Bill Russell-Shapiro, Proprietor
Eric Vreede, Development and Operations Manager/Wine Director
Adam Keough, Executive Chef
Bill Corbett, Executive Pastry Chef
Vanessa Harris, Director of Events and Marketing
Justin Jensick, General Manager
Ian Becker, Wine Manager and Buyer
Aaron Wasserman, Sommelier

Eric Vreede, Development and Operations Manager / Wine Director

Eric Vreede has been involved in the food-and-wine business for the last twenty years and has served as the general manager, and later the operations manager, for Absinthe since it opened in 1998. Currently, as Director of Development and Operations for Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, Absinthe Private Dining, Arlequin Wine Merchant, and Arlequin Café and Food To Go, Vreede works to maximize the opportunities of the interrelated businesses.

As well as overseeing the overall business, Vreede has a respected history in the wine world. He has received numerous awards and recognition for his work with wine. Having served as a restaurant wine consultant and judge at international wine events, he delivers limitless knowledge and expertise to Absinthe. As Absinthe’s Wine Director, he is responsible for coordinating and cultivating the award-winning fine-wine program at Absinthe and Arlequin Wine Merchant and works closely with Executive Chef Adam Keough to pair wines with the seasonal French and Italian cuisine found on the restaurant's menu. “Wine is a versatile entity that has become a pivotal influence on Absinthe and its surrounding ventures,” says Vreede, “and I am proud to be a part of the program’s evolution.”

In addition to Absinthe, Vreede spent a year as general manager and partner at San Francisco’s Café Monk and as general manager and wine director of Sierra Mar at Big Sur’s Post Ranch Inn, where he oversaw a wine list of over 3,000 wines. He is well traveled and is constantly exploring world wine regions, looking to discover new treasures.

Eric attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

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