Crybaby to Bring Alpine Wines - NYC Dining News
Crybaby
Lower East Side, Manhattan
This spring, the corner of Bowery and Broome will welcome Crybaby, a wine bar that embraces emotional honesty as much as Alpine viticulture. Opening in late March at 153 Bowery, the venue comes from sommelier Cameron Philip, Hotel Chantelle operator Jeffrey Rogers, and partner Amber Strickland.
The 1,200-square-foot space will seat approximately 70 guests across a main dining room and downstairs wine cellar. The concept translates apres-ski culture into a Manhattan setting, with a wine list centered on France's Jura and Savoie regions—areas known for oxidative whites, light-bodied reds, and vin jaune, a sherry-like wine aged under yeast.
Philip, formerly of Michelin-starred Contento, has constructed a list featuring producers like Stéphane Tissot and François Rousset-Martin. Unlike many natural wine bars, Crybaby will implement modest markups. "Why shouldn't we try to make it so that it's as accessible as possible?" Philip said.
Chartreuse and Alpine Cuisine
The bar will emphasize Chartreuse, the historic herbal liqueur produced by Carthusian monks. Philip, a longtime collector, has secured rare bottles through relationships built during visits to the distillery in France. The cocktail program will feature absinthe-based drinks and frozen cocktails including a Chartreuse-forward Naked and Famous.
Chef Jay Rodriguez, formerly of Gramercy Tavern, will oversee a menu of Alpine comfort food including duck confit with polenta, savory Comté cheesecake with caramelized Madeira onions, and oysters dressed with spruce and lovage mignonette.
Design for Vulnerability
The interior features blush pink walls, deep green banquettes, marble-topped tables, and silver-tinned ceilings. True to its name, Crybaby acknowledges the emotional intensity of hospitality work—the bathroom includes signage inviting guests to cry if needed, while staff are directed to use the walk-in refrigerator for their own emotional moments.
"We're all crybabies," Strickland said. "Everybody in the city is a crybaby in every positive and negative way."
