Bowery Wine Company (CLOSED)

It was once the target of “die, yuppie scum” protests, but now that the conflict has cooled, we can appreciate this innocuous, dimly lit lounge for what it is: a garden-variety wine bar. The affordable, American-leaning selection is trim—about two dozen whites and reds, with a few sparklers and sweet wines thrown in. But the list is carefully assembled, offering a quality example of most varietals. Better still is BWC’s homemade sangria (we tried the red): easy, fruity and take-the-edge-off refreshing. Not genius; just good. A bit like the bar itself.