Bitching about wine service at A Voce Columbus in NYC

Epicurean Exploits - Food and Recipes
1

Ordering a bottle off the list (no corkage… strike one)

I ask around my table, consensus is for a bigger, rustic wine. The Nero d’Avola section of the winelist has 6-8 wines, all between $36 and $44 except for one at $62. I ask the waiter to give me the most "traditional’, rustic, not modern-styled nero d’avola which isn’t the most expensive one. He says he’ll call the somm over. Somm arrives, I give him the same instruction–“which one should I order under $45”?

He turns the page over and immediately tries to sell me on a $75 sicily blend. (strike 2, upsell in face of explicit price range).

I say, “no, I’m serious, $45 or less.” he then sells me a Tenuta Rapitala Nuar 2006, nero d’avola/ pinot noir blend, $44.

The goddamn wine is a modern, light, fruit-driven wine. Exactly the opposite of what I asked for. (Strike 3).

The wine was fine enough, but man, what a shitty experience.

2

Not surprised at all, David. A Voce (the first/original location) is the only restaurant where I have been invited to leave, and immediately took them up on the offer, walking a few blocks to a great dining experience elsewhere. Their front of the house service is notorious. The restaurant is owned by a company that owns restaurants in London and Greenwich, CT, and has developed a reputation for poor customer service.

When I had a (also wine related) conflict with the manager, he said to me, “You’re free to leave at any time, sir.” I replied, “You know, that’s actually a very good idea” and I got up and left.

Never been back.