Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at
AYZA Wine & Chocolate Bar
By Gabrielle Linder
New York City has no shortage of restaurants based on odd food and beverage pairings. For some reason, many restaurateurs have decided that eclectic combinations make for profitable business ventures. However, Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar has used a tried and true combination for their business model. The restaurant offers a variety of wonderful wines, with different chocolates available for pairing. The chocolate wine was divine, but didn’t hold a candle to the espresso chocolate martini, which was by far the stand-out cocktail of the night (and was served with a complimentary chocolate). The anjou pear salad, while satisfying and refreshing, was still underwhelming. While the individual elements first seemed delightful—baby rocket arugula, anjou pear, roasted walnuts, strawberries, and creamy gorgonzola topped with a port wine reduction—the dish itself felt lacking, especially when compared to the honeycomb fig burrata.
The honeycomb fig burrata was the real showstopper of the night. If anyone is thinking about heading to midtown or the West Village, it is worth stopping by Ayza just to try this exceptional dish. The fresh berries, honeycomb, and fig jam paired wonderfully with a creamy walnut-garnished burrata. Frankly, it made me think I could become a vegetarian. I couldn’t, but I considered it. If you’re looking for a great date-night spot or you need to pick a restaurant for your mother who has an unhealthy relationship with wine, Ayza might be the place to try.
Gabrielle Linder moved from North Dakota to New York City to study Political Science and Creative Writing at Columbia College. When not typing away at the next draft due, she’s usually dreaming in museums or working on political campaigns. A lover of carbohydrates and caffeine, she can often be found with a coffee in hand and pasta on her plate.