It's been some time since my best dining buddy and I have been able to get together but we finally managed this past (very rainy) Monday. She is an Upper Westsider (NYC) and has wanted to try this new place called 81 (yes, it's on 81st Street just off Columbus Avenue.) The chef is the well-known, Ed Brown of Sea Grill and Le Bernardin fame. The modern American menu is very interesting but, as always, I was intrigued and excited to see the wine menu. I was happy to see that it was well-organized with quite a few wines by the glass as well as half-bottle choices. My friend prefers red wines to white and we were both having fish dishes. My first choice was going to be a French Burgundy with a possibility of a Spanish red. But, I am not a big fan of Riojas and started to see what Burgundies we might enjoy. The Sommelier was sent over and after telling him our dinner choices, his recommendation... a French Burgundy! Aha.. So. we looked at the list but all of those were beyond what either of us like to spend at a restaurant. I was directed to an Australian Pinot Noir instead. For $35 this Ninth Island 2005 Pinot Noir from Tasmania was a great choice. A nice simple, fruity and easy drinking red.  The wine most likely retails for around $15 and is worth looking for.

Cheers,

The Wining Woman

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