NYC News
Lei Wine Bar Blends Chinese Fare and Global Wines
June 10, 2025, 11:52.23 pm ET
Photo: Lei Wine Bar
Tucked along historic Doyers Street in Chinatown, Lei is a new wine bar from Annie Shi—co-founder of acclaimed NYC spots King and Jupiter. This intimate 24-seat destination reflects Shi’s Chinese American heritage and her deep love of wine, merging the two through a globally inspired bottle list and a menu rooted in memory and regional Chinese cooking.
The wine program highlights emerging producers from the Iberian Peninsula and China alongside celebrated names from Burgundy and Champagne. A rotating by-the-glass list is complemented by a daily sommelier-selected pour.
Designed by Shi’s childhood friend Rachel Vineberg Jones of Vine Projects, Lei’s jewel-box interior features artwork by Lillian Hsien Hua Li, Dominique Fung, and others—layering the space with personal and cultural storytelling.
On the plate, expect thoughtful pairings like warm sesame shao bing with cold butter, a delicate salad of crown daisy and chrysanthemum, and three cup squid. For dessert, the Eight Treasure rice pudding gets a sticky toffee twist.
A refined and personal wine bar, Lei brings a fresh perspective to Chinatown’s dining scene.
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