151 E. 58th St.; (212) 644-0202
THERE’S no more entertaining a restaurant family than the Maccionis, in which mom, dad and three brothers run the world-famous Le Cirque with an old-fashioned hands-on approach begging to become a sitcom. Recently realizing their 34-year-old business needed a youthful infusion, Sirio (the patriarch) loosened the reins allowing his sons to head the 65-capacity Le Cirque Wine Bar as an adjunct to his famed eatery. Here’s your VIP tour.-
* Much to Papa Maccioni’s chagrin, jackets and ties aren’t required in the wine bar and – marone! – jeans are allowed!
* Winers hoping to become impromptu diners might find themselves at the restaurant’s (awesome!) 4- to 6-person chef’s table, which is in the kitchen.
* Windows covered in heavy white drapes stretch from the 27-foot ceiling to dark wood floors, where a couple of dozen four-seater tables host upscale loungers until 11 p.m.
* Cutting through the middle of the wine bar is a glass tower holding more than 2,000 bottles of red wine, ranging from $28-$1,200. (White wines are refrigerated elsewhere.)