NYCReview
photo credit: Alex Staniloff
Gem Wine
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At some point in your life, you'll probably be sick of going to weddings every other weekend. If you're still a few years away from that, we bet that when the moment arrives, you'll hear at least a couple wedding speeches that reference a first date at Gem Wine on the Lower East Side. This spot is a Goldilocks zone wine bar—just right for many things. But most of all, it's perfect for actually meeting up with your matches.
That's because Gem Wine successfully walks a middle path in everything it does. With battered wood floors and lamps decorated with Goldfish cracker-shaped fish, it's easygoing and welcoming, while the chunky candles and woven seats make it feel grown-up. The lighting is turned down to a sexy wattage, but it's not so dark that you’ll struggle to decipher the 20-page wine list without a pair of readers.
photo credit: Alex Staniloff
And while you could get just a glass of wine and some sourdough bread and butter, the seasonal dishes here are worth dipping into too. Or, if the date is going really well, you can order their approachable five- to six-course tasting menu—which is a great deal at $75 per person.
The wine bar used to be Gem, a seasonal tasting menu spot started by a chef who was, at the time, too young to legally drink wine. The food here still feels well thought-out, without being too intimidating. Yes, that cured fluke is served inside an orange peel (cute!), the plates are precise and relatively small, and the tasting is called The Experience, but nothing feels more fussy than delicious. This also extends to the drinks—the servers are happy to put on their wine nerd hats if you ask, but most likely they'll just start off describing the day’s by-glass options as white, orange, and red.
photo credit: Alex Staniloff
Gem Wine takes reservations, but they do save plenty of space for walk-ins, so you shouldn’t have trouble getting seated for more spur-of-the-moment meet-ups, especially if you come in early. Just remember that most of the tables are communal four- and six-tops—so there’s a solid chance you’ll end up on an impromptu double-date. But who knows? A few years down the line, you might be planning a couples’ vacation.
Food Rundown
The Experience
photo credit: Alex Staniloff
Sourdough and Marmite Butter
photo credit: Alex Staniloff
Lion's Mane Schnitzel
photo credit: Alex Staniloff
Satsuma and Fluke Crudo
photo credit: Alex Staniloff
Salted Cod Beignet with Kosho Aïoli
photo credit: Alex Staniloff
Chestnut Soup with Sage Crème Fraîche and Sourdough Crouton
photo credit: Alex Staniloff