There are many places in Manhattan that are cash only. This is something which one becomes accustomed to when living in New York: one happens upon this at coffee shops, dumpling houses, and corner markets; the bill comes, and somebody at the table (usually me) runs to the closest corner deli and uses their ATM (or conveniently, at the establishment that does not accept anything but cash). The other night, on our way home from work we stopped at Lil' Frankie's on First Avenue in the East Village for some dinner. We like it here: the kitchen is open late enough to accomodate diners like us who eat at 1:30am, there is a vibrant scene, it's cozy with dark lighting and exposed-brick walls, the music is loud but fantastic, and the food is consistently good, super affordable, simple Italian. Lil' Frankie's is cash-only, however what astounds me is their wine list.

Usually after work, my palate is so shot from tasting Brunello after Barolo after Amarone that I can't bring myself to order something red-or even white for that matter- I search for something that will stimulate my beat-up tongue like a beer, Prosecco, or even a Pimm's Cup, but I always take pleasure at looking at the wine list there to see what's new.

A plastic binder and around 15 pages long, it represents Italy pretty well, with some great and inexpensive Chiantis, a Valtellina or two, a 100% Uva Rara, Fontalloro this and that, and also some pretty big dogs, with quite a bit of Gaja, Conterno, Dal Forno and the like. What I am so amused at is how much 1997 Quintarelli 'Alzero', which goes for $699 on their list (at an unbeatable price, I must admit, given its rarity and stellar vintage), or a magnum of 1995 Gaja 'Sori San Lorenzo' at $1,500 (ditto) can they really sell when one needs to have all those Benjamins in their wallet when they walk in the door? Sure, there are people who carry lots of cash with them, and therefore it would not be a problem, but who decides to go into Lil' Frankie's Pizza and order Fava e Cicoria (Fava Bean & Dandelion Greens) Soup for $5.95, a Margherita pizza for $9.95, and a side of roasted eggplant for $6 and drop the cash-only wine bomb?

Perhaps it is because I, really, am a 'fly by the seat of your pants' kind of girl. I would have trouble with all the advance planning associated with ordering such wines but it always keeps me amused for a few days after a trip to Lil' Frankie's wondering who in the world is so well-prepared to order their major wines. And the truth is that I never really carry more than $10 in my wallet, making me prey for all of those readily-accessible ATMs.