If you’ve ever wanted to take a deep, satisfying dive into the soul of a wine region—without booking a flight—get yourself to Flatiron, stat. The newly opened Saint Urban is not just another restaurant; it’s a love letter to wine, a shrine to terroir, and quite possibly my new favorite wine bar/restaurant in New York City.

Helmed by Chef Jared Ian Stafford-Hill, Saint Urban is what happens when a serious food mind and a wine-obsessed heart collide. The concept is deliciously geeky: each month, the menu and wine list revolve around a single wine region. And not just a “Let’s throw a few Sancerres on the list and call it Loire” situation. At Saint Urban, we’re talking full immersion.

In May, it was all about Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune. Think: elegant white Burgundies, sultry Pinot Noirs, and even some righteous Aligoté—130+ selections curated to show off the breadth, depth, and downright magic of this hallowed French region. It’s a master class disguised as a dinner, and I am here for it.

The link between Burgundy and Stafford-Hill is strong, as he worked there as an apprentice winemaker and chef at Domaine Dublère. Along the way, he has cultivated an impressive culinary career, working in several esteemed New York City restaurants. His experience includes time at Craft, Hearth, and Union Pacific, where he honed his skills in fine dining and seasonal cuisine.

In 2008, he took on the role of executive chef at Bobo in the West Village, followed by Maison Premiere in Brooklyn. In 2019, Stafford-Hill returned to his hometown of Syracuse, to open the original Saint Urban, bringing his fine dining expertise to a new audience. After several successful years, he relocated the restaurant this spring to Manhattan's Flatiron District, continuing his commitment to wine-centric, regionally inspired tasting menus.

But what really sets Saint Urban apart (besides the fact that it’s taken over the former Veritas space—a legendary wine-centric restaurant in its day—so the wine gods are already smiling) is the hospitality-forward approach to the wine list. Jared isn’t just showing off trophies—he’s sharing them. Many wines are offered at low markups, a rare and generous move that invites guests to explore the world of fine wine without fear of sticker shock. This is a place that wants you to drink really well.

And drink well we did. I had the pleasure dining there last week for a spectacular meal. The Côte de Beaune Tasting Menu offers a refined seven-course exploration of seasonal ingredients paired with exceptional Burgundian wines. It begins with an Amuse-Bouche of spring vegetables and Edmond Fallot’s mustard on spring onion brioche, followed by Meyer Lemon-Cured Danish Hiramasa with green almonds and favas, paired with Michel Lafarge Meursault 2017 and Domaine Leflaive Meursault 1er Cru Sous le Dos d’Âne 2013. A delicate Halibut Véronique with muscat grapes, white asparagus, and salsify is complemented by Etienne Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Canet 2014. Next, a rich 4-Year-Aged Parmigiano Custard with morels and green garlic is served with Château de Puligny-Montrachet Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2009 (magnum). The menu continued with Heritage Chicken on a Spit and Chioggia beets, paired with Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru 2011, followed by a hearty Beef Duo Bourguignon alongside Comte Armand Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epeneaux 1988. A savory interlude of Delice de Bourgogne with hazelnuts and porcini was served with Domaine de la Pousse d’Or Corton Grand Cru Clos du Roi 2014, before ending on a sweet note: Chocolate Confit Paris Brest with poached apricots and almond praline, paired with Jean-Marc Roulot’s Apricot Liqueur, L’Abricot du Roulot.

The space, designed by the brilliant Bentel & Bentel team, is warm and elegant, with earthy textures and glass leaf sculptures that evoke the feeling of walking through a vineyard at dusk. It’s refined without being precious, the kind of room where you can geek out about Vosne-Romanée one minute and dig into perfectly roasted duck the next.

And did I mention the wine list is 124 pages? 124 pages! That’s not a wine list—it’s a novel, a journey, a passport. Flip through it and you’ll find verticals of Giacomo Conterno, Domaine Dujac, López de Heredia… honestly, if I ever go missing, check the wine cellar here first.

Saint Urban is an ode to the beauty of wine when it’s taken seriously—but not solemnly. It’s playful, generous, and totally transportive. Whether you’re a Master Sommelier or just someone who likes a good glass with dinner, this place will speak to you.

Go. Order a bottle you’ve never heard of. Eat something seasonal and soulful. Raise a glass to Saint Urban—the patron saint of winemakers and now, a new culinary cathedral in NYC.