Ernie’s Wine Bar

Popping in for a drink at Ernie’s Wine Bar on the Lower East Side is, admittedly, a bit of a strange experience. The bar is not only an auxiliary dining room to Basque restuarant Ernesto’s, but it's also part of their open kitchen. So while you’re enjoying a glass of Spanish natural wine (between $13-18 by the glass), you'll have to watch plates of food you can’t have getting prepared. But, you can order from a very short menu of tasty tapas for outrageously low prices. The $7 saucy Shrimp Bravas are a nice skewer, a giant plate of fries with bravas sauce are $8, and a bowl of creamy risotto with idiazabal cheese and chanterelles cost just $5. The pièce de résistance? Foie gras toast that costs less than a pack of gum. Keep in mind Ernie's is only open Wednesday through Friday.

photo credit: Will Hartman