Wine at Smith & Wollensky

[georgetownronin]

Smith & Wollensky is cleaning out their wine cellar. They are offering some older wines for a significant discount. Many wines from the 80s and 90s.

[Pappy]

Sounds like they may be getting ready to close up shop.

I have got to believe, with the recent introductions of Bourbon Steak, J&G Steakhouse (W Hotel), relatively new (and awful) BLT Steak, that a couple of the lower rung establishments like S&W (awful), Bobby Van's (awful), Sam & Harry's (bad) and Ruth's Chris (bad) have got to be at the end of their proverbial rope. Charlie Palmer's would have closed within a year of opening if it's private rooms weren't contantly booked by lobbyists hosting receptions.

In fact, I was in the Prime Rib on a recent weekend evening and there were empty tables. I've never seen that before in 25 years of eating there.

[crackers]

Perhaps they are taking a page from the justifiably popular Ray's the Steaks with it's newly revamped and reasonably priced wine list.

But if I recall, Smith & Wollensky does have periodic wine discount promotions.

[KevinS]

I work across the street from them. They are not giving anything away. Ranges from 99 to 200 a bottle. Appears to be less than stellar years, also. Still, cheaper than normal and many late '70's and '80s. Mondavi Reserve stands out, but again not the standout vintages from that time period. They are conspicuously absent.

[georgetownronin]

The restaurant is not going anywhere. Some of the wines are simply going to be too old to drink, and, therefore, unsellable in the next few years.