Celebrity chef Eyal Shani just opened his first-ever wine bar in Greenwich Village

Celebrity chef Eyal Shani, who recently debuted the second location of his uber-popular Tel Aviv import Malka in Dumbo, has officially ventured into the beverage scene with the opening of Shmoné Wine, an intimate new wine bar right next to his Michelin-starred restaurant Shmoné at 65 West 8th Street, near Sixth Avenue in Greenwich Village.

"Wine is not just a drink, it is liquid poetry, born from the most beautiful grapes, crafted to connect people in a way that is timeless and universal," said Shani in an official statement. "Shmoné Wine is about creating a space for the city to gather, share stories, and enjoy incredible food in the most intimate and meaningful way."

Just as Shani's restaurants focus on single-ingredient dishes so too does the beverage program at Shmoné Wine, in its own way: most bottles and glasses offered on site are by small producers. With a particular emphasis on family-owned brands and growers the team knows personally, the selection spans the globe, featuring bottles from France, Germany, Italy and beyond. Curated by wine director Yonatan Chaitchik, formerly of the acclaimed fine dining spot SAGA in the Financial District, expect a collection that’s as thoughtful as it is diverse. Prices start at $16 per glass and $60 per bottle.

Ambiance-wise, the space is calm but refined, evoking a classic wine bar charm that the staff hopes will remind patrons of the sorts of destinations that pepper Europe.

Although clearly focusing on the drinks, the menu at Shmoné Wine includes a rotating selection of small bites, each one crafted to complement glass and bottle selections. Unique dishes like deviled egg togarashi and chopped chicory salad share menu space with some of Shmoné's signature offerings, like the always-delicious hot Jerusalem bagel and the stretchy stracciatella pyrex lasagna.

Speaking of the next-door eatery: Orienne Shapira, who most recently led the team at another Shani outpost, HaSalon in Hell's Kitchen, now works as the executive chef at both Shmoné and Shmoné Wine.

"I’m thrilled to combine my passion for wine and small bites into this concept," said Shapira in an official statement. "It’s been a fun journey experimenting with new ingredients and flavor combinations to create unique offerings, while also incorporating some of the restaurant's signature dishes."