Wineaux

While UnCommons development on Durango Drive had an uneven first year, with many hits and a few big misses, this cute little wine bar with high-end celeb chef bites was a hit right out of the gate. Within weeks of its opening, local F&B pros like wine dealer Bob Cranston (aka Bordeaux Bob), journalist Emmy Kasten and Chef Rob Moore (Prime, Brezza) had declared it one the best openings of 2023, with Cranston praising the “excellent service in a very sophisticated environment.”

Decorated in white and beige with lots of marble accents, and bathed in natural light, Wineaux is a bright, open and modern space. The focal point is the large communal wine table in the rear, designed for formal tastings of a wine collection curated with collectors in mind.

Retail sales are a large portion of the business here. But the low welcoming couches lining a wall of windows lure wine lovers of all experience levels to open a bottle in the store (we counted over 40 priced below $50), or even just a glass. And Chef Shawn McClain (Balla Italian Soul, Libertine Social) has created a beautiful menu of shareable seafood, flatbreads, spreads, and gourmet snacks, including a stunning parfait of foie gras with seasonal preserves, fruit and nuts.