HO2007 - Vin

A marvelous place to spend an evening.

By David J. LeMaster
Photography by Jim Caldwell

A GuestLife Houston Great Restaurant

Seen Right: Bread Pudding with Cinnamon Pecan Sauce, Gelato, Cheese Crisp, Chocolate Brownie with Grand Marnier Sauce, Cappucino Pot de Creme and Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee

Located in the heart of the Theater District, Vin (pronounced Vine) provides Houston with the best of everything: fine wines, gourmet foods, outstanding service, and a rich, festive atmosphere.

General Manager Dylan Gotesky and Chef Jared Estes produce a colorful, imaginative menu featuring succulent dishes such as duckling, rack of lamb, and olive crusted king salmon. I was particularly impressed by the caramelized scallops, which are seared until crispy on the outside, yet delicate and flavorful inside, and served with truffled butter lettuce.

Diners will be delighted with the stone oven flatbreads. Estes' creations are as beautiful as they are delicious. For appetizers, try the grilled calamari, a delightful combination of tastes including thyme, cherry tomatoes, vinegar, fried capers, and champagne basil.

Vin offers 175 labels and 34 wines by the glass, including a wine flight, which lets diners sample three individual wines with their meals. The ambiance is accentuated by a high definition TV that plays classic movies, and a beautiful VIP room is available. "The World’s Tiniest Dessert Menu" is a unique and wonderful way to sample three finely prepared desserts.

Vin is a perfect accompaniment to an evening at the theater, ballet, or movies. Upstairs, Vin combines forces with the Rock Bar, which features live, local bands on Thursday nights, and the Mosaic Lounge, (both expertly managed by Jerry Watson), which features a tranquil water wall and a 1,700-square-foot balcony with swings and daybeds overlooking downtown. Vin is a marvelous place to spend an evening.

MENU HIGHLIGHTS

Lunch

Stone Oven Flatbreads
House made and hand-tossed

Margherita
Baby Mozzarella, fresh basil, tomato

Toscano
Shaved roast beef, Gorgonzola, sweet onions, marjoram-horseradish crème

Executive Lunch
A choice of salads, entrées, and a selection of the "world's tiniest desserts"

Dinner

Salads

Mediterranean "Chop Chop"
Salad Shaved cucumber, kalamata olives, feta cheese, lemon hummus on grilled artisan bread with pickled shallot vinaigrette

Entrées

Rack of Lamb
Oregano marinade, hummus stuffed tomato, minted dill chimichurri

Grilled New York Strip
Roasted shallots, paprika fries, sauce béarnaise

Olive Crusted Salmon
Basil whipped potatoes, blue lake green beans, fresh tomato vinaigrette

Scallops
Carmelized day boat scallops, truffled-butter lettuce risotto, lemon essence

Two Way Duckling
Pan seared breast, allspice braised leg, sweet potato puree, grilled radicchio, toasted pecan pan sauce

Desserts

Lemongrass and Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlées

Cardamom Cappuccino and Apricot Goat Cheese Crisp

Vin
Open for lunch Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.,
dinner Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m.-11 p.m.,
dinner Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m.-midnight.
Rock Bar and Mosaic: Thursday through Sunday, 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

530 Texas (Bayou Place), Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 237-9600
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