no, no and no

a very straightforward menu of classic bistro fare and an impressive selection of wine is offered up in a tightly packed and tiny space. the floor to ceiling windows, which were mercifully wide open on the night i was there, give the illusion of a large and airy space; but in colder weather when they are shut i can only imagine that it will feel like being in a cacophonous goldfish bowl. while their menu is not as broad as their wine list, the selection of noshes, light salads and filling entrees is just enough of an accompaniment to help you believe you aren’t really a wineaholic there to turn yourself into a grape. for those of you in total denial there is also a nice dessert menu. the service was attentive enough but unfortunately hampered by the close quarters. i had the feeling I might have seen more of my server if he didn’t have to slide his butt across my neighbor’s table in order to speak to me; and the food always came from behind me, or from the side so that all i saw was my server’s arm over my shoulder. considering it is owned and operated by the same person who conceived the gorgeously elegant Campbell Apartment, i expected more. The “out of the way” location would make Madison and Vine a hard sell, compared to places people actually go out of their way to look for and go back to. i’ve heard this place described as upscale, romantic and trendy. it is upscale only in terms of broad definition of bistro food, romantic only if you consider a foursome romantic (the other diners were THAT close), and trendy, well only in so far as wine bars are still considered trendy by those who didn’t catch on to it four years ago when they really were, well, trendy. on the corner of Madison Avenue and 41st streets, Madison and Vine is a wine bar gone wild; the only draw being the fact that it is attached to the fabulous Library Hotel who’s roof-top bar you can then visit to unwind en plein air with a cocktail, the Madison avenue shoppers and eurotrash. BTW don't look for a website here, i couldn't find one. how sad for you mark grossich.