New Bar Alert: Black Mountain Wine House
There is something very magical about visiting a neighborhood business when it first opens. The wait staff is not only friendly but downright lovable, each dish is prepared with care, each drink poured with love, and everyone (guests and staff) is relaxed, happy and full of optimism. I hope that Black Mountain Wine House continues to have all of these qualities because tonight it was truly charming.
Although it's possible that there's a wine bar somewhere in New York that feels like it belongs in the Adirondacks (and I'm not just saying that because of the chairs), I certainly haven't been. Yes, it's refreshing to see a different spin on the wine bar concept and, as the name implies, enjoy a bar that feels more like a house than a slicked-up bar.
There's a country store feel about the place, with its wooden and mismatched tables and inviting fireplace, and wines are unpretentiously pulled from the bookcase lining one wall. A small wine bar--five seats--is a great vantage point for talking shop. I, however, was mesmerized by the slow but careful oyster shucking and the selection of cheeses at the food station. We sampled a white bean crostini that for once felt worth its price (I always find crostini to be overpriced and undertasty, but I keep ordering it!). This one was layered with amazing heirloom tomatoes, a generous topping of white beans with an accompanying "gravy" and then served with a small crock of warm ricotta cheese. We asked for more bread so as not to miss the last of the ricotta.
According to Time Out, the place is run by Jim Mamary (hence all the Alan Hardy chatter--they often work together), although Shane Smith is the manager. I have a love/hate relationship with the Mamary restaurants. They all have such potential, but they often fall off once the opening buzz has died. Let's hope a caring manager can make sure that doesn't happen here. Oh, and it's not just wine, there's a nice beer list, too.
Look at the really cute boy I picked up!
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the missus and I stopped in for a drink last week and were pleasantly surprised...aside from the comforting and comfortable atmosphere, the fact that it's NOT on Smith St makes it that much warmer...can't wait to huddle by that fireplace in November!
Hey!! I was there last night. Sitting at the table right behind you by the window. I think it was after you left though. The atmosphere was great. The wines are selected with care. The cheese plate we had was SUPERB.
Maybe nice - but if I were a neighbor I'd be real pissed with the outside seating in front of the bar. Who wants people smoking and drinking and the rest a few feet from you living room, bedroom windows. Since a residential block and not Smith St. I find that part quite offensive.
It's odd to me that these comments keep appearing in blogs about this spot. The patio at most seats 10. And it's a wine bar with food, not a frat bar. People live above just about every bar and restaurant in Carroll Gardens ... and most seem to think that having places to hang out outweighs the noise people may make. I'd love to see someone complain about all the noise made by the old Italian men outside their social club ;)
My wife and baby and I went there last night - Shane's Pick white wine was a good value, and the food plates were tasty as well. The white bean crostini is as good as crostini gets.
The big problem, however, was service. The waiter was affable enough, but slow, and made some kind of mistake during every interaction. Just keep it in mind.
The space is really warm - feels like you're in a Paris country cafe.
Or how about all the noise from the neighbor below blasting his Sinatra records at 1am?
Website captures none of the feel of the vibe shown above. Just harsh b + w hardcore band look. Bad.
I have worked a long time to forget my days in the Adirondacks, where we couldn't even afford the local-type wooden construction chairs. By my continuous diligence and hard work, I now do cut-and-paste layouts for comic book ads in Manhattan. I will visit the bar and long for what I longed for the first time around, if I get the chance to do that this summer. Because I think it might be too cold to do that in Wintertime, if you ask my opinion.
I sometimes go hang at those Italian social security clubs, with my old friends from work who are admittingly getting alot older now. They sit outside on stools, but not in such big chairs. And I tease about the variety of drinks, mostly hot little cups of coffee only. Theres a kid who brings them out and says my thumbs, they took my thumbs and the older mostly italian guys laugh it off all the time outside. They talk about bocce, but never do it very much anymore. Like I said its not really the same, if you ask my humbled opinion.
Hi,
Where is this bar?
On the corner of Union and Hoyt streets.
Went there last week... Had a great time... Good inexpensive wines... Nice small plates that fill you up... Good service and great music...
Hey Me
The website looks great to me. Nothing at all like a hardcore band. You must be quite the design genius to feel comfortable making silly comments like that.
Keep up the good work, clever pants...
we stumbled across this bar walking up union street and was pleased to find a spot 'off smith', but when we walked in we were so rudely treated that we didn't bother to sit or taste... since then i have talked about this place with friends who everyone is buzzing over this 'cute' place, but it's all hype for now... the menu was so-so and the wine list, although extensive and nicely chosen (with decent prices) doesn't make up for the rude behavior and aloof attitude of the bar man and floor manager.... don't believe the hype and don't go...