Vanguard Wine Bar, which on top of its beverage list offers a menu of meats, cheeses, sandwiches, and other small bites, officially opened on Thursday, December 12 inside the historic Ansonia building at 230 West 74th Street, between Broadway and West End Avenue. ILTUWS stopped by to explore the bar’s second Upper West Side location.
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With seating for twenty at the bar and room for another ninety at tables, the Vanguard Ansonia features an ‘L’-shaped layout, with the space extending straight back before turning left. Fans of bossa nova music will appreciate the atmosphere, as the genre dominated the evening’s playlist. Classics like the synth-pop hit In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins and Work Song by Herb Alpert were also sprinkled in for variety.
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The menus for Vanguard’s Upper West Side locations are identical. I toasted the occasion with a glass of Syrah—the Commanderie de la Bargemone ‘Bascule’ ’23 from Provence, France. This selection, found in the ‘mild-mannered reds’ section of the menu, features flavors of red fruit, fresh violets, and soft tannins. A glass was priced at $17, while a bottle cost $68. Other options from the red wine list include the Boyer-De Bar ‘Combe Croze’ ’22, a Cabernet Sauvignon described on the menu as lighter and brighter than most cabs, with notes of cassis, blackberry, and a hint of violet, available for $14 a glass or $56 a bottle. For those who prefer earthy, spicy reds, there’s the ‘Lutte’ ’23 from the Division Winemaker Company in Willamette Valley, Oregon, priced at $17 a glass or $68 a bottle. Bold reds include the Turley ‘Juvenile’ ’22, a Zinfandel from California, which is back by popular demand and a favorite among guests.
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White wine enthusiasts can enjoy the Vanguard House Cuvée ’23, a Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux, France, priced at $13 a glass or $52 a bottle. Found in the ‘unoaked and lightly oaked whites’ section, its flavor profile features Meyer lemon and acacia, with vivacious acidity and character. In the rich white category, the Weis Vineyards ‘Semi-Dry’ Riesling ’23 from the Finger Lakes, New York, offers notes of honey, nectarine, and passionfruit, priced at $16 a glass or $64 a bottle. Another option is the Château Moncontour ‘Vouvray Sec’ ’23, an aromatic white with flavors of citrus, green apple, almonds, and honey, also priced at $16 a glass or $64 a bottle. For fans of earthy, mineral whites, the Laurent Miquel Albariño from Lagrasse, France, is an excellent choice, showcasing nectarine, citrus, and Spanish grape, priced at $18 a glass or $72 a bottle.
Fans of the movie Sideways might enjoy ordering the Les Demoiselles ‘Tatin Reuilly Grisée’ ’22, a Pinot Gris variety famously preferred by Paul Giamatti’s character over Merlot. This selection is found in the ‘Boissons’ section of the wine list, priced at $15 a glass or $60 a bottle. The menu also offers a curated list of sparkling and rosé wines, along with beer, cider, and non-alcoholic beverages such as Saratoga Springs Sparkling Water for $7.
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The kitchen at Vanguard Ansonia closes at midnight, but while it’s open, you can enjoy snacks like marinated olives for $12 or prosciutto crudo for $17. There’s also a kale and apple salad with crispy ham and apple cider-mustard vinaigrette for $15. The menu includes meat and cheese plates, with a daily selection of French and American meats or cheeses available exclusively for $27, or a combination of both for $29.
They also offer tartines—open-faced mini sandwiches—like ham, cheese, and arugula for $15, or savory tartes featuring smoked salmon, chives, and crème fraîche for $18. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, they’ve got you covered with macaroons and truffles, priced at $11.
This opening marks the fourth Vanguard Wine Bar location in the city. With its extensive menu and fun, airy layout, it’s easy to see why they’ve been gaining momentum in the neighborhood. Enjoy a glass of Syrah in this cozy new spot.
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It certainly appears rather unattractive. Good wine selections according to the article. i live nearby. I’ll try it out sometime. Thanks for report.
From all the photographs, I’d have to agree with you. With all the talent and interior design options in this city, they couldn’t come up with something more appealing than looking like Zum Zum (circa mid-to-late 60s in NYC) or a subway station in Berlin? Yikes!
Actually Luther and PT, they just decided to follow what works: a comfortable environment, that people enjoy spending time in. They’re growing !! They have good wine selections at what are now considered reasonable prices, and are growing at a time when Americans are drinking less wine. Perhaps they’re not using “all the talent and interior design options” in the city because they’d then have a pretentious, possibly multi million dollar renovation, and need to charge high prices that you both would then scoff at, and say how the neighborhood has nothing affordable. There are other wine bars on UWS that look very much the same – why? – because their attempting to recreate a French Bistro look. You know what this is the second you walk in. By the way, both that other one, and Vanguard, are usually packed. Maybe you should walk in first before you criticize. I’ll actually go and patronize these business – yourselves?
Thanks for being there Vanguard – I’ve been to all of your locations – and always look forward to them. Love the flatbreads, and the wine selection. Continue to search for the lower cost, higher quality, nicely rated wines, versus the ‘big names’ so that you can keep the wines reasonable for the majority that just want a nice glass, a nibble, and comfy place to sit for an hour or so – and you’ll always be busy! Always. I’ll see you soon!
Kudos for the Sideways reference
Yes. I noted that too Wine Mom. If you haven’t done SB wine country trip – do it! Stop at all the ones in the movie, and eat at the same towns/locations. Its touristy fun and adds to the wine!
No reporting on Absolute Bagels? What gives?
Closed. Gone. It is no more. It has ceased to be. It’s pining for the fjords.
What more do we need to know?
Perhaps the movie they showed was “Serial Mom” starring Kathleen Turner not “Cereal Mom” was reported.
I went to this new Vanguard location a couple of times and it’s a warm, inviting space. It has a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. The amber lights above are a visually interesting addition, reminding me of places I visited a long time ago in France and Italy. As mentioned in another comment, it’s not pretentious or trying to be avant garde. The retro decor works for me and for this space — there are some excellent vintage pieces in fact. The prices are reasonable and it’s in a good location, especially for pre- and post-Beacon Theater shows.
Of course this may not be for everyone. There are other places you can go if you want a different vibe, wine list and food options. I’ll be returning soon.