One of Houston's most popular wine bars has plans to expand. Montrose staple Camerata at Paulie's will add a second location in Oak Forest, owner Paul Petronella and general manager/wine director Chris Poldoian announced.
Slated to open in spring 2019, Camerata in the Oaks will build on the original location's reputation for serving limited production, high-quality wine with an expanded retail component. The new location will feature a 10-seat tasting counter as well as offer to-go sales of wine, beers from around the world, pre-packed food items like charctuerie and cheese, and fresh made pastas from its sister concept Paulie's Restaurant (the current winner of the CultureMap Tastemaker Award for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year). Sommelier Tony Stein will move from the Montrose location to serve as general manager.
“Our goal with the wine shop is to introduce residents of Garden Oaks and Oak Forest to new varieties and regions in an approachable, friendly way,” Poldoian said in a statement. "With a curated retail selection, dynamic by-the-glass program, and hyper-knowledgeable staff, we hope to offer the same level of hospitality that guests expect from Camerata in a retail experience.”
Petronella discussed the possibility of expanding Camerata in an interview with CultureMap last year. At the time, he emphasized the importance of finding "the right rental rate (in) the right neighborhood [with] the right demographic." He found that opportunity with Revive Development's Stomping Grounds project at the intersection of 34th Street and Alba Street. The mixed-use development will feature space for new restaurants centered around an 8,000-square-foot central lawn. Sean Garrison from Garrison Designs and Chris Nguyen will be designing the new building.
“Camerata opened in 2013 and we continued to have tremendous success in the restaurant and retail businesses," Petronella added in the statement. "To accommodate the Oak Forest/Garden Oaks neighborhood’s rapid growth, we felt this was the perfect time to expand our vision, share our passion and knowledge with the community, and continue making our mark in the Greater Houston area.”
Owner Paul Petronella (right) says it's a perfect time to move to Garden Oaks.
