wine & cheese bars in houston

[Robert Nesta Marley]

i have a friend who is talking about opening a wine bar/lounge in houston with a cheese program. how do houstonians feel something like this would be received? are there any places like this now that they should visit while they're there over the next week? any input would be appreciated....thanks. (i'm writing from nyc, where we both live. we're both in the industry now.)

[jess mebane]

Actually, there is a slight interest, and Spec's cornered that market years ago...we Houstonians are a deceptively simple lot when it comes to whine and cheeze...good luck, tho.

[Dave the Cook]

I have to agree with JM.

I spent four of the last six years in Houston. For all of its progressive talk, and all its admirable accomplishments, Houston still revels in its Westerness and its cowboy/oil-town-rowdy provincialism. Not that it doesn't have pockets of refinement--but my impression was that the market was well-served by what was already there.

I think there are a number of other cities in the South and Southwest (even in Texas) where your friend's chances would be better. If it's got to be Houston, look at the Woodlands (of course), the downtown areas where some gentrification is going on, and Clear Lake, where there is some young money.

No offense, Jess.

[Robert Nesta Marley]

thanks to you both for your input.

what do you mean by specs' cornering the market, though? don't they just have a retail store? are you insinuating that people wouldn't be into going to a wine bar, that they're barely into buying wine at retail & drinking it at home?

[Lyle]

thanks to you both for your input.

what do you mean by specs' cornering the market, though?  don't they just have a retail store?  are you insinuating that people wouldn't be into going to a wine bar, that they're barely into buying wine at retail & drinking it at home?

Spec's : retail liquor store :: Central Market : grocery store

[jess mebane]

No offense, Jess.

Honey, if I was offended by such, I wouldnae be worthy of the title. (insert stetson-wearing emoticon here)