Foodie Chat (11): Amuse Wine Bar

I always hesitate on writing reviews on wine bars. First of all, everyone has different taste buds and the same wine may taste differently by different people. To make things even more complicated, I find that sometimes the same wine tastes differently on different days, depending on my mood, diet, activity level and hydration. That is why it's always a good idea to ask for a sample before you order a glass of wine. Secondly, bar tenders play a critical role in running a fun bar. You may go to the same bar and taste the same wine all the time, but one day feel completely different when your favorite bar tender is not there.

That said, I feel obliged of writing a review for Amuse Wine Bar, a hidden gem in Manhattan's lower east side.

Amuse is a super friendly wine bar for everyone. Unlike many pretentious wine bars where you are left with a thick dictionary of unknown foreign names that may potentially dig deep into your pocket, the wine list in Amuse is both extensive and approachable. The menu is informative as every wine has a brief description of its taste under the name. If you are still in doubt, feel free to talk to the knowledgeable staff. They will recommend a sip either to suit your preference or to pair your food. To sweeten the deal, Amuse has happy hour wine tasting special Monday through Saturday between 3 and 7 pm: $15 for three 2-oz wines three kind of cheese and three kind of meat. I had this wine tasting special last Saturday. Man, every wine had a generous pour. It's almost impossible to beat this deal in Manhattan.

Even on a rainy Saturday afternoon, the ambiance at Amuse was charming. The place looked cozy and quaint with simple wood tables, couch and coffee table. The wall was decorated with humorous paints from Wizard Skull. We were served by Yudheer Manandhar, who turned out to be the general manager of the bar. He was a chatty and funny guy who knew everything on the menu. His recommendation on both wine and cheese were very well received. He told us that Amuse also has live music with no cover charge on weekend nights. I will definitely check it out next time.

Yudheer told me that the owner of the bar firmly believed that drinking wine should be as relaxing as drinking beer. Apparently Amuse has done a good job to make her customers happy and relaxed.

Address: 121 Ludlow St., New York, NY 100002
Telephone: 212 477 0100