Hey guys!

Guess where I had dinner last night? Babbo Ristorante in NYC! If you&#39;re a foodie like me, I&#39;m sure you&#39;ve heard of this amazing Italian classic Let me give you the lowdown on this place and why you absolutely need to check it out.

First things first, let&#39;s talk about the history of Babbo. Back in 1998, renowned chef Mario Batali opened this gem in the heart of Greenwich Village. It quickly became one of the hottest spots in the city, attracting food lovers from all over the world. Fast forward to today, and the restaurant is now under the expert management of chef-owner Mark Ladner, who has taken Babbo to new culinary heights.

<a href="https://www.corkrules.com/babbo/episodes/252">Check out CorkRules Podcast #218</a>&nbsp;by our very own Maria Valetta aka @mariathewineblonde.

Food: (4.5/5) - Now, let&#39;s dive into the food. The menu at Babbo is a celebration of classic Italian cuisine with a modern twist. They offer a wide variety of dishes, ranging from antipasti like the famous Grilled Octopus with Borlotti Beans to mouthwatering homemade pasta dishes like the unforgettable Black Spaghetti with Rock Shrimp and Spicy Calabrese. Chef Ladner&#39;s expertise really shines through in every bite, and you can taste the love and dedication put into each dish.

Wine: (4/5) - But it&#39;s not just the food that makes Babbo stand out; their wine program is equally impressive. Head sommelier Jeff Kellogg has curated an exceptional but overwhelming wine list, featuring a fantastic selection of Italian wines as well as some hidden gems from around the world. Whether you&#39;re a wine connoisseur or just enjoy a good glass of vino, you&#39;ll find something to suit your taste here. The knowledgeable staff is more than happy to help you find the perfect pairing for your meal, making the dining experience even more enjoyable.

Service: (4/5) And speaking of the staff, let&#39;s talk about the service at Babbo. From the moment you step through the doors, you&#39;re greeted with warm smiles and attentive hospitality. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the food and wine they serve, and they go above and beyond to ensure that every guest feels well taken care of. It&#39;s the kind of service that makes you feel like a VIP.

Vibe: (4/5) Finally, let&#39;s talk ambiance. If you&#39;re looking for a cozy and intimate setting for date night, Babbo is the place to be. The restaurant has a charming rustic decor, with warm lighting and exposed brick walls that exude a welcoming atmosphere. The energy is lively and vibrant, making it the perfect spot for a celebratory dinner or a romantic date night. And if you&#39;re looking to host a private event, Babbo also offers a private dining room that can accommodate larger parties.

Babbo is one the quintessential restaurants in NYC and is simply outstanding. From the incredible food to the exceptional service, this place has it all. Whether you&#39;re a fan of Italian cuisine or just looking for a memorable dining experience, Babbo is definitely worth a visit. So go ahead and make a reservation and prepare to indulge in the best of Italian flavors. You won&#39;t be disappointed!

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Back in 1998, renowned chef Mario Batali opened this gem in the heart of Greenwich Village. It quickly became one of the hottest spots in the city, attracting food lovers from all over the world. Fast forward to today, and the restaurant is now under the expert management of chef-owner Mark Ladner, who has taken Babbo to new culinary heights.

Babbo Ristorante in NYC! An Italian Classic!

CorkRules is built for wine enthusiasts who are constantly on the lookout for new and exciting wine experiences. People often find themselves lost in a sea of options when trying to choose the perfect bottle for any occasion. Look no further! CorkRules Wine App is here to meet all your wine needs and revolutionize the way you explore, learn, and enjoy wine.

CorkRules - The Uber Wine App

Learning about wine can be an exciting but challenging journey. With thousands of wine varieties, regions, and winemaking techniques to discover, it's no wonder that many beginners feel overwhelmed (as do we) when starting their wine education. However, numerous resources are available to help people build their wine knowledge, and wine magazines are among the best tools for aspiring oenophiles (wine geeks).

Our favorite wine magazines to help your wine journey:

Joh. Jos. Prüm is a celebrated family-owned wine estate located in the heart of Mosel, a serene region in Germany, renowned for its outstanding Rieslings. The Prüm family's wine-growing heritage dates back to as early as the 17th century, further solidifying their stature as one of Mosel's most revered wines producers. The estate's rich history, coupled with a well-preserved passion for meticulous wine craftsmanship, allows them to consistently deliver the grandiosity expressed in each bottle of their world-renowned Rieslings.

A Taste of Heaven: Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Auslese Riesling 2010

Paola Bea is a legendary figure in the world of Italian wine, particularly in Umbria. The family is renowned for their commitment to natural winemaking and has been instrumental in establishing the reputation of Sagrantino di Montefalco as one of Italy's most distinctive wines.

San Valentino Paolo Bea an Italian treasure

Hey foodies! We recently had the pleasure of dining at Estiatorio Milos, a Greek seafood paradise nestled in the heart of Las Vegas, located in the opulent Venetian Resort. Let me tell you, this place is an absolute must-visit for anyone who appreciates quality cuisine and a warm, inviting atmosphere. As always, freshly caught fish is displayed whole on ice, it’s a symbol of the seafood pleasures ahead.

Estiatorio Milos, a Greek seafood paradise in Las Vegas

Hello, movie buffs and wine enthusiasts! Get ready to swirl your glasses as we introduce you to a new cinematic delight that will take you on an intoxicating journey through the picturesque vineyards of California wine country. It's time for another grape-infused adventure with 'Gap Weekend,' a film that promises to be this generation's answer to 'Sideways.'

Uncorking the Delights of 'Gap Weekend': Via California Wine Country

Hey there foodie friends! Today, I wanted to share my recent dining experience at Spruce in San Francisco. Nestled in the vibrant Presidio Heights, this upscale dining destination perfectly blends sophisticated flavors with an inviting atmosphere. So, grab a seat and let's dive into a memorable culinary journey!

Spruce in San Francisco: A Gastronomic Delight with Exquisite Ambiance

We recently got a request from one of our community members asking about second wines, so we pulled together an article to explain second wines and share some great bottles. These are all great wines and are significantly more in reach price wise.

Second Wines Primer and Bottle Guide for affordable options

Michaela Quinlan wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas take a trip to Dear Annie, a friendly restaurant with an ethical foundation.

Wine Review of Dear Annie, Massachusettes

Michaela Quinlan

Dear Annie

Dear Annie

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where&nbsp;(in each episode)&nbsp;we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Sam,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to have you!

SH: Hi Robert! Great to be back.

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules. We created CorkRules to demystify wine lists because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well&hellip; it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list. Today Sam and I are reviewing

Dear Annie

Overview

Dear Annie is a wine bar located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and features a selection of unique and natural wines and serves them up alongside house-made small plates with a focus on fresh seafood and shellfish.

Where to start

The 2020 Honeymoon by Martha Stouman would be a great white to start with. Martha Stouman is a winemaker out of Sebastopol California and focuses on producing delicious wines with lots of complexity, and crafting wines with the intention of always honoring the grapes. Their process starts with acquiring healthy grapes that have been farmed without use of unnecessary pesticides or chemicals. They&rsquo;re also able to grow 25% of their grapes from vineyards that are dry-farmed meaning there is no added irrigation. They also utilize only native yeasts from the grapes for the fermentation process and embrace the fact that not all grapes are going to taste the same year to year. This is a blend of Colombard and Roussanne which are fermented in neutral oak, so there will be none of the flavors that new oak barrels impart, like vanilla and spices. It&rsquo;s going to have flavors of lemon, stone, honeycomb, and floral qualities too. Great acid and a lovely richness, it would be great with the olive oil poached cod.

If you&rsquo;re feeling more like red, I&rsquo;d go for the 2018 Collecapretta La Selezione delle Cese. If you&rsquo;re a Tempranillo lover, this could be fun to try. This 100% Sangiovese is from natural winemaker Collecapretta. They get their name from the hill they farm on, meaning &ldquo;Hill of the goats.&rdquo; Owned by the Mattioli family and located in Spoleto, Umbria, they also grow ancient grain varieties and olives along with grape varietals indigenous to Italy. They produce only 8000 or so bottles a year so getting a chance at this bottle is fantastic. They never use chemicals in their farming or winemaking, utilize natural fermentation, and don&rsquo;t use any sulfur in the winemaking process. It&rsquo;s aged in barrels for 18 months giving those tannins a nice silky feel on the palate, with notes of cherry, earth and leather. Try with the grilled cheese with roasted corn and pickled poblano!

Value

If you&rsquo;re looking for something that&rsquo;s budget-friendly, a little different, and ultimately delicious, try the 2019 Patrimonio Rouge &lsquo;Cru Des Agriate&rsquo;. Domaine Giacometti is located on the island of Corsica in France on a truly remote part of the island. The area is exposed to a year-round hot wind that comes down off the Italian coast. The Giacometti family moved to the area in 1987 and labored to keep the vines healthy amidst the clay-granite soil and the wind. The land is also covered in maquis, which is a fragrant dense shrub that adds to the terroir in their wines. This bottle is made from mostly Niellucciu with a little bit of Grenache. Flavors of red cherry, blackberry, delicate citrus unfold, with fine tannins. Try with their marinated white beans with roasted peppers.

Celebratory

Something special and a little uncommon that caught my eye was the 2019 Love Joy. This bottle of organic sparkling Chardonnay comes from Chateau de Beru in the Chablis region of France. Chateau de Beru has been owned by the Beru family for 400 years. When phylloxera hit the vineyards in the early 20th century the vines were removed. Ath&eacute;na&iuml;s and her mother Laurence own and operate the vineyards now, after their revival in 1987. Ath&eacute;na&iuml;s was dedicated to implementing organic and biodynamic practices to the vineyards and using minimal intervention in the winemaking process. This sparkling wine is made using M&eacute;thode Ancestrale, which means the fermenting juice is bottled to finish fermentation- this method dates back to the 1500s which is wild. This bottle is so alive, with flavors of freshly sliced lemon, hints of apple, fresh herbs and pastry notes. It&rsquo;s got lots of character and it&#39;s sure to uplift your evening! Pair it with some oysters with the lemon marmalade sauce to set off the lemon and mineral notes in both.

RT: Sam, thank you so much for helping us navigate the wine list at Dear Annie.&nbsp;

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.&nbsp; If you would like Sam to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: <a href="mailto:Info@CorkRules.com">Info@CorkRules.com</a> or visit our web website where we have a request form.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists. Follow us on social media @CorkRules

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Gap Weekend: A Film Shoot in Wine Country

Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Eddy V's Prime Seafood Restaurant

28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen

28-50

Acclaimed New American spot serving upscale fare in buzzy environs, plus a raw bar & live jazz.

Krasi

Sazon

La Boca

Coppa

Helm Oyster Bar & Bistro

Helm Oyster Bar and Bistro

Ledger Restaurant & Bar

Ledger

Row 34

The Ordinary

The Fig

Harvest

homepage

CorkRules application allows you to discover wines at your favorite restaurants, learn with friends and be confident with price transparency. Order wine with confidence at restaurants and retailers. Get personalized recommendations. #DrinkWhatYouLove

404

This page could not be found.