II Posto Canto

By far, Il Posto Acanto has been the best kept wine bar secret in NY (and I fear sharing its name here may destroy that). No place could compare with its selection, its relatively mixed crowd (adults are often in attendance) and its civility. But something's happened. Lately, the bar has been loud and rowdy, something that belies its description on the wine bar menu ("We do not allow parties of more than 6, so that we may replicate the true Enoteca experience found in Rome..." or something like that). Former bar keep used to recommend wines (excellent in their choices), then leave one alone (very much alone, I add thankfully) to one's own devices. Now, a new addition to the bar staff in particular feels the need to intrude (persistently) between your peace and quiet and that glass of nice wine you've just purchased. Why? Mama (the gregarious owner and chef of the restaurant next door) -- are you listening?

great wine, great food, great staff, great atmosphere...
as for the reviewer above -- seven credit cards -- did you ask for seperate checks to begin with?? i would have yelled at you too!

I went with a party of 7, all of whom just started working together. We had a nice dinner - nice wait staff, kind of small portions, but good wine - and at the end each of us put in a credit card (i.e. 7 cards) to split the bill. I'll admit, it can be a pain to split it that many ways, but every restaurant in NY will do it. They end up making out on the tip anyway. All of a sudden the owner aggresively charges out of the back of the restaurant to yell at us that there is no way we can pay with 7 cards. We mention that it is a group of colleagues, many in from out of town, so we had all planned to pay separately. As I was the one being most directly yelled at by him, I tried to explain this to him, and asked him why he was insulting us. He responded, "That wasn't me insulting you... THIS is me insulting you!" as he literally got in my face. Finally he said they would take the cards, but he never wanted to see any of us in his restaurant again. He kicked us outside as soon as everyone had signed.

At one point I asked one of the wait staff what the manager's problem was, and she responded that it was the owner, not the manager... I couldn't believer an owner would treat clientel like that. Never mind why someone would work for such a person, but I implore anyone who reads this to never, ever go to this place. People like this guy deserve to be out of business.