A New Wave of Asian American Wine Bars Arrives in Downtown Manhattan | Eater NY

"A Korean American wine bar in the East Village positioned as a night-out spot rather than a home-style restaurant: owner Richard Jang says it’s “mixed in with contemporary foods from growing up and eating in New York City.” Compared with his Long Island City restaurant, this location is dark and loungy, with nooks well-suited for dates or lingering with friends over a bottle of wine. The kitchen riffs on bistro classics with clear references to Korean flavors and New York sensibilities: a short rib bourguignon prepared with a soy marinade and crispy rice cakes; donkatsu given an au poivre treatment; and a Caesar salad that riffs with creamy shishito dressing and candied anchovies. The menu also nods to Rice Thief’s origins — the ghost-kitchen beginnings are acknowledged — though here raw seafood is topped with caviar, signaling a more elevated, late-night wine-bar approach." - Bettina Makalintal