After a recent movie date with the BF (The Dilemma; wait for it on DVD: it’s a little too painfully real in some scenes, but has its moments), we decided to go into the wine bar that was next to where we’d parked: Vino 313. We both ordered a glass of the Riesling Kabinett, expecting it to be on the sweet side. We weren’t disappointed; not too sweet but not too dry either. Perfect balance.
I’m a little obsessed with Brussels sprouts, so when I saw them on the menu, I had to get them. Bacon, Brussels sprouts, garlic, butter. Unfortunately, these were soggy from way too much butter, and yet undercooked to the point of being practically raw. Not a win. I couldn’t eat them, but I took them home, intending to cook them more and try to ‘dry’ them out a bit, but they were still too salty. Boo.
Since BF wasn’t too hungry, I suggested we split a meat&cheese plate. Choice of three, so we had prosciutto, parmagiano reggiano and Scharffe Maxx. BF thought I was crazy when I insisted he try it – it was very pungent, and a very direct flavor he did not enjoy. I left him to eat the other cheese, haha.
The bread that accompanied our meat&cheese plate was, interestingly, completely toasted through till it was just a crunchy crouton. The raisin bread was only toasted slightly, with a warm, chewy center. I enjoyed it by itself, while BF took the white bread.
Yvo says: A cute place for an intimate date, or even a night out with the girls (as the table next to us was clearly doing). The prices were fairly reasonable – the cheese&meat platter was $14, the brussels sprouts were $10 (generous portion, though they weren’t good)… and a glass of wine was in the $12 range (average for that part of Manhattan). If I lived in the area, I would certainly make a point to visit occasionally.
not destination dining… but a cute wine bar if you’re in the area
CT says
I went there a few years ago and thought it was expensive for the small portions we got, but the portion sizes seemed to have improved since then. I’ll have to give it another shot!