Landmark Wine & Spirits

I rarely give a one-​star review. I mean, I really have to leave a place with a terrible taste in my mouth. But that’s just what I got from Landmark. It’s unfortunate, because the store itself is beautiful, however there is no degree of lovely ambiance that cannot be completely ruined by the stank attitude of a person working the counter. The woman working this past Saturday had the warmth of a polar icecap. But it was worse than that. It wasn’t only that she wasn’t friendly, it was that she had this air of contempt that just hit you in the face upon first contact. First I thought it was just me, but then another woman came into the store and I observed the way that the cashier’s eyes followed the newcomer, with daggers! The newcomer asked where to find prosecco and the woman gestured towards the refrigerated case with what was almost a shrug. I do not know if she was just having a bad day, but I doubt it, this appeared to be her personality. And I can say with 100% certainty that I would go far out of my way to avoid that kind of unpleasant vibe. She didn’t say but two words to me so it wasn’t anything she said. I asked if they carried a particular wine and she said, «No,» without even the most minor hesitation or a single superfluous pleasantry. She rang me up and handed me my bag silently (at this point she was busy scrutinizing the new customer with her death glare). I left feeling like I needed a shower.

This is my favorite liquor store in NYC and should easily be in everybody’s top 5 at least.
First off, I mainly drink sake and soju, so naturally I’d be inclined to come here. However, I know a thing or two about whiskey and wine and the selection here is top-​notch. They might not have everything, but I’m often surprised by the things I find here I can’t find other places.
About the service: I know that you can get good advice from the knowledgeable staff; they’ve helped me and I’ve seen them help countless others. I personally like that they don’t ask me if I need help all the time. Yes, I’ve been staring at the shelves for a long time, but that’s because I’m checking out all the stuff I haven’t seen before. I don’t like it at other places when I feel like I’m being surveilled by the staff.
This place is also super-​easy to get to, take the 1 train to 23^rd St and it’s right upstairs. I’ve got what I wanted and on my way home in minutes.

If you’d like to pay 30% more than what you can pay elsewhere this is the place to go. Just got a quote that is $ 150 more for a case of liquor than anywhere else.
Avoid this place at all costs

HUGE selection of sake that ranged from low to high price ranges. The employees were very friendly. When I found they didn’t have exactly what I was looking for they were very kind and took the name so that they can stock it

Ive been coming here for years and hands down the best wine and asian liquor store in nyc.

Gorgeous, lovely shop. Bright, clean, sleek, modern feel, though with sophisticated charm.
Lovely selections. Not much that I haven’t seen elsewhere. Though alluringly shelved, and well stocked.
My issue was the same as Gracie’s. In such a shop where the prices are anywhere from $ 2-​$ 15 more than I can get the same item elsewhere, there was no service. No greeting when I entered, nothing when I left, no offer to assist, or ask if I was looking for something in particular. Extra odd as I was wearing and carrying items that should flag any salesman to pinpoint someone comfortable making a moderate to expensive purchase. But the staff were more interested in conversing with each other.
Seems like it’s hit or miss with service when going through the other reviews. I’d say this is a great option for some exception sake/​plum/​Asian wine options… and for some quick quality gifting, if you’re in the area and find yourself in need post haste.
Otherwise, no dice. Why pay extra when you’re not getting the service for which you’re paying?

Great selection, (apparently a super den of sake — which I love!) clean and organized layout, all price ranges covered (many wines under $ 15) and they deliver within a local area for only a $ 30 minimum!
Why 3 stars instead of 5?
First, staff is apathetic or unknowledgeable. Twice I’ve been here and didn’t receive any help, suggestions or recommendations. Any question was met with a perfunctory «yea, it’s good».
Secondly, considering their amazing delivery, you’d expect many customers would want to be repeat customers (like me). But they do NOT have a) an online inventory of their wines nor do they b) log your purchase history in their system.
So if you want to re-​order from them, you must remember the name of the wine precisely or do it in-​person, at the shop, racking the ceiling to floor shelves trying to remember the label or name.
So good for going in person, but don’t expect any expert help and their perks aren’t really helpful.

It’s so hard to find a place offers good sake in NYC; I think I can count the number of stores that sell beyond the usual five bottles on one hand.
Landmark is, for lack of a better term, a new landmark for me. The selection is awesome (usually filled with rare and seasonal sakes), the location is pretty much central to the entire city (not the far up, not too far over), and the staff here is extremely knowledgeable.
The first time I went, I literally said «Hi, I need a sake for a picky person. I think he likes unfiltered sake that’s not too sweet.» The gentlemen behind the counter came around and brought me over to the display. I then got a pretty good education on sake and was given a recommendation. That recommendation was the «best sake ever» according to the bottle’s recipient. This exercise has been repeated a few times now too.
Don’t forget to check in on Unilocal for a discount. Their website is also nothing more than coupons for sake and wine. Sorry, liver.

Good selection and great service. I went in and described the type of wine (white, crisp and a bit fruity) I wanted. They asked for my price range and whether I wanted it cold and found me one that fit perfectly. Well, it was $ 10 above my price range so I did feel. But uphold but close enough.

This place is a veritable pantheon to the spirit world and I don’t mean ghosts. Shelve after shelve of small batch and craft distillers of excellent quality. I go here to learn as well as buy. The staff are not pushy and let you browse in peace which is nice. I spent most of my time perusing bourbon, whisky and rye. I scored a bottle of Wisconsin whisky which I had never seen before. Took it hom and it was as delicious as they told me it would be. Also a sizeable selection of wine which I did not investigate. All price ranges covered. I will be coming here as often as I can.

Got some prosecco with W and F — to go out for a picnic. I just noticed they had carry sparking sake here. Next time I’ll try to get that instead, but they were set on prosecco.

Where can I get a Valentine’s day gift for someone who loves sake and Japanese whiskey? Landmark it is. The owner was very helpful in answering all my sake questions. I also showed him a picture of my nigori and he found it right away.
Their selection is very wide and somewhat extensive. Highly recommend.

Well stocked with the best shochu selection in the 5 boros. You can also get sake here. If you come here for Stephen L.‘s
tastings, you will also get a special discount on the bottles offered in the tasting!
For wine, I would rather walk 20 minutes to Trader Joe’s. :)

As I have been walking by this store for the past six months on my way to and from school, I finally stopped in to take a look for something in mind from the Burgundy region.
Noting the high ceiling and the volumes of wines and spirits, I found I was in a remarkable store whose reach is exceptional and clearly a great venue for sake.
While I didn’t find what I was looking for from the Echezeaux area, I was really taken by the whiskey section nearby.
Does the store have everything? No, but if you are looking for a big California wine section, sake, vodka, Whiskey (Irish, Scotch, Bourbon, Rye, craft) and gin, this would be a good place to go in the Chelsea/​Flatiron District.

A good selections of sake, which is the primary reason why I come here. Sakaya has a good selection as well, and is closer to my apt, but this place is cheaper. They have a variety of ginjo/​daiginjo sakes including my favorites of waketake. The place is pretty big, and has nice high ceilings. Everything is kept clean and nice looking. Although prices arent as good as Mitsuwa in Edgewater, NJ, its still the best alternative to Manhattanites who love sake. Will be back for my sake needs.

Landmark Wine & Sake may as well be called Landmark Shochu as far as I’m concerned. Shochu, the Japanese distilled spirit, has become more and more popular in the US over the past few years, but it’s still difficult to find in either restaurants or bars (impossible to find outside Japanese bars & restaurants), let alone liquor stores.
Landmark sets the benchmark for shochu selection. With a selection that absolutely dwarfs Astor Wines, Landmark is truly the king of the hill for shochu in NYC. Their selection is even substantially larger than that at Mitsuwa, the Japanese superstore in Edgewater, NJ.
Last time I counted there were 91 different shochus available at Landmark from barley to rice to sweet potato to Okinawan Awamori to even the more exotic varieties such as carrot and green tea. It’s really a remarkable collection. It showed me just how many shochus I have left to try even in the relatively small US marketplace.
If you’re a shochu fan you owe it to yourself to visit Landmark wine and pick up as many bottles as you can carry home.

I called my favorite vineyard in Sonoma to see who their New York distributor was so that I could send a very special, meaningful bottle of wine to my father in NY for Father’s Day. I live in Chicago. Landmark was the only place in NYC that has that particular bottle in stock. When I called Landmark yesterday, the kind gentleman on the phone said I just needed to call back when I had the exact address, and he’d quote the price of either messanger or delivery service.
When I called back today with the address, a different man named Uialtesn told me he would not take my order because «you live in Chicago» and «we have a lot of problems with that.» I told him he could charge my card before placing the delivery order to make certain it went through. He said «no.» I asked to speak to his manager. He said the manager was on vacation. I begged, saying they were the only place in NY that could help me get this special gift to my dad. He said no again. He said he would do it if I paid cash. I’m in Chicago! How would I send cash?
Look, I’ve worked in the wine industry, and I respect that credit card fraud is a problem for vendors. However, good wine salespersons know that customer service pertains to more than how you treat your customers in your store. The man’s utter unwillingness to help – and the fact that he provided contradictory information to the person I spoke with yesterday – make me certain that not only will I never shop Landmark, but that I’ll let my friends in Chelsea know to stay far, far away as well.

if you are looking for ambrosia in the form of sake, Landmark shoould be a destination for you. They have one of the best selections I have seen. ISO the elusive Poochi-​Poochi and don’t feel like paying $$ for it at Sushi Samba? Good luck. I could not find it but if it wanted to be found it would be at Landmark. In any event, there are lots of other options, such as tons of Nigori which go well with nigiri take away.

I got a birthday gift certificate here for wine classes and I signed up for the «Wine 101» it was awesome!
Andrew (the host/​owner) gave us a brief history of wine, let us explore the smells and tastes of about 12 different wines and even gave us a taste quiz. We had olives and cheese throughout the night, what more could you ask for? I am signing up for another class this winter. It’s upstairs next to Landmark.

Our alcohol consumption is likely to dramatically increase thanks to Landmark Wine & Sake. Seriously… I have become a big fan of this place and am thankful that it’s within a short walking distance from our apartment.
Seriously…many sake-​lovers I know go here from various parts of the city. They have the BEST selection of sake!
The gentlemen here are truly knowledgeable, helpful and passionate. Know nothing about wine or sake? No worries. Whoever is there, give him your preferences, and he WILL find you that one perfect bottle of whatever drink that meets your standard. So far, he’s been right on!