A Winter Wine Tour on the East Side of Manhattan

WINE DINE & FOOTLIGHTS

by Michelle Carol

NYC winters can be frigid.

Many New Yorkers fall into the stay-in-with-a-bottle-of-wine rut during the frigid months between apple cider in the fall and sangria season in late spring. Even though it's dark by the time most of us leave work, it's important to look past the early sunsets, remain social, and get out of our New York apartments to hang with friends. 

Whenever it's "too cold"  to go out, I have to remind myself that I didn't move to New York to loaf around in sweats and catch up on Sex and the City reruns with a bottle of Yellowtail shiraz. There's no better choice for this than a NYC wine bar in January or February, and Manhattan has its share of spots for everyone from newbie drinkers to the most discriminating oenophiles. 

Wine bars should have dim, ambient lighting, comfy seating, an ample assortment of reds and whites, and a well-trained staff to tell you anything you want to know about the wines. Drinking wine should be a user-friendly experience, one for both connoisseurs and novices, and should never intimidate.

Most of the wine bars in town have delicious food to accompany the wine --- know that portions tend to be on the smaller side, though prices tend to be on the higher side. Don't be surprised if you leave a little hungry after paying a rather large tab. Ingredients are usually incredibly fresh though, and often of better quality than other food-serving taverns. 

While wine bars have become a trend in NYC recently and seem to be popping up in almost every neighborhood, we narrowed our list to five favorites on the east side of the city.

Staying in with a bottle of wine can be tempting, but we need to force ourselves to get out during the cold months.--credit

Sorella - Lower East Side

95 Allen Street

An artisanal Italian restaurant and wine bar located between Delancey and Broome Streets on the Lower East Side, Sorella offers 25 wines by the glass, averaging about $12 each, and 150 bottles for serious drinkers. With a wide variety of Piedmont wines (Northwestern region of Italy), colorful bottles line the shelves of the white brick walls, and the delicate lighting and wood tables create a mood that is both sexy and comfortable. Also known for the menu, Sorella is as much a foodie destination as it is a wine bar for locals.

In Vino - East Village

215 East 4th Street

Nestled on the tree-lined East 4th Street between Avenues A & B is the rustic and distressed wine bar, In Vino. Everything about this hot spot is Instagram worthy, from the cave-like interior to the cheese plates. In Vino sells wine by the glass ($7- $15) from various regions of Italy (Sicily, Tuscany, Umbria and many more). Half carafes are available, as well as more than 200 bottles. The seating area is cozy and on the tighter side. The small menu features Italian classics with a kick such as Carciofi alla Giudia (fried artichoke hearts with garlic aioli). In Vino is perfect for sharing tasty apps and a bottle of wine with friends.

Wine: 30  - Murray Hill

41 East 30th Street

Wine: 30, a play on words (say it out loud like it's time on a clock) is a hidden New American wine bar off of Park Avenue South. There are hundreds of bottles for sale (many are around $45), 30 wines by the glass ($12 average), and about a dozen craft beers, many of which are Belgian ($10 average). Wine:30 is warm yet sophisticated, and I highly recommend asking your server for pairing suggestions or a taste. Great for dinner or appetizer sharing, you could be in here all night with decadent food and upscale wines.

A Barolo from Wine: 30--via Wine: 30

Sofia Wine Bar - Midtown East

242 East 50th street

Midtown East's gem, Sofia Wine Bar, can be found between 2nd and 3rd Avenue on East 50th Street. Table candles, mirrors and brick make Sofia a soothing place to unwind.  Catch up with a friend and share one of their dozens of wines from all over the world. Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, Chile, and Italy are just some of the regions featured here. There is something quaint about Sofia that takes us back in time---a great destination for weekend drinks with or a romantic date night.

Sofia's interior takes us back to another time--credit

Cavatappo - Upper East Side

1712 First Avenue

Come to Cavatappo for a fun, vibrant escape from the cold outdoors or your overheated apartment. The bright red walls of Cavatappo are guaranteed to bring some life back to your short winter days. All winos who fall short of feeling like a fluent wine expert can rest assured --- the menu is broken down to Light, Medium and Full bodied wines sold for $9- $12 per glass, and ranging from $27- $32 per bottle. Cavatappo is proof that you can experience delicious wine without spending a fortune.

The Upper East Side's Cavatappo offers plenty of reasonably priced wines. --via Cavatappo