Aldo Sohm's new wine bar now open across from Le Bernardin

Le Bernardin’s renowned wine master Aldo Sohm is a bit of an overachiever. Instead of abandoning the Michelin-approved seafood powerhouse for his own, more casual-minded vin hub, he remains sommelier for both. The annexed lounge—outfitted with white cork walls, oversized couches and a tasting table in place of a bar—pours handpicked varietals hailing predominately from Europe (Austria, Spain, Greece), but Sohm peppers those stalwarts with approachable California chardonnays and New York cabernet francs, sometimes offering a variety or region in three-glass flights to nudge grape education. “Wine can be very intimidating,” he says. “We’re trying to do away with the ego surrounding it.” Le Bernardin’s acclaimed toque Eric Ripert also does double duty here, complementing the 200-bottle list with an understated, internationally inspired menu of charcuterie (truffle salami, duck rillettes), skewers (baby beets, short ribs), and small plates like goat-cheese-and-potato parfaits and Roquefort-endive salad. 151 W 51st St between Sixth and Seventh Aves (212-554-1143, aldosohmwinebar.com)

Skewered beef short ribs at Aldo Sohm Wine BarPaul Wagtouicz

The Tower at Aldo Sohm Wine BarPaul Wagtouicz

Baked cauliflower at Aldo Sohm Wine BarPaul Wagtouicz

Aldo Sohm Paul Wagtouicz