SOCIAL OAK

WINE & WHISKEY LOUNGE

A very successful restaurateur friend once told me the secret to his success was that he picked one type of dish and poured his heart and soul into perfecting it—you weren’t going to find pasta at his pizzeria or lamb chops at his steak house. Other bars and restaurants alike are picking up on this mentality and specializing in one or two things—restaurants that only serve waffles and lounges that cater only to the wine crowd. And while I can’t deny the success of my buddy, I must ask: what about the guy doing keto married to a staunch vegan or the craft cocktail lover that is married to a whiskey purist?

I live in a house divided. I am a lover of the craft cocktail—the stranger sounding the combo the better! My husband, on the other hand, is not cocktail adventurous (nor food for that matter). He likes an old fashioned as boring as they come. If there is as much as a slice of orange in a different varietal, you can keep it. On date night, we’re hard-pressed to find a place that fulfills my need for eclectic speed and his need for familiarity.

There’s a new 21 and up lounge in Trophy Club perfect for odd couples like us. Whiskey, wine and cocktail lovers can all enjoy an evening out that feels like it was tailored to their unique taste. Social Oak Wine & Whiskey Lounge opened late last year and was a long time coming— the coming soon sign taunted me for the better part of a year it seems like. Once inside, I knew why and it was worth the wait. It seems no expense was spared or detail overlooked in this sultry upscale haunt filled with rich colors, plush velvet and dark woods. While it seems to have a Great Gatsby speak easy vibe upon first glance, another look will have you questioning whether yo have gone Back to the Future.

Social Oak offers guests the unique experience of self-serving their own drinks using automated pouring cabinets with touchscreens from which guests can select the size of their pour. With the push of a button, you can serve yourself one of 56 wines or even a shot of Johnnie Walker Black. If you’re not wanting to do the “heavy lifting,” of course you can grab a seat at the bar or order from a cocktail server. Social Oak’s cocktail menu includes perfected classics: the daiquiri, the French 75 and the old-fashioned. But there are also several signatures worth a trip out of your comfort zone. My two favorites are the Spicy Mango Margarita and the Trophy Wife: a delicately sweet blend of passionfruit, vanilla vodka and agave.

Shared plates round out Social Oak’s offerings. Chef Nga Vu has created a collection of international selections with an Asian flair. What I like most about the Shareables menu is that it is truly shareable. Every dish is perfectly portioned and arranged to be passed around with ease—even the Sliced Steak and Mash. It’s a New York Strip sliced into generous pieces, accompanied by Whipped Potatoes and an Asian Chimichurri Sauce. My other favorite bites include the Truffle Deviled Eggs, Crispy Vegetables Rolls and the Garlic Shrimp Flatbread—my “not to be missed” food item from Social Oak.

Whether you’re strictly a meat and potatoes whiskey lovin’ kind of guy, or a rosé all day kind of gal, and it’s guys night out, moms night out or a meeting with a potential client, Social Oak Whiskey & Wine Lounge has just what you are looking for to sip, savor and simmer down from your day.