Mark Ohlson, the owner of MJ’s, the new wine bar under construction at One City Center has shared some of his plans for the business.
The bar will serve “30 wines by the glass and half glass from around the world focusing on traditional varieties from prominent regions”. He’ll also have a smaller set of local and international beers available. The food menu will consist of a “selection of cheese, nuts, olives and chocolate and appropriate accompaniments”.
Ohlson is a Certified Sommelier. In addition to the wine bar, MJ’s will have an educational program. Starting in September he will be offering “drop in tastings as well as a ten-week course for a simple certification level via The One City Wine Academy (OCWA). A five-week beer course will also be available.”
MJ’s will have “a ‘Wall of Wine’ with maps, books and 40 fragrance jars to help suggest classic wine flavors. And a ‘Wall of Vinyl’ where guest can pick out and play from a selection of classic records or they can bring in their own.”
Mark has worked at a number of restaurants in Portland including Perfetto’s, Bull Feeney’s, Walters, and Hugo’s. He’s currently a bartender at Little Tap House. I first met him when he tended bar at Uffa and then at Frog and Turtle in Westbrook during its first couple years in operation.