Block 7 Wine Company
This entry was posted on 11/15/2009 9:54 AM and is filed under New American Casual,New Openings.
One of the latest comers to the expanding Washington corridor scene, this new wine bar and restaurant was packed on a recent Friday evening. Some smart thought went into designing this place. There's a long bar with lots of seating, as well as bar-style tables. Appropriate to a wine bar that focuses equally on food, there are a number of regular tables for those who prefer not to perch on bar stools. The room opens onto a large patio. The retail wine area, housed in an adjacent room that's divided from the bar area by large glass windows, also has bar tables and areas for small private parties. Whether you're dining or just wining, you can sit anywhere.
The wine list offers a number of choices, all of which are available at the same price in the retail and bar areas. While there are a few of the usual suspect high-end California cabs, for the large part the wines are moderately priced, with choices from around the world. As a nice touch, wines are served in the appropriate glasses. And decanters are readily available.
The menu is somewhat limited but offers a number of choices, depending on your taste and hunger level -- everything from truffle salted popcorn and edamame (for snackers) to salads, sandwiches, grilled fish and steak. We tried a yummy "pork feast" flatbread, topped with sausage, prosciutto and fresh herbs. The roasted beet salad was nicely done. The pulled venison, barbecue sauced sandwich (dubbed on the menu a "sloppy giuseppe") was good but not great, more in the style of a pulled-pork sandwich than a sloppy joe version. The garlic fries would have been better if a little hotter, but the sweet potato fries were as good as any we've tried. The coriander-cured hamachi was too salty for our taste (and we love salt), but management graciously removed it from the bill. We look forward to returning to try some of the other menu items.
This place attracts a diverse group. All age groups were drinking and dining and having fun. The music was loud and equally varied. Dress is casual, pretty much anything appears to go, within reason. Although the parking lot is good sized, complimentary valet parking is also available.
720 Shepherd
713/572-2565
http://www.block7wineco.com/
