Had some family visiting from Canada who are big wine fans. We took them to this place because it had an open patio with live jazz. The whole afternoon (Sunday) was very relaxed and enjoyable. We all tried several different types of wine and they were willing to give samples if we weren't sure which we wanted glasses of.
They had excellent nibbling type food and I was excited to see that I could order their blue cheese burger with a gluten free bun. Service was friendly and decor was casual.
We were given a Groupon for Christmas by a friend (Thanks Linda & JA) and made reservation well in advance of the 24 hr requirement. Â My wife and I went there to start the celebration of our anniversary of marriage that happens this Friday. Â We arrived a little early and enjoyed the wine tasting and found a couple that were very good. Â We then were seated in a very clean dining area where you had the feeling of sitting in the winery itself. Â Service by Stephen and his team was very attentive and relaxed giving just the right level of service. Â This is not fast food ... so go there and relax as they prepare the excellent food for you. Â The crab cake was very well prepared and the presentation of it and the other food was the level you would experience in a fine dining restaurant. Â The steak and salmon were both prepared with exceptional favor and served at the correct temperature. Â And for desert the fudge was unbelievable. Â What a perfect end to very enjoyable experience. Â It was worth the drive ... We will be back soon and request Stephen.
Review Source:I wish I had ventured out here much MUCH sooner!
I dined with a group last night for New Years Eve. 8:30 reservations and since I'm perpetually late we arrived at 9. I called and spoke to someone at the restaurant about our late arrival and they were very accommodating. The space is really cute. There's a nice large patio that wraps around half the building. You walk in the front and there's a small bar and some kitschy shopping wine related items for sale. To the left is the dining area and to the right the restrooms. Lots of big wine barrels line the walls in the dining area and if you look closely at the bottom of the front of the barrels there is a year and description of what's inside.
Now on to the food! We reserved for the 7 course prefix menu @ 100$ a head. You had the option of wine pairings for 39$ or luxury wine pairings at 69$. We went with the luxury :) The food timing was excellent. Our first wave came- deviled eggs with a bit of caviar on top for the amuse bouche. Not the best- not bad but it's a soft egg, soft filling and a soft topping. It just didn't stand out. Then a duck salad with blue cheese. Really good. Then a rabbit confit with Brie. Delicious. Then my favorite course the foie gras 2 ways. Salt cured and pan seared. So good. OHEMGEE. No one talked during this course. Ha! Next course was a crispy skin snapper with polenta. I love polenta. Followed by bacon wrapped antelope with mushroom risotto. By this point we were boardering on stuffed. The two dessert courses came soon after. The chocolate one was not good. My cookie ganache whatever was like a rock. You could hear people stabbing at them throughout the dining room. The creme brûlée was delicious. Hints of lemon and a raspberry glaze on the side. Perfect ending to the meal. The wine pairing was great too. The stand outs for me included the 03 light catcher merlot, 02 light catcher cabernet and the port. Really the merlot was the best. Full and rich. I'd love a bottle.
Our service was the best I could have hoped for! Reading previous reviews I was nervous about it but for nothing! Our waiter Steven was impeccable with timing, refills, coursing, clearing and descriptions. The restaurant provided us with various nye midnight things- horns, poppers hats... We all toasted and cheered together at 12 am. I couldn't think of a better dining experience to culminate the year- or a better way to ring in the new one!
I contacted this restaurant to make a reservation. Â They were completely booked for "Groupon" reservations, and have supposedly extended the deadline. Â They would NOT honor my Groupon. Â I had a very unpleasant experience on the phone with a woman at the restaurant. Â She told me that she was sorry that I didn't understand how business works, and that I could contact Groupon for a full refund. Â She then hung up on me. It is interesting that I use Groupons very regularly, and have literally NEVER had this happen. Â It is also interesting that this restaurant has DAILY Groupons under "Groupon Now". Â I have contacted Groupon for a full and complete refund. Â I am NOT in ANY way interested in using this at face value at this restaurant. Â I live very near this restaurant, which in is a rural area just ourside of Fort Worth, TX, and plan on telling EVERYONE I know about this unpleasant experience. Â If you have had a similar experience, PLEASE contact Groupon, request a full refund, and get this lousy restaurant banned from future opportunities to create any addititional scams.
Review Source:The campus of this winery is very pretty, and the food offerings are very tasty. Â However, Mrs. B and I did not like the wines made there, and the service was somewhere between distant and unfriendly. Â Lightcatcher is a stop on the Cross Timbers wine tour, which is worth checking out, as there are some very fun things to do and some very interesting people to meet who make some really quality wines. Â I do think, however, that Mrs. B and I placed a much higher value on some other stops during our tour.
Review Source:My wife, daughter and I visited the winery tonight after a recommendation from a coworker. I wasn't sure if the business was appropriate for a 2 year old, but the website stated that Thursdays was Pavilion Grillin' night, and that it was informal and for all ages. So, we chose to visit.
We arrived around 8pm. We were welcomed by an employee behind the wine bar. He said we could seat ourselves. That was a bit odd for a restaurant, but we went on in. I quickly noticed that there were 2 occupied tables in the restaurant. We picked a seat  and sat down.
First impressions of the inside of the restaurant, I was not impressed. The wine area was nice, but the restaurant was almost like a big open metal building. It had a diner setting rather than a nicer restaurant. It was somewhat let down by this, but we wanted to give the place a shot.
We waited a good 5 minutes before anybody greeted us. I noticed an employee sitting down with one of the other 2 tables in the restaurant. He watched us sit down but did not do anything to help. The server finally came over and asked us what we wanted to drink. Being that the restaurant advertises Thursdays as child friendly, we asked if they had milk for our daughter. She said yes, but it was reserved for the kitchen. So, we asked if they had any juice. She said OJ, so juice it was. I ordered a glass bottled coke, and water for my wife.
The server returned with the drinks, and she did manage to get a glass of milk for our daughter. It was a small plastic glass, which was age appropriate, but there was no lid and no straw. I don't know a single 2 year old that can handle a glass without a lid. We asked for a straw, which she quickly retrieved for us. She asked if we knew what we wanted for dinner, but we asked her to explain the menu. Â That's when things about blew my mind.
She said they had 1 appetizer, which was an order of $7 onion rings. I about laughed when she said that, but I wanted to be respectful. She doesn't set the prices. For the entree, she said we had a choice of a burger, chicken, veggie burger, or sausage, along with 2 sides. She said each one of those were $12 each. My mouth about dropped. But, I didn't say anything because this may be one amazing burger. I figured for $12 it had to be. I got the chips and cole slaw as my side. My wife got a burger, potato salad and corn. My daughter would share with us.
I noticed there was not any silverware on the table. The server told us that we could get it ourselves at the table by the wall. That irritated me. If I'm paying $12 for a hamburger, I better get my butt kissed a little bit better than that. So, I got up and walked over to the table with the silverware. Located next to the silverware basket were several bowls sitting out full of sauces, jalapenos, onions, tomatoes, along with bottles of ketchup/mayo/mustard. Again, that seemed odd to me that this stuff was sitting out.
My daughter got a bit fussy, so we decided to move outside so we wouldn't bother the other 2 tables. I noticed walking out that there was a pet door in the main door. It was the size for cat or small dog. That was somewhat disturbing to me, as a rat or any kind of rodent could get inside the restaurant. This place is in the country, so that's not a far stretch.
The food arrived then arrived. I went over to the condiment table to get some veggies and sauces for my burger. I got there and noticed that there weren't any ramekins. So, I went back outside to get my wife's plate and brought it back to the condiment buffet line. I brought my wife her food, then took my plate to the buffet line. Again, I'm paying $12 for a burger and having to do this.
The burger was entirely too seared on the outside to the point that it was burnt. The inside was cooked as I ordered it, but the outside was way overdone. My wife's burger was the same way, with way too much char. I just shook my head. My wife was convinced that the patties had been frozen.
As for the sides, they did have one bright spot. The kettle chips were amazing. I'll give them that. They were probably the best chips I've had. My wife's corn was good. The slaw was bland for my taste. It was not tangy or sweet. It was just very bland. The potato salad was hit and miss. One bit would be good, and the other bite would have undercooked potatoes. It was late, my daughter was hungry, so we stayed and ate what we could.
The server came over and asked if we wanted dessert. She said they had cobbler and ice cream for $6. We politely said no and asked for the check.
She came back, and noticed that we were charged $6 for a coke and a small glass of milk. My wife about came unglued. I paid the tab, and we left. Walking out the front door, not a single employee said anything to us. That summed up the evening. My wife will be calling them tomorrow morning, and we won't be returning. I know I've come across harsh, but for the prices they charged, I expect a nicer setting and better service.
Most expensive on the Cross Timbers wine trail for tastings. Wines are all distinctively "Texas style" and therefore I am not a fan. The Bellini was pretty good although the honey didn't think so.
The restaurant seemed to be hopping on a friday night, so I think we will have to go back and try the food.
I don't get to this place often enough. I recently took my mother, grandmother, and sister here for Mothers day. We all did our wine tasting and picked our favorite. Then went out on the patio for a cheese plate and wine. I pre ordered from them a simple white cake with buttercream frosting that read Happy Mothers Day. The cake was wonderful. We even had tons left over to take home. It was a perfect setting for a afternoon with "moms". The service is always great. At some point I will take advantage of their events they hold. I'm sure they are perfect.
Review Source:Jazz Sundays are great here. Â The wine, music, and the ample shade make this a hit in the spring/summer. Â The wine from Lightcatcher is hit and miss.. so definitely take advantage of tasting as much as possible before you commit to a bottle. Â
Overall the dining at this establishment and Jazz Sundays are great. Â I would give it higher marks, but some of the wines could use some help in taste and appearance. Â Let's get serious, guys... who sells a wine called "Happy Cat" with a digital picture of a cat on it? Â They do! Â This wine was super sweet and the flavors were just not right... we couldn't even finish one glass.
Amazing food, amazing wine, beautiful setting, friendly staff - Â what more can you ask for?
My husband and I always go to Lightcatcher for celebrations and special nights out. It can be a little pricey if you want to go all-out, but there are times that we just want to sit on the patio, sip a glass of wine and munch on a cheese plate.
cool little winery in the middle of no where..
i came here for lunch recently.. my fiancee had the salad with chicken.. it was a bit paltry for 14 bucks.. the dressing on the other hand was quite good.. but it should have been much more substantial
i got the burger.. the meat was overcooked.. nevertheless.. it was still juicy and tasty..
as for the wines.. that' all subjective.. i tend to like napa cabs.. but the 2005 lightcatcher cab was overly sweet.. my fiancee's texas kiss was ok.. it smells much more sweet than it tastes..
overall.. if you're around the area.. i'd come check it out.. i'm not sure i'd make a trek all the way out here though...
Sitting on LightCatcher Winery's Patio with my Pup snoring at my feet while listening to live jazz while sipping on their wine transported me.... Â It was hard to believe I was in Fort Worth - but I was!!!!
And I am looking forward to their Mother's Day Buffet May 9TH!!!!
A Dog Friendly Winery gets 5 stars from Me!!!
Lightcatcher is a beautiful winery in Fort Worth. Â The wines are very tasty (the 'Texas Kiss' is my favorite!) and have won numerous awards. Â A romantic and off the beaten trail destination, this vineyard is a great place for a wine tasting and lunch date. Â Several Sundays a month, they bring out jazz bands in the afternoon...another cheap, but romantic, date idea.
In August, they have the grape stomp. Â It is hilarious to go out there with your friends and crush grapes! Â In fact, they call this the "Lucy Stomp" in tribute to the famous scene from the 'I Love Lucy' show. Â A highly recommended venture if you've never tried it!
If you enjoy experimenting with Texas wines, then check out the Lightcatcher Winery! Â There is a reason why the Fort Worth Telegram voted this the 'Best Hidden Gem' in 2009!
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
