Four of the City’s most accomplished wine professionals shake off the late winter chill to gather for dinner at Wu’s Wonton King on East Broadway, where Chinatown rubs against the Lower Side. “Chinese food is so much fun to pair with wine. But, being able to bring wine is the most important aspect of these restaurants, especially for the younger generations, like when we were coming up. As wine professionals, we really would rather drink from our own collections—not just for economic reasons. Back in the day, we needed places to put together tasting groups and be with our community when we weren’t working or studying,” says Joe Campanale (sommelier, Italian wine expert, author and co-owner of LaLou, Fausto and Bar Vinazo restaurants in Brooklyn). “Wu’s is one of those places.”
Joe is joined by fellow luminaries of New York’s beverage scene Victoria James (sommelier, author, and partner and beverage director for Cote Korean Steakhouse and Coqodaq restaurants), Jhonel Faelnar (sommelier and corporate beverage director of NA:EUN Hospitality, which includes Atomix, Atoboy, Naro and
