While working our way from a Shake Shack lunch to the Greenmarket, we found ourselves on 20th Street between Broadway and Park. None of the restaurants were really open as our lunch of a double shack and well-done fries (the only way they are above average) was actually more like a brunch since the only way we can tolerate the line situation is by showing up at 11am.
A great new wine store was open though, so we popped into Moore Brothers and first noticed the coat rack stocked with windbreakers embroidered with the store name. Our immediate suspicions turned into fact as we began to feel the chill on our slightly damp clothes, the whole store was temperature controlled. In fact they pride themselves in that all their wines, a selection from small to medium producers that covers only France, Italy and Germany, have their integrity protected from vineyard to shelf by cold air. The store, their third and first in our city, is well laid out over two floors with easy to read prices, a helpful staff (thanks Ecco), and even a kids' play area for those Gothamist readers with little ones. Tastings are conducted regularly and we sampled some delicious Barbera and Barbaresco poured lovingly by a family member from the estate in northern Italy.
Stepping outside into the light rain, we walked toward Broadway and began noticing the restaurants of 20th Street. From our perennial favorite Gramercy Tavern (front room almost always) to modern Greek newcomer Parea to wine-splurge-expense-account-buster Veritas to La Pizza Fresca (which our pal Michele from Luzzo’s says is nearly as good as his pizza) this one block of the Flatiron may be the best single restaurant block in all of Manhattan. What do you Gothamites think ?
