The Tasting Room Lounge

Of the three Tasting Rooms, it’s the one I would most likely order a beer at. Especially since when we picked up Negra Modelos at the Uptown Park location, they turned out to be 7 bucks each. The Midtown location has a better selection of beers and a younger client base. When we went, the server was quite nice, and also opened a wine by the glass that was off the menu. Solid like the other Tasting Rooms. Smallest of the three locations, though.

4.25 stars. I don’t know. I can understand the criticism of the crowd at this place as being snooty, but I have found the staff at the Tasting Room to be absolutely the opposite. When I first visited this place (quite a few years ago!), I was new to the wine bar scene. I clearly was no wine connosieur, but the staff here placed me at ease at once. Quickly, I became a semi-​regular. The wine is amazingly cheap by the bottle here compared to other wine bars in Houston as well as throughout the nation. They have an amazing selection, and they even carry beer (atypical for a wine bar). Personally, I like the Tasting Room better than the Wine Bucket and Cova, but again, it’s all up to personal taste. Go ahead and try them all! :)

TTR is right down the street from Cyclone Anaya’s, convenient when you’re advised that your table for 9 won’t be ready for 2.5 hours.
OFFERINGS
When you walk into TTR, you’re in a dark, small lounge, complete with a wall of wines (for your drinking enjoyment) and a small bar to make your purchases. TTR offers a range of 15 – 25 different wines (white to red) AND a selection of Texas’ micro brew St Arnold and some Belgian tastiness (Duvel). The wall of wines is displayed from white to red and with small labels describing the taste and indicating the price for a glass, a bottle purchased for there, or for a bottle purchased to go (cheaper than drinking it there). They do not re-​cork for you.
Tasting at TTR
The funny thing is, and I didn’t test this out, we just ordered bottle after bottle, but the funny thing is: TTR doesn’t actually give you a taste of the wine you want… Well, this is up for debate since I didn’t actually ask, but on two occasions, my friend asked for a taste of the wine he wanted to purchase. One time, TTR allowed, but the other time, they declined. But, if you’re truly unsure of the wine you’re about to purch, I would definitely ask. Besides, when you’re about to drop $ 52, you might want to make sure you like it. I was informed that $ 5 «tastings» are offered on Saturdays from 5 – 7 PM. Strange.

If you like wine, it’s a good place. If not, it’s small, boring, and snooty. But that seems to be what we call trendy these days. They have a better wine selection than most places in town and a decent variety of beer as well. The variety makes this place a 3 versus a 2.
I just wasn’t impressed. Not to mention that the wine is over priced. However, the cool kids think that by paying more for a bottle it must be better. Stupid kids, some of the best wines cost less than $ 10 a bottle… but you would never know that if you spend you time at the Tasting Room. All the ordering has to be done at the bar, so thats kind of annoying. The midtown location is also so amazingly small that if there are more than a dozen people inside you might as well not bother going in.

Good place. They may not have the best selection of wines, but prices are moderate and have not changed from the first day they opened. Of course, that has to do with adevnt of several wine bars in the area since they opened. Actually, if you buy the bottles, they are only slightly more expensive than Specs. It is a good place for small weekday gatherings or make-​out post dinner on a date later at night ;-)
I like the fact that they have expanded more to the outside area taking advantage of the pedestrian friendly neighborhood. They have live acoustic music once a week or so.

The wine selection here is fantastic. I had a chance to go over their selection and they have wines from across the world and they are priced very reasonably for a «bar» The best part, you can drink your wine here or take it ToGo! The more you buy, the better the price. (Unlike gasoline!)
What really took me by surprise was their beer selection. While the beer is limited, they offer over 15 different beers, anything from a light ale to a triple stout. Great prices too! I had 3 different beers and not one was over $ 3.25
Inside, the atmosphere is small and cozy, a great place to take a date before a big night out.
Nice bar, comfy couch seating, tables and appetizers deluxe!
I would have to recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a place to go to have a good time.
Insider Tip: Parking can be difficult in this area so keep an eye out for a meter!