Destination West Village wine bar with an adventurous by-the-glass program, polished guidance, and elevated snacks; excellent for tastings and dates, but pricing, high default tip prompts, and occasional policy rigidity can irk.
Temperance delivers A-grade performance through exceptional wine expertise and attentive, proactive service that elevates the experience beyond typical wine bars. Solid food quality in elevated snacks and tartare supports the wine focus, while thoughtful design creates an inviting West Village destination. The grade reflects strong execution across core dimensions, though premium pricing and occasional service rigidity prevent the higher distinction needed for grade A territory.
One caveat: Default tip prompts reported at 22-27% create awkward checkout moments