Wine Bar News

Sophisticated Postino Wine Cafe to open on Addison's restaurant row

Wine and shareable dishes are the thing at Postino Wine Cafe.

Postino

Addison is getting a hip new wine bar: Called Postino Wine Cafe, it's an Arizona-born concept opening at 5280 Belt Line Rd. According to a representative from the company, construction is underway, the signage is up, and they're hoping open in summer 2023.

Postino Wine Café draws its name from the Italian word for postman, an homage to the former 1940's post office in Phoenix where the first Postino opened 21 years ago. There are currently 23 locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, and Texas, including six in Houston, with each location unique to the neighborhood and community in which it lives.

They've built a following thanks to great prices on wine, a menu of sharable items, and expansive patios on which to drink and eat. Hallmarks include mid-century modern furniture sourced from local vintage shops, quirky found art objects, rollup garage doors, custom walnut wine walls, and cool music.

They're open daily for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch with a menu of boards, bruschetta, soups, salads, and panini, nearly all tailor made for sharing.

Bruschettas are a big deal, with sophisticated gourmet toppings such as Brie, figs, prosciutto di parma, mascarpone cheese, warm artichoke spread, smoked salmon & pesto, ricotta, dates, pistachio, and almond hummus.

"Snacky things" AKA appetizers include crispy cauliflower, meatballs & goat cheese, sweet potato wedges, and chicken & steak skewers with garlic yogurt.

They offer about 30 wines by the glass along with a wide variety of Texas craft brews.

Weekend brunch is Saturday-Sunday from 9 am–3 pm, with $5 mimosas. Their happy hour specials are epic including $6 until 5 pm every day — not just weekdays! — for all wines by the glass and pitchers of beer.

Addison represents a second location for the chain, which made its Dallas-area debut in Deep Ellum in April 2021. The location was hugely popular, and also earned a number of local awards including Best Wine Program, Top 5 Places for Wine and Beer, as well best place to get wine by the glass.

Alas, Deep Ellum closed in March 2023, with a statement that they were discontinuing operations at that location to focus on new growth. They're currently working on new locations in both Southlake and San Antonio.

The new Addison location goes into a space previously occupied by Meso Maya, which closed in March 2022. It's been subdivided into two, with the other portion being taken by the Sweetgreen chain.

"Postino will always be focused on serving our surrounding community and really becoming a part of the fabric of a neighborhood," Bailey says. "We can’t wait to welcome our new neighbors and friends in Addison."

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Wine News

New Vinifera Wine Lounge and Bistro debuts on Flower Mound’s Riverwalk

Vinifera

Vinifera Wine Lounge & Bistro

A new wine bar and bistro has opened in Flower Mound. Called Vinifera Wine Lounge & Bistro, it's at 4120 River Walk Dr., in a space formerly occupied by a short-lived pizzeria, joining a string of bars overlooking the Riverwalk.

Vinifera is from Jamie Creevy, a British native who moved to Dallas in 2007, and who has worked at concepts such as Henderson Tap House and Peppersmash Concepts. At Vinifera, he's partnered with Chris Kummer, a former US Marine with experience in nightclubs and restaurants, including Chill in Grapevine.

Running the kitchen is executive chef Justin Samsill, who has worked at a wide range of high-end places including Knife, Town Hearth, The Mitchell, Smoke, and Hide. The menu has a big selection of seafood such as mussels, shrimp cocktail, squid pasta, and scallops, as well as steak au poivre, pasta bolognese, and trendy items such as steak frites and a smash burger, with entrees ranging from $19 to $35.

Vegetarian options include an unusual rendition of ratatouille, in which vegetables such as eggplant and tomato are cut into slices and arranged like a pinwheel. There are also salads and harissa carrots with Greek yogurt.

They describe the wine list as being "from all over the world", with 38 offerings by the glass. There are also cocktails.

Between the indoor dining room and outdoor space, the restaurant seats about 130 people. It shares a private event room with next door neighbor Whiskey & Smoke.

Riverwalk is the 158-acre mixed used development developed in 2017 and designed as a destination resembling the Riverwalk in San Antonio, with live music, events, and a range of eatery options including Whiskey & Smoke, Pennywise Pub, and Underdogs Burgers & Brews.

“We are looking to be creative and pivot to keep the area fresh," Creevy says. “People are looking for live music, value, free events, we want to entertain the residents and the community at an inexpensive rate."

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