Wine ‘n Dine in Lubbock

Where can you wine and dine in Lubbock? Well, Lubbock is booming right now, and there are plenty of choices, but I visited two very different hot spots, on opposite ends of town. Each one is sure to please, with plenty of Texas wines to savor.

The Wine Nest

5217 98th Street, Suite 700

The Wine Nest is a cozy wine boutique that carries mostly small production wines that cannot be found everywhere else. Owners, Christi and Jimmy Henderson, typically have on hand about 300 labels, so they have something for everybody. They carry popular Texas wines including Becker Vineyards, C.L. Butaud Wines, Fall Creek Vineyards, Haak Vineyards & Winery, Llano Estacado Winery, Fiesta Winery, McPherson Cellars, Newsom Vineyards, Trilogy Cellars, Pheasant Ridge Winery, and Farmhouse Vineyards. The Wine Nest is proud to announce that they now have their own wine. Produced and bottled in Brownfield, Loop 289, is a Cabernet. It gets its name from the loop that encircles Lubbock. The label tells a bit of their story: Because we love God, Family, Friends & Wine.

The Wine Nest offers wine by the glass, flights of four wines, or buy the whole bottle of your choice and sit at one of their cozy tables and strike up a conversation with your soon-to-be best friends.

There is always something fun going on. Thursday nights are very popular at The Wine Nest as they usually have live music. People are encouraged to BYOF (bring your own food) or purchase some yummy gourmet treats in the store to share with your friends. We were fortunate to be seated with some nice folks that happily shared their cheese and crackers with everyone at the table.

I like to ask folks about interesting things that have happened at their establishment. Gabby Martin, who has been a go-to-gal at The Wine Nest for two years, introduced me to a couple of love birds that were going to be married at The Wine Nest! Renee met Iane while she was on vacation in Scotland in October 2014. Iane, a whiskey connoisseur, is from Scotland. They both obviously share a love for wine.

Like The Wine Nest on Facebook to stay up to date on their fun events. Don’t forget to ask about their wine club.

The West Table

1204 Broadway, Suite 103

“Welcome to our table” is the motto at The West Table, owned by Cameron and Rachel West. It is a lovely, upscale, modern restaurant located in the historic Pioneer Building. The atmosphere is airy and friendly, primarily because of the open kitchen concept. Chef Cameron has an impressive resume, including places like the Ritz Carlton in Dallas. Cameron says the guests really enjoy watching him and sous chefs, Hannah Hunker and Sayed Azizi, create meals. Together, Rachel and Cameron have over 20 years of restaurant experience.

The restaurant gets its name, not only from the owners’ last name, but also from the unique tables that are made from recycled wood from a local cotton gin. The tables pay homage to Cameron’s grandfather, Bill Shambeck, a cotton farmer. The walls are decorated with cartoons created by Cameron’s other grandfather, the legendary Dirk West, former mayor of Lubbock. I really liked the rustic, sliding barn doors separating the main restaurant area from the lobby. The decor is an obvious tribute to family.

The West Table has been open for two years and already has some interesting stories to tell. Rachel told me about a couple that met in the Pioneer building, many years ago, when the gentleman was heading off to the Vietnam War. The young lad and lady went their separate ways, met again decades later and are now married. They love coming to the restaurant for romantic dinners. Can you imagine how it must feel for them to be back in the same building together? I just love happy endings!

The menu at The West Table changes almost daily. Cameron likes to keep it fresh and exciting. They get produce and meats from Texas farmers and have fresh fish flown in regularly. I will be coming back for dinner at a later date. I am excited about the Sunday Chef’s Dinners (all I heard was “warm chocolate cake”)!

Michael, the General Manager, said the wine list currently includes Texas favorites that typically cannot be found at stores. The list includes Trilogy Cellars, Bending Branch Winery, Yellow City Cellars, McPherson Cellars, Lewis Wines, Fall Creek Vineyards, and Pheasant Ridge Winery. Rachel likes Yellow City’s Dead Flowers Rosé and Cameron likes Pheasant Ridge’s Cabernet.

Come by The West Table during First Friday Art Trail (see y’all there) and don’t forget to like them on Facebook so you’re informed of special events.