Immerse yourself in the charming ambiance of CRU Food & Wine Bar, a destination wine bar in Plano, Texas that’s cherished by locals for its diverse wine flights, delectable menu, and vibrant wine events. Nestled in the quaint Shops at Legacy, CRU’s inviting interior is adorned with wine-themed decor and offers a cozy setting for gatherings with friends or intimate dates.

As our journey through New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas wine country has unfolded, we’ve hit what seems like an endless number of wine bars, wineries, and restaurants, but there was something about CRU that stuck with us. Here, guests can indulge in custom cheese boards, savory share plates, and an impressive selection of white and red wine flights, each designed to tantalize your taste buds. 

Whether you’re unwinding on the scenic patio or exploring their meticulously curated wine list, CRU Food & Wine Bar promises a memorable and immersive wine bar experience unlike any other.

Keep reading to discover how our experience unfolded.

The Location & Atmosphere: What to Expect  

CRU Food & Wine Bar is located in Plano, Texas’ Shops at Legacy, a cute shopping center with clothing stores, restaurants, and more.

The atmosphere inside the restaurant is pretty cute; they did a great job with the decor. On one wall there are large prints of wine labels, and on the back wall there is a “book case” of wines. While seating indoors is limited (the space is very small), you can also sit outside on the patio (a popular option), or at the “wine bar”.

Cru Food & Wine Bar also has locations throughout Texas, Kentucky, Georgia, and North Carolina.

The Menu at CRU Wine Bar  

The first thing you should know about this Plano, Texas wine bar is that this is not a gluten-free friendly restaurant and the lunch menu is very limited.

Guests can make their own custom cheese boards, order charcuterie, or indulge in share plates like Ahi Tuna Tartar, Bruschetta, and Lobster & Shrimp Potstickers. If you want something a little heartier, go for a sandwich or pizza.

Some of the most popular dishes at Plano location of Cru Food & Wine Bar are:

• Wagyu Meatballs with san marzano tomato sauce, Reggiano, and rustic bread

• Lobster & Shrimp Potstickers with Fresno chilis and spicy lemon sauce

• Goat Cheese Beignets with goat cheese, honey, and cracked pepper

Cru Wine Bar White Wine Flight Options  

Guests can choose from SIX different White Wine Flights that range in price from $13 to $25 for three pours.

The current line up of white wine flights at Cru Wine Bar includes:

• Savvy Sauvignon Blanc

• Chards of Class

• War of the Rose’s

• Riesling (no quirky name for this flight!)

• Dizzy off of Fizzy (a sparkling wine flight)

• Exotic Whites

Cru Wine Bar Red Wine Flight Options  

If you like red wines, you’ve got a lot of options at Plano’s Cru Wine Bar. Choose from seven different red wine flights priced between $18 to $28.

• Try a Prison Break (featuring wines from the Prisoner Wine Company)

• Malbec Mania (all Malbecs from Argentina)

• Killer Cabernet (two Cabs from Paso, one from Sonoma County)

• Caymus Aficionados

• Under the Tuscan Sun

• See No Evil Pinot

• Lux (featuring “luxury wines” like Frog’s Leap, Frank Family, and Quilt)

When you order a red or white wine flight, you’re given a card with descriptions of the wines you are drinking. It may seem like a small touch, but it’s very helpful to have just a little info about the wines you’re sampling in front of you for a better sipping experience.

Not in the mood for a wine flight, they’ve also got a decent wine list with bottles from regions around the world.

Come to CRU for Wine Events  

We explored a few wine bars in Plano on our swing through Texas wine country, and we have to say that this restaurant has one of the best lineups of wine events we’ve ever seen. There are so many wine deals here, it’s kind of unbelievable. 

• Swirl Sundays where wine lovers receive 1/3 off bottles of wine every Sunday

• Pizza Mondays are a great deal at CRU Wine Bar. Pop in for a bottle of wine, and they will give you a free pizza!

• Weekend Brunches – including holiday brunches for Father’s Day and Mother’s Day, which are tons of fun for Texas winos.

• Champagne Socials are held Thursdays, and, if you can believe it, all bottles of Champagne are 50% off! You never see deals like this.

Our Experience at Cru Wine Bar in Plano, Texas  

Both the food and service we received at Cru were great. Once we dined there, we understood why so many people come here to grab small bites and do casual wine tastings with friends. 

We enjoyed: 

• Barolo Braised Short Rib served on top of butternut squash risotto, mushrooms, and a demi glace sauce.

• Crunchy Caesar Salad

• Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup – simple, satisfying and delicious.

• Steamed Prince Edward Mussels made in a classic white wine and garlic sauce.

• Chocolate Fondue for Two, which comes with toasted pound cake, marshmallows, banana brulee, strawberries, and pineapple. It was wonderful, and just the right size to share.

Tips  

• Sit on the patio. There’s nothing better than sipping your favorite wines while snacking on a charcuterie board al fresco style.

• Happy hour at Cru Wine Bar is a popular destination for locals. Served between 3PM and 6PM, you can enjoy a trimmed down menu with items like Fritto Misto, Pizzas, and the ultra delicious Goat Cheese Beignets, and $3 off wines by the glass and flights.

• $3 Mimosas at brunch are the only excuse you need to try CRU’s brunch!

Closing Thoughts  

You have a lot of choices when it comes to wine bars in the Dallas area. Some are spacious, others lean into the luxury wine vibe, and some have expansive menus. CRU Food & Wine Bar may not be the fanciest wine spot, but it does have everything the Plano wine community could ask for: cute decor, great service, good food, and, of course, fun wine flights!