dialed in to Katy

Houston's buzziest wine bar and restaurant uncorks new Katy location with scenic views and spacious patio

Postino has arrived in Katy.

Photo by Jenn Duncan

One of Houston’s most popular wine drinking destinations has opened its new location. Postino WineCafe, the Arizona-based wine bar and cafe with four Houston-area location, has opened its newest location in Katy’s LaCenterra development (23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. Ste. D100); in addition, the restaurant has rolled out its new wine club.

Situated in a prime location that looks onto LaCenterra's greenspace, the new location encompasses 3,900-square-feet plus a spacious patio. This location's signature design element consists of 185 vintage rotary phones and a working phone booth — a nod to Katy’s “American Telephone & Telegraph Co.” founded in 1900, according to a release.

Known for its generous happy hour that features $6 wines by-the-glass and $6, 32-ounce pitchers of beer everyday from 11 am-5 pm, Postino has been a hit since its first Houston location opened in 2018 in The Heights. It has expanded to include locations in Montrose, Town & Country, and Uptown Park.

Food options include a mix of shareable snacks, cheese and charcuterie boards, and a dozen bruschettas such as Prosciutto di Parma with fig and mascarpone and "Sweet N’ Spicy Pepper Jam & Goat Cheese." It's open daily for lunch and dinner with a lively brunch served on the weekends.

“We’ve received such a warm reception in Houston,” Postino co-founder Lauren Bailey said in a statement. “Over the years, we’ve had so many guests visiting us from Katy, that we had to come check out the community. We’re thrilled to find this spot and create a place for the Katy community to gather. We can't wait!”

Postino has also introduced its Wine Cult wine club. Members receive one box per quarter that contains four bottles of wine and educational materials prepared by Postino's beverage director, advanced sommelier Brent Karlicek. Joining costs $60 per quarter or $220 annually.

“Great wine elevates any dining experience and makes it unforgettable, which is why this new program is aimed at introducing guests to unexpected and delicious wines from some of the most passionate winemakers in the industry,” Karlicek said. “With Wine Cult, our members get that same Postino experience outside of our four walls, along with learning materials and all sorts of other fun hook-ups.”

The interior features a wall of vintage rotary phones.

Photo by Michael Anthony

The interior features a wall of vintage rotary phones.

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Mutiny on the White Oak

Staple Heights wine bar and restaurant will shutter after 6 years

Photo by Jenn Duncan

Mutiny will close on January 31.

A wine bar and restaurant in the Heights is coming to the end of a six-year run. Mutiny in the Heights will close on January 31.

In an email to the restaurant’s supporters, co-owner Mark Ellenberger writes that rising costs for ingredients, insurance, and labor contributed to the decision to close Mutiny. “The closing is driven by increased costs and the traffic just did not sustain the operation,” he writes in response to CultureMap’s request for comment about the decision.

He also thanked Mutiny’s customers for their support. “You weren’t just customers. You were the familiar faces who stopped in after work, the couples who always sat at the same table, the friends who brought visiting family ‘to their spot.’ You celebrated birthdays here, toasted milestones, celebrated wedding receptions, had first dates, and made this place feel alive.”

Ellenberg and his wife Emily Trout opened Mutiny Wine Room in January 2020 as a companion to Kagan Cellars, their award-winning winery. It featured selection from boutique wineries that produced between 500 and 5,000 cases per year. Patrons could sample more than 30 by-the-glass options along with an extensive selection of bottles.

Food has always been part of Mutiny’s offerings. Originally, the restaurant served California cuisine, but last year it changed its name to Mutiny in the Heights and adopted a more family-friendly menu that includes a burger, meatballs, and steak frites.

Between now and January 31, Ellenberger writes that Mutiny will run specials for up to 50-percent off wines for both dine-in and to-go. Details about an anniversary/farewell on January 22 will be shared on social media.

As for the future, Ellenberger explains that he’ll continue to focus on Kagan Cellars, including launching a wine club. “We will also keep our hand in the hospitality sector through our investment in Stella Kenwood in Sonoma, CA.”

Elsewhere in the Heights, The Kid, a craft beer and burger concept from the owners of The Flying Saucer, quietly closed at the end of the year, Chron reports. Earlier this week, Rocket Farm Restaurants announced it will replace it’s Tex-Mex restaurant Superica with a casual steakhouse called Star Rover.

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