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Robert Allen and Derrick Mize worked for Italian Wine Merchants (the vino emporium launched by Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich) before branching out on their own. The two entrepreneurs opted for a modern approach to their Tribeca shop's interior: all steely surfaces courtesy of a+i design and a central wall that can slide toward the glass façade during tastings—simultaneously creating privacy and more room. The selection skews European, and like the team's famous former employer, stock remains temperature-controlled in lower levels while the modest storefront (but a sliver of the 4,500-foot-square space) displays what's available. And look out, Mario, an organized registry for tastes and buying histories aims to generate a phone-order clientele. — Alexandra Vallis