Restaurant Spotting: Bottle & Bine

In many instances, three’s a crowd, but that’s hardly the case when it comes to the recently opened Bottle & Bine; an exciting collaboration between three of the industry’s most accomplished females.  Executive chef Angie Berry (formerly of Asiate, Gotham Bar & Grill and Del Posto) helms this new midtown kitchen, while The Stags Head’s award-winning Carolyn Pincus serves as beer director, sharing beverage duties with sommelier Gina Goyette (former manager at Little Park).

As such, the trio’s bi-level restaurant aims to lovingly and equally showcase American food, wine, and beer, so you can expect serious menus on all fronts.  For starters, there’s a bar on both floors, each furbished with 16, daily-rotating draft lines, flowing with local selections like the red ale-style “Zoe” from Maine Beer Co. in Freeport, the orange and coriander-infused “Optimal Wit” from Port City Brewing Co. in Alexandria, Brooklyn’s own Other Half Brewing Company’s citrusy IPA, and even fizzy, gingery “Dirty Mayor” from Citizen Cider, in Burlington Vermont! They’re complemented by a small,  but varied (not to mention affordable) by-the-glass wine list courtesy of Goyette, running the gamut from Bedell Cellars Brut Rose from the North Fork of Long Island, made with sustainably grown fruit, to the ‘Jazz Odyssey’ from Willamette Valley in Oregon, a blend of Riesling, Gewürztraminer & Chardonnay, and the spicy, tannin-rich Blaufrankisch; part of an obscure varietal series, from Red Tail Ridge in the Finger Lakes.

As for edible selections, Berry explores uniquely American ingredients, like venison, grits, cranberries and okra.  In keeping with the United States’ multi-cultural makeup, global influences abound on this menu: Think local Oysters with kimchi cocktail sauce as well as Braised Pork with baby turnips, Carolina rice and uni, Wagyu Hanger Steak with smoked sunchokes and coffee, and  Branzino coupled with new potatoes and Hawaiian blue prawns.  Occasionally, she even pays homage to her compatriots, resulting in creations such as Roasted Cauliflower, paired with romesco, toasted almonds and beer béarnaise.

An exciting food menu, a notable wine list and a thoughtfully curated beer program? Thanks to the combined talents of Berry, Pincus and Goyette, there are three separate, but equal incentives to pay a visit to midtown’s Bottle & Bine.  If you’re not a beer drinker, Bottle & Bine might just make one out of you yet!