I’d say Mari is kinda like the big sister of the two. Food and ambience are more polished. My partner says it has more authentically Korean elements. Regardless, both are delicious; if you liked Kochi you’ll enjoy Mari too.
1 Like
Another korean option is Naro from the owners of Atomix! It’s located on the basement floor of the Rockerfeller Center, which is quite nice after the renovations. You can BYOB with no corkage on Sundays.
5 Likes
He is confusing with Cafe Chili, which is a different Chinese restaurant, near Madison.
Understandable, as they look alike.
1 Like
Chili took over Cafe China’s old space and was opened by their ex-employees 
Walked in at 5:30pm on Saturday and no problem getting a table. Background dinner music provided by piano player starting at 5pm, selections becoming more lively by the time we left at 7pm, when bar and tables were full. Large portions of eastern European cooking; not a hot vegetable on the menu. Potato vereniki with side of sour cream, crispy duck salad, and crisp skinned Cornish hen with side of home fries. All delicious and filling. Vodka cocktails are made with Russian Standard, smooth and potent. Tried a glass of Georgian white wine, Raktitseli, I think. Not bad for around $15. Light to medium bodied and subtly fruity, perfect with duck salad. Did not ask about corkage, but everyone seemed very accommodating.
Went to Keens as a party of 3 and showed up with 3 bottles. Unbeknownst to me, there was a limit of 1 bottle per 2 guests. Was able to open 2 of them because they are nice people but not without a stern warning! Corkage fee is $30 per bottle.
4 Likes
Went to De’ll Anima in the West Village and loved it corkage was $50 and I wasn’t told of a bottle limit.
1 Like
Little Owl: $50
Al Fiori: $75, 2 bottle max. Corkage waived on Monday (2 bottle limit still applies). Restaurant notes they do not have service or glassware to service large wine dinners. I wonder if requests for 3-4 glasses/person caused them to put the 2 bottle cap in place.
1 Like
Lots of Thai restaurants in Hell’s Kitchen allow BYOB for a small corkage fee of $10-20. One place I often go to is ‘Noodies’ and they only charge $10 per bottle. If you order a lot of food and beer, they might even waive it.
Mermaid Inn on the UWS is $35 per bottle, no limit. Pretty sure it’s the same for all locations.
3 Likes
I was quoted $35 a bottle at YongChuan, a high end Chinese place on the Lower East Side. I went there before I knew about the corkage and the food was excellent. I believe they’re running a special on Peking Duck the month of July, which has been on and off the menu.
1 Like
Yakitori spots:
No No No: $35
Torishin $50
Kono: $75
Torien: $100
3 Likes
Any update on the quality of their steaks @ Club A Steakhouse? Any other steakhouse that people recommend?
I usually go for Ribeyes
Thx
Unfortunately, my go to Szechuan place for BYOB, Oohu, which charged nothing for corkage, just closed, so I made a few calls to some other Szechuan places and found this out:
Chili- $25/b
Cafe China- $30/b
Wa Jeal- $28/b
Sky Pavilion- $15/b
5 Likes
Strange as they actually run wine dinners there sometimes. Maybe they rent. Or they just don’t want a bunch of geeks showing up (which is fine).
Adding Heidelberg on the UES that allows BYOB for $65/b.
As a reminder, the BYOB Map is constantly updated.
2 Likes
Jiang Nan NYC in Chinatown - $15 corkage I was told when I was there yesterday. They have the best Peking duck I ever had. I am going back with friends soon, this time stacked with bottles of wine.
1 Like
I feel like you can BYOB at most restaurant in Chinatown. Same for Thai restaurants in Hells Kitchen. Corkage is always like $15-20.
The four horsemen and its sister Italian restaurant I Cavallini
$75
Popped into Zaab Zaab in Williamsburg. First time in a few years. Was toting wine, which in the past was welcome here. This time, no soup for me. Mostly Long island wines on short list. Paumanok semi-dry Riesling was an obvious choice. The food remains fine and the larb…plenty hot.
Arte: Decent Italian between Noho and Union Sq. The kind of place where the bow-tied waiter rattles off a “specials” list longer than the menu you’re given. Food was pretty good and to be fair the Somm did an awesome job with a disintegrating cork on a ‘79 Margaux.
$40 per bottle
2 Likes