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Kama Geary Bacaro
Co-owner Kama Geary encourages merrymaking with Italian bar snacks and cozy candlelit seats in the basement vault at Bacaro, the cozy Venetian wine bar from the folks behind Peasant. Read More
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Originally published on October 29, 2007
The Wine Merchant of Venice
Bacaro Wine Bar Opens
We’ve been trolling Chinatown for ages, waiting for new signs of nightlife in the last unchartered territory of Manhattan.
Then it happens: Bacaro, a dreamy Venetian gathering spot for eating, drinking, and romantic merrymaking.
Division Street’s quiet, gently winding countenance welcomes the rustic, homey osteria, sister to Nolita’s Peasant restaurant and our favorite cellar bar.
A clear glass chandelier sheds light on rough-hewn stone, unearthed brick, and wooden rafters. Cicchetti, the Venetian equivalent of tapas, are bar snacks: crostini (toasts), sarde (sardines), carciofi (artichokes), and polpette (fried meatballs). Clinking glasses of Soave and Valpolicella, small tables linger over bowls of spaghetti or brown butter gnocchi.
Two staircases (one from the inside, one from the street) lead to underground nooks, crannies, and alleyways reminiscent of the streets of Venice. Long wooden tables, benches, and archways filled with wine bottles are exposed by candlelight, where only murmurs will be heard between sips of amarone.
This is Venice raised up, and we’ll certainly be there.
Come hell or high water.
Bacaro, 136 Division Street, between Orchard and Ludlow Streets (212-941-5060). -
Christy Pope and Chad Solomon Cuff & Buttons
Christy Pope and Chad Solomon, along with Sasha Petraske, are bringing Milk & Honey's revered mixology services to the masses with their first-rate cocktail catering company. Read More
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Originally published on January 12, 2007
That’s the Spirit!
Cuff & Buttons Cocktail Catering Service
You want to share the Milk & Honey love. Just not the phone number.
Problem solved: Cuff & Buttons, a new cocktail catering company from the coveted M&H gang.
Headed up by veteran bartenders (and v. cool couple) Christy Pope and Chad Solomon (along with the inimitable Sasha Petraske), Cuff & Buttons will provide your fete with perfect old-school drinks and the charming M&H/Little Branch vibe.
Call to meet and do “research” at the speakeasy. They’ll whip up a drink menu (Sidecar, Diamond Jack, Gold Rush, Sazerac) or a signature cocktail.
You can also talk shop with the bartenders, who are walking repositories of alcoholic information. (Note: It may be extremely difficult the next day to read your napkin note scribble.)
Come party night, they’ll provide the liquor, garnishes, glassware, and personnel. Just make sure you give them a twenty-day lead time to file paperwork with the city.
Because you like your drinks on the rocks — not your party.
Cuff & Buttons (212-625-2090 or cuffandbuttons.com). -
Anne Burrell Centro Vinoteca
Chef Anne Burrell plates inventive Italian primi, secondi, and dolci with careful execution at her mod, double-decker pit stop in the West Village. Read More
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Originally published on July 20, 2007
Centro Fly
Centro Vinoteca Opens
Why was six afraid of seven?
Because seven eight nine.What did the one cute girl say to the other cute girl?
“Holy cow. Have you tasted this mortadella paté?!”There’s nothing to laugh at — but lots to cheer about — at Centro Vinoteca, which opens this Sunday.
The latest from the owners of Gusto occupies two floors of a triangularish building where Seventh meets Barrow. Downstairs is a lively white-tiled room with an amoeba-shaped bar, vintage light fixtures, and French doors that open onto the street. Upstairs is an airy, third-date dining room.
Chef Anne Burrell (Savoy, Italian Wine Merchants, and Mario’s spiky-haired sous on Iron Chef America) has created an everything-looks-amazing Italian menu. Piccolini (“smalls”) starters include zucchini and Parmesan fritters and truffled deviled eggs. Apps: grilled scallops with watermelon. Primi: lamb bolognese with crispy gnocchi, spaghetti with tuna belly. (Drooling yet?) Secondi: red snapper with cauliflower ragu, pancetta-and-rosemary-crusted chicken with polenta.
What did your table say to the waiter?
“Can we come back tomorrow night?”No joke.
Centro Vinoteca, 74 Seventh Avenue South, at Barrow Street (212-367-7470).