Nikaline Iacono, owner and manager of Vessel & Vine, 4 Pleasant St., Brunswick, has a vision. She wants to be a major part of the vibrant culinary community that is Brunswick.

Using her background growing up in the restaurant business and, recently, as bar manager at Enoteca Athena (also on Maine Street in Brunswick), she wanted to open her own retail wine and beer establishment.

About a year ago the stars aligned and she opened her original concept plus so much more. Vessel & Vine offers a full-service bar, small-plate dining, vintage glassware, and frequent vintage clothing pop-up stores. Because she believes in education she offers frequent wine tastings and classes, cocktail crafting sessions, and occasional family-style dinners.

When you walk into Vessel & Vine you begin to smile broadly and even chuckle at the unique and energetic décor. An old bed spring hangs as a wall divider, an amazing, modern mural covers the back wall, every chair is different and colorful, feathers and chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and vintage glassware is all around for sale and containing your beverages. Everything is for sale and always different.

Nikaline is collaborating with other business owners in town by using and promoting their products. She said she is “proud to be a part of the Brunswick community” and is creating a place for people to learn and share ideas about good food and libations. She is also nurturing a warm, comfortable, funky, and ever-changing place for people to gather and have fun.

Midcoast Food & Beverage Events

April 21 – Easter

Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown, Easter brunch buffet. Seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., $32 per person, $28 seniors, $16 kids 6-12, kids 5 and under free. Reservations and payment required at time of booking; 5 Park St., Freeport, 865-1433, ext. 500.

The Brunswick Inn, Easter dinner, 5-8 p.m. 165 Park Row, Brunswick, 729-4914, $45 per person, reservations required.

Harraseeket Inn, Easter buffet,  noon-2:30 p.m., 162 Main St., Freeport, 865-9377 or 800-342-6423, $80 per person, reservations required.

Brunswick Hotel & Tavern, Easter brunch buffet, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 4 Noble St., Brunswick, 837-6565, $49 per person, reservations suggested.

Tao Yuan Restaurant, Gastronomic Tour of Hainan, 4-8 p.m. Special menu filled with traditional regional dishes. Beverages priced separately. This dinner continues their gastronomic tour of China, which runs through May 26; 22 Pleasant St., Brunswick, 725-9002, $48 per person, reservations highly recommended.

April 25

The Highlands, Aspects of Pairing: Food & Beverage, 4-6 p.m., Holden Frost House, 7 Academy Lane, Topsham. Executive Chef Chris Toole partners with Flight Deck Brewing to show how to pair food with beer. Reservations required by April 19, 725-2650, free.

Vessel & Vine, wine tasting featuring Illahe Wines from Oregon, 5-7 p.m. Single varietals including pinot noir and viognier; 4 Pleasant St., Brunswick, 721-3000, free.

April 26

Harraseeket Inn, Spring Wine Dinner, 6 p.m. Enjoy 5 courses including chilled pea soup, spring salad, crab-crusted halibut, New York strip steak, and vanilla souffle. Wines from Chartrand Imports; 162 Main St., Freeport, 865-9377, $85 per person, reservations required.

April 27

Bow Street Market, tasting of “Spring Collection” spirits from Haus Alpenz, 3-5:30 p.m.; 79 Bow St., Freeport, 865-6631, free.

Food Features

Vessel & Vine, 4 Pleasant St., Brunswick, $1.50 local oysters on Mondays.

Sande Updegraph lives in Brunswick and is a longtime food writer. She can be reached at sandeupdegraph@gmail.com.

Nikaline Iacono at Vessel & Vine, 4 Pleasant St., Brunswick.