BY MIKE PUCKETT

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Off the Vine Bistro and Wine Bar is located just a block northeast of Hwy 6 in Missouri City. This cozy little wine bar is like a home away from home. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a Save & Exit glass of wine and good eats with family and friends.

Off the Vine Bistro is family owned – and that is very clear the moment you walk through the door. Every time I visit, I am always greeted with a large smile and welcoming conversation. I highly recommend you ask your server to find out what they recommend pairing with your vittles. They will not steer you wrong. And that’s a fact!

You’ll always find scratch cooking here at Off the Vine Bistro. Their home-grown spices, along with locally-sourced and produced food, are the perfect recipe for a delightful dish. If you like fresh, then you need to come and see what fresh tastes like. For real!

Off the Vine Bistro and Wine Bar is so much more than a place to get a wonderful meal – they also offer cooking classes and wine-paired dinners once a month.  I like that!

If you are looking for a place to kick back and finish off your week, their Sunday Brunch has healthy, flavorful options with carefully-selected ingredients for palates with food restrictions and allergies. This is definitely a designation for those who need to pay attention to what they eat.

If you love live music, then I am about to add another layer to this cake. They have live music every Saturday night – brought to you by local community performers in a variety of different genres: jazz, rock ‘n roll and pop covers. A good time to be had by all!

Now, if you have been following me for any length of time, then you know I can’t visit a wine bar without ordering up a Charcuterie & Cheese Board… it would just be sacrilegious! Right? So, that is exactly what I did! Our gracious server paired this piece of art with a Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara – one of my favorites with a beautiful floral and mineral character typical of Santa Barbara Pinot Noir. I instantly had a smile from ear to ear!

The Hangover Fries caught my attention as I was thinking about all the pairing I’d be doing that evening. Maybe I should just take them to go… tomorrow would be coming waaay to soon! Ha!

The House Chips were piled high with onions, tomato, cilantro, grated cheese, sour cream and grilled chicken – the perfect medicine for a sour stomach after a long night of leisure and laughter. The combination of flavors is something else! The menu is all so good, but you gotta try these potato sticks with a blanket of naturally-sourced love!

The Appetizer Sampler Plate is another must-try here at Off the Vine Bistro and Wine Bar. You get to pick any 4 appetizers (half portions). We chose the Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp (of course), Lettuce Wraps, Spiced Meatballs and Mama’s Spiced Chicken Bites. Wow! The spread was beautiful. I thought I would try a selection of apps and then I’d know exactly what to order the next time around- turned out I wasn’t any better off than I was when I started. Everything was just so good! I think I will just have to order the sampler again. I suggest you do the same.

Another favorite of mine is the Summer Sausage Flatbread. This flat bread was carefully crafted with Summer Sausage slices, cheese, apples, onions and fennel. This sandwich is a great option if you are looking for something light. You get a mouthful of crispy crust in the first bite and then you taste the sausage, cheese and apple combination that just pulls it all together.

The flatbread was paired with an EOS Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas leading into the flavors of black cherry with a hint of earthiness. Soft tannins tempt the palate leading into the lingering finish. Ooh la la…

Now, I have a soft spot for a nice Cuban Sandwich, so when I noticed it on the menu I had to try it. This pressed sandwich was covered with smoked ham, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles. We cut it up to share with the group, but I figured out right away that this was a mistake; I have been thinking about that outstanding sandwich ever since. The mustard and pickles gave that excellent accent to the smokiness in the ham. This sandwich might be my favorite of the day… it’s just too hard to say. But, do try!

And, just when I thought I couldn’t eat another bite, two desserts showed up! Not a surprise… my friends have just as big a sweet tooth as I do. I never turn down a sweet, sweet, decadent dessert – don’t ya know?

We enjoyed the Coconut Macaroons immensely. The toasted Coconut Macaroons dipped in Chocolate Ganache had me looking around to see who was gonna eat the last one. Ha! Seriously.

My love of Chocolate Cake started as an infant. My first cake was a Triple-Decker Chocolate Castle. I gotta say, this dark hunk of sweetness brought me back to when times were a little simpler. This Chocolate Cake slice with Chocolate Filling and Chocolate Ganache took me to chocolate heaven!

What an Ahhmazing experience here at Off the Vine Bistro and Wine Bar. You walk in as a customer and leave as a part of the family. Don’t be shy to ask the owner Namita about her spices and recipes – she has a wealth of knowledge and is eager to share. I am so happy I found this little gem in in Missouri City… and even happier that I can share it with you! Enjoy!

 

Good Eats Houston Recommends…

American IPA, Saint Arnold Brewing Company
The color is deep amber with a light, creamy head. The nose starts off with a touch of citrus but then turns decidedly into peaches

Appetizers
Charcuterie & Cheese Board
3 meats, 3 cheeses, nuts, fruits, and local honey

Paired with: Neilson Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir, Nielson by Byron
Displays the beautiful floral and mineral character typical of Santa Barbara Pinot Noir

Hangover Fries
House chips piled with onions, tomato, cilantro, grated cheese and sour cream w/ grilled chicken

Paired with: Elissa IPA
American IPA, Saint Arnold Brewing Company
The color is deep amber with a light, creamy head. The nose starts off with a touch of citrus but then turns decidedly into peaches

Appetizer Sampler Plate
Pick any 4 appetizers (half portions)

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Bacon wrapped gulf shrimp, seared in garlic butter

Lettuce Wraps
Chopped chicken or soy crumbles in a peanut tamarind sauce

Spiced Meatballs
Spiced meatballs in a creamy sauce

Mama’s Spiced Chicken Bites
Marinated grilled chicken bits served with tamarind ginger purée or with spicy buffalo sauce

 

Entrees
Summer Sausage Flatbread
Summer sausage slices with cheese, apples, onions and fennel

Paired with: EOS Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon, Eos Estate Winery
The aromas lead into flavors of black cherry with a hint of earthiness. Soft tannins tempt the palate leading into the lingering finish

Spanish Paella
Saffron rice with seafood

Paired with: Neboa Albarino 2014
Albarino, Valkrie Selections
Floral, blossomy nose with peach and apricot aromas which carry through on the palate with taut structure, complex fresh fruit, understated mid-palate weight, all on a strong backbone of mineral acidity

Cuban Sandwich
Pressed sandwich with smoked ham, swiss cheese, mustard and pickles

Paired with: Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2015
Zinfandel, Seghesio Family Vineyards
This wine that offers tantalizing raspberry, blueberry, classic briary and spicy flavors with a balance of components for which Seghesio wines are known

House Spiced Farm Burger
Grass fed ground beef, swiss cheese, & jalapeños avocado, bleu cheese, bacon

Paired with: Full Moon Pale Rye Ale
Rye IPA, Real Ale Brewing Company
Malted rye and barley are complemented by generous helpings of Simcoe and Citra hops, resulting in a bold, full-bodied American IPA

 

Dessert
Coconut Macaroons
Toasted coconut macaroon dipped in chocolate ganache

Chocolate Cake
Chocolate cake slice with chocolate filling and chocolate ganache

 

PHOTOGRAPHY: MIKE PUCKETT