Last week a few Houston wine bloggers got together to meet live in person (many for the first time), share some wine, and enjoy an exceptional meal at Ciao Bello.
Jeremy Parzen, Houston Press writer and blogger of DoBianchi, pulled the group together for what I hope will be a recurring event.
Joining us were Bear Dalton, wine buyer of Spec’s Liquor Stores and blogger at Bear on Wine:
Sandra Crittenden, of Wine Thoughts, (and her husband):
and Albert Nurick of H-Town Chowdown (who also happens to be friends with my children’s pediatrician… It’s a small world, y’all!!):
Ciao Bello pulled out all the stops in creating an exceptional prix fixe menu for our group.
Here’s a sampling of the foods we enjoyed:
And, of course, some of the wines:
Before I got there, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but as I have found at every wine gathering of any type that I have attended, the conversations flowed just as easily as the wine.
Bear told us about trail rides and horses and his early days in wine sales. Albert told us about his favorite burgers and experiences dining at Tony’s through the years. Sandra and her husband traded Sharpstown High School tales with Bear. And Jeremy filled us in on his latest trip to Italy and his hopes to grow our wine and food blogger community here in Houston.
All in in all, a great night with wonderful and interesting people, delicious wine and fabulous food! And the service at Ciao Bello was exceptional, too– even when we stayed, chatted, and enjoyed more wine until late into the night.
I’m already looking forward to comparing notes and catching up at our next one!
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