What an Incredibly Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, friends!

This year for New Years Eve, Stephen and I decided to go big. No staying at home to watch the ball drop and turn in early. My MIL offered to watch Jansen so we decided to take advantage of

having a kid-free evening.

I did some google searches to see what was going on in Houston. We thought about going to an event in town and then getting a hotel close by. That proved to be harder than I thought. It’s hard to tell what an event is going to be like by a short blurb on the internet, and most tickets were at least $50 per person. We thought about going to Discovery Green for the fireworks and live music, but then it got cold. So I changed our game plan and decided we’d try a place closer to us and just stay at home.

I wasn’t really sure where to start looking so I just googled some combination of “NYE Clear Lake, Kemah, south Houston.” After browsing a bit, I came across a place called Wine Down Bistro, a fairly new wine bar and restaurant located in Kemah. (Not on the boardwalk, bonus points!) They were having an event that included appetizers, live music, and a champagne toast at midnight. Seemed fun, plus it is a wine bar… I like wine.

We decided to get a dinner reservation there at 7:30 and stay for the event. I had a bit of an issue with their website, the tabs weren’t working properly, so I gave them a call. I had to be sure that they had other options besides seafood. I don’t like fish and Stephen is allergic to shellfish, so yeah, no seafood for us. The menu sounded good and quite honestly, I don’t remember ANYTHING he said except “tuffle mac and cheese.” That was really all I needed to hear. The reservations were made.

Y’all. I know that this post may be pointless for anyone not in the Houston/Clear Lake area, but this place was SO GOOD that I need to sing their praises. It is gorgeously decorated and cozy. The only complaint I have (and I had previously read it on Yelp) is that they don’t have a hostess. So when you walk in, you have to wander over to the bar to get help. But the staff is so incredibly friendly that they immediately make you feel welcome.

Stephen and I ended up with a room to ourselves. If we were the overly social type, this may have been an issue, but it was PERFECT for us. We were there from 7:40 until about 1:30, we had appetizers, dinner, dessert, two bottles of wine, and nonstop conversation. The evening was fantastic and the food was dreamy.

Let’s talk food. We ordered this bread with pesto, tomato, and brie. It came with 4 pieces and was only $6. Delicious. Stephen ordered the snapper and said it was fantastic. He moaned. I didn’t try it because I don’t like fish. No, not even ones that “don’t taste like fish” because even those taste like fish.

I had the filet (medium) with truffled mac and cheese (it comes with mashed potatoes but I subbed because, duh) and brussel sprouts. Let me just say that I don’t like brussel sprouts. I don’t think that God intended them to be food. But the waitress recommended that I try them, so I did. Well, I ate all of them. They were made in some delicious sauce with super crispy chopped bacon.

We split the bananas foster for dessert. I actually wasn’t a fan. It was like a bread pudding slash bananas foster. I don’t like bread pudding, the texture freaks me out. Stephen thought it was really good though.

So here is the summary: The food is incredible. This will absolutely not be the last time we eat there. We’d eat there regularly if we could afford it! But definitely date nights or special occasions. It would also be a great place to just go have a glass of wine and split a cheese platter. Seriously, when can I go back? Soon. Yes, soon.

I took some photos but it was pretty dark in there so they don’t look that great. Top right is the appetizer and bottom left is the filet.

If you live in or around Houston and like wine bars or food, try it. You won’t regret it. If you don’t like it you can yell at me… in all

caps.