Amali, Midtown’s beloved Mediterranean restaurant, is taking its award-winning beverage program to new heights this fall with the launch of an exclusive Wine Dinner Series. Known for its seasonal, vegetable-forward ethos and Mediterranean-inspired menu, Amali (115 E. 60th St) will host a curated lineup of intimate dinners, tastings, and cooking classes featuring celebrity guests, acclaimed vintners, and celebrated chefs.
The series kicks off on Thursday, October 16, with a whiskey takeover by Ja Rule, Herb Rice, and Sandy Sandiford, founders of Amber & Opal Whiskey. Guests can start the evening with Cocktails & Conversation with Ja Rule (6:00–7:30 p.m., $75), a guided tasting and master class on whiskey production and flavor, paired with light bites. The night continues with a Whiskey Dinner with Ja Rule (7:30 p.m., $185), where Executive Chef Shannon Hibbert will showcase an autumnal menu accented with Southern-inspired smoke, spice, and warmth. Amber & Opal cocktails will flow alongside wine pairings, creating a spirited evening that blends whiskey culture with Amali’s Mediterranean table. For those who can’t make the dinner, Amber & Opal will feature in a limited-run signature cocktail available at Amali all week.
Amali Image Courtesy Gonzalo Daniel Loayza
On Saturday, November 8, the spotlight turns to Vermont’s cult winery La Garagista and its founder, Deirdre Heekin. Guests can experience a Biodynamic Wine Tasting (5:30–7:00 p.m., $65), sampling her award-winning cuvées while exploring the principles of biodynamic and natural winemaking. The evening continues with a Dinner with Deirdre Heekin (7:30–10:00 p.m., $165), pairing La Garagista’s wines with a seasonal Italian-inspired menu. Between courses, Deirdre will share stories from the vineyard and insights into biodynamic farming, offering a rare chance to experience her wines in a deeply personal setting.
The series concludes on Saturday, November 15, with acclaimed Greek chef, author, and television host Diane Kochilas. The afternoon begins with a hands-on Cooking Class with Diane Kochilas (4:30–6:30 p.m., $85), where guests can cook alongside Diane as she demonstrates recipes from her new cookbook, ATHENS: Food, Stories, Love. The evening culminates with a celebratory Dinner with Diane Kochilas (7:00–10:00 p.m., $165), a five-course menu inspired by her book, paired with Mediterranean wines. Signed copies of ATHENS will also be available for purchase.
Since opening in 2011, Amali has become a Midtown destination for refined yet approachable Mediterranean dining, earning Wine Spectator’s “Best Of” Award of Excellence annually since 2012. Under the direction of Executive Chef Shannon Hibbert, the menu celebrates the flavors of Greece, Italy, France, and Spain, with shareable mezze, handmade pastas, sustainable seafood, and seasonal vegetable-forward plates. The beverage program complements the cuisine with more than 400 wines and an inventive cocktail menu that has made Amali a favorite for both everyday dining and special occasions.
With this new Wine Dinner Series, Amali invites guests to go beyond the table and connect with culinary innovators, winemakers, and distillers in an intimate, experiential setting. Space is limited, and reservations are recommended.