For the wine-lovers of Williamsburg and beyond, a new wine bar is soon to open on Graham Ave. Carenn Mackinnon, her husband Max Mackinnon and business partner Chad Carey are behind Plus de Vin, a new concept focused on serving natural wines and dishes that complement them.
In French, “Plus de Vin” means “More Wine” and that is exactly what the trio aims to bring to the area.
What Now NY connected with Carenn Mackinnon over the phone.
“We wanted to create the type of wine bar where excellence in wine is as important as treating people well,” said Mackinnon. “We are focusing on building an intentional environment with a food menu full of beautiful food that you will want to eat while drinking wine. The atmosphere is chic and beautiful while being warm and welcoming.”
Plus de Vin, or PdV as Mackinnon sometimes calls it, is set to open at 445 Graham Ave. later this summer.
On the 445 Graham Ave. location, North Brooklyn Dispatch reports, “The storefront has been vacant almost a year since Pheasant owners Vince Fraissange and Cat Alexander decided to focus on catering.”
Now, the Mackinnons and Carey are reviving the space in hopes of creating a new neighborhood hub. They each bring a unique set of relevant skills and experiences.
After attending culinary school, Carenn Mackinnon worked extensively in wine sales, distribution and imports. She worked at Frenchette where she focused heavily on wine before going to Michelin-starred restaurant Estrela to strengthen her service skillset. While Mackinnon enjoyed learning more about the backend part of running a business, she realized her calling was on the service side of restaurant operations.
Last summer Mackinnon and Carey connected over the phone to discuss the idea of opening a restaurant in New York City. Carey is behind Empty Stomach, a San Antonio-based restaurant group. According to their website, Empty Stomach has 10 concepts open or in development. Carey brings extensive business management experience to PdV. When the two spoke and came across the property in Williamsburg, the idea of PdV blossomed.
Max Mackinnon is leading the development of the food menu for PdV. In addition to his work at PdV, Mackinnon is also the chef and a partner at Libertine in Manhattan’s West Village. The trio are aiming for PdV to become a household name in Williamsburg.
“I go to lengths to meet up with friends in restaurants I have been wanting to visit, but with New York being a commuter city, it’s important that people also have places to go in their own community for great meals,” said Carenn Mackinnon. “People will always have their go-to places, and in this really residential part of Williamsburg there isn’t a space like this right now. Plus de Vin will be a place people can come to when they want good wine and food in their own neighborhood. That being said, we want the quality of our food and wines to make it a destination worth traveling to as well.”
PdV will have an indoor dining space as well as an enclosed backyard. The outdoor area will be draped with hanging plants, and dim lighting will create a charming atmosphere for guests to enjoy. Between the indoor and outdoor spaces, there will be 60 seats.
Construction of the space is wrapped but the PdV team is currently awaiting the approval of their liquor license.
“I am really excited to see people I have worked alongside in this industry come into Plus de Vin but also to build connections with people I have not met yet,” said Carenn Mackinnon. “Plus de Vin will be a warm, welcoming and hospitable place for all. We are building a special and fun space that we hope can become a community hub where anyone can come to have a glass of natural wine.”
PdV is aiming to open at the end of June or early July.
