The Kokomo Hospitality Group (founded by Kev and Ria Graham, the team behind Williamsburg’s popular Kokomo) recently opened a new venture, repurposing a pre-existing business into an intimate, 20-seat wine bar.
Last year, the team opened up Oxkale, a fast-casual Caribbean restaurant, but have since made the decision to shutter the concept. Now, headed by Lynn McKenzie, The Ox Wine Bar (52 N 11th St.) had its grand opening last week.
“Initially, Lynn was brought on board to oversee operations and productivity,” the team said in a statement to Greenpointers. “However, her passion for wine and a desire to dive deeper into wine culture inspired a shift toward a wine bar concept.”
The Ox Wine Bar brings together a blend of New American, French, and Caribbean cuisine. The focused menu includes options for sharing. Diners can expect dishes like ackee and croquettes, a chopped cheese-inspired macaroni, and larger items such as the fish escovitch. Leading the kitchen is chef Sibnavus Cheeseman, a New York native who spent the past three years as the executive chef at Gran Electrica, a Mexican restaurant specializing in Puebla and Oaxacan cuisine.
As for the wine program, run by Sommelier Ken, The Ox primarily “emphasizes sustainably farmed wines, featuring producers who practice organic, biodynamic, and low-intervention viticulture.”
Ox Wine Bar is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 4 PM to 11 PM.