Wed 16 May 2007
Warehouse Wines & Spirits
735 Broadway (Waverly Place & 8th Sts.)/212-982-7770
Mon–Thurs 9am–9pm, Fri–Sat 9am–10pm.
The Edge: A large selection of premium liquor and wines. § Okay prices. No delivery.
Food & beverages
Wines & liquors
quality style service value: 37 27 20 40
Wed 16 May 2007
Sherry-Lehmann Wine & Spirits
679 Madison Ave. (61st St.)/212-838-7500
Mon–Sat 9am–7pm.
The Edge: A New York institution, offering a broad selection of wines. § Great wines sold at okay prices, which on special actually become good prices. The selection of Californian, French, and Italian wines and champagnes, ports, and other after-dinner drinks is outstanding. The catalog is excellent, very extensive, and features some of the best prices. The store stocks plenty of inexpensive wines under $10. Free delivery in New York State for orders over $95. § “Great finds!” “Fine assortment, knowledgeable staff.” “It irks me to have to pay for delivery.”
Food & beverages
Wines & liquors
quality style service value: 45 41 39 35
Wed 16 May 2007
Quality House
2 Park Ave. (32nd & 33rd Sts.)/212-532-2944
Weekdays 9am–6:30pm, Sat 9am–6pm (closed Sat July–Aug).
The Edge: Excellent selection of French wines and champagnes. § Noted for its large selection of quality French wines. Adequate selection of Californian and Italian wines. Very helpful staff. Prices are average to high, reflecting the level of service. § “Terrific for gifts.”
Food & beverages
Wines & liquors
quality style service value: 39 39 39 39
Wed 16 May 2007
Park Avenue Liquors
292 Madison Ave. (40th & 41st Sts.)/212-685-2442
Weekdays 8am–7pm, Sat 8am–5pm (closed Sat July–Aug).
The Edge: Best Italian selection in town. § Features a wide range of hard-to-find wines from less-well-known Italian and Californian vineyards and a good selection of champagnes. Expensive.
Food & beverages
Wines & liquors
quality style service value: 28 32 35 19
Wed 16 May 2007
New York Beverage Center
438 E. 91st St. (York & 1st Aves.)/212-831-4000
Wed–Thurs 10am–8:30pm, Fri–Sat 10am–9pm, Sun noon–7pm.
The Edge: The selection is excellent. § Carries 400+ varieties of beer, bottled waters, and a good range of sodas.
Food & beverages
Wines & liquors
quality style service value: 40 40 40 30
Wed 16 May 2007
Morrell & Company
535 Madison Ave. (54th & 55th Sts.)/212-688-9370
Mon–Sat 9am–6:45pm.
The Edge: Best for special gifts from a huge inventory of vintage wines. § Offers often unique labels and vintages. The liquor store feels like a library. Excellent selection and service, but you pay for it. Offers wine-appreciation seminars periodically. Like Sherry-Lehmann, auctions rare wines (three times a year). Yes, it’s possible to buy less expensive wines here—hundreds of wines under $10 are available. § “Expensive—but a good place to send an unusual present from.”
Food & beverages
Wines & liquors
quality style service value: 40 42 40 35
Wed 16 May 2007
K&D Wines & Liquors
1366 Madison Ave. (95th & 96th Sts.)/212-289-1818
Weekdays 9am–9:30pm, Sat 9am–9pm.
The Edge: Good coverage of less expensive (under $10) wines. § Good broad selection. Features less expensive wines (under $10) from Chile, Greece, and Australia. Wouldn’t quote prices on the phone but advertises in the Wednesday New York Times. Mail order.
Food & beverages
Wines & liquors
quality style service value: 35 27 32 40
Wed 16 May 2007
Gotham Wines & Liquors
2519 Broadway (94th St.)/212-876-4120
Mon–Sat 9am–9pm.
The Edge: Excellent prices and service. § The owners have a good knowledge of wines and offer a limited but quality selection. Watch for advertised specials in the New York Times. Mail order is available for those out of the area. Discounter. § “Since booze is a pricey item, you need to shop around.” “Huge selection.”
Food & beverages
Wines & liquors
quality style service value: 34 30 30 34
Wed 16 May 2007
Garnet Wine & Liquor
929 Lexington Ave. (68th & 69th Sts.)/212-772-3211
Mon–Sat 9am–9pm.
The Edge: Excellent prices and huge selection. § Features quality wines, liqueurs, ports, and standard liquors. A noteworthy selection of wines from California, Australia, France, and Italy. The place is often crowded. Weekly specials are advertised in flyers and in the Wednesday New York Times. The help is uneven. But if you know what you want, call—they’ll most likely have it, and will deliver it within hours. Discounter. § “Fine selection, knowledgeable, fair prices.” “Nice store.”
Food & beverages
Wines & liquors
quality style service value: 39 30 32 38
Wed 16 May 2007
First Avenue Wines & Spirits
383 1st Ave. (22nd & 23rd Sts.)/212-673-3600
Mon–Sat 9am–8:30pm.
The Edge: Perhaps the largest selection of German wines in the city. § A broad selection of wines. Thousands of bottles from everywhere. § “Good prices on certain items.”
Food & beverages
Wines & liquors
quality style service value: 30 30 38 34