Asiate

Once they’ve managed to tear themselves away from the stunning views of Central Park, and the remarkable sculpture inspired by the park’s trees that forms the centerpiece of the dining room, guests at Asíate in Manhattan’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel are offered a striking reminder of the importance of wine at this stylish contemporary American restaurant. There’s a huge wall of wine, containing some 1,200 bottles, a selection carefully chosen by the team of wine director, Annie Turso, sommelier, Julie Van Zant, and wine intern, Deanna Gonnella.

On the list, Turso, Van Zant, and Gonnella say: “Our wine list is composed of classic and adventurous wines from around the world. Based on your preferences, we welcome the opportunity to suggest a unique wine for your dining experience.”

The judges at the World’s Best Wine Lists 2015 would very much like to take them up on the offer, the judicious selection of producers both grand and up-and-coming being eclectic in the best sense. “This is a superb list, far wider in its range than most in the US—it’s beautifully curated.”