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Popina

September 9, 2026 · 1 h 1 min

Show notes

How did James O’Brien build the restaurant where seemingly every sommelier in New York wants to drink wine on their night off? The prices are certainly part of the appeal, but Popina’s location is hardly the most convenient. Its success comes from something deeper.


It begins with the hospitality of the owner, which carries through to the entire staff, and a shared commitment to creating a restaurant that feels inviting, delicious, and accessible.


James joins Adam on this episode of The Buildout to discuss how he created a restaurant that is both a destination and a neighborhood spot filled with regulars—even when many of those regulars live nowhere nearby.


Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast


Popina: https://www.instagram.com/popinanyc

James O’Brien: https://www.instagram.com/obsworld


VinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepair

Hosted by VinePair Co-Founder: https://www.instagram.com/adamteeter

Produced and edited by: https://www.instagram.com/dolldoctor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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