AYZA Wine & Chocolate Bar

My husband and I went to another restaurant for dinner on our anniversary and then passed this place and decided to stop in for dessert. Wish we'd just eaten here too. It was romantic and friendly even if the music was a little loud. We had the crepe cake on the server's recommendation and it was excellent.

Not sure what people are talking about - this place was subpar. The service was non-existent - it took forever to get our wine. First the server is asking us after one minute what we'd like to drink - tell her we need more time to look at the menu - she doesn't come back for 20 mins! When we finally saw her again we ordered our apps along with our bottle of wine - apps came out and were entirely eaten by the time the wine came. Speaking of apps - they were miniscule - such a waste. A mouthful of food for $7 - such a rip-off. The panini's were good - the only saving grace of the place. We decided to skip on dessert. Their wine list is extremely lacking too - and pricey. So many better wine bars out there - not sure how this place was doing such good business.

After seeing the other reviews lauding this place, my husband and I stopped by last night for an early dinner. The servers were very nice, quick and professional, but we were disappointed in the quality and quantity of the food, and especially by the exceedingly uncomfortable seats, which were all of bar height and had very thin cushions. If you were thin, you were in trouble. The portions were miniscule. For example, the "angry chicken lollipops" - their take on Buffalo chicken wings - turned out to be three, that's right, a total of 3 half wings. My husband had the grilled chicken panini, which was tastier, but very small and thin for the price. Do try the gazpacho soup, which was quite good. Skip the truffles - they are not the traditional kind, buttery soft and rolled in cocoa, which I love, but the more commercial kind, dipped into a chocolate coating. The cheese and delicatessen platters are on the dessert menu, which we didn't see until we had finished our meal.

For such a tiny place, Ayza packs a lot of punch. Wine, cheese, chocolate. And that’s saying nothing of the really fantastic food! I’ve gone twice now, once with my wife an once for lunch. Both times I was blown away. At dinner it’s pretty swanky and chic. They dim the lights and they have great entrees. My wife got ravioli and I got steak and we shared. The plates aren’t huge so it’s a great way to try a lot of things. We shared a salad too. Then of course there are all the wines. My wife got a flight so she gout to try a bunch of different ones and then we got a bottle. Then I went for lunch and it’s a gtotally diff. vibe. They have great outdoor seating. We sat outside and it’s lively but really nice. I wishe they hd more umbrellas on the patio though. It gets really hot, but it was really great to sit outside and the the lunch is cheap. You get a small paninai and salad and soup or dip for just 10 bucks. In this economy that’s a steal!

I wish they were bigger or took reservations. People are starting to find out about this place (which in my opinion is the best wine bar in New York) and it used to be my secret. I work nearby and would go every couple weeks for dinner. Now it’s packed and you can’t make reservations after 6:30 so it makes it tough. I love it anyways though and usually just deal with waiting. Sometimes I’ll even just eat ta the bar or something. The outdoor patio is so nice for summer. They have great summer salads and a really nice summer red wine. Its chilled so it’s the best of both worlds. I can have my red wine but it doesn’t have too be so hot. I stared going for lunch to. They have a good quick lunch and its really chape. Makes me want to order wine though. There is a server that theat is really nice and always talks to me when I go in and he’s there. It’s nice that they have suvh good food and are so friendly. NOew ifonly they’d start taking reservations. Please pleas take reservations

For a group gathering it is nice to have so many options for wine as well as meat/cheese plates and the truffles. Sharing seemed the thing. For dinner they have a limited but tasty menu. The service was a little slow but it did not seem to matter with all the lovely tastes on the table. It is a great place to meet and enjoy a little decadence. Try the 20 layer crepes for desert. Its a must try!

Nice cozy little wine & chocolate bar - the food was very good as was the wine and chocolate. The service was a bit slow but otherwise fine. Definitely a place to check out.