"I bet the wine is a Cabernet Franc!" says a woman at the next table, playing a little game of 'guess the grape' at Madison & Vine, one of Manhattan's newest wine bars. Though over twenty different wines are offered by the glass, with its sleek wood tables and airy windows, Madison & Vine seems much more like a bistro, a casual neighborhood restaurant for locals, even though it is located on the first floor of the Art Deco-styled Library hotel.

On this chilly evening the crowd inside is social, trendy, and quite talkative - not a librarian type in sight. Instead of books lining the walls you will find bottles and bottles of wine. While the menu is fairly straight forward, I found it more interesting to see what servers were bringing to other diners and making choices on what looked good on the plate.

Roasted Diver scallops and endive salad ($16) with orange confit dressing is a clear winner. It looked fab and tasted even better. Herb crusted Colorado rack of lamb ($35) is served with wild mushrooms and garlic potato gratin. Lighter fare includes a variety of salads, making this a great venue for getting together with friends on a Saturday shopping spree.

Madison & Vine is a large, airy space with floor to ceiling windows and a lively bar. Given the popularity of this two-month old restaurant, you might need to cool your heels here as you wait for a table. While wine is a core focus, cocktails are also very big.

Owner/operator Mark Grossich has made a name for himself with other NYC venues such as The Campbell Apartment in Grand Central, a lounge where cocktails are king. At Madison & Vine, you can indulge in a Blackberry Fizz (gin, white lillet, muddled fresh blackberries with champagne) or The Grapevine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Grand Marnier, rum, muddled lime, and mint) among other exotic drinks.

If you're looking for a place offering quality food and the opportunity to taste a variety of wines in midtown, this is the place.

Madison & Vine
299 Madison Avenue at 41st Street
(212) 867-5535