Forget hauling your own hooch to mediocre pizza and Indian joints. These top restaurants will also let you bring in a bottle — at no extra cost — and we have suggestions.
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1. Starry night
Head to buzzy NoLiTa newcomer The Musket Room, which recently earned a Michelin star, on a Sunday and enjoy Chef Matt Lambert’s modern New Zealand cuisine without a corkage fee. “We love wine collectors,” says sommelier Erin Scala. “It is always a thrill to see what they might bring in.” 265 Elizabeth St.; 212-219-0764
UNCORK THIS: Lucien Crochet Sancerre La Croix du Roy 2011 ($30.99)
It’s a “beautiful” white and a “classic” pairing for seafood dishes, such as Lambert’s cold smoked scallops with cucumbers, black garlic, pears and sea beans ($15) says Jean-Baptiste Humbert, president of Wine Therapy (171 Elizabeth St.; 212-625-2999), a NoLiTa shop that focuses on organic and biodynamic wines.
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2. Multicourse deal
Michael Tulipan Every Monday at his nouveau Portuguese restaurant Louro, chef David Santos hosts a supper club called “Nossa Mesa” with an ever-changing theme (most dinners range from $55 to $75 per person). Recent motifs have ranged from “Breaking Bad” to lobster, but it’s always a BYOB-good-time. “BYOB is always a draw,” says Santos. People “join us for the supper club because they know they’re going to get a 5- to 7-course menu that is one of the best values in the city.” 142 W. 10th St.; 212-206-0606
UNCORK THIS: Domaine des Ronze Regnie 2011 ($17.99)
At nearby wine shop Sea Grape (512 Hudson St.; 212-463-7688), Cristiano Andrade recommends some versatile choices for whatever Santos cooks up. “Balanced wine is always safe!” he says. For a venison tartar that was recently served for the club, he says this Cru Gamay Beajolais would be a safe bet. It has “the fruit needed to match the juicy tartare, and a slightly gamey earthiness that will make it a great match for the use of venison,” he says.”
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3. Sparkling steal
At Apiary, an underrated East Village gem, Chef Scott Bryan serves up innovative New American cuisine with a “No Corkage” Monday every week. Owner Jenny Moon started offering BYOB in 2009 when Bryan came aboard. “I thought it would be an amazing opportunity to offer New Yorkers a chance to pair their favorite wines with chef Scott’s food,” she says. 60 Third Ave.; 212-254-0888
UNCORK THIS: Canals Cava Brut ($16.99)
At nearby wine shop St. Marks Wines (16 St. Marks Pl.; 212-529-9463), owner Jesse Avraham says this sparkler can take you from appetizers like a hamachi crudo with avocado, hearts of palm, jalapeno ($15, pictured) to seafood entrees, such as Chatham cod with lemon cous cous ($26). It “would pair equally well with [both] because of its fresh acidity and minerality,” he says.
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4. Colicchio with a view
Riverpark, Tom Colicchio’s pan-European restaurant overlooking the East River, recently started offering a “No-Corkage Monday.” The eclectic, global menu makes choosing an appropriate bottle foolproof. “Regardless of the wine guests bring in, there’s something on our menu that will enhance their dining experience,” says Wine and Spirits Director Sean Kirby. 450 E. 29th St.; 212-729-9790
UNCORK THIS: 2012 Uriondo Txakolina ($21)
It’s “super high acid, crisp, clean and goes very well with seafood, spicy food and grilled foods,” including the branzino with romesco, baby leeks, cauliflower, almonds and anchovy ($31) says Adam Linet, owner of nearby wine shop Vino (121 E 27th St., 212-725-6516).
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5. Oui, oui, kimchee
At Bistro Petit, a tiny, 11-seat cafe in South Williamsburg, chef/owner Sung Park opted for a full-time BYOB policy to bring in locals who might otherwise be intimidated by his sophisticated Franco-Korean fare, like a Korean beef Bourguignon ($24). “French food is not familiar with the young crowd over here, so I wanted to make it more accessible,” says Park, a Jean-Georges alum with a Michelin star to his name. 170 S. 3rd St., Williamsburg; 718-782-2582
UNCORK THIS: 2009 Parent Pinot Noir ($22.85)
As for what to bring, Park says “I’m a Pinot guy, so most of menu is actually designed to go well with the Pinot Noir.” A few blocks away, D.O.C. Wine Shop (147 Broadway; 718-388-0087) offers a 10 percent discount for anyone heading to Bistro Petit. Shop clerk Paul Saums suggests this particular Pinot. It’s “a great sort of every-person wine,” he says.