The four-star seafood restaurant Le Bernardin is expanding for the first time in its 27-year history, The Post has learned.
Chef-owner Eric Ripert and partner Maguy Le Coze plan to launch two new venues around the corner in the Equitable Center arcade early next year: a classy wine bar and a huge private dining floor.
It will be the first time Le Bernardin has grown from its origin at 155 W. 51st St., part of the skyscraper at 787 Seventh Ave., which is known as the AXA Equitable Center.
Ripert said the new spaces will cover 11,500 square feet on two levels that were previously home to Italian restaurants, originally Palio and more recently Piano Due, which closed two years ago.
The ground floor — home to the Palio bar with a wraparound mural of the famed Siena horse race — will become Aldo Sohm Wine Bar, to be run by Le Bernardin’s much-honored sommelier. However, the mural, owned by landlord AXA, is not expected to remain.
Ripert promised that Sohm “will still be on the floor at Le Bernardin” in addition to creating a 200-bottle wine list across the arcade, compared with the main restaurant’s 900-bottle cellar. There will also be a light menu as well as a limited selection of beer and spirits.
The second floor will be home to Bernardin Privé, a private dining floor with room for 200 guests. “We have always had tremendous demand for private rooms,” Ripert said.
Le Bernardin’s current private space above the restaurant can accommodate only 80 patrons.
The new venues will be designed by architecture firm Bentel & Bentel, credited with the dazzling re-make of Le Bernardin two years ago.
Le Bernardin has consistently earned four stars from local critics since it opened. It also enjoys three Michelin stars and is ranked as “most popular” in the Zagat Survey as well as No. 1 for food.