By Paola Vecchiolla
Wine bars are cropping up all over the Upper East Side. What is the difference between a wine bar and other bars you may ask? Well, it is not exactly a black and white answer. Wine bars may have different types of liquor licenses from ordinary bars. The license can permit the sale of wine and beer or it can be a full fledged license to allow the sale of spirits, wine and beer. These new taps may serve full meals to specialty foods such as cheese, smoked meats, olives and small tasting dishes. I heard of one wine bar that specializes in culinary, sensual delights and serves wine, cheese and chocolate.
Pudding Stones, at 82nd and Third Avenue, has been opened less than one year. The name is intriguing like the place. Pudding Stones aka “Galets” in French is the name of the stones found in the soil of the Southern Rhone region where Chateauneuf de Pape is produced. Both Peter Rabasco and his partner Bobby Khorrami have restaurant experience and decided to open this East Side wine bar and couple it with a culinary aspect. The bar is modern and there are glossy, small tables and the atmosphere is intimate and communal.
The Pudding Stones menu offers about nine entrees ranging from $14 to $20 dollars. I ordered a filet mignon with a lush, full-bodied red wine, a blend of Syrah, Petite Verdot and Petite Syrah. The wine was listed as Maramonte Syrage 2005 from California. Both were delicious. The wine list represents wines from all over the world and the prices by the glass are from $8-$16 dollars. Pudding Stones also has a private lounge for larger groups downstairs. The place has been booming since its opening and I asked Peter why he thought it was so successful. Peter said “it is all about keeping the right energy in the room”.
Bar Vespa is located at 1609 Second Avenue between 83rd and 84th Streets. Upon entering, there is a narrow hall with a bar to the right where patrons can stand and order wine or spirits. Continuing down the hallway there is a table with six to eight bar chairs creating an intimate environment. Next to this bar table cheese and smoked meats are displayed. In another room is a lounge with little tables and seats lined with red cushions. Kim, the manager, said they have a DJ many nights and this brings in a large crowd. The ambiance and service create the desire to taste and learn about wine as well as to provide a cozy, relaxed environment in which to socialize. The wine list promotes predominately wines from Italy yet smaller selections from other countries are available. Wines by the glass cost from $8-$15 dollars.
Pudding Stones, 1457 3rd Avenue
212-717-5797
www.puddingstoneswinebar.com
Bar Vespa
1609 Second Avenue
212-737-3242
