Craft New York is the debut restaurant from renowned chef Tom Colicchio. It opened in 2001 and has become a timeless classic and a must-visit destination for those seeking an exceptional dining experience.

Food: 4.5/5 &ndash; Craft New York offers an outstanding culinary experience with a thoughtfully curated farm-to-table menu that caters to a wide range of tastes and preferences. The standout dish for me was the perfectly cooked Prime T-Bone steak, which was tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The selection of sides, like the Hen of the Woods (mushrooms) and Gnocchi, complemented the main courses beautifully. However, I was slightly disappointed by the absence of exceptional fries, but this minor blemish was overshadowed by the overall excellence of the food. Also, the souffle was a true masterpiece, leaving me in awe of its exceptional taste and texture. A must-have!

Service: 4.5/5 &ndash; The service at Craft New York is genuinely excellent. The staff is highly attentive, welcoming, warm, and knowledgeable. They displayed a genuine passion for providing exceptional service and went the extra mile to ensure every guest had a memorable dining experience. However, there were a few instances where the staff seemed slightly overeager. Nonetheless, the overall level of service was exceptional.

Wine Program: 5/5 &ndash; Cheron Cowan, the Beverage Director, has curated a fabulous wine list. The selections are extensive and offer a thoughtful choice of wine for casual enthusiasts and wine nerds. The list includes all the classic bottles one would expect, as well as some hidden gems for those seeking a unique experience. The staff is well-versed in the wine offerings and can provide expert recommendations to pair with your meal. Additionally, Craft New York offers a selection of after-dinner digestives, adding the perfect touch to conclude your dining experience. Please check out the wine list in the <a href="https://www.corkrules.com/restaurants/craft/49">CorkRules</a> app for reference and also note our two CorkRules podcasts reviewing their list:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.corkrules.com/craft/episodes/649" target="_blank">Episode #304</a>&nbsp;with Cheron Cowan and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.corkrules.com/craft/episodes/61" target="_blank">Episode #55</a>&nbsp;with Grace Hood.

Vibe/Atmosphere: 6/5 &ndash; The vibe at Craft New York is simply fabulous. The restaurant exudes a trendy and hip ambiance while maintaining a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. The energy in the dining area is vibrant, making it an ideal setting for social gatherings or business dinners. Despite the lively ambiance, the acoustics are well-managed, allowing enjoyable conversations without strain. The seating arrangements are spacious and comfortable, and the modern decor adds to the aesthetic appeal. Even the bar areas look like a neighborhood place to enjoy a libation with delicious bites.

Craft New York surpassed my expectations in every regard and continues to be one of my go-to places. When I entered the restaurant, I was greeted with warm hospitality and attentive service. The menu presented various tantalizing options, and each dish exceeded my expectations regarding flavor, presentation, and quality. The wine selection was impressive, and the staff&#39;s knowledge and recommendations enhanced the dining experience. The stylish and inviting ambiance added to the overall enjoyment, making Craft New York a must-visit destination for any food lover. I highly recommend this restaurant for a remarkable dining experience, whether for a special celebration, a business event, or a memorable night out.

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Craft New York is the debut restaurant from renowned chef Tom Colicchio. It opened in 2001 and has become a timeless classic and a must-visit destination for those seeking an exceptional dining experience.

Craft New York Restaurant Review

The world of sparkling wine is a vast one. While champagne has long been the reigning king, there's another contender that’s not only equally delicious but also offers great value for money - Cremant.

Cremant vs Champagne: The real deal for bubbles.

Omakase is experiencing a surge in popularity, let’s dig into what it is and of course what wines to drink.



 Omakase, a term that translates to "I'll leave it up to you" in Japanese, is rapidly gaining popularity in the culinary world. This dining experience places your meal entirely in the hands of the chef, who meticulously crafts each course based on seasonal ingredients and their personal creative flair. It's not just about seafood; while sushi often features prominently due to its status as a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine, an omakase menu can include anything from Wagyu beef to seasonal vegetables.

Omakase and Wine Pairing: A Booming Gastronomic Journey

California Chardonnay: it's a name synonymous with sunshine, buttery richness, and maybe even a splash of white wine envy (looking at you, Bridget Jones). But how did this grape, originally hailing from France, become a Californian icon? Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard, from its unexpected origins to the reasons it continues to reign supreme on wine lists.

Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard!

Forget everything you think you know about sweet, syrupy wines. Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region that’s as light and bubbly as a summer day.

Lambrusco: The Party in a Bottle You Need to Try under $25

As the days grow longer and warmer, it's time to trade in your full-bodied reds and crisp whites for a glass of refreshing rosé. This versatile wine is not only perfect for spring but also pairs beautifully with a wide variety of foods all year round.



Rosé originates from France, specifically Provence - the world’s leading rosé region. It has been produced there since 600 BC when Greeks brought vines to southern France. Unlike its red and white counterparts, rosés are made using an array of grape varietals including Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault among others.

Spring into Rosé: The Perfect Wine for Warmer Weather

We are interested in understanding your dining and wine consumption habits to gain valuable insights into the wine and restaurant industry.

State of Wine and Restaurant Survey 2024

Aligoté: Burgundy's Unsung Hero Steps Out of the Shadows

For Chardonnay lovers seeking a refreshing, value-driven alternative, Aligoté, Burgundy's "other" white grape, beckons with its crisp acidity, subtle minerality, and undeniable charm. Often overshadowed by its more illustrious neighbor, Aligoté is finally gaining recognition for its unique qualities and exceptional quality-to-price ratio.

Aligoté: Burgundy's Unsung Hero Steps Out of the Shadows

A Hungarian Legacy: Imagine yourself in Tokaj, Hungary, a region steeped in winemaking tradition. For centuries, Furmint has thrived in its volcanic soil, basking in the warm sunshine. These grapes, loved for their thick skin and high acidity, became the cornerstone of Hungary's most famous wine: Tokaji. These sweet, honeyed treasures were once enjoyed by royalty and popes!

Furmint: Hungary's Hidden Gem for Wine Lovers

Check out these four whites wines under $24, from some great producers across various terroirs – France, Italy, Spain. Spring is in the air.

Four must try white wines for under $24 from France, Spain, and Italy

YO Ranch Steakhouse

Alexis Rogers

Kochi

Kochi

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where (in each episode) we will review a

wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Alexis Rogers, wine educator and restaurant sommelier

Hello Alexis, Welcome back to another episode!

AR: Hi Robert! Thanks for having me!

RT:&nbsp;Before we dive into the wine list at Kochi, a little bit about us. CorkRules was created to demystify and simplify ordering wine at restaurants - an experience that can be intimidating for most people.

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.

Today we are discussing Kochi. This Hell&rsquo;s Kitchen eatery boasts an 8-course tasting menu of mostly skewered dishes (kochi means &ldquo;skewer&rdquo; in Korean) as well as other Korean-inspired menu items. Both menu and concept are inspired by the Korean Royal Court&rsquo;s culinary traditions of smaller multi-course meals.

So, Alexis, tell us a little bit about the wine list at Kochi

AR: This wine list is very Franco-centric - which I love. It is basically organized into &ldquo; French&rdquo; and Everywhere Else within the Grape Heading. But hey, credit where credit is due! One bottle in particular that I got super hyped about was the 2019 Nicolas Joly &ldquo;Coulee De Serrant&rdquo; Savieneres. Coulee de Serrant is a single vineyard from which a single producer makes wine - aka as a &ldquo;monopole&rdquo;. This particular vineyard has gained such recognition that it was awarded its own separate AOC within Sauvenieres with even stricter production regulations. It&rsquo;s a magical parcel of land giving a famed producer incredible fruit. This highly aromatic wine made from 100% Chenin Blanc gives us notes of grapefruit, pear, honey, chamomile, fresh straw, and candied lemon. Also, look for the skin-contact version of this wine under the orange wine section!

RT : I think that, for a layman, French wine is the most difficult to comprehend and therefore order or buy.

AR: You&#39;re totally right. French wines are labeled by their Point of Origin - or AOC, so understanding French Wine law STARTS by memorizing which grapes are grown in which village. But even if you don&#39;t remember that Sancerre is Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, you WILL remember the electricity and grassy citrus-y flavors and that you loved it and that it paired fabulously with goat cheese. So while French wIne law can feel alienating and gratuitously pompous, the wines themselves and the experience of drinking them is a universal pleasure,

RT: Haha, that was quite a love song to French wine! But it&rsquo;s these hard to comprehend rules that are the reason we are sitting here - we need someone to decode them!

AR: And it&rsquo;s my pleasure to do so!

RT: So now I think it&rsquo;s time we look at the menu and do some pairing! The Spanish Mackerel definitely caught my eye&hellip;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

AR : Mine too! And I knew exactly where to go for pairing! Spanish Rosada - or rose. Specifically, the incredibly affordable 2019 Muga Rosado from Rioja. Mackerel is an oily fish that needs a bright fresh wine but also something with a little body and structure to stand up to it. Rose is the perfect agent for this mission. This bottling is made from Grenache and Viura with a smattering of TempraNULLlo for some structure. This bottle would probably actually do very nicely with a good portion of this menu and might be a good bet if you were thinking of the tasting menu

RT: I think that Rose is the unsung hero of food pairing and rarely gets the credit it deserves.&nbsp; I noticed a pretty large selection of half bottles on this list, did any of those stand out to you?

AR: Yes, actually! The first bottle my eyes really landed on was the 2017 Royal Tokaji Lare Harvest Furmint from Tokaji Hungary. This region and its wines date back to the 12th century but really came into prominence in the 7th century when the world - and especially its royal courts- caught on to the pleasures of the sweet, concentrated elixir. Tokaji wines featured prominently in a lot of the geopolitical tussles of the day - their sales funded the wars of independence against the rule of Transylvania by the Austro - Hungarian empire, The royal Russian Romanovs maintained a colony there to ensure their supply and almost went to war over Poland&rsquo;s sticky-fingered tax on the wines traveling through on their way to Russia. But they all had to compete with Louis the 14th court at Versailles after he declared the wines to be The King of Wines and the Wine of Kings. Today, many styles of Furmint are made - from dry table wines to sweeter Late Harvest, to the botrytis-affected Aszu, to the extremely rare and expensive Eszencia - which is so rich and concentrated and expensive that one drinks it from a crystal teaspoon.

RT: What a fascinating history! Here is a fun fact, I&rsquo;m actually Hungarian. My parent immigrated and I was raised by staunch Hungarian parents.&nbsp;

Alexis, thank you so much for being here and the dive into some of the great stories wine tells and the list at Kochi! To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to:

Info@corkrules.Com or visit our web website where we have a request form available&nbsp;

&nbsp;

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime,

please check out our website for all our latest episodes or on your favorite podcast service for all your favorite restaurant wine lists.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

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END

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BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

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

Menade is a family-owned winery located in the heart of Rueda, Castilla y Leon. They are committed to producing organic and biodynamic wines with minimal intervention in the cellar. Through their sustainable practices, they strive to express the unique terroir of the region in their wines.

Stylish neighborhood venue with a rotating menu of wood-fired Northern California fare & drinks.

Viva Garcia

Brera Osteria

Buddy V's

Yardbird

CHICA Las Vegas

Chica

Bar Zazu

Hell's Kitchen, Las Vegas

Brera

Jasmine

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

Mägo

François Chidaine Touraine Grolleau Pinot Noir Gamay Rosé 2020

Rose Blend

Loire Valley, France

Umathum Rosa, Austria, Burgenland, Neusiedlersee 2020

Rose Blend

Burgenland, Austria

Breaking Bread Field Blend, USA, California, North Coast NV

Red Blend

North Coast, California, USA

Dr. Lippold

Empress Josephine's Riesling 2016

Riesling

Mosel, Germany

Vinas Serranas Ciclon Rufete Castilla Y Leon 2019

Spain

Bisson

U Pastine Bianchetta Genovese 2020

Albarola

Liguria, Italy

Zahel

Orange T 2020

Orangetraube

Wien, Austria

Montenidoli

Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Fiore 2020

San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy

Annesanti

Ninfa del Nera Bianco 2020

Blend

Umbria, Italy

Terre

Due, Wines Frappato Terre Siciliane, Italy, Sicily, Terre 2019

Frappato

Sicily, Italy

Avancia

Godello 2018

Godello

Valdeorras, Spain

Anatolikos

Fine Assyrtiko - Malagousia 2018

Assyrtiko

Avdira, Greece

Giornata, Barbera, Paso Robles 2020

California, USA

Weingut Neumeister Gemischter Satz, Austria, Styria, Südsteiermark 2020

White Blend

Styria, Austria

Dominique Piron

Cremant de Bourgogne NV

Chardonnay

France