207880 Sun Feb 22 19:30:45 -0800 2004 4 18 Manhattan 0 1107370 Last week my wife and I went to meet up with a group of friends at the Divine Bar to drink wine and eat some tapas and basically just have a good time. Apparently many others had the same idea as the place was packed tight with 20/30-somethings, including several recently ousted contestants on The Apprentice (including that wild Sammy). In any event, the wine list is pretty incredible. They offer most in three forms, by the glass, by the bottle or by sample (2 oz.) which, although not necessarily cost effective on a whole, did allow me to try several items I wasn't about to spend $24/glass. Here's what I had in order (favorite to least favorite). Unfortunately I lost my full notes that included cost per glass/sample. * Lucien-Barrot Chateauneuf de Pape, 2000 (very, very good. My favorite of the night) * Quintessa, Napa 2000 * Archeval-Ferrer Cabernet/Malbec/Merlot, Argentina, 2000 * Cain Cuvee, Napa, NVO * Jaboulet "Les Jalets" Crozes - Hermitage Syrah, 2001 (wait another year and a half before drinking this...way too young.) On to the food. My wife and I ordered some tapas and despite the lack of room to eat it...it was all pretty good...but not worth going for. The place is there for the wine, not the food. Food should be only an afterthought/accompaniment. Sweet Potato Pancakes very good...my favorite of the five Russet Pancakes (not sure why we ordered both - skip these) Sesame crusted chicken (basic fare...not trying super hard) Spicy Beef Satay (this was pretty good. Came out piping hot) Bruschetta Rio - I didn't get a chance to sample this. Friends of ours got to it before I could. Looked good though. Ok, this wasn't a great review and I apologize. But if you like wine, definitely check it out. MM Sun Feb 22 19:30:45 -0800 2004 0 dkstar1 1 1107402 Was this the east side or west side Divine Bar? Mon Feb 23 10:22:05 -0800 2004 1107370 0 debvil 2 1107404 East Side. Sorry about that. Mon Feb 23 10:34:30 -0800 2004 1107402 0 dkstar1 3 1107407 My favorite thing at the divine bar is the ostrich and gorgonzola cheese on toasts. Mon Feb 23 10:49:38 -0800 2004 1107404 0 Daniel 1 1107416 Divine Bar on the West Side hosts a bunch of wine tastings done by Vino-Versity a few times a month too--they're a lot of fun, and a pretty good price--generally $35 per person. Link: http://www.nywinetour.com Mon Feb 23 11:05:28 -0800 2004 1107370 0 FoodGrrl