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    Co Founder

    James O'Brien

    Owner, General Manager & Sommelier, Popina

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    Co Founder
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    Popina · Restaurant
    Portrait of James O'Brien

    Portrait of James O'Brien

    i. Biography

    James O’Brien is the co-founder/owner and general manager of Popina, the Brooklyn restaurant on Columbia Street Waterfront that he opened with chef Chris McDade after both worked at Maialino. He oversees the wine program and helped build the restaurant’s wine-focused neighborhood identity. In 2024, reporting indicated O’Brien was taking the lead at Popina after a split in ownership/operations with McDade, while Popina continued under his direction.

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    The Sunday email

    Read about sommeliers like James O'Brien in the Sunday email.

    Every Sunday we send a lead story and up to four more about the chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and hoteliers behind the restaurants, bars, wineries and hotels we cover.

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