FLORENCE IN TIMES SQUARE?

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🍷 Say Hello to Buchette Del Vino

If you’ve only got 24 hours in Manhattan and you want something utterly unforgettable, skip the tourist traps and head for a slice of Italy tucked discreetly into the brightest corner of the world: Buchette Del Vino, Times Square’s most delicious little secret.

Inspired by the centuries-old wine windows of Florence, this intimate Italian concept is brought to you by the minds behind The Lambs Club. Opened in June 2025 by Chef Jack Logue and restaurateur Chris Miller, Buchette Del Vino is a love letter to Tuscan life—complete with a charming arched window where you can be handed a glass of wine or espresso directly from the sidewalk.

Yes, you read that right. You walk up, order a bold Nebbiolo or a crisp Pinot Grigio, and it’s poured and passed to you through the wall. What feels like a novelty is actually a nod to history: Italy’s buchette del vino originated during the 1630s as a creative way to sell wine safely during the plague. And now, in true New York fashion, it’s been reborn into a high-end, low-pressure wine bar with a 600-bottle cellar—and zero pretension.

Whether you’re pairing your pour with a porchetta panini, fresh cacio e pepe, or creamy pistachio gelato, everything on offer is elevated and effortless. It’s a treat for the senses and a revelation for anyone who thinks Times Square is all flashing lights and chain restaurants. Buchette proves there’s still soul in the city—and sometimes, that soul comes through a wine window.

🛏️ Where to Stay: The Knickerbocker Hotel

If you’re doing Manhattan as a “quicky,” you want location, luxury, and a room that doesn’t feel like a closet. Enter The Knickerbocker Hotel, a historic Beaux-Arts building perched directly on Times Square’s southern edge. It offers whisper-quiet rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, and the kind of service that makes a whirlwind visit feel like a retreat.

🍽️ Nightcap: The Lambs Club

After sipping Tuscan vino curbside at Buchette, step next door and upstairs to The Lambs Club, a swanky, crimson-hued dining room that feels like old Hollywood crashed into modern Manhattan. This is not your average hotel restaurant—this is where flavor meets flair.

You’re here for the vibe as much as the food. Order the dry-aged burger or the house-made pasta, and finish with a cocktail stirred just feet from the fireplace. It’s chic, cozy, and somehow still under the radar—a true New York power spot without the scene.

🎯 Must-Do Experience: Bryant Park & The NYC Public Library

Just a ten-minute walk from both Buchette and your suite, Bryant Park is the secret garden of Midtown Manhattan. Sit among the trees with your to-go wine, read a book, or just people-watch the swirl of businesspeople, tourists, and locals reclaiming leisure. Step next door to the New York Public Library, where you’ll feel like you’ve wandered into Hogwarts.

This small-but-mighty experience captures everything we love about New York: epic scale, intimate moments, and unexpected beauty in the middle of everything.

🗽 Your 6-Hour Manhattan Itinerary

• 2:00 PM: Check in at The Knickerbocker. Freshen up. Feel fancy.
• 3:00 PM: Walk to Bryant Park. Grab a coffee, a wine, or a moment of peace.
• 4:30 PM: Hit Buchette Del Vino. Let your tastebuds pretend they’re in Tuscany.
• 6:00 PM: Slide over to The Lambs Club. Linger over dinner, dessert, and a deep pour of something unforgettable.
• 8:00 PM: If you still have energy? Catch a Broadway show or wander through the glow of Manhattan at night. Then collapse into bed—glamorous, satisfied, and thoroughly That Passport Life’d.

Final Sip

Buchette Del Vino isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a mood. A moment. A magic trick that turns the most chaotic corner of New York City into a calm, curated, wine-filled pause in time. Whether you’re here for a single night or just stealing an afternoon, this is the spot you’ll be telling friends about for months.

Because sometimes the best adventures? Fit in the palm of your hand—and come through a tiny Florentine window on 43rd Street.

For more bite-sized getaways and global gems hiding in plain sight, follow us at ThatPassportLife.com and on Instagram @ThatPassportLife.