Where to Drink Wine…On Tap

I grew up in Cleveland and moved to NY years ago and I’m always amazed by how many people who grew up in my town, Shaker, end up in NYC! Shakerites are everywhere! My most recent discovery is the East Village wine bar, Lois, owned by former Clevelanders, Nora O’Malley and Phoebe Connell. Lois, is small, sunny, charming and warm (not surprising since it’s owned by 2 friendly Ohio girls). It’s a place you can settle into and never want to leave. And it’s beloved by locals.

“We chose to serve all of our wines from the tap instead of bottles to keep prices low, reduce waste, and make sure the wines in your glass are as fresh as the day they were kegged.” Brilliant. Love it. Nora, a trained sommelier, runs the bar and is on hand to help you choose the perfect wine for your palette!

They also have a wonderful menu of inexpensive, simple seasonal small plates. “We believe that good food does not need to be fancy.” There menu includes cheese plates, olives, candied pepitas. Weekends, brunch includes items like their Lemon Baked Eggs or Greens & Eggs made with fried eggs, sheep’s milk cheese, avocado, greens, pickled onion, spicy creme fraiche. Both available for only $10.

Interesting Tidbit: There’s no tipping at Lois, what they refer to as a “predictable wage.” “Personally, I don’t think it should be revolutionary to know whether or not you can pay your bills this month,” O’Malley says.

Locals also have gone so crazy for their small plates that O’Malley and Connell have started their own snack line called AidaEats of crisps, crackers and candied nuts. You can stock your pantry full of these savory snacks at aidaeats.com. $8 to $10 each, all five for $46,

Lois, 98 Ave. C, New York City; 212-475-1400

Day Trip to Coney Island