So Vino Bistro and Wine Bar [Closed]
This entry was posted on 3/16/2008 6:22 PM and is filed under New American Casual, New Openings, Casual Chic - Jeans Allowed, closed.
It took us a while to make it to So Vino, but we're very glad that we did. We really like this new entry to the Houston restaurant scene. Located in our developing restaurant row on lower Westheimer across from Dolce Vita and Indika, So Vino has an intimate, warm atmosphere that put us right at ease. Although billed as a wine bar, there's a definite emphasis on food, with more action in the restaurant than the bar on a recent Friday evening. Almost every table was full. There was also a nice mix of clientèle, singles and couples, all ages, enjoying the food and wine. It's not a large place, and reservations are strongly advisable.
Although food is a highlight at So Vino, the wine list is a welcome change from the lengthy, typically overpriced lists we frequently encounter. There were many choices in the $40-60 range, from around the world. We enjoyed a Tuscan red.
As a starter, we shared the beef carpaccio, which was our only disappointment of the evening. Cut so thin, it had no taste, seeming almost watery. We make carpaccio at home, and we estimated there was about an ounce of meat on the plate. And the billed truffle oil was hard to discern. We moved on to the much lauded short ribs and the wild game chili. The former was one of the best versions of this dish we've had at a restaurant. The meat was wonderfully moist but not fatty, which is tricky with short ribs as the more desirable leaner cut can dry out if not properly tended. (Dare we suggest that the meat was better cooked than the short ribs we had at Babbo.) The Shiraz sauce was rich and lush, likely finished with copious amounts of butter. Similarly buttery was the gruyere polenta which resided on the plate with the short ribs. The wild game chili is So Vino's version of Texas chili pie. Sided with corn chips, the chili was nicely spiced and full of meat. We recall venison and perhaps some pork.
So Vino would be a good place to go on a second date with someone you think you could care about. (Our other suggestion is Café Rabelais.) It's hip but not a scene, romantic but not too quiet, and the food and wine won't likely disappoint.
507 Westheimer
713/524-1000
http://www.sovinowines.com/
