Two Buck Chuck

Remember when a bottle of wine from Trader Joe’s cost just two dollars? It didn’t matter if it was red, white, or rosé—whether it was Manischewitz or Two-Buck Chuck—wine was more about the buzz than the bouquet.

Then came the storytellers, educating us about grape lineage, soil minerality, and the family vineyard tucked away in Napa. Almost overnight, wine shifted from table filler to trophy, fetching $25 for a five-ounce pour at the neighborhood bar—including tax, sustainability surcharge, and a 20% tip.

Maybe this is just what aging feels like, but these days, restaurant noise spikes my blood pressure, the chairs are stiff, the lighting either blinding or dismal, the food too oily or salty, the service hit-or-miss, and the prices rarely match the value.

At City Club, you can enjoy a delicious glass of wine at a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere—no tip required. The only background noise is birdsong and bubbling fountains. We don’t cook with seed oils, and our staff knows your name, not just your table number.

Come savor summer the way it was meant to be—unhurried, heartfelt, and shared among friends.

— Sina.