Jake and Greg were at The Grape this last weekend, and over the past year or so in our brainstorms The Grape has come up time and again as a place that just gets it. Take for example their wine list and wine food recommendations - which is perhaps the first time I’ve ever seen a wine list that makes sense.
We know how different Shiraz can show, that Sauvignon Blanc rarely has the same face region to region and that Pinot Grigio doesn’t always go well with food - and a restaurant/ bar does its clientèle no favors by just dividing wine into Red and White, or they divide it into countries - and the emerging trend is to divide it into varietals.
The Grape does something unheard of to date: they divide their wine into taste. More than that they then give you a taste profile match on their menu, dish by dish. I have probably sampled less than a thousand wines in my life - and I certainly don’t remember all the names because I’m no Michael Broadbent. When I’m looking at a wine, I want to know its taste flavor profile - and if I’m paying $20 a bottle, I’ll be pretty ticked if its not what I want. This kind of a menu system is helpful to anyone… I know because when I’m out to dinner with friends they always ask me to help pick the wine: but The Grape allows people to choose the wine for themselves. What I further like about The Grape is that its more than a restaurant - because their venues are usually really good places to just hang out. It’s a destination brand - allowing dining, entertainment, exploration and with their innovative wine list: education. It’s really refreshing to see a mainstream brand that has begun to take its customer’s taste seriously.
allows you to design your own tasting flight of three or more wines from our One through Eight Grape classifications and from our Nine and Ten Grape specials. Choose from all wines with a “Grape Bunch†designation in our wine menu to create your unique tasting flight, served in our special glasses for your ultimate tasting experience. At The Grape, Your Taste is All that Counts.”
The New Summer 2007 Menu
GOURMET APPETIZERS
Southwestern Corn & Crab Chowder
A savory cream-based chowder made with lump blue crab meat, corn, andouille sausage and a touch of Cajun seasonings (Changes seasonally)
Wine pairing: two through four and nine grapes
Shrimp Rémoulade
Jumbo Gulf shrimp on a bed of Romaine with Creole rémoulade, caperberries, lemon wedge and fresh baked breads
Wine pairing: one through three, eight and nine grapes
Smoked Salmon
Smoked salmon with baguette toast, feta cream cheese, capers, onions and special horseradish sauce
Wine pairing: one through three, eight and nine grapes
Pâté
Country pâté du jour with pickles, caperberries, olives, special sauce and baguette
Wine pairing: four through six, eight and ten grapes
Antipasto
Prosciutto, Genoa, olive oil, provolone, and fresh buffalo mozzarella with olives, caperberries and Italian bread
Wine pairing: one through five and eight grapes
Roma Tomato Bruschetta
Tomato, garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and fresh mozzarella
Wine pairing: all grapes
Warm Feta Marinara
Feta cream served with zesty marinara sauce and herbed crostini
Wine pairing: four, five and ten grapes
Grape Porto
Roasted Portobello stuffed with crab meat, parmesan/fontina cream cheese, garlic, chives and bread crumbs
Wine pairing: one through four grapes
SPECIALTY SPREADS
Specialty spreads are accompanied by a selection of fresh baked breads
Roma Tomato & Fresh Mozzarella
Marinated in herbed olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Wine pairing: all grapes
Spinach & Applewood Smoked Bacon
Wine pairing: two through six and ten grapes
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
House-made hummus flavored with roasted red peppers, served with Italian tomato salsa, garlic oil and paprika
Wine pairing: one, two and four grapes
Imported Olives & Olive Tapenade
Wine pairing: all grapes
Combo Spreads
Half portions of each spread at half price (minimum two per order)
GOURMET CHEESES
Cheeses are sold by the ounce and are served with a selection of fresh baked breads, imported crackers and grapes
Saint André
Imported French triple cream—rich, elegant and delicious
Wine pairing: three, seven, eight and nine grapes
Caciotta al Tartufo (kah-CHOH-tuh ahl tar-TOO-foh)
A must-try: soft sheep’s milk cheese imported from Italy loaded with rare, shaved black truffles
Wine pairing: two through five and nine grapes
Stilton
The king from across the pond—excellent with baguette and wafers
Wine pairing: four through six and ten grapes
Pecorino Toscano (peh-koh-REE-noh toh-SKAH-noh)
A richly flavored, complex cheese from Italy with a nutty caramel finish
Wine pairing: four through six, eight and ten grapes
McCall’s Shamrock Cheddar
Sharp and enticing aged Irish cheddar
Wine pairing: two through six, nine and ten grapes
Cheese du Jour
Ask your server about today’s specially selected cheese
Wine pairing: Ask your server for recommendations
PITA PISAS
What’s a Pisa?! A Grape original: fresh ingredients served atop a light pita crust
Mediterranean Grilled Veggie
Fresh grilled green and yellow zucchini, grilled eggplant and red onion, roasted red pepper sauce and goat cheese, finished with a balsamic reduction
Wine pairing: one, two, four and five grapes
Atlantic Smoked Salmon
Smoked salmon, marinated European cucumber and red onion, arugula and feta cream spread, drizzled with a miso aïoli
Wine pairing: one through four, eight and nine grapes
Capri
Fresh Roma tomato, balsamic marinated onion, fresh mozzarella, basil and a hint of seasoned oil
Wine pairing: all grapes
Cambozola, Prosciutto & Fig
Creamy Cambozola (triple-cream blue cheese) and prosciutto with rich fig spread
Wine pairing: two through six and eight grapes
MEDITERRANEAN QUESADILLAS
Black Forest Ham & Mozzarella
Sliced ham, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and arugula pesto, served with mixed greens
Wine pairing: two through four grapes
Roasted Beef Tenderloin
Beef tenderloin, cheddar cheese and caramelized onion, served with a horseradish cream sauce
Wine pairing: four, five, six and ten grapes
Chicken
Chicken, feta, sun dried tomato pesto and provolone, served with a sun-dried tomato aïoli
Wine pairing: three through six grapes
Tuscan
Roma tomato, oregano, basil, roasted garlic, mushroom, spinach, fontina and Chèvre, served with marinara sauce
Wine pairing: all grapes
GRAPE BISTRO
Brie en Croûte
Brie baked in a puff pastry crust with stone fruit chutney and a cabernet syrup, served with a petite arugula salad tossed in a fresh lemon vinaigrette
Wine pairing: one, two, four and eight grapes
Summer Vegetable Quiche
Green and yellow zucchini, oven-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese baked into a savory pie, served with mixed greens tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette (Changes seasonally)
Wine pairing: two through four, eight and nine grapes
Chicken & Portobello Quiche
Grilled chicken, roasted Portobello mushroom, Bermuda onion and cheddar cheese baked to golden perfection, served with mixed greens tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette (Changes seasonally)
Wine pairing: three through five grapes
The Grape Crêpe
Our delicious chive crêpe filled with duck confit, dried cherries, mushrooms, spinach and goat cheese, drizzled with a dried cherry reduction. Changes seasonally
Wine pairing: four through six and ten grapes
SALADS
Salads are accompanied by a selection of fresh baked breads
Shrimp & Crab Louis Salad
Mixed greens tossed in balsamic vinaigrette with cucumber, tomato and lemon wedge, topped with a generous serving of shrimp and crab dressed in our regal Louis dressing
Wine pairing: one, two, four and eight grapes
Tenderloin Steak Salad
Sliced tenderloin served on Romaine with red onion, Roma tomato, blue cheese and our house-made Greek vinaigrette
Wine pairing: four, five, six and ten grapes
Asian Grilled Chicken Salad
Sweet chili and soy marinated chicken, julienned carrots, cucumbers, red onions and mandarin oranges served on a bed of mixed greens with a miso ginger vinaigrette
Wine pairing: one, two, four and eight grapes
Caesar Salad
Romaine, croutons and shaved Parmesan
Wine pairing: one through three and nine grapes
Greek Salad
Romaine, tomato, onion, olives, peppers, feta and croutons, served with our house-made Greek vinaigrette
Wine pairing: one through four grapes
Caesar or Greek Add grilled shrimp or grilled chicken breast
ENTREES
Sandwiches are served with our Roma tomato and fresh mozzarella salad
Roast Beef Panino
House sliced roast beef, Swiss cheese, oven roasted mushrooms and balsamic marinated onions on sourdough bread with a horseradish cream sauce
Wine pairing: four through six and ten grapes
Grape Club
Grilled chicken breast, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato and special sauce on a fresh baked roll
Wine pairing: three through five, nine and ten grapes
Steak Sandwich
Encrusted beef tenderloin prepared medium rare, served with caramelized onions and blue cheese sauce on a grilled roll
Wine pairing: four, five, six and ten grapes
Muffaletta
A New Orleans favorite—Italian meats and cheeses served on ciabatta with a Crescent City olive salad
Wine pairing: four, five, six and eight grapes
…
Grape Mini Crab Cakes
Five generous dabs of crab baked to perfection, served with Creole aïoli and baby spinach tossed in a light vinaigrette
Wine pairing: one through four, eight and nine grapes
Grape Chops
New Zealand rack of lamb chops roasted with special seasonings, served with a mint, black cherry and port reduction and fresh rosemary (three chops). Famished? Try five Grape Chops!
Wine pairing: four, five, six and ten grapes
DELECTABLE SWEETS
Vanilla Crème Brûlée Cheesecake
The Grape’s take on crème brûlée: Vanilla bean infused cheesecake atop a cookie crust, covered with a delectable crème brûlée frosting and served with whipped cream and fresh berries
American Pie
Rich, buttery, almond-flavored crust layered with fresh sliced apples and drizzled with caramel sauce, served warm with vanilla bean gelato
Fresh Seasonal Berries
Fresh berries with vanilla whipped cream and wafers
The Grape Chocolate Factory
Sensual Chocolate Fondue
Savor our Sensual Chocolate fondue for two or for four
The Grape’s sensational chocolate fondue made with a delicious blend of French and Belgian chocolates, served with strawberries, bananas, pineapple and grapes and our house-made peanut butter blonde brownies, angel food cake, coconut macaroons and s’mores
Add a 2.5-ounce glass of each of our sparkling Italian dessert wines, Brachetto and Moscato
Le Chocolat
A work of art for the eyes and palate: Rich chocolate ganache fading into a light chocolate sponge cake, topped with roasted hazelnuts and a dark chocolate leaf and drizzled with raspberry sauce
Chocolate Cream Cheese Brownie
Our West Coast chocolate and cream cheese brownie drizzled with caramel sauce, served warm and topped with a scoop of vanilla bean gelato
Taste of Italia
Vanilla Bean Gelato
An all-time favorite from Italy, served with sweet wafers
Gelato du Jour
Ask your server about our seasonal gelato selection, served with sweet wafers
Wine pairings for all desserts: seven and eight grapes. Ask for your server for recommendations
BEVERAGES
The Grape Mimosa
Something fun and sexy ~ Our very own De Venoge Cordon Bleu Champagne and fruit juice
Iced tea
French-pressed coffee (regular or decaffeinated)
Hot Tea
Citron Green
Japanese Bancha with gentle, pleasing notes of citrus and aromatic orange flowers
Chocolate Mint
A wonderful treat of chocolate-infused tea combined with lively peppermint leaves
Earl Grey Supreme
A careful blend of five teas balanced by the fragrant citrus of Bergamot, delicious with milk and sugar
Seasonal Tea
Ask your server about our tea inspired by the season
Bottled Water
Voss (still or sparkling)
San Pellegrino (flavored sparkling)
Aranciata
Limonata
THE GRAPE BRUNCH
Available Saturdays and/or Sundays at participating locations (Please call)
The Grape Mimosa
Something fun and sexy ~ Our very own De Venoge Cordon Bleu Champagne and fruit juice
Maple Oatmeal Brûlée
Served with fresh seasonal berries
The Grape Breakfast Crepe
Brown sugar and cinnamon apples with warm brie and a champagne preserve sauce
The Grape Continental Breakfast
Imported European yogurt, seasonal fruit and a basket of fresh baked breads
North Atlantic Smoked Salmon
Smoked salmon served with feta cream cheese, capers, onions, horseradish sauce and a basket of mini bagels and croissants
The Grape Breakfast Pisa
Applewood smoked bacon, sharp cheddar and farm fresh eggs garnished with tomato concassé, served atop a light pita crust
Southwestern Breakfast Quiche
Andouille sausage, corn, red onions, red bell peppers, jalapeños and cheddar cheese served with our house-made pico de gallo
The Grape Crab Cake Benedict
Two generous portions of crab cake with rémoulade Hollandaise, served with home fries
Filet Mignon Benedict
Succulent beef tenderloin (4 oz) with toast points and horseradish Hollandaise, served with home fries