(Shopped 11/24/2022 TH @ 8:00pm): Let's park myself at this wine shop for a bit and case the joint!
After a Thanksgiving dinner at nearby Oceana, we decided to stop by Bryant Park Wines before we returned to our room at the Hilton Garden Inn New York/Times Square Central. When I arrived into town the previous day and saw this on my way out to explore my surroundings, I instantly knew I would be back to check things out and hopefully purchase something. Literally the newest business on the block (they'd just opened sometime in October 2022 so barely a month old at the time) with an amazing location, would they be able to stand the test of time in Times Square!?
PURCHASE
2020 Passione Siciliana Red Wine 750ml Bottle ($22.99): A real cork, lighter red color, light jammy oaky aroma, low body, light jammy oaky sweet flavor, easy finish, slight jammy oaky aftertaste, and low astringency https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=UokQbL5pPFO_Iohht_Jx3A&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne 750ml Bottle ($79.99): A real cork, golden yellow color, crisp green apple light bready aroma, low body, light citrus bready flavor, cleansing effervescent finish, slight citrus drying aftertaste, and low astringency https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=m0YhronMKm4stRCj0f3ZUQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
SERVICE
We were quietly greeted by two young gentlemen, one behind the checkout counter and one on the sales floor. They kindly asked if we needed any help, but we thankfully declined as my friend found her champagne and I wanted to thoroughly go shelf-by-shelf before I made my random decision. Eventually, we found what we wanted, easily paid, and wished the two gents a Happy Thanksgiving and for being open on this holiday - easy-peasy!
PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance)
Since we were staying next door at the Hilton Garden Inn New York/Times Square Central, we simply walked. Otherwise, the hotel offered onsite parking, a ton of nearby subway stations, or the use of ride-sharing options - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A basic floorplan with display shelves along the front and back walls with a display table in the front all of which housed various wines, along with some beer and liquor. A simple checkout counter towards the back of the front. Plenty of natural lighting came through the large front wall windows and door while a ton of electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. I didn't notice any TVs while music played in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=M1iaJce-GGrqJaxYBHS04g&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
ATTIRE
I was dressed in a suit and dress shoes having returned from a fancy Thanksgiving dinner. Otherwise, business casual would be the bare minimum.
OVERALL
Bryant Park Wines was kismet for our impromptu night cap of champagne up in our hotel room (we opened the red wine a couple days later), and would like to visit them again if I were in the area. All the signs of a new business was obvious, especially with the liquor license permit signage still posted on their front window and the still somewhat erratic collection of how things were collected together and displayed. They carried the "standards" which was necessary, but I also found some brands unknown to me which I really liked. Plus, their prices seemed very reasonable based on their location. Given more time, I'm sure their shop will be all sorted out and doing gangbuster business with more extensive and hopefully eclectic options so they stood out more. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $112.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS read more