Houston area dining talk

285,664 Views | 1241 Replies | Last: 11 days ago by GoBearsGo
FranchiseBear
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4:54p, 4/27/26
Bularry - I am not a collector and would not consider myself a huge wine guy but I sure appreciate the invite!
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CammoTX
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In reply to bularry • 6:37p, 4/29/26
bularry said:
Cammo or Franchise, interested in an intimate wine tasting with a Pinot/chardonnay producer from Lompoc in CA? Not sure if you guys are collectors at all


Really appreciate the invite but I would classify myself as just a little better than novice. Our wine fridge has only like 15 bottles. Does sound like a fun event!
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bularry
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8:43a, 5/13/26
reading an article this morning and the writer states the following as to the cause of declining wine sales::

Quote:
I can't untangle which came first: fine wine producers raising prices to excess, or high-end restaurants treating wine as a cash cow. What starts as positioning becomes pricing. What starts as pricing becomes expectation. And what starts as expectation becomes a system that is very hard to unwind. But the outcome of this vicious cycle is clearthe lack of fine wine at reasonable prices is what puts consumers off.


Anyone have any thoughts on this?
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br53
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In reply to bularry • 8:43a, 5/16/26
It depends on their definition of reasonable. Are we talking 20-30 or 40-50? I have found quiet a few bottles of cab that are 20-30 a bottle that I really enjoy
The battle is not yours, but God's.
2 Chronicles 20:15
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CammoTX
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5:05p, 5/21/26
Anyone been to Zaranda downtown? Worth the visit?
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KEBasketball
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9:48p, 6/1/26
Belly of the Beast in Spring…could be a haul for many of you (Woodlands helps). Do some research. Bring your own wine (although they do offer a tasting menu with specified wine pairings). Just be ready for the corking fee which is $40 per bottle.

The food was fabulous - amazing that a restaurant like this can be found in such a non-descript location!

- KEB
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CammoTX
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In reply to KEBasketball • 6:16a, 6/2/26
About 10-15 years ago there was a fantastic French restaurant at some nondescript strip retail center in Cinco Ranch that reminds me of this. Boggles the mind but a hidden gem for sure!

$40 corkage fee is absurd. Will need to bring a very nice bottle to justify that cost!
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bularry
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In reply to KEBasketball • 8:51a, 6/2/26
He briefly was the chef at a spot on 11th Street a couple of years ago. That fell apart and he went back to Spring

Regarding corkage, $40 is reasonable. Stops people from grabbing at grocery store en route
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CTCBear
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In reply to CammoTX • 3:52p, 6/2/26
La Balance?
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CammoTX
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In reply to CTCBear • 5:21p, 6/2/26
CTCBear said:
La Balance?


That sounds right. I think the chef was from Mexico. It was really good French food and might have even been byob.
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GoBearsGo
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In reply to bularry • 12:48p, 6/3/26
bularry said:
He briefly was the chef at a spot on 11th Street a couple of years ago. That fell apart and he went back to Spring

Regarding corkage, $40 is reasonable. Stops people from grabbing at grocery store en route

I'll pay $40 for a bottle for sure if you have some good wineglasses.
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KEBasketball
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In reply to bularry • 8:21p, 6/3/26
bularry said:
He briefly was the chef at a spot on 11th Street a couple of years ago. That fell apart and he went back to Spring

Regarding corkage, $40 is reasonable. Stops people from grabbing at grocery store en route

Yeah - we brought two really nice bottles…our friends brought a cab and we brought a sauvignon blanc from one of our favorites out in Napa (Cervantes). Cervantes is small, but their wines are fantastic. They also run one of the best winery tours we have ever been on out there. Unbelievable authentic Mexican dishes paired with their wines after time out enjoying the beautiful property.

I think Cervantes is going to do a collaborative dinner at PortaVino in the Woodlands later this year. Great people (both PV and Cervantes).

www.cervantesfamilyvineyards.com

- KEB
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bularry
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In reply to KEBasketball • 8:58a, 6/5/26
KEBasketball said:
bularry said:
He briefly was the chef at a spot on 11th Street a couple of years ago. That fell apart and he went back to Spring

Regarding corkage, $40 is reasonable. Stops people from grabbing at grocery store en route

Yeah - we brought two really nice bottles…our friends brought a cab and we brought a sauvignon blanc from one of our favorites out in Napa (Cervantes). Cervantes is small, but their wines are fantastic. They also run one of the best winery tours we have ever been on out there. Unbelievable authentic Mexican dishes paired with their wines after time out enjoying the beautiful property.

I think Cervantes is going to do a collaborative dinner at PortaVino in the Woodlands later this year. Great people (both PV and Cervantes).

www.cervantesfamilyvineyards.com

- KEB

very cool, new winery to me, thanks for the info. and Andy Erickson as winemaker is a good move for these guys.
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GoBearsGo
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1:05p, 6/11/26
coming in Sunday for world cup game at noon. was going to try and meet for breakfast before heading over. Where is a good spot?
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CTCBear
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In reply to GoBearsGo • 1:51p, 6/11/26
Casaema
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FranchiseBear
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In reply to GoBearsGo • 5:43p, 6/12/26
Where are you staying?
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GoBearsGo
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In reply to FranchiseBear • 10:15p, 6/13/26
FranchiseBear said:
Where are you staying?


Driving in for the day. Meeting the kids in the heights to get into one car to head to the game.
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