Snoother BYOBs

Earlier this week, Snooth began a series on Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB), which will highlight several BYOB restaurants in major markets around the country. This week's edition was all about New York City. Seeing as how what the BYOB restaurant itself provides is the menu, not the wine, we thought this would be the perfect jumping ground for a WhatsCook.in story.

While the Snooth roundups will offer an intuitive look at BYOB restaurants including details from available stemware to corkage fees, we wanted know what BYOBs the Snoothers themselves recommend. We spoke to the entire team, from editorial to sales to tech, to find out which menus the faces behind Snooth truly love, and which wines they bring along when doing so.

Photo courtesy skasuga via Flickr/CC

Eleven B, NYC

Leah, Sales Planner

Leah recommends Eleven B for some great New York City Italian fare, describing the restaurant as being "sooo good" and adding that "the staff is very nice and accommodating." Bring wine and the restaurant will chill it for you in the back, no matter how many bottles you bring. Leah recommends you order their specials, which change daily. "It's family-style and the portions are huge and delish."

Photo courtesy DinnerDrinkDeal

Ivo & Lulu, NYC | Tango Sur, Chicago

Hana, Editor

Hana loves Ivo & Lulu, a "cozy space" big on French/Caribbean-inspired flavor. So what's WhatsCook.in Editor Hana's advice? "Temper the heat of your cayenne curry escargot with an off-dry Riesling. Try pairing the same wine with your main course, the jerk duck confit." No corkage fee, but cash only. Also, no reservations, so get there early.

If you're out in Chicago and in the mood for a good hunk of meat, Hana recommends Tango Sur. Though they have everything from pork to seafood and chicken to pasta, the Argentine-style beef is what really shines. "If you can't decide, try the parillada (barbecue) Para Uno or Dos," Hana says, adding a warning about their generous portions. As for the wine, "come armed with enough bottles of its fellow countryman, an affordable Malbec with intense fruit, to sip out the wait for your food." No corkage fee.

Photo courtesy New York Magazine

Bodhi Tree, NYC

Heath, Creative Director

Heath loves to get his Thai fix at Bodhi Tree in the East Village. "We usually just get a bunch of small plates since they have a great selection and usually bring a white wine - I think last time we brought a dry Riesling."

Photo courtesy Joonbug.com

Panna II Garden, NYC

Jesse, Audience Manager

Jesse recommends Panna II Garden, "that Indian restaurant with the crazy lights." Famous for its decorative use of chile and Christmas lights, Panna 2 Garden is another cash-only NYC BYOB that doesn't charge a corkage fee - perfect for a group night out.

Photo courtesy Google

Peking Duck House, NYC

Kristen, Marketing Director

Kristen recommends bringing a dry Riesling or something with bubbles for both Peking Duck House and Fuleens, or suggests an oxidized white wine from Fruili. As for Hillstones, Kristen says she'd "go California because the food is Americano," perhaps a Carneros Pinot Noir or Paso Syrah. As for whites, she recommends a traditional Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, "as long as it is not too oaky."

Photo courtesy RestarauntsinNYC.com

Kaz an Nou, NYC

Mimi, Operations Manager

Mimi swears by Kaz an Nou, a French-Carribean restaurant in Brooklyn, brought to you by the people who started Ivo & Lulu in Soho. Describing the food as "mildly spicy," Mimi recommends the escargot, burger and duck confit. For an interesting pairing, try a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Cash only.

Photo courtesy Kaz an Nou

La Sirene, NYC

Alexis, HR

Alexis turns to La Sirene for solid bistro classics, describing the menu as "delicious French food." And lucky for you WhatsCook.in readers out there, La Sirene is right next door to Ivo & Lulu, Hana's pick. Looking for BYOB and the wait is too long at one? Try the other! Remember, both are cash-only.

Photo courtesy Google