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This laid-back, minimalist wine bar opened in late 2008 in the space adjoining the Smith Street dining staple Chestnut. It’s a tidy little joint that seats twenty in a cozy U-shaped space and exudes an intimate, cellarlike warmth, thanks to touches like wooden benches, worn brick walls, and dim lighting. (The presence of co-owner Susan Daily, who’s liable to engage in conversation with just about anyone who walks through the door, doesn’t hurt the colloquial vibe). Wine bottles blanket the walls, but options in cocktails (the Dark & Stormy, the Brooklyn) and the frequently-rotating beer list are not just afterthoughts. The place is very much a locals bar, boasting an older Carroll Gardens crowd that chats quietly over the hushed soundtrack. Chestnut Bar offers its own exclusive small-plate choices, but the restaurant’s full menu is available here as well. — Courtney Willis