Winebar

03/17/2008 Posted by nywriterchick

The winebar is small enough to be cozy, and large enough to avoid that cramped feeling you often suffer through when you frequent popular Manhattan spots. We were a group of six (girls night out), and it was everyone's first time. We arrived at 7:30 on a Saturday evening, and stayed for 2.5 hours. No one in my group is a connoisseur of wine, but we all drink it, and we like it. ;-). Initially we all ordered different wine by the glass, but later ordered two bottles: a Bordeaux, and cabernet/merlot blend or something like that... We also ordered a cheese plate (excluding goat cheese because I don't like it) which contained a variety of hard, soft, and pleasantly pungent cheeses, and a flatbread (crustini...?) with Prosciutto and some kind of fig spread, it was all very good. It was mildly noisy; none of us had to scream to be heard, but it was busy with the sounds of people having a good time...if you know what I mean. Positive vibes. No problems with waiters. Nice not stuffy. If you like stuffy, i.e., you nose high in the air, you will not like this place, or in today's lingo...keep it real.

09/06/2007 Posted by jotan23

excellent service! the server really knows what he's talking about.. i don't hahaha my cousin and her french boyfriend are the ones doing the talking and the choosing :p but it was perfect! a little pricy but perfect!

06/20/2007 Posted by critico

The service sucked, the bartender didn't have a clue what he was pouring. He wasn't sure if his work place was even Mediterranean? He gave us the wrong wine on top of it. The wine list sucked, nothing special about it. I'm not a wine expert, but I know uninteresting wine when I see it. The 40 choices of wine was intimidating because nothing struck our fancy. Our lamb was too salty and bloody, bloody. We asked for medium rare, but that was ridiculous. I lost my appetite.

Pros: On Second Avenue

Cons: Everything

05/31/2007 Posted by cobraman332

Great spot to hang out with friends or go on a date... very low-key and relaxed. Try the pizza and ask a bartender or server about their wine selection. They will be happy to help you choose. A bit pricey (cheapest glass of wine is $9), but at least you're getting good wine.

Pros: Great Wine Selection, Outdoor Seating, Good Service, Relaxed and Not Trendy

Cons: Pricey

05/17/2007 Posted by blondiebluenyc

Randomly found this place with a friend one night. Met the owner and he basically chose our wine and food for us - and it was awesome. A great find.

11/25/2006 Posted by dave111111

went to winebar last week for my birthday, as a return customer never disapointed, it feels good to see familiar waiter's faces ,go there, have fun , nice decor and great food and music, very romantic, relax and take your time and enjoy your wine, but don't be like one of the reviewers before to drink your wine in ten minutes ,wine is not a soda, but, anyway you do that and you have a seriuos drinking problem , but winebar is about great wines and for seriuos wine loverswho appreciate wines , good food and relax atmosphere, i'll come back

Pros: great for groups, or dates

Cons: limited outside seating

11/15/2006 Posted by jterzis

There seems to be a good amount of negative reviews focused on the poor service at Wine Bar. I have been here a couple of times with friends, and will agree with other posters that the waiters are inattentive. However, keep in mind that the place is very small and to call over a waiter does not require more than maybe motioning a hand. Also, previous posters complaining fail to offer a suitable replacement for a "wine bar" in the same neighborhood, which is devoid of many places classy. If you don't like wine bar there is bar veloce in 11 st and 2nd which might even offer more of a selection and lively vibe. However, for what it is , wine bar does a good job of serving up the pinot.

Pros: wine selection, appetizer selection

Cons: unattentive, unrefined service

10/25/2006 Posted by spazcat911

i went there 3 months ago and the service was pretty good. But I just went there a week ago and the server plopped a bottle down in front of us, poured the first pour and then was not seen again. I had to flag down the manager to take our order for food. When the manager brought our food he put it down and also walked away leaving our glasses empty and not asking if we needed anything else. My companion and I had to pour our own wine the rest of the time. Our server kept walking by us to go stand outside. I went up to the manager when we FINALLY got our check and told him that I was surprised that we had to pour our own wine. He said that that is their policy and they dont like to give their patrons the impression that they are hurrying them out. I mean come on, this is a WINE BAR. Plus we were 2 of 4 diners in the restaurant that night. I could understand if they were busy... the manager was actually very sarcastic when I spoke to him. I felt like he thought "I" had it all wrong and that I was just being rediculous. Needless to say there are plenty of "wine bars" in the city who want my money. If I wanted to pour my own wine, I would just buy a bottle (it would cost a lot less) and have it at home. Why have wait staff at a wine bar if you are going to make your customers do all of the work. Not recommended.

Pros: Nice decor, trendy

Cons: Bad management attitude and disappearing staff who dont believe in pouring your wine

10/16/2006 Posted by nanagirl

Winebar is a really cute place for a drink. I had a delicious glass of Malbec, smooth and wonderful. I didn't eat, but everything looked absolutely delicious. The menu enticed my tastebuds, so I think I'll be back to eat soon. The atmosphere is chill and relaxed and I really like the high tables and comfortable stools. Also, if you sit by the window looking out on 2nd avenue, it's great people watching.

Pros: great people watching, cozy space, great Malbec

09/17/2006 Posted by lose3

On a positive note the food and wine was great. The service was herrendous, our friends waited on the street for 45 min for an extra chairs, we asked three people for a chair never got one. Then a table opened up and our friends sat down and they made them get up so another couple could use it. Then proceeded to ad a 20% gratuity to us when only three of us ate dinner 2 came for ten minutes and had drinks. The "owner" proceeded to engage us in an argument for 10 minutes saying that we should have asked for two checks and refused to re-do our bill, I've never had such horrible service ever. Beware of the crappy waiters and rude behavior.

Pros: pizza and wine

Cons: A-hole "owner", rude waiters