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In Vino Veritas - CLOSED
- Nearest Transit:
-
168 St (A, C)
168 St - Washington Hts (1)
175 St (A)
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
21 reviews for In Vino Veritas
Review Highlights
"One of my favorite places to unwind in Washington Heights."
(in 4 reviews)
"I moved out of the neighborhood and miss this little place."
(in 3 reviews)
"Tasty paninis and appetizers."
(in 7 reviews)
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21 reviews in English
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Review from kathleen c.
New York, NY
2/24/2009
This place advertises itself as a wine bar, but the lunch special is the way to go here. You get a panini, chips, and a drink for less than $10. And i think you swap out the drink for a glass of wine for a smidgen more.
All of the paninis are Italian-ish and include yummy ingredients like fresh mozzarella, pesto, pancetta, serrano ham (wait that's Spanish..), etc etc. I could probably eat through that entire menu over the course of a couple of years! Although to be objective, I do'nt think their paninis are strictly paninis. The bread is a little fluffier than i'm used to. Isn't panini bread supposed to be crip? Whatever, it was still delish. They also have limonata, which is yummy italian lemonade/soda.
On top of the excellent food and the cheap prices, the ambiance is cuter than I can handle. It's a bit cramped but the owner/bartender is very sociable as to make sitting at the bar very pleasant. Will definitely be back here!! -
Review from Kathleen R.
Bronx, NY
7/17/2008
3.5
I know some of you think north of 14th street is up there. For others, your comfort boundary may be 34th, 59th or even 96th. This little piggie lives ABOVE 200th street, which is officially no man's land for most Manhattanites (even though it's a lovely area and my apartment is 900 square feet -- yup!)
Neighborhood rants aside, we're always on the lookout for cool spots that aren't too far away, especially because a trek to the Village or LES can be upward of an hour. So we were delighted to read about In Vino Veritas on Yelp, and excited to give it a go on a recent Friday.
Everybody's nailed the decor -- very cute and cozy. We had eaten already, but the food looked tasty and reasonably priced (several dishes under $15). We opted for the vino. They have many selections by the glass, priced between $9 - $13 each. With each glass, you get the glass full itself, in addition to a mini-carafe of more. So it's a great value. You could also do half or full bottle. Gotta love the choices! Unfortunately, our waitress had really no knowledge of the wines offered (we had to point several times to the menu so she even understood which ones we wanted). I'd recommend sitting at the bar instead, as the bartender seemed to know his stuff.
A little later in the evening, a great Columbian (country, not University :-) band came on, and Mr. Krey pointed out that everyone else there was clearly a native Spanish speaker. But, we didn't feel out of place. We do speak a little Spanish, which came in handy during the "Tenemos gentes de...?" game). Basically, the band leader asked how many people were from Columbia, Venezuela, Mexico, etc., and you cheered accordingly based on your country of origin. We represented as best we could when he finally said "Los Estados Unidos." :-)
Our bill was incorrect (we were overcharged) but the waitress quickly fixed it when we pointed out the error. All in all, this was a delightful find and I look forward to visiting again. Downtown divas, don't be afraid to give Upper Manhattan a try! -
Review from Sara M.
1/14/2009
The owners are usually on hand to offer advice on the wines... but never at the same time b/c I think they hate eachother... or have a wonderful schedule worked out that allows for one of them to be there during all business hours... but I prefer to think that they hate eachother.
The panini's are great, and during lunch you get a salad, panini w/ chips and a soda for less than $10. Or you can get a glass of wine for a buck more! You can't beat that w/ a stick!!
It's a small so once I had to wait a while for my lunch and I walked out smelling like food... Nasty. Reminding me of being young and having to help my grandma fry chicken and then I would smell like food. My brothers would say that I was going to smell like that forever, so I would sit in the shower for hours scrubbing to make the smell go away... maybe I should start looking for psychiatrists on yelp...
There I go again, with the digressing... anywho, I love their brushetta with the chorizo... but I love, love love meat!Listed in: Uptown baby!
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Review from Maryanne N.
New York, NY
5/19/2008
What a great little spot tucked right into my hood! Not only is their wine selection amazing but their food is great too! Great panini's and bruschetta. Everything is really fresh. Servers are very nice and accomodating and I always feel welcome whenever I go. Love the live music that shows up once in a while. Its a tiny tiny space but it really works so well. Even if I didn't live in the area I'd still come uptown to visit this place!
As to cc s' post below about closing early - if its a slow night it usually costs a heck of a lot more to stay open than it does to close. Most often if you've been that dead all night that by 11pm (especially in the Heights) that its just not gonna happen for you. When I worked solo in a tiny spot in the East Village - most weeknights I would be out of there by midnight (sometimes earlier depending on how slow it was). So in general folks if you really want to make sure your favorite watering holes stay open - then you've got to visit them and let your bartender know just how much they mean to you! :) -
Review from Vince G.
NY
12/27/2007
It's kind of weird to be sit with a glass of wine across the street from a McDonald's where I had a birthday party as a kid (yeah, that's how we got down in the heights). It's also kind of awesome. I feel for cc s - this really is a nice little place. Just iron-horse it up to 168 and walk a couple of blocks north on St Nick. It's a chilled out place with a nice (but not overwhelming) wine and beer selection, tasty apps and sandwiches. Definitely the kind of place to come with a couple of friends to sit and shoot the shit for a few hours.
I considered docking them a star for questionable music selection (Maroon 5? Come on!), but my buzz and full belly compel me to refrain. -
Review from Cynthia F.
3/4/2009
I'm not sure why this place got such great reviews. I chose this bar as a location for a first date after reading the rave reviews and was very disappointed.
The wines were great: excellent selection, but the food was uninspired and in some instances very uncomfortable. We had the antipasti misto, which frankly speaking can't really be screwed up (is it possible to screw up a plate of pre-sliced meats & cheeses? Wait. Don't answer that), and two types of bruschetta. I can't recall exactly what they were, but the bread was so hard it could have sawed wood.
We got used to dusting ourselves off from the crumbs and asking for the other person to repeat themselves over the deafening roar of one of us crunching toast.
Fortunately that first date did not become the last date. Although I wouldn't have been surprised if it had, since I was the one who'd dragged my date all the way up to my hood, hyping up this tapas place all along the way.
The prices were really not that reasonable either, for the neighbourhood. Don't get me wrong; they're decent, but definitely nothing to write home about. I expected better quality and a more innovative menu for a wine bar. -
Review from elianny s.
Astoria, NY
12/29/2009
Pros:
-food
-wine of course
Cons:
- Bad ventilation, when you walk out of this place you will smell like food
- The lady who either works there or owns it has absolutely no concept of how to deal with customers. When you walk in instead of greeting you or even acknowledging your presence, she is there drinking and ignoring everyone. Finally she decides to slowly come towards you to bring the menu and to roll her eyes at you. For someone working at a wine bar she has the worst attitude. She gives you the impression that she could care less, because she knows there are very few food options in the neighborhood. She makes you feel as if you are interrupting her by placing an order. I have been there numerous times (I work in the area) and instead of treating you better since you are somewhat of a regular the service seems worse.
Overall, the place has great potential. The food is actually quite good, and a good wine selection. If you don't mind being treated as if you were a nuisance then this place is perfect. -
Review from David M.
New York, NY
10/21/2009
Would I go again? Yes
Pros:
- Small/ cozy,
- Tasty presatas and salads
- Cost... Reasonable bill at the end.
Cons:
- It's a bit noisy for a "wine bar" and
- Very limited menu.
- Cost... It's still a little pricey for what you get.
All in all, if you want a bottle of wine, a place to chat and don't mind spending $75 for 2 people to do so, this is a great place. -
Review from P E.
New York, NY
2/13/2010
If you live around the way from this spot, check it out. If you don't, dont.
In Vino Veritas is unique to the neighborhood but there are a number of places downtown where you can get the same menu done better at the same price - absolutely no reason to travel to eat or hang out here. Also on the downside, it's pretty cramped inside.
Menu is basically tapas/paninis. I was a little disturbed when I looked to the kitchen area and saw a microwave. Unless I am at a fast food spot, there is no reason any component of anything I order should spend even a moment in a microwave.
All in all my experience there was satisfactory, the wine was good and it's a nice change of pace from what you typically find in the neighborhood. -
Review from Amanda K.
New York, NY
2/23/2008
REALLY fantastic little gem tucked away between a bank and Dunkin' Donuts. Pay no mind to the 24hr walk up window and McDonalds. The lighting and ambiance will remove it from your mind while you're there. Extremely cozy but lively (on Friday nights) bar. Saturday nights are more lowkey. Live music on Fridays and occasionally other nights. Great DJ on Saturdays sometimes. Tasty paninis and appetizers. I moved out of the neighborhood and miss this little place. People are friendly and social and is almost always an interesting mix of people. Loved taking friends there who thought the neighborhood had nothing to offer (fools!).
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Review from Thalia K.
New York, NY
12/12/2008 3 photos
It's pouring rain, the crosswalks are flooded, and we are quickly becoming soaked through. K and I briefly deliberate over whether we wouldn't be better off going somewhere a bit closer for our wine, but the moment of hesitation is gone as quickly as it came. In Vino Veritas is worth getting a little wet.
We are rewarded for our dedication by a handsome smile from the bartender who greets us with, "You two are brave coming all the way up here in this weather!" Tonight Francis is behind the bar, in his familiar camo cap and white t-shirt, and he is chattier than usual on this quiet night. He jokes with us about being a Midwest boy from Ohio who can't handle the New York winters. He confides to us the fact that when his cousin and aunt first tried to lure him out to New York to help out with the opening of In Vino, he was skeptical, "You want to open a wine bar in Washington Heights? In Little Dominica?" As a Dominican himself, Francis knew that his family's appreciation of fine wine was atypical. Luckily for us, his cousin was adamant. "The neighborhood is changing!" he said confidently, "It'll be great, you'll see." Five years later, business is still good--many of the patrons are students and professors from the nearby Columbia Medical school campus--so clearly he was onto something. And as Francis notes, even as the economy tanks, the bar business will keep on keeping on. After all, "People will drink when they're up and people will drink when they're down," he says with a wry smile.
The list is complete with detailed descriptions of how each wine tastes and short enough so as not to intimidate the uninitiated. Besides, every bartender is knowledgeable about the current selections and eager to make suggestions, and they are usually more than happy to let you taste one or two before committing to a full glass. New wines are constantly being rotated in and the newest selections are displayed on a large chalkboard behind the bar. These keep things interesting for regulars and allow us to continue making progress in our wine education. Most of their wines are $8-10 a glass, with the occassional $12 and $15 gems. The difference between the cheaper wines and the more expensive ones tend to be quite noticeable, so if you can afford it, indulge a little. Among our favorites that we have tried in the past were a certain South African Shiraz and the Educated Guess Cab Sav--we like bold reds. All of the wines can also be purchased by the carafe (about 2.5 glasses) or bottle (about 4 glasses). And for those who are still unconvinced that wine is for them, there is also a nice list of cocktails and beers to keep everyone happy and plastered.
For those who manage to get there before the tiny kitchen closes at eleven, try the antipasto misto platter. Thinly sliced prosciutto and pepperoni sprinkled with olive oil, and parmesan, swiss, and blue cheeses alongside plump, ripe berries drizzled with honey. Sweet and savory pulled together by a little bowl of green olives in the center. -
Review from Dee B.
New York, NY
5/24/2007
I haven't been yet but a friend says that this hidden gem has been opened for 3 years and they plan to open another location down the block soon. They have a rotating wine list and appetizers to boot. Apparently it is owned by neighborhood residents who felt that there was a void in the area for a nice wine bar.
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Review from Diana B.
Bronx, NY
5/17/2010
The best wine Lambrusco di Sorbara...I love it with a great portobello panini....the antipasto mixto is also great....a small cozy spot to relax and enjoy.
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Review from Chris Y.
New York, NY
10/27/2008
Looking for a chill wine bar above UES? Look no further. This cozy little place has good paninis and a nice selection of wines that I've surprising never heard of(I'm spoiled by growing up in Cali with Napa nearby). The lunch special of panini, house salad, and soda($8) or wine($11) can't be beat. I'll definitely check out their tasting event during the beginning of each month. Give it a chance if your in the neighborhood. They'll stay open as long as there's a crowd so bring your friends!
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Review from D C.
New York, NY
9/29/2009
Very cute wine bar- intimate, friendly, and not too pricey. One of my favorite places to unwind in Washington Heights. Nothing too extraordinary about the food, but the atmosphere and wine selection are spot on for a simple yet classy evening.
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Review from Minji K.
6/25/2008
Cute little wine bar up in humble Washington Heights...it's a bit out of place in terms of location, but that's ok. My friends had the paninis, and I had the chocolate souffle, which tasted more like molten chocolate lava cake, but hey I wasn't complaining. We also each got a glass of wine, and the server was very helpful in helping us to pick out what would go good with the food.
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Review from Kristi K.
New York, NY
3/30/2009
I love this place! The paninis are great, they use this bread which is a little sweet and goes well with the melted cheese and meats. The service is very fast and you get a salad, sandwich, chips and Italian soda for around $10 (a few bucks more for a glass of wine). Great deal!
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Review from Shar B.
New York, NY
10/22/2009
It's way nice to have this groovy place in Washington Heights, as proof one doesn't have to travel all the way downtown to hang at a chill wine bar. The wine selection is terrific & the servers really know it well; they gave fabulous suggestions after chatting w/ us about our preferences... we've enjoyed some new discoveries here, like an awesome Portuguese white wine that is now a new fave of mine! The staff is warm & welcoming too, it's always a treat to sing the praises of upper Manhattan with peeps who appreciate it the way we do. As for food, we ordered salad, a tartine & a panini; we were very satisfied w/ our meal. It's a modestly-sized establishment, wish it was larger, but it rocks regardless. Love the ambiance, love the drinks/eats - way to go, In Vino Veritas. :)
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Review from neil e.
New York, NY
1/28/2010
Basically the only wine bar in the area. It has decent paninis and tapas but don't expect a full dinner menu. It's very small and IMHO overpriced ($10 glass of decent wine) for being in a shitty neighborhood. Its not like we are in the far west village where u are paying for the location as well. It looks out to a freggin 24hr McDonalds. That being said, it's not a bad date spot provided they have space and your date isn't staring at the golden arches across the street.
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Review from Andrew L.
New York, NY
8/31/2008
Confirming what everyone else says, this is a cool spot to check out up uptown. The food and wine are both great The atmosphere is casual and comfortable, but still has style and elegance.
I've had several of the non-meat dishes and they were all good. Including the panini and eggplant. The lunch special is good and is a great way to check this place out on a budget.
The owners work in the shop and are very personable and knowledgeable about wine. I strongly recommend supporting this small business that has helped keep business in the neighborhood. -
Review from Cris M.
New York, NY
3/4/2009
Great atmosphere with a wonderful wine selection and really tasty panini's. For a wine place they also have a pretty good beer selection. The atmosphere is very chill, and it's a great place to have a nice conversation over a glass, or bottle, or several, of wine with a friend.
