MIXOLOGY: BOTTLE AND BINE


BOTTLE AND BINE

AMERICAN COCKTAILS AND CUSINE

BEAUTIFUL PAIRINGS MIX MEMORY WITH DESIRE

– Synchronicity comes with the advent of Spring in the most delicious cocktail and food combinations this side of the Hudson

By Lori Simmons Zelenko | Photography by Chris Soto-Chimelis

Seasonality rules at Bottle and Bine, the new restaurant that’s so full of surprises the experience feels like a never-ending series of earthly delights. Though the food is American, the sophistication of the preparation and the complexities of flavor take from global inspiration; each bite – and sip of the uber exciting cocktail selection – becomes an otherworldly experience.

Chef Angie Berry is a poet. With subtlety she balances the freshest ingredients of the season with a sensibility that is simply exalted. Transported by the beauty and the graceful rhythm of flavors, her cuisine does indeed mix memory with desire.

We loved the pepper and cornmeal crusted Rhubarb paired with the Rabbit Terrine, but though delicious on its own it soared when accompanied by the Rhubard-inflused Reyka vodka cocktail – Emotional Rescue – created by Moses Laboy, a true master of mixology. Just an example of the beauty of the pairings these two concoct, they synchronize their creative juices to take advantage of the best the season has to offer. Sadly Rhubarb will only be on the menu at Bottle & Bine a little bit longer but we’re looking forward to new equally creative seasonal pairings from these two. What’s next? You’ll just have to visit to find out.

Moses and Angie teamed up at Gotham Bar and Grill previously. But now they are making magic at Bottle and Bine crafting perfectly paired cocktails and cuisine. The cocktail menu Moses has crafted is a marvel; a symphony of scentful pleasures with each drink revealing a seasonal surprise. Much as we were grateful for Moses coming to our “Emotional Rescue” – this cocktail with a pink peppercorn salt and pepper rim was a zestful accompaniment to an assortment of fresh, briny oysters – we have to abandon restraint when tasting the way fresh Lavender teased Prosecco in another seasonally stellar cocktail.

Bottle does refer to the restaurant’s wine program, curated by sommelier Gina Goyette. And Bine is about the beer program, a reference to the twining plant stem from which hops are harvested. Carolyn Pincus is the master of the beer program.

Bottle and Bine is located at 1085 Second Avenue (at 57th Street).

Open for lunch and dinner as well as weekend brunch and late night drinks until 2:00 a.m. during the week, 4:00 a.m. on the weekends.

For reservations call 212 888 7405.

Two-tiered with a lively, modern dining room on the upper level and at street level, the bar – a haven for cocktail devotees since after all mixologist extraordinaire, Moses Laboy has a following of friends and fans looking to experience the season’s bounty.