Manhattan

[Scoop]

I am naturally biased toward Is-Wine (being on staff), but, in fairness, here are a few more entries, building on Hal's excellent (and accurate) list.

The Chelsea Wine Vault, located in the Chelsea Market (15th St. and 9th Ave.) is run by Wine Master Chris Cree, and has a large, well-chosen selection, decently priced, with temperature-controlled storage available for space-challenged New Yorkers.

For Italian nuts, Vino (solely Italian wines, with emphasis on the south), brought to you by the owners of the restaurant I Trulli (great Apulian cuisine) and Enoteca I Trulli (both located across the street, on 27th between Park and Lexington), is worth a visit. Pretty store, nicely organized. You can go sample some wines by the glass at Enoteca, and then go across the street and purchase a bottle of the one you like (all the wines at the wine bar are for sale at Vino). They've found a good way around NY's legal separation between restaurant/bar and retail.

There is also Italian Wine Merchants near Union square, owned by Chef Mario Battali and others, a very spare and somewhat cold space along with some rarified wines and pretty high prices.

Garnet was already mentioned. It's cramped and claustrophobic, but it has the lowest prices in town -- by far -- and a pretty good selection to boot.

Last, if you are running to catch a train at Grand Central, there is Grand Harvest, a top-end merchant in a gorgeous space for well-heeled commuters.

There are certainly others, but this should get you started.

And do come by Is-Wine!

Cheers,

Scoop

[This message has been edited by Scoop (edited 02-27-2002).]