August 24, 2007
Get Your Wine On
Austinist wondered, "What are the top spots these days to get your wine on?" Certainly one can order a lovely glass of wine most anywhere - but, for the distinguished Austin wino who wants to polish off a beautiful bottle or sample a creative wine flight in a sassy setting, we suggest the following:
Vin Bistro
Vin Bistro knows how to treat a guest. By far, this is the most excellent service we have enjoyed in recent memory. Enthusiastic, amiable, indulgent and smart. On Monday, order a bottle for half the price. Do it. This is your opportunity to sample a pricey ($100-120) wine without going broke. We recommend the Conn Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir (Napa). Superb. On Wednesdays, wines by the glass are half price. Lounge in the bar or out front on the freshly swept patio. The specialty cheese plate ($14) changes daily. Ask your new best friend (waiter) what’s extra stinky and savory.
1601 West 38th Street, Suite 1 (38th & Kerbey Lane) 512.377.5252
Cru
Truth be told, Cru is a small(ish) chain and not an Austin original. But, its urban sidewalk patio on the skillfully renovated Second Street and clever arrangement of wine flights make this downtown wine bar worthy of a stop. It’s got a big city vibe and attracts a handsome crowd. Try the Sexy Red flight, including the O’brien “Seduction,” a powerful, muscular and full-bodied wine. Oh my!
235 W Second St 512.472.9463
Trulucks
Should you be feeling a bit upscale and all grown-up, take a seat at this elegant bar. Both locations, downtown and in the Arboretum, will properly satisfy. The service and presentation is truly impressive. We especially enjoyed the crisp white coats that the young “house boys” sport. (It kinda felt like we’d just boarded The Love Boat). Wine flights ($12-15) are available as are many high-end selections by the glass. Should you desire a space for quiet conversation, be prepared for lounge singers.
North:10225 Research Blvd, Suite 4000 512.794.8300
Downtown: 400 Colorado 512.482.9000
Mars
We chose the new Mars location on South Congress as a top wine spot because the patio is just so damn pleasant and any vintage sipped under their magnificent oak tastes mighty delightful. Dusk is especially divine. Not hungry for dinner, but simply a nosh? Order the Mars Charcuterie, a savory plate of chocolate, cheese, fig and chicken liver pate. Sample a sophisticated Sonoma County red and watch the SoCo scene pass by.
1400 South Congress 512.472.3901
Wink Wine Bar
It’s not easy to find, but worth discovering. Here’s a hint: it’s next door to Tip Top Cleaners on North Lamar. Low lighting and a band of regulars make this narrow space feel a touch exclusive, but not uninviting. Fifty selections by the glass make for an extremely yum-yum time. We tried the Zig Zag Zin from Mendocino, (really just because it’s fun to say three times quickly). Other recommendations include the Ramspeck Cabernet (Napa) and the Salentein Malbec (Argentina). Order by the glass or design your own flight. The downside: the winky service is less than impressive. Thankfully, the tall leather seats are ultra comfy, so waiting for libations is agreeable to the rump.
1014 North Lamar, Ste. E 512.482.8868
Image from Cru Wine Bar
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come on, how can you guys forget vino vino out on guadalupe??? that place is awesome. aieeeeeee
Agreed on the Vino Vino. Great space and selection, and very personable service.
Don't forget about Cork and Company on 3rd and Congress. That place rocks! It's local too, not like Cru which has a definite Dallas feel.
Don't miss out on the appetizers at the Wink wine bar. That's why it's our favorite.
Before some random guest does it:
Who cares about these places for rich people? That wine costs more than I make in a week!!11!! Why don't you have any stories about places to get cheap drinks for us working stiffs?
what does this mean, "get your wine on"?
Vino Vino is super affordable -- they have bottles for around $12, which makes it roughly the same price as beer, drink to drink.
Agreed on Vino Vino. That place is awesome. And Cork & Co. is cool ... especially Jane Nickles' wine classes.
Scooby- are you making less than $12-$15 per week? Really?
Hellzyes re: apps at Wink. And their service does tend to be a little flighty. And snooty. BUT THE SNACKS ARE SO GOOOOOOD.
okay if you are seriously making less than $12-15 a week, i strongly suggest you file for unemployment b/c....wow. just....wow. yeah.
vino vino is gold b/c they don't have wine that sells for $$$$$$$$$$$ a bottle. they do have high end wine but they also have wine that is awesome and only costs $12-15. i love going there and talking to jeff (owner) b/c he is not going to dick you over with the most $$$$ bottle of wine. he asks you want you want, and he will sell you you are looking for. one time i was deciding between two bottles of red wine, and one was $18 and one was $25 and when i told him i wanted to just drink it solo and not with any meal, he told me the $18 was the better choice. he wasn't wrong. i love that. i love honesty. he wasn't trying to sell me the most expensive bottle of wine he had.
not to mention, vino vino has a great vibe to it. you can go there and relax with friends, or you can go there by yourself and relax. i saw one guy one night on the cushy chairs with a book and a glass of wine. my bf and i got a bottle and sat by the window and watched the storm move in. it was freaking gold. i love walking to vino vino...it's around the corner from us so it's terrific.
i think a lot of people think: wine....it MUST be $$$. it's not, people. you can get a wonderful bottle of wine for not that much at all or you can go insane and get a top of the line bottle for $$$$$$. regardless, it's not all about the $$$$ bottle of wine. get out of that mindset and you will find yourself a happy camper. unless of course you really DO make $12-15 a week. :O
Vino Vino is surprisingly cheap.
1 bottle + tip
Plus they're nice. And the bathrooms are clean.
Why did this write-up leave them out?
Fans of Vino Vino and especially of urban development need to pay attention: Karen McGraw (she of McMansion fame) has filed an appeal of the unanimous, heavily supported, and Oh, Snap-worthy Planning Commission vote to allow the variance for VV to operate there without a ridiculous amount of additional parking.
Vino Vino is clearly popular, and rightly so, just because they're not in this particular write-up doesn't mean they're not one of our favorites: http://austinist.com/2007/02/05/fair_is_fair_a_call_to_hyde_park_residents_support_vino_vino.php
Are you people that dense?
Scooby was mocking all of the poor people that constantly post whining comments on Austinist.
Your mom mocks poor people.