When chef Michael Kramer was brought in to revamp food programs at The Tasting Room and The Tasting Room Wine Cafe, Jonathan Horowitz (vice president of marketing and communications for Lasco Enterprises, which owns The Tasting Room and Max's Wine Dive) told CultureMap the company had big plans in the offing.
And now it's official: The Tasting Room is opening a second Wine Café concept in West Houston's new multi-use metropolis, CityCentre, its first venture outside the 610 Loop.
“Bringing Chef Kramer into the development process for this project was a crucial piece of the puzzle for us,” said Lasco founder and CEO Jerry Lasco.
With over 13,000 square feet almost equally split between a spacious interior and enormous patio, TTR CC will feature "open-fire cooking, live music, a tapas/raw bar, a distinguished in-house charcuterie program, ample parking and a number of flexible private event spaces" — plus wines from around the globe available by the glass and for retail sale through The Tasting Room's Black Door program.
Set to open in late 2010, TTR CC is taking suggestions from fans on what snazzy extras to include in its third outpost — brick pizza ovens? Live bands every night? — via its Facebook page.
The Tasting Room Wine Café joins Cyclone Anaya's, Red Mango and Ruggles Green as inner Loopers that have announced a CityCentre location.