Brent Kroll
Brent Kroll is the wine director for the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, which includes 11 distinctive chef-driven restaurants, a bakery, a butcher shop and a retail wine shop. As wine director, Brent oversees the wine programs at each of the group’s concepts, leads staff training, and creates unique beverage programming and events.
Those familiar with Kroll and his approachable, sophisticated style and incredible passion and knowledge of wine, will recognize his influence at each of the Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s concepts both in the wine lists and on the dining room floor. Shortly after joining NRG, Kroll designed the wine program of the newly re-opened Iron Gate, a historic landmark that was once the longest operating restaurant in D.C. Complementing Executive Chef Anthony Chittum’s Italian and Greek-inspired menu, Kroll’s wine program focuses on imports from both regions, and pays tribute to the often-misunderstood marsala, ouzo and grappa. In 2015, Iron Gate was awarded Wine Program of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and Top Wine Program in the D.C. region by DC Modern Luxury, as well as being recognized as one of the Best Wine Restaurants in America by Wine Enthusiast.
In addition to his work at Iron Gate, Kroll assists in the creation of compelling and distinctive beverage programs at The Partisan with the group’s Beer Director, Greg Engert. At the meat-focused Penn Quarter restaurant, Kroll has curated a catalog of more than 400 wines–50 of which are available by the glass, as well as 25 on draft–that pair masterfully with a wide array of charcuterie, sausages, roasted meats and more. Kroll brings a wealth of knowledge and restaurant experi- ence to his current position. Before coming on the scene in D.C., Kroll worked with Michael Mina Group at Saltwater at the MGM Grand in Detroit, the Fairmont Turnberry Country Club in Miami, and Casa Tua in South Beach. Kroll arrived in the nation’s capital in 2008 and quickly made a name for himself with renowned restaurateur Ashok Bajaj. Kroll oversaw the wine program at Ardeo/Bardeo and later at the Oval Room, where he also created the cocktail menu. In 2010, Kroll accepted the position of wine director
at Adour at The St. Regis Hotel.
Kroll has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Washingtonian, The Washington Post, Wine & Spirits, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator and more. In 2014, he was named a Rising Star by StarChefs.com.
Brent Kroll is a member of the SommCon Advisory Board