Gottino

The purity of the place strikes first – white marble bar, sparkling stemware, bottles arranged in tight formation, mirror polished to windowpane perfect. Bowties. Fitted white shirts. And lights tuned a notch or two above the neighborhoods standard of brightness.

In a word, Gottino brings it in it’s own authentic and distinctive way, and in doing so manages to say, in 60 bottles or less, more about the potential quality and expression of Italian wine than many of it’s competitors say with 100’s.

For all the quality, the list is moderately priced – over half the bottles cost less than $50 with only a handful over $100 – and all Italian, touching on most of Italy’s wine regions, from extreme north to far south.

About half the bottles are also available by the glass including many of the most exciting, interesting, and obscure selections  - no need to settle for Pinot Grigio just because your mood is by-the-glass.

Note: Don’t overlook the chalkboard specials.