“An open note to all those who live below 86th street” – Please stay away from my new home away from home. Seriously, if I see any LES, Brooklynites, Murray Hill, Chelsea, Tribeca, West Siders, or anyone else who does not belong in this area on the UES crowding up my new home and taking up my seat at the bar I will have to kill you. Painfully, tortuously, and slow.
All kidding aside Kaia Wine Bar is a must needed and welcome addition to this barren strip of land on 3rd Ave and 91 street. Nothing like this South African centric wine bar in the immediate area. Walking in you are invited to a warm, cozy, sexy, and dimly lit interior. Candles in small mason jars, on all the tables, and hanging in the front windows flicker with cool ambiance. The decor is modern-chic and calming. Large bar centers the room, dark wood tables and window counter seating line the stamped concrete floor, exposed brick wall, bench seating in the far corner, and funky retro looking lights hang above the bar. Old stove from 1919 leans against the far wall serving as an anchor and viewpoint when walking in. African inspired music plays in the background at a smooth level that never overpowers conversation.
I must say the the wine selections are fresh and exciting here. Many wines from Africa, Chile, New York, and other parts of the world. Not a gigantic selection, but easily you should be able to find one to satisfy the palate. They even have two wines on tap from North Fork winery on Long Island. The Malbec mix is delicious. A little dry with intense, rich flavor. The beer selection is also terrific here. Again, not a huge selection, but what they do carry is superb! Three beers on tap – Six Point Sweet Action, North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner, and Old Greenpoint Black Duck Porter. Bottled offerings include Tusker Lager, Lagunitas, Hitichino Red Rice Ale, Corsendonk Abbey Pale Ale, Full Sail, Wolaver Oatmeal Stout, Ommegang, Geenflash IPA, and a few others. Wow! Just WOW!
And now for the orgasm inducing food here. Our waiter was terrific and took the time to explain everything on the menu here. As we did not know much about South African cooking this was a welcome learning experience. In fact, I saw this happen at most every table here. The staff is wonderfully happy to teach each diner about the great foods and wines/beers on the menu in a very fun and cordial way. We were never spoken down to as some wait-staff can do. I felt like they really cared about us as customers, and wanted us to have a meaningful dining experience.
Bread basket in a small collander bowl is placed on the table along with dipping oil and a small bowl of mixed nuts and spices to dip in. The favor of this is amazing and wakes up your senses for the main meal. We ordered the humorously named Bunnychow and the Kaape Sout Pannrkoek which is Cape May Pulled Pork Pancake. When placed on our table the plating of these meals themselves are inspired. The Bunnychow is masala chicken curry served in a large square bread bowl, with marinated banana slices on the side. Terrific curry flavor that did not overpower the taste of the chicken that was simmered to moist perfection. The pulled pork pancake is almost like a crepe filled with curry paste and delicious pulled pork. Small mushrooms and red pepper slices on top, along with a mango chutney sauce added to the side accentuates the flavor. Totally satisfying to say the least!
Now for the desserts – OMG! I wanted to cry in joy and jump through flaming hoops at the same time while eating these delicacies. We ordered the Grenadella which is a passion fruit custard with a half a passion fruit on the plate, and the Melva. Now, the Grenadella was very good, but the Melva made me melt with orgasmic bliss. It is basically an apricot jam sticky bread pudding, with sliced strawberries on top and a flavorful vanilla creme drizzled on the plate. One of the top ten desserts I have ever tasted. I wanted to walk over and hug the chef and cry.
The owners, Suzaan and Omar, both came over to our table to see how we liked our meals and ask what we thought about the place. Both are gracious, and really have a love and dedication for what they are doing here. Suzanne wants this place to feel like you are being invited into her home. After dinner we moved over to the bar and chatted more with them. Suzanne is incredibly sweet, funny, down to earth, and told us her story and about life in South Africa. At this point I had to try the Black Duck Porter and it was a perfect after dinner beer choice. Dark and coffee like, just like a good stout should be, and another glass of the North Fork wine. Just a perfect ending to a new dining experience.
They also have cheese and meat board selections on the menu to pair with the wines. Prices are in line for what they are serving here, and Suzaan told us the are looking for customer input as they will be tweaking the menu as they go along. Just a terrific place!
Kaia Wine Bar http://www.kaiawinebar.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kaia-wine-bar-new-york
The first paragraph scared me away! 🙂
Looks like a great place.
Hey Fearless!
Come on over and enjoy! Don’t be afraid of this dumbass! 😉
How funny — I actually just tried Kaia for the first time last week. Same rave reviews about the service, food, and wine! I highly recommend trying the Gatsby sandwich next time — same curried chicken with South African fries and vegetables on a great crunchy roll. I’ve gotta check out the Bunnychow!
Hey Maggie!
So glad you tried this place and liked it just as much! I’ll give that sandwich a try soon. Hope you also tried the great desserts!
This sounds like my kind of place, looks so lovely as well.
Hey Claire!
I am sure you would enjoy it. I always see many ladies there and groups of gals enjoying the food and wine.
I wish they opened up a location in South Florida!
Hello Betsy!
Thanks for dropping by and commenting! This is one of the few South African spots I have seen, but I have had some terrific Latin and seafood down in Miami!
I love going to Miami for food….please let me know some of your favorite spots and thank you for your reply!
You had me at Mason jars. Seriously. I want to go there. Even though Virginia is below 86th street I’ll take my chances. 🙂
Hey Coleen!
Sneak up at your own risk! The food and wine is worth it! 🙂
This place looks AWESOME. I wish we had one in SF!
Jules of Canines & Couture
Hey Jules!
I am sure SF will get a South African place sooner or later! In the meantime send me some dungeoness crab! It’s so good there.
How cool! It looks beautiful and the food sounds great. Glad you told us about it!
Hello Marcia!
Thanks so much for dropping by and commenting!
It’s a great spot and close to home so I am lucky. Glad you liked my review!
South African Restaurant in NY! Brilliant.
No Pinotage at their restaurant?
Hey Gillian!
It sure is a pleasure to eat and drink here! Not sure about the pinotage but will check next time I am there!
This place sounds amazing….. especially because of the knowledgeable and friendly waitstaff as well as approachable owners….gotta love that!
Hey Julie!
The owners and staff make it such a nice place to either have a meal at or drop by for a few drinks. We need more places like this!
Oh Wow, the food flavors sound amazing, it wouldn’t matter to me what they serve in wine or beer, seems like the dish complexities even in their simplicity match well with anything. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Peggy!
They have a nice menu of items made out of a small kitchen area the size of a closet. It’s pretty amazing how good it is. Plus the beer and wine selection is terrific. So glad it’s right up the block from our place!
This is what I loved and miss about eating in NYC, such an eclectic mix of offerings. You can literally find anything you’re in the mood for, or anything new you might want to try.
Hey Karen!
That is very true! There are so many different restaurants here of all types. You never go hungry or bored.
It sounds like a great find there Phil. I know every time I go to South Africa there is always lots of good food and wine. They really love their steak over there but there are always good alternatives if you don’t want to over do it in the red meat.
If you love this place so much and it is your new home I don’t know what we are going to do. You provide so many great reviews of places to visit we need to get you out of your home more 😉
Hey Guy!
There are many great food finds here in the city and many opening each week it seems.
Yeah, I need to find a new home soon. The owners are tired of me sleeping on the bar!
My mouth is seriously watering! My ALL TIME favorite food and restaurant here in the Dallas area is Queen of Sheba. It’s Ethiopian food – omg – amazing! I’ve eaten that food for over 20 years and the spices and smells are the best in the world. LOVE. I’m gonna have to eat there immediately; your post made me crave it!
Hey Beth!
I love trying out many different foods. Love the curry based ones for sure, along with the many Asian centric spots, and you can find anything here in NYC. Glad I made you hungry!
This place HAD me at passion fruit desserts. For some reason not many places make desserts with this delicious fruit, and since this bar does, well, it sounds even better.
Looks like a cool place! You have yourself a double-edged sword here–your blog is popular no doubt, so you will probably see some readers checking it out 🙂 Hehe. Giving up the secrets for the sake of alerting your fellow reader.
Hey Jean!
It’s a great spot so I guess there is room for more! I’m sure the owners won’t mind at all. Great food, wine, and ambiance. Love it.
Had to read this post – all the way from South Africa. Now this is a must. There are some amazing things that originate from South Africa and wine is one of them. And if you ever find yourself in South Africa – you must take a trip along the wine route – absolutely beautiful countryside and not to mention the wine tasting.
Hey Lanthie!
I never knew there was so much wine that comes out of Africa. I can just picture how beautiful it must be over there. We just have a little taste of it here and it’s a terrific place.
Candles in Mason jars and decent dessert – do you need to go anywhere else?
Kate x
Hey Kate!
This place does have great ambiance. Sexy for a date, or chill and relaxed for a group. The desserts are so good.
The atmosphere sounds great- a little funk, a little retro and lots of culture!
Hey Christy!
It’s a wonderful spot for a date or just to have some wine!
Orgasm inducing food?! I’ll be on the next flight out!
Hey Cowboys!
The Malva dessert will make you take your clothes off. A panty dropper!
I realy enjoy reading about all the different cuisines you try. South African desserts sounds like something for me:)
Hey Mitzie!
Glad you like reading about my gluttonous adventures here in NYC! There are so many different places to eat at here!