BWW Reviews: SERENA'S WINE BAR & CAFE - Delightful Tapas and Flavorful Wines on the UES

Serena's Wine Bar & Café fits perfectly into the Upper East Side scene and it has an ideal name. There is an actual Serena--the daughter of one of this bistro's creators--but the atmosphere itself here is superbly serene, welcoming and calm. With its gentle lighting and old-world European feel, this a restaurant and bar where New Yorkers can come to unwind.

Serena's does not confine itself to a single national cuisine: "American, Turkish, Greek, Spanish, French, and Italian" tapas are among the small plates and entrees. Yet the restaurant's response to each one of these cultures is sensitive and distinctive, guided by in-house, hand-crafted excellence.

The small plates are impressive. The hummus and pita chips are both made from scratch, while the macarona almonds are light, crunchy, and suited to a variety of drinks. As they should be, the charcuterie and cheese selections are adventures of taste, texture, and combination. Pair fine Genoa salami with asiago, for something truly Italian or enjoy another combination of your own choosing.

Serena's does offer a full brunch menu. Here, the bistro introduces a classic All American, meat-and-eggs breakfast and three egg omelets, but also reprises favorite dinner selections and dinner ingredients--stuffed grape leaves, paninis, and a buffalo mozzarella flatbread.

And the dinner menu itself, though selective and streamlined, is not to be missed. Proving just how well they can do classic Italian cuisine Serena's offers a superbly hearty and filling plate of spaghetti and meatballs. This classic has diced tomatoes and firm, delicious meatballs. It reminds us why spaghetti and meatballs became a classic in the first place.

The wine list at Serena's is designed to please, not to intimidate. One of the delights is their sangria, served in brimming portions. Wine connoisseurs will be delighted to find that France dominates the sparkling and champagne selections and has a great presence on the list of whites. But there are also fine selections from Italy, Argentina, and California, which is especially well represented among the reds. Guests should be delighted to see Serena's trending this way.

Bottles are available, if you intend to settle in for a full dinner or are enjoying a group outing. If you prefer, a few glasses of different vintages make for a great tasting menu. On my last visit, I paired one of the house Chardonnays against a Sauvignon Blanc and you can do just the same without overspending. Most glasses run between eight and twelve dollars and deliver the kind of character that make Serena's a top wine bar.

Serena's is also available for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and other events. They are located at 1268 2nd Avenue, New York, NY. For more information, call, (212) 988-2646 or visit their web site at www.serenasnyc.com.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Serena's

To post a comment, you must register and login.