Uptown Dallas - INSIDER'S
REVIEW of CORK  |
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Location. Cork is located in the hot West Village area. 3636 McKinney Avenue is the listed address, but you really have to go on Cityplace Boulevard that is perpendicular to McKinney Avenue to get to the entrance. 3636 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204 - 214.780.0373 |
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Look/Feel - 5 stars |
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Cork is essentially a great combination of a wine sampling and retail store. It's a way to taste a WIDE variety of fun wines without having to buy the entire bottle. But, of course, wine bottles are stored throughout the shelves for reasonable prices. Cork got it right in the look. It's intriguing and very trendy, with arching ceilings, dark colors, black furniture and even the display shelves for the wines. It's just fun to walk through this place and look at the different wines, along with the tv monitors displaying throughout the room. The front of the store has a small "relaxation" area with 3 leather chair sectionals. It's really enough for 5 people to sit comfortably. The mid section contains the many different wines displayed. The back of the store contains a private party room to hold proably about 20-25 people comfortably. The area can also be used for wine tasting classes. Outside of the store are about 4 tables to seat 20-25 more people. And, with the West Village Dallas all around, the scenery is very stimulating. |
| Value and Prices - 4.5 stars |
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Once you get past the hugely trendy look and feel of Cork, then there's the real test...the service and the actual wine! Cork features about 80 wines in their computerized system, grouped into about 5-6 computerized "stations". Each of the stations features about 10-15 wines grouped around "white", "red", "best sellers", etc. The station has touch screens that have pictures of the wine, and descriptions of how the wines are made, along with suggested pairings. You then have the option of buying a "taste", "glass" or bottle. The taste price is typically very low, which makes this concept wonderfully fun...sample many wines for a reasonably low price! When you are ready to purchase, you use your Cork "credit card" preloaded with dollars you add to it to use for the purchases. You simply swipe the screen after you have selected "taste" or "bottle". Then, the wine host in the back of the machines provides you with a glass using a pre-loaded amount for the taste/glass of wine. I note that the store has excellent prices and a great variety (including hard to get labels) of wine. You will be delighted with all of the choices. Another feature I think is very classy is that the Cork host gives you a new clean glass to use for every taste. This must be expensive for them, but it just shows the level of taste of this store. |
| Experience - 4 stars |
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Individually, when you walk into the store, you may find it a bit confusing at first. It needs to be explained a bit better what to do and how everything works. After you get the hang of it, you really will love it. The service level and charm of the store is definitely affected by which wine host waits on you. Try to get Ron, the general manager, to wait on you. He is smooth, knowledgable and extremely service oriented. I had a party here for my clients in mid October. It consisted of about 25-30 people. Cork outdid themselves in so many ways...I was just delighted with the party experience. I plan to have more events there. The value is also excellent, when compared to simliar venues (like Vino 100). They didn't nickle and dime on costs, and gave away free samples and free tasting cards. You won't go wrong with a party here. |
| Overall - 4.5 stars |
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Cork is a great experience that should be repeated...and often. There really is no concept like it. They just need a few minor tweaks to take this to 5 star level. This will undoubtedly become a chain...the concept is just too good. For More Information on locating the best place to live for the lifestyle you want in Uptown Dallas, give us a call at 214.492.9791 at ApartmentSneakPeeks.com. We're here to help you get the perfect lifestyle! |
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