El Viñedo Local

This cozy South American wine bar and tapas shop in Midtown is definitely the place we'd go if we're just looking for a quick glass of vino (perhaps Chilean Pinot) and a tiny (and tidy) empanada, so we don't mess up our theater outfits. But when we’re less fearful of splattering their garlicky, wine-based mussel broth, we're here asking for a spot on their well-lit patio or for the long, communal wooden high top so there's more table space to order three-quarters of the menu. The minimalist-chic interior is enough of a blank slate to make El Viñedo a good pick for an intimate romantic date night setting or for a chill gathering with friends.