“We wanted to create a neighborhood wine bar that’s simply a great place to be,” says Keri Jackson Kunzle, proprietor of the Maslow 6 Wine Shop and now a main partner in the adjacent Maslow 6 Wine Bar. “A place that’s comfortable, and where the staff members are as friendly as they are knowledgeable. Where you could have a simple glass of wine with dinner—or a craft beer (two dozen on the list!)—and not have to think much about it. Or where you could think a lot about it—discover a new wine or producer, explore different wines and regions. And we wanted to make sure we served great comfort food.”

••• Check out the Maslow 6 Wine Bar’s food menu, including truffled mac and cheese and meatballs Wellington.

If Keri sounds jazzed about it, that’s because she is. She left her career in technology to pursue something she’s passionate about. “Although I liked the people and the challenges, I wanted to go home and want to read about work. Wine is still exciting—I still learn things every day.”
 So it’s no surprise that Maslow 6 Wine Bar has an amazing wine list, including 20 by the glass (starting at $10) and bottles not just from France, Italy, and USA, but also from Chile, Austria, and the Finger Lakes. And this is really cool: You can buy a bottle next door at Maslow 6 Wine Shop and drink it at the bar for a mere $15 corkage fee.

••• Wines by the glass and by the bottle
••• The beer list

What also stands out about the Wine Bar is its vibe—the place is both grown up and easygoing, with flattering lighting, comfortable chairs, and tables made from reclaimed beams. “Winemakers that visit us often comment on how wonderful a place it is,” says Keri. “They love the combination of the bar and the shop, and they love the atmosphere—we’re serious about wine, but we don’t think it should be pretentious.” She places the credit on the folks who work there: Davis Anderson, sommelier with experience at Oceana and Eleven Madison Park, is friendly and funny, and you’ll be rewarded if you place yourself in his hands. Executive chef Nickolas Kipper (from Bouley and Ten Penny) and chef de cuisine Christopher Clay collaborate in the kitchen.

••• It’s a great spot for a holiday party! There are even package options to make planning easier.

Maslow 6 puts on amazing events. They get fantastic people to do them: Kristie Petrullo, formerly of Jean Georges, just did a Burgundy seminar, and regulars include Mollie Battenhouse (former head sommelier of Tribeca Grill) and James Endicott, formerly of Per Se. The next event is Terroir in Spirits with Nicolas Palazzi: “This promises to be a truly magnificent tasting of Cognac, Spanish Brandy, Armagnac, and Pineau des Charentes,” says Keri. “Nicolas is known in wine circles for importing some of the best Cognacs available in this country. He has access to artisanal Cognac distillers and their precious ‘eaux-de-vie’ via his mentor, a ninth-generation cognac maker. Pierre, the Cognac maker from Segonzac and Jean (Nicolas’ grandfather), the winemaker from Bordeaux, shared a room during their military service and became fast friends. Nicolas learned the art and science under the tutelage of Pierre, which resulted—luckily for us!—in Nicolas bringing over some very heady stuff.” Naturally, the seminar includes tasting these rare fantastic Cognacs with Nicolas.

••• Exclusive offer for Tribeca Citizen readers: Register for the Cognac seminar, mention Tribeca Citizen (via email at info@maslow6.com, in person, or by phone), and you’ll get a $30 voucher to be used toward Cognac or wine the night of the seminar.
••• Keep an eye on the Maslow 6 event calendar for additional events coming up, including a Champagne seminar and tasting on December 18.

“Tasting wine and traveling,” says Keri, when asked what she likes most about her job. “And our customers!” In fact, when asked what she’s most proud of, she says it’s the feedback she has received. “People love hanging out here—in the shop, and especially in the bar. They’ve even stopped me in the street to tell me how much they loved a wine we suggested!” Here’s a rave that just came in: “Sue and I, visiting from Oz, found this spot by serendipity. We had a recommendation for Terroir in Tribeca from a friend, got there only to find closed for private function. On our way back to the subway, we found this gem. What a joy! Great selection by glass, and when her choice wasn’t available, Sue was treated to a really nice Argentinian wine from a grape variety I have never heard of called Bonarda, a berry-flavored, fleshy wine with some savory overtones. We were offered a taste of every wine we ordered before buying, the staff couldn’t have been more helpful, and I can’t recommend this place too highly. Cheers, Chris.”

Maslow 6 is at 211 W. Broadway (between White and Franklin), 212-226-3127; maslow6.com.

Photography by Donna Ferrato.

Sponsored by Maslow 6.