R.I.P. Brian O'Neil's: Goodbye Old Friend

Last night was an end of an era.  At least for me and my friends it was..  You see after this Sunday Brian O'Neill's in the Rice Village will be shutting its doors.  It will then be remodeled and rebranded into something completely different.  The reason I say that last night was an end of an era is because my friends and I have been going to what we affectionately call Brian O's in one form or another since 2002. It was also one of my first reviews when I started blogging.

I first discovered  Brian O's back in 2002 when my college roommate and I were hungry and in search of a place to eat.  Living in an apartment very close to the Rice Village, we decided to explore. We happened to chance upon Brian O's and wandered in.  It was then that we noticed that Brian O's had a weekly Wednesday special of half priced burgers.  My roommate and I decided to come back that Wednesday.  It was that first Wednesday of many that we also discovered that Brian O's had a glass special, where, if you bought their glass, you got cheap refills on beer as long as you had your glass.

Original Brian O'Neil's Glass

After that we were hooked.  My roommate and I spent many a Wednesday night there throughout the school year.  That is where I first sang karaoke. Since my roommate and I were having such a good time, we started inviting other friends.  Brian O's is where we watched Rice lose the second game of the 2003 College World Series.  One of my friends was almost turned against Brian O's due to a bad order and a vindictive waitress.  Luckily he was not soured enough to not come back.  As time passed, more and more friends started to show up on Wednesday.  Next thing we knew, it was our weekly tradition.  Show up at Brian O's on Wednesday before 7:30 for half priced burgers and cheap beer.  Show up after 7:30 and we will have already ordered without you.  Those were the rules.

As time went on, some of the faces changed and some of us could not always be there, but the time and the place remained constant. It became like an old warm comfortable blanket.  It was where we could meet on weekly basis to converse and discuss the events of the week or plan for the upcoming weekend. Even after some changes were made to the menu and they changed the glass special (bring your own up to 32 oz), the time and the place remained constant.  Even if you could not make it this week, you always knew there was next week as the time and the place remained constant.

Brian O's did not only serve as our weekly meeting place.  We also had other event there.  I remember more than one birthday celebration being had at Brian O's.  I had part of my bachelor party there as well as the rehearsal dinner for my wedding.  Brian O's has been a part of my life pretty much since its beginning.

But as they say the only thing that ever stays the same is change.  It was announced via Eater Houston that Brian O'Neill's was shutting down to remodel  and rebrand with a whole new menu.  Now while Brian O'Neill's is not technically closing, what it once was will be gone and I can't help but feel a little sad about that.  Last night was the last Wednesday of what had been a great weekly tradition.  Last night was our last hurrah.  Some of us even took our old Brian O's glasses.

We talked and cajoled like have done for so many nights, but we also reminisced a bit.  So, as the night ended, it was like saying good bye to an old friend.  Farewell Brian O'Neill's, you will be missed but not forgotten!

Review of Plate and Bottle in Rice Village

    This review is not for a restaurant, but for a wine shop rather.  Given that I would hope most of the people who read this blog enjoy good wine as much as good food, I cannot in good conscience let this little jewel slip away without mentioning it.  I am talking about  Plate and Bottle located in the Rice Village.  It is tucked away between Peas and Pod and Brian O'Neil's and is literally across the street from what has now become Torchy's Tacos.  Its location is one that appears to have been at one point and time a residential home.  That definitely adds to its charm.

    My wife and I first discovered Plate and Bottle soon after opening when we noticed that the prior business, a dance studio, had been replaced with something else.  We were intrigued by the name and decided to step in and see what the new place was all about.  Once inside we were warmly greeted by one of the proprietors.  She explained to us what Plate and Bottle was and what some of her goals were.  Since they had just opened up and were still trying to get settled in a lot of what was being planned was still not set into motion.  While talking to the proprietor, my wife and I explored the shop.   The proprietor explained that she was hoping to not only sell wine, but also have tastings, classes, and private wine pairings.  My wife and I actually ended up buying a bottle that evening.

      Plate and Bottle is a place that has a lot going for it.  It is quaint, intimate and the people who run it are knowledgeable.  While it is small, it still has a good variety of wines available. They truly spanned the spectrum from reds and whites and from all over the world.  The other nice thing about this shop is that you don't need to have a platinum credit card to buy here.  The price points are as varied as the wines.  Now, this place may not have same selection as say a warehouse liquor store, but it does have someone who probably knows each and every wine in that place and has probably tasted them all.

   Now you might be thinking, "That is all well and good, but I am not a big wine drinker."  Well, it just so happens that Plate and Bottle also caters to beer lovers as well.  They offer a nice selection of quality craft beers from around the world.  Chances are they might be able to help you find a nice beer to go with that fancy dinner you were planning.

    Plate and Bottle also has tastings (both beer and wine) very often.  Being on their mailing list, I am always getting emails inviting me to their next tasting.  It is a nice chance to try new things.  More often than not, some sort of gourmet food that pairs well with the wine or beer.  Several weeks ago there was a tasting for Belgium beer with some nice Belgium chocolates.  The great thing about the tastings that they are being served by people who know the wine.  If you have any questions, you have someone right in front of you that will know the answer.  The other great thing about them is they are very nonchalant.  You come in, try the wines, ask your questions and move on or linger about if you'd like.

    From visiting the website, Plate and Bottle has expanded its services to include home delivery, gift packages, event coordination, and has a partnership with Ruggles Cafe Bakery.  So, I would say to go check this place out.  Get in on the mailing list.  Visit the website.  Visit the ACTUAL LOCAL.  I would wager money you find something you like.