Hip Hip Rose....at $25 a bottle, The Gander (18 West 25th) takes Manhattan by Storm...by Philip S. Kampe and Maria Reveley

                                               The Bar Room at The Gander

                                                Scallops from Chef Jesse Scheneker

YES, you read it right.

There are still bargains in wine at restaurants in Manhattan.
The Gander (15 West 18th NYC) is a hip, upscale hangout, that is even Hip Hip Hipper this summer by focusing on summers wine success story, Rose.

Aptly titled for their summer Rose campaign, 'Hip Hip Rose!', bottles of Rose from around the world are featured daily, beginning at 2:30pm, in the Bar Room.

My most recent Rose article (June 24th) gained the attention of a staffer at The Gander, who sent an e-mail to me explaining their love for Rose and their summer consumer special of charging a reasonable $25 per bottle for a group of selected  Roses.

The list includes roses from France, Italy, America, Greece and the Republic of Georgia.

I decided to visit The Gander and and see for myself what the hoopla was about. A Bar Room staff member met me, opened several Rose bottles and began to explain, in depth, about each wine.

 I was then given  a sample of a Greek (are they in economic problems?) Rose, a 2014 Ameztoi Rubentis Txakolina (that's a mouthful). The wine was amazing, candied red fruits, lime, medium-bodied and a bit fizzy. It is a vibrant wine with a mix of indigenous white and red grapes.

The following wines that had my interest were: 2014 Billsboro Pinot Noir, Finger Lakes (NY); 2013 Pheasent's Tears, Tavkeri from the Republic of Georgia; 2014 Chateau de Roquefort, Cotes de Provence 'Corail' (France) and La Kiuva de Vallee d'Aosta NV (Italy)..

Fortunately, food is essential, so, Chef Jesse Scheneker, sent over a large plate filled with small bites of Gnocchi with sofrito, peas, ramps and Pecorino cheese, Frito Misto with calamari, clams and snap peas covered with a pickled egg dressing and a Beluga lentil risotto with mushrooms, snap peas and parmesan cheese.

My overall experience was excellent. The price was right, for both the wines and the food. Remember, this is only a summer special, so, to take advantage of this great experience.
The time is NOW!!!


                 To learn more, visit Th Gander online at www.thegandernyc.com 

Philip S. Kampe
Maria Reveley
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com