VBar St. Marks

Soho's small wine bar, VBar, has operated admirably considering its size constraints, and this larger East Village location allows for a bit more room to maneuver. The owners gut-renovated the former Tribe space, and the exposed brick, classic wood bar and cement floor achieves that lived-in but trendy vibe. Grab a seat in the front lounge area, dotted with benches and upholstered parlor chairs, and choose from a diverse menu of Italian-inflected cocktails like a Negroni, a glass of wine from the Italian-heavy list, or a beer from the extensive draft and bottle selection with—wait for it—an emphasis on Italian brews like Del Ducato Verdi and Moretti. The food menu features a collection of authentic Sardinian specialties from recipes developed by one of the owner's Italian mothers. Even in a city that has all of the regional Italian bases covered, there are a few surprises like a lobster and pancetta slider and tagliatelli with caviar and salmon. This new V-Bar big brother is a chance for a bit more ambition and a lot more leg room.

See more: East Village restaurants, Italian restaurants