Category: | Liquor Store |
Address: | 1020 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10022, USA |
Phone: | +1 212-421-5078 |
Site: | ambassadorwines.com |
Rating: | 4.9 |
Working: | 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–12AM 10AM–12AM 12–8PM |
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Iam Brightboy
I was given a small sheet of paper at MTC kitchen when I asked where I could get decent sake in NYC. Ambassador was one of the 8 places listed (7 in NYC). Because I already knew about Sakaya I went there first. I love them. Then I went to Astor Wines and they had a decent selection and the first sake expert who I dealt with was extremely helpful. I went back there the other day and was treated like an annoyance by their in house sake expert that was clearly more interested in getting a date than assisting me. Having spent almost $800 on sake there for a party I thought perhaps I would be treated a little more courteously by the woman that had previously gone on about her sake and food pairing classes. Rude, and if they dont want my money Im not spending it there. Because Sakaya was closed I looked again at the paper and said I will walk over and see what you offered thinking how could it be much if I didnt know about it. It did say Dassai under your name though. Everyone was extremely nice, enthusiastic to see me and in seconds I was in this chilled sake room reeling with delight at the selection - you have sakes Ive never seen in New York City before - and how helpful and knowledgeable the staff was. Incredibly impressive grasp of the diversity and complexity of the sake world. I will be returning often, and I will be letting other friends and colleagues know the great selection and prices you offer. Thanks!
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Stephen Lyman
There are a handful of wine and spirit shops in NYC that have fully embraced Japanese shochu. Ambassador is one of them and one of the best. Their selection ranges over and entire aisle nearly directly in front of the entrance. The selections range from the ubiquitous iichiko mugi (barley) shochu to the esoteric - Toyonaga kome (rice) shochu and Satsuma Mura imo (sweet potato) shochu are some nice off-the-beaten path choices. With an estimated 30-40 brands available they rank toward the higher end of shochu selection in NYC, surpassing even Astor Wines in quantity. The staff may not be as knowledgeable about shochu as they are about their mesmerizing whiskey selection, but if you spend enough time reading the labels and chatting with the staff youre sure to come away with something interesting. I routinely leave with 2-3 bottles. And if shochu isnt your thing, go for the whiskey or the large sake selection, which is kept in a refrigerated room hidden back behind the shochu aisle. This is how I actually found them when a sake sommelier friend of mine recommended I visit. Im glad I did.
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Richard Messenger
The staff here is excellent. Theyre friendly and extremely knowledgeable. If they dont have something specific they will give you a very good recommendation, which had never let me down. I showed them a picture of a wine my girlfriend liked and they recommended me something similar for $14.00. I appreciate them not trying to upsell me which is why I come back. They have a great selection of EVERYTHING. I end up spending half an hour looking around even when I stop by to quickly grab a bottle of wine.
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Kevin Huang
This place is absolutely amazing. Between the most helpful and enthusiastic staff Ive ever experienced to the mind blowing collection, this is definitely the best liquor store Ive ever been to. They also often have tastings! There are walk in coolers for ciders and sake, walls of scotch, bourbon, and whiskeys And so much wine from all over the world. There is an entire cellar for wines from Bordeaux. I spent an hour here just walking around.
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Santiago Baigorria
Just came from the store. Pretty awesome! One of the owners (at least I think she was) greeted me very well and showed me around their scotch and bourbon selection. They mainly work with rares, not big brands (they didnt have John Walker Gold Label for example). I think prices could be just a tiny bit lower, but for the area they are in I guess its alright. Well deserved 5 stars!
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Matt M
Top notch shop. You must certainly come out with something special. More importantly you can have a very informed and unpretentious conversation with people who know and love their subject. As a whisky buyer I came away feeling as though they had sampled every product on their vast shelves. Good selection of single malt independent Scotch bottling. I will be back.
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Andrea Takacs-Carvalho
This place surprises me EVERY time! You dont leave the store just with a bottle, you receive suggestions of dishes to match it with, cocktail recipes, a joke, and a huge smile. I would travel from anywhere in Manhattan to have this personal shopping experience. BTW their wine selection is excellent - and you can impress anyone with what you buy there.
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Ivan Thevaranjan
Service was honestly amazing. They actually care about building relationships and developing a reputation with their customers. As soon as I walked in i felt their genuine service. It was further proved when I broke something on accident. Although I insisted that I was willing to pay for it they wouldnt let me. Will definitely continue coming here.
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David B
We needed like 5 mins to get an excellent recommendation for an Cabernet Sauvignon from California. He seemed so trustful that we instantly bought the vine for around 20$ (he asked which price range we have). It was delicious!
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A Private User
They are the only liquor store in NYC that stores their sake cold. This makes for a consistently high quality drinking experience. Excellent and knowledgeable staff. And friendly.
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David Arata
If you are looking for special labels this is the place. They are very knowledgeable and will always take the time to help you find the right wine/liquor for you
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jennie song
amazing staff. popped in for a quick bourbon recommendation, loved what they suggested based off a handful of lame buzzwords i offered. 10/10 will visit again.
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Chloe Levenson
Love this place! They know their stuff, are always polite and helpful! I always recommend people go here even if they need to go a bit out of their way.
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Nam Dao
Great place large selections of wine and liquor. Staff was very knowledgeable in recommendations. Huge store lovely atmosphere
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Jeff Yeck
Nice staff. Im only in this part of town briefly, but they have good hours and carry the things Ive wanted.
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Ganna Lytvynenko
We went in here for a bottle of red wine. The recommendation given was DIVINE and the wine was so amazing
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Meghan Emory
I love this place! Such a great selection of everything and very helpful and friendly staff
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Alicia Grant
Knowledgeable, friendly and very inviting! I will always make this place my first choice!!!
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Alison Turnquist
incredibly helpful, they have the best champagne, sake, wine, craft cider selections!
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John Puma
Go-to sake retailer in midtown east. Excellent staff and a fantastic walk-in fridge
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hkim2006
Vast selection and very knowledgable and enthusiastic staff.
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Lana Geng
Great selection and great service but on the expensive side
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Christophe Bouillard
Super selection, very knowledgeable, great experience !
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Graham Baradoy
Friendly knowledgeable staff. Fair prices.
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MIGUEL PEREZ
Best prices and selection in Midtown!
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Rachel Sharp
Friendly, pretty, and well-stocked.
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_yu taka
You can get quality Japanese sake.
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Joshua Markovic
Super nice guy. Great selection.
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Jeffrey Dorm
Clean store prices just too high
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Maeno Ganji
Great selection of SAKE!
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Sarah Bodem
Friendly helpful staff