Wine Down Bistro

Yum! We have been here before but now they are the Kemah Steak Company and it certainly shows. Great steaks, sides, appetizers, and full bar. Excellent service. They should be changing their name soon to reflect their new menu. Great ambience!

When my boyfriend took me on a date, the destination was a surprise. When we walked in, I automatically felt it was a «special» place. I felt special. We were well taken care of and the food was amazing. We really enJOYed our time.

Cool hangout watch fireworks from patio in July

We had a really bad experience here with a large group party. The reservation was made far in advance and we were given one server for 20 people. He was a very nice guy, but just had way too much for one person to handle.
This place has a great wine selection but none of the staff we interacted with seemed very educated on the wine. The food was very average. We had to send back a couple things that were not edible. To his credit, the manager apologized and took these things off the bill.
Service was incredibly slow and it took us a very long time to close out and leave.
If you want a quick glass of wine and nothing else, the bar here looks pretty cool (thus the 2^nd star). I don’t recommend planning to eat or have a real dinner here.

Very good atmosphere! Great knowledgable staff. foods not worth the price. Eat before going.

This is an absolute gem in Kemah! Beats the chain restaurants that pack the Kemah area. The atmosphere and food are reminiscent of a winery in Sonoma. The meat and cheese platter is unique and plentiful. Excellent selection of wines. The dinner menu is also great. We had the shrimp and grits and the white truffle mac-​n-​cheese. The restaurant was pretty empty which was a surprise being that it has been around for over a year. The waiter mentioned that shortly, they will be adding steaks to the menu and maybe a change in the restaurant’s name.
I hope this place makes it! It’s a great change from the traditional fare in Kemah without having to travel far.

I came here on a Friday night around 8:45 and we left very pleased with our decision.
For starters, Wine Down Bistro recently underwent a management transition at the beginning of July 2013. During that transition, they apparently lost the chef as well. Well, fortunately, the chef returned the night we went and the menu is similar to what it was prior to the transition.
Upon entering, it was a little worrisome to see that the entire inside was empty. We headed out to the back patio with the owner/​manager/​host and there were about five other occupied tables. The owner showed us the best open tables to see the Kemah Friday night fireworks display and we sat down.
The atmosphere outside was nice and cozy, and was decorated with some strung lights. A negative, however, was that there was no music playing, making other tables’ conversations pretty easy to hear. A definite improvement for the outside patio would be to have some soft music playing in the background (some light jazz, lounge music, etc would be perfect).
Their wine list is pretty extensive, and they have a lot of wines by the glass. After a brief look at the menu, I was planning on getting the burger and my girlfriend was planning to get the snapper, so we asked the owner for his recommendations of wines by the glass to pair with those dishes (the burger needs a pretty full red, while the snapper requires a medium white). He chose the two he thought paired best with those dishes, and we were both very pleased with his selections. He definitely poured us ample portions as well (not just a 5 oz glass), which was a really nice touch.
As for the food, so far it’s one of the best nicer dinners that I’ve had in the Clear Lake area. We started with the prosciutto wrapped dates, which had a little bit of every taste in them (they were filled with goat cheese and some jalapeño, and were topped with a great balsamic reduction and candied walnuts). One warning though: the menu does not state that there are nuts on the dish, so if you have an allergy, definitely talk to the waiter before ordering anything.
I got the burger, which was incredible and only $ 12. According to the owner, it’s made from a mixture of ground tenderloin and brisket. It was topped with goat cheese, jalapeño onion marmalade, arugula, and a tomato slice, and was contained in a great tasting bun. The burger was one of the best that I’ve had in Houston, and I wish I could buy the jalapeño onion marmalade by the pound. It was served with some tasty homemade potato chips.
Finally, we ended with the Banana Foster Bread Pudding for dessert with some 20yr Tawny port to drink and were impressed yet again. The bread pudding was really really good, and was enough for one person to eat as a whole meal (so definitely share it).
Overall, we left very happy and very full. It was a really nice evening being able to watch the fireworks display while eating a nice dinner. The ambiance on the patio could still stand to be improved slightly, but Wine Down Bistro is still a fantastic spot for a nice dinner in the Clear Lake/​Kemah area.

What a pleasant (and desparately needed) find in the Clear Lake area. Been there several times now and have been very pleased each time. Discovered by accident. First the wine: They have a great selection, especially for light weights like my wife and I who only get a couple of glasses. The main waiter/​bar tender (always been the same guy for the several times there) is VERY friendly and helpful, asking you things you like or want to try. Willing to open a bottle for a taste to see first. He always suggests great wines — and many times the price is less than on the menu selections or even the happy hour special. Never had any but looks like they have a decent selection of beers. As for the food: unfortunately they have limited menu but very high quality. EXCELLENT FOOD. Fresh ingredients. Typically fish, pasta, steak… Pasta is home made and tasty (though the last time there I discovered they discontinued my favorite). Also check for stuff off the menu — sometimes there is a good option there. Wish they had salads. Desserts (only a couple) are very good. Never needed a reservation so far — have been able to walk in though it does start to fill up (we tend to be earlier folks). Ambiance: don’t understand some of the posts. Ambiance is great — there is a formal area in front (some friends I recently sat there and we had the room to ourselves), a romantic area near the piano, a casual couchy area and a patio (a bit sparse but nice if good weather). You have all the options. How could you not find something you like. The one big dislike is that you have to fight the Kemah traffic on weekend nights to get there. But worth it.

Great food, great wine, friendly and knowledgeable staff. The owner comes and personally introduces himself to each customer. A lot can be said for a proprietor that takes such a hands on role creating a quality experience… and it shows. You are doing yourself and your palate a disservice if you do not check this place out.

Great place. Loved the Buried Hatchet Stout — brewed in Conroe, TX. Chris and Jen were very nice hosts. The filet with the brussel sprouts was AMAZING! My wife had the shrimp linguini. Cooked perfectly! Great spot to unwind and relax!

Right tasty desserts and good wines. A bit stiff on the atmosphere, but good times none the less. Had a bottle or two of some organic red wine recommended by the barkeep, and it was top-​notch. We visit occasionally for some good bread pudding.

Great wine selection but no atmosphere to speak of… Great relaxing. A bit pricey

Great atmosphere. Loved the back patio. Dinner was very good. A great change of pace from the standard restaurant or bar. We will definitely be back.

Charming restaurant in a house, formerly known as «Madelines». FIrst the lay out… rich Victoran like décor… antiques, large bar, great old 1930’s B/​W photo of ladies on the beach in Womens bathroom. So nice! to go into a Womens bathroom that has ‘several’ stalls ith decent room when places like Romano’s Macaroni Grill only has 2… one is for handicapped and the other the door will hit your knees as you close the door: P My friend had the shrimp and grits app. and loved it. In fact, her eyes were rolling into the back of her head. I had the comfort food… chicken and mac and cheese w/​truffle oil. Hit’s the
friends main course, the salmon something… was another eye rolling joy. We have discriminating taste, and it was all good.
Larry the waiter was posed to impress and please, communicated well and took the time to interact. But I never felt like he was ‘just trying to get a good tip out of me’.You get the impression he is sincere as was the owner, who greeted us as well. You will love… feeling pampered and ‘not just another customer to get back out the door’. The prices are not too high, but level with other national chains. You definitely get more personalized treatment and since the dining area is smaller (in the main room) it has a cozy, relaxed feel. Say goodbye to the large room concept with lots of loud noise. Yea! We love it and we will be back again!

Great wine selection and a well thought out and executed menu. Owners know their wines and will help you navigate their list without making you feel ignorant. A cozy place to make a habit of for exploring your tastes.

Came with a large group for a work dinner and we were treated very well. I really enjoyed my meal and It seemed like others in our group did too. Great wine selection. Loved the house like exterior and the interior was also very attractive. This place outclasses everything I saw in Kemah. Would definitely come back if I were in the area again.

I liked the atmosphere, but the food,…well,… you could tell it was homemade, but it just wasn’t that great. I went there back in April or May and they had lasagna as the special of the day. Prices are high, but acceptable for the Kemah Boardwalk area. I will give them another chance, but it will not be anytime soon…

The Wine Down Bistro is a favorite of mine. Chris has a talent for picking out just the right wine for you and the food is better than alot of well known Houston restaurants. Couple that with a comfortable, inviting yet elegant atmosphere and you have a place that’s great for date night or just a seat at the bar and a plate of lasagna!

It smells of rich Mahogany!
Cozy, casual yet elegant atmosphere.
Not a huge menu, but the food that they do serve is excellent.
Very friendly knowledgeable staff. They serve Beer & Wine. Try some Real Ale (Alamo, Lost Gold, Brewhouse Brown, Rio Blanco) all made in Blanco, TX.
Nice patio out back.

What a refreshing addition to Kemah! The Wine down is a unpretentious wine bar & bistro. It has an extensive wine list with moderate prices, as well as incredible food. The menu is small but with amazing offerings. They actually make their pasta fresh on premise and its simply delicious. They have 5 appetizers and 5 entrée’s and the most incredible Bananas Foster Bread Pudding. The wine list is full of jems. The focus seems to be on quality small wineries, instead of the same old big name wines you see on every other list. They are very intent on finding exactly what wine you like and getting you out of your comfort zone. Its becomes a wine and food adventure, which is needed down here in the Clear Lake and Kemah area.