I just returned from a visit to American Dream, the massive mega-mall in East Rutherford, NJ – and this long-in-development project has really morphed into something special. While the retail and attractions are top-notch, where the mall really distinguishes itself is in its food options. Forget the same old food court – this mall has dozens of quick-service restaurants, a huge dining district featuring everything from barbecue to Szechuan cooking, and even a new concept from celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. But there’s one spot on the second floor that’s truly one-of-a-kind – Vinoteca, an Italian restaurant and wine bar with a unique distinction. This is the first self-serve wine bar in NJ, and it allows you to plot your own adventure on a world tour of fine wines, all under the roof of the most jam-packed mall New Jersey has ever seen.
It's not often you stumble upon a pastoral garden in the middle of a mall, but that's exactly what Vinoteca feels like as you approach.
This wine bar and Italian restaurant isn't the only place in the mall to get wine and Italian food, but it's definitely the most unique - because you are in charge of your wine-drinking experience like never before.
At the front, you'll set up an account and get a card. A tap of the card at each wine station will allow you to choose how much wine you want - 1, 3, or 5-oz pours.
The lion's share of wines here are Italian and American, but I also noticed representatives from France, Spain, Germany, South Africa, and more.
You serve your own wine, but the servers will take care of the food. A charcuterie plate is the perfect companion to a wine tasting.
If you feel like something heartier, the panini menu here is one of the best around.
And of course, it wouldn't be much of an Italian restaurant without some authentic pizzas, perfect for sharing.
The meal goes on as long as you want - you can keep going up for small sips until you find that perfect wine, then just head up to the front counter to settle your tab - it's all stored on your card!
Have you sampled this unique self-serve wine bar in NJ? Tell us what you thought of Vinoteca, and let us know your favorite hidden gems in American Dream in the comments section! You can find out more about the current offerings on the Vinoteca website, and keep an eye on the Vinoteca Facebook page for the latest updates. The American Dream website has the hundreds of businesses in the complex on one useful page – including the first Paradox Museum to open in New Jersey.
American Dream doesn’t have any hotels on site, but if you’re looking to take more than one day to explore the mall, there are many hotels within a short drive in East Rutherford. My favorite is probably the Homewood Suites East Rutherford – it really is like a home away from home.