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Lisa Lawrence Merritt, verified:

Overall:

• Quality:

  4/5

• Vibe:

  4/5

• Service:

  4/5

• Value:

  3/5

This Cru is in a great location but the inside smells of rancid wine. I hope the floor has been mopped. So much spilled wine over time can make a horrific smell. I don't plan on going back.

Great location but I have moved on to the Cru out at Legacy. 1/3 off all bottles on Sundays. I love the lavash with beef.

Lisa Lawrence Merritt

Geoff Keah, verified:

Overall:

• Quality:

  4/5

• Vibe:

  5/5

• Service:

  5/5

• Value:

  4/5

Cru is where I fell in love with wine sometime circa September of 2003. It was one of the first places where I was paying a substantial amount of money for a glass of wine. It was the time that I realized that you could actually sit back, relax, and just relish everything that is wine.

With that being said, on with the review...

I’ll admit that Cru is one of my favorite wine bars in the city. If you’ve been to any of their other locations, you’ll notice that it’s one of the smallest. Cru in Plano is one of the biggest. It appears that Patrick Colombo and crew finally got the right size dialed in at the Cru-Austin and Cru-Woodlands locations. But I guess to me, that’s a part of the Cru-Dallas charm. It’s cozy. It’s a great place to stop in after catching a movie at the Magnolia, if you’ve just dined in West Village, or eaten practically anywhere in the Uptown/Downtown area. Parking can sometimes be a chore, but you’ll always find something in the parking garage. Eventually.

The ambiance is good, not too bright, not too dark. Often you’ll find the typical ambient/trance music playing in the background, all the way to Portishead.

The food is pretty good, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say you’ll find a 5-star menu. But it doesn’t appear that’s what Cru is trying to go for. If you’re going for some outstanding wine, and want some great food to munch on as an accompaniment, you’ll do fine.

The wine list is well selected, and for the most part, reasonably priced. If you know your wines, you’ll be able to spot out the better deals. Thursdays should still be half price bottles of champagne, and Sundays are 1/3rd off bottled wine. This is a great time to get out and try that bottle you’ve been eyeing, but thought it was just out of your price range.

One of the good things is their wine flight pairings. They offer a flight of 3 pre-selected wines based upon their varietal. They usually range about $15-22, and you’ll usually get to sample one of the bigger wines (at least as far as red wines go). It kinda takes the brainwork out of it for new wine lovers, or for people that are wanting to develop their wine palate.

Overall I give Cru Dallas a solid rating for the total package. For those that haven’t been in awhile, within the past year or so, Jeffrey Denmon has assumed his role as Director of Operations, Noel Petrin is the General Manager, and I believe Jacob is the bar manager (but don’t quote me on that).

Lauren Vaughan, verified:

Overall:

• Quality:

  5/5

• Vibe:

  5/5

• Service:

  5/5

• Value:

  5/5

Whether you come to Cru with a date or a couple of friends, you won't be let down. Wine buffs will revel in Cru's extensive and diverse selection and those new to wine will love not being intimidated by the staff or the wine list due to Cru's wide array of flights, a grouping of three wines, served side-by-side, allowing you to compare, contrast and explore a selection of wines by variety or region or even vineyard. The pours are usually slightly smaller than a regular glass of wine (about 2.5 oz) but you won't even notice. The experience will be all that you remember.

Cru has a small but well-suited patio, perfect for people watching at the always busy corner of Magnolia Theater, Taco Diner and Mi Cocina. With offerings of a full dinner menu or what Cru calls a "sampling menu" (think appetizers and try the calamari or a cheese plate), it's the perfect place to spend the evening or kick one off.