glass. Here, you can try them by 2oz or 5oz pours (or go for a full bottle), sampling vintages going as far back as 1979 at fraction of the price (e.g. $165 bottle vs. $14.50 for two ounces), should you feel adventurous. We tried a number of wines from the dispenser and truth be told we were not exactly bowled over (some of them seemed to be fading and many are not prized vintages), but there were some highlights such as the deliciously earthy 1998 Dujac Morey St Denis ($11 for 2 oz, $25 for 5oz, $125 bottle). Otherwise, you can skip the older vintages and instead have a lot of fun with great values and very good wines. The selection is deep and quite interesting, and there are plenty of wines to try at $3.50 - $5 per two-ounce pour. This is a place to explore wine at any price point.
Prefer something stronger to wine? Or looking for well-made cocktails? Vintry has you covered too, with an exhaustive selection of single malts and bourbons, as well as whiskey based cocktails (sorry, no cosmos here. it is 2009, after all). The Jerry Thomas (Basil Hayden bourbon, dubonnet rouge, grand marnier, peychaud's bitter and benedictine) was an excellent starter as was the Angel's Share (Woodford reserve bourbon, agave nectar, fernet branca, lemon and Hawaiian sea salt), which could easily lose the fancy salt rim. While we enjoyed Harry's Whiskey Sour, made the classic way, it was the ridiculously named Flaming Bubinga (Higland Park 12 year old scotch, blume marillen apricot eau de vie, lemon, fresh blood orange) that was the overall favorite - perhaps the best scotch-based drink we've ever had. Cocktails are $10 - $14.
Small plates of terrific veal meatballs, gnocchi with lamb ragout, cheeses and well-sourced charcuterie (from pheasant pate to jamon iberico) will keep you fortified as you explore the many wines and whiskeys on offer.
FiDi has finally gotten a proper cocktail and wine bar. It's about time.
Vintry Wine & Whiskey
57 Stone Street, website
I like to introduce whiskey stones to whiskey lovers.
Whiskey Stones is used to chill any type of spirit you like without diluting it and keep your favourite drink chilled for much longer period then conventional water based ice.
Its a very good product for those who lover strong whiskey / wine etc.
Hoping you will enjoy with the information.
Cheers,