Jon McDaniel to Head Up Beverage Program at OON

When news broke last week that Jon McDaniel left his post as sommelier and manager at The Purple Pig, it was understood that his next move would happen fast. That turned out to be true, as McDaniel will be masterminding the beverage program and also be the General Manager at the upcoming highly-anticipated OON. The project, led by former Saigon Sisters chef Matt Eversman and more than two years in the making, has moved along slowly but appears to be nearing completion.

McDaniel will implement a wine-focused program at OON. "Wine is the main beverage ingredient to enhance Matt's unique and fun food concept," McDaniel says. "Along with cocktails, beer and sake we will be highlighting a truly global selection of wines."

McDaniel's unique story has brought from a career as a lobbyist on Capital Hill to his love of crushed grapes. He then became a wine importer, managed California's The Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café (which was in the movie Sideways), before landing at The Purple Pig. He has been honored in Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, opentable.com, and by the Guild of Sommeliers.

You can find now find him at OON, it's scheduled to open in June.
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[Photo: OON]