West Village Wine Bars

Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable

34 8th Ave.  10014
Cross Streets: W 12th & Jane St.
212-518-2722

Hours: 5:30pm-2am

The owners of the perpetually mobbed dell’anima opened this 50-seat wine bar a few doors down. Though narrow, it’s sleek and warm with a cool marble bar balanced by some inviting leather banquettes.

The focus is on “outside of the box,” mostly Old World selections of biodynamic and organic wines produced from all regions organized by producer. The 28 wines by the glass rotate frequently and are priced between $9-25.
 From a Muscadet de Sevre et Maine to a Rosado Rioja to terroir-driven wines from the slopes of Mt. Etna and the Canary Islands. One really nice touch is they offer a few wines from the same producer, giving his customers the chance to understand a single producer’s style better. But if you are looking for your go-to Shiraz, take note: this may be a wine list with barely anything you recognize.

(They also include 7 anfora-aged wines — the terra cotta vessels that Greek and Roman wine makers used to house wine. Not to mention select whiskeys, grappas, sparklings, wine based cocktails, like the prosecco-based No Deiss (w/ Riesling reduction and Ramazzotti bitters), and local beers… to add some variety.)

For nibbles, they keep to the group’s mediterranean influence with a small menu of wine friendly bites like the spicy chorizo and avacado crostini, panini, assorted cheeses (served with honey, grainy mustard, and a sweet-spicy mostarda with raisins), meats from local sausager Salumeria Biellese (sliced at the bar), house-cured olives, and even lamb ragu sliders — oh and a chocolate, caramel, and pecan tart.

This is definitely the place if you are an explorer… if you’re willing to get a little funky, if you like your cheeses smelly, your chocolate salty, and your palate stretched beyond simplicity.

It’s been know that some patrons have ended up skipping out on their booking at the restaurant and stayed on for another bottle…. or two. But lovers beware, the noise is a little loud for any sort of romance to be taking place… unless you like it that way….

In the winter, don’t miss their Monday night Raclette night where they serve the traditional heated cheese with bread and pickled goodies. Pair it with a few of their Swiss wine choices including, the national favorite Fendant (aka Chasselas) or a Petite Arvine.

Also, they host a winemaker spotlight every Tuesday night; where they highlight one of the winemakers on the list and pour all of their wines in house at $10/glass.