Total Wine Bar (CLOSED)

Adam Robertson wanted his space to resemble the Louisiana house his great-grandfather built in 1909, so he called his father. Accompanied by a carpenter, they shopped for wood and other materials down South and built the U-shaped bar and cocktail tables, then loaded everything onto a trailer (along with a few antique mirrors) and hauled it up to Brooklyn. Maybe it’s the DIY savings that allows Robertson to offer 24 wines by the glass, each between $4 and $10. At these prices, you can easily spring for a few appetizers, such as a well-balanced cheese plate or the Nawlins-style shrimp cocktail—the recipe is courtesy of his dad.