Profile

For Tolani Wine Restaurant, the name says it all: this Upper West Side spot wants to distinguish itself by matching what it pours in your glass with what it puts on your plate. The wine menu is a solid mix of varietals, vintners, and a good balance between old and new world wines. But it’s the meals that’ll get the foodies salivating. Sure there’s the standard oysters, sliced meats, and cheeses, but the menu featuring world comfort food is what’ll get people talking: Big Eye Tuna Tartar with blood orange, fennel, and avocado; lamb sliders; chicken satay with peanut sauce. The food is served in a homey atmosphere, with exposed bricks and rafters dominating the upstairs. Sadly, the prices aren’t domesticated. The crowd tends to be well-heeled and professional, but locals are starting to take notice. A winterized patio and a decent happy hour featuring tapas should keep them coming back. — Ben Lebeaux