The Lower East Side has a number of gems and we like the idea of uncovering a new find. One19 Wine Bar + Food is not only in the LES but is located speakeasy style behind a storefront at 119 Essex Street. Guests enter the store which is currently a deli and go to the back through the curtain where a 28 seat bar room (12 chairs wrap around a L-shaped bar) welcomes you.

Industry veterans Chef/Co-owner Matt Rojas (Rouge et Blanc, Eleven Madison Park) and Sommelier Gianni Cavicchi (Nice Matin), helm this new spot that is focused on Italian wines and Italian-inspired small plates.

They encourage and offer affordable wine at this destination which explores lesser-known grapes. Their wine on tap program offers an environmentally-friendly way to enjoy it with collapsible kegs which are recyclable and have a lower carbon footprint than bottles.

Sommelier Gianni utilizes his Italian heritage to create a list of wines that showcase smaller producers and lesser-known grape varietals that reflect the diverse terroirs of Italy. Most of the wines are organic, natural or biodynamic and you'll find that nothing on the list is more than $70.

You won't find Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot; however there are unknown and ancient varieties like Albana from Emila-Romagna, Trebbiano Spoletino from Spoleto in Umbria and Forastera and Biancolella from the island of Ischia to name a few.

We suggest the Freshest Flight in the City that features 4 wines on tap including three from the organically farming Emilia-Romagna producer Tre Monti: Frizzante (Pignoletto), Orange (Albana) and Rubicone (Sangiovese), along with Rooftop Reds Traminette from the Finger Lakes. Rooftop Reds will be the only non-Italian producer on the wine list. Guests will be able to scan a QR code on the table for detailed information about the wines.

Chef Matt serves Italian-inspired small plates with a New York twist. We suggest 3 dishes to pair with your wine: Pepperoni French Bread Pizza with roasted chilis and fontina; Fresh Burrata with smoked cherry tomatoes and pea pesto and a shareable Cheese & Meat Plate with Ricotta, Alisios and Castelrosso cheeses, Finocchiona Salami, Prosciutto Cotto, Speck, pickles and grilled bread.