Foods from Vineyards
Wine · Scotch · Beer
Comments

2012 Aug 29
Went this past Sunday night with SO for the $12 french fries with side of steak and caesar salad.

Steak was properly cooked, well seasoned, and a very reasonable size given the cost. French fries were crispy, hot, potato-y. Salad was a little over-dressed; felt like a chain salad (i.e. East Side Mario's or Red Lobster). Would have preferred more salad, less fries, and definitely getting the dressing on the side next time.

Service was reasonable, though not exceptional. We had originally only ordered on meal (to split) and instead the server brought two; when we asked for clarification she insisted that we had ordered two and that was that. It's okay - we just ended up having and eating more food than we had intended to.

Wine and beer selection was reasonable; SO had a half pint of Leffe (a little over priced) and I had a cabernet sauvignon; both were good. It was a little bit strange that we had to order from the bar though.

The highlight was the atmosphere though. Cozy, intimate and a lovely jazz duo playing on weekend evenings between 7pm and 10pm.

Overall, a reasonably priced date given the atmosphere and music though I wouldn't rush back for the food alone.

2012 Aug 18
Date of Visit: July 26, 2012

Vineyards describes itself as a Wine Bar and Bistro but it also serves an impressive number of beers from around the world (more than anywhere else in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, they claim), and there is also a pretty decent selection of single malt Scotches, although not nearly as extensive as at the nearby Highlander Pub. I make it a point of visiting the place every time I am in Ottawa, but, other than a cold plate appetizer I shared with my wife a few years ago, this is the first time I have ever gone there for a meal…

The Meal
Jambalaya ... Rating: 2 out of 5

Overall
I have read the odd review that suggests you should go to Vineyards for the drinks but stay away from the food. This, however, is a bit of a harsh criticism, to my mind as our meal, while not top-notch was hardly horrible and I saw a gentleman at the table next to us enjoy a pasta dish that looked very good. I was able to sample several very decent beers and my companion and I found the ambience pleasant and the service generally excellent. I think, on the whole, that I will probably not rush back just to eat at Vineyards, but it is still one of my favorite places in the city. Rating: 3 out of 5

See full pictorial review at:sybaritica.me

2009 Nov 21
I've been to the Vineyards for the "apéro" with friends: we wanted to get the opportunity of having a fairly good wine selection that can be ordered by glass rather than bottle.

As the place is a wine bar & bistro (rather than a restaurant), we really appreciated to get the "apéro" in a smooth lounge ambiance, just enjoying to spend time chatting with our glasses of wine and no waiter rushing so we order either something else or the bill...

Yes, the Vineyards carries some food, but the selection is very restricted as the place is not a restaurant. I've ended-up ordering a meal from time to time: it was fairly good for a bar/bistro.

To conclude, I really enjoy this place as a smooth lounge "get-toghether" to share a two-hours apéro with friends before dinner; and the friends (from here or visiting) also enjoyed and appreciated...

2008 Feb 20
For sure they don't have the best wine list in Ottawa, but only ordinary wines. The menu is boring and limited. I don't recommend Vineyards.


2006 Dec 10
Agreed. Great wine selection but the food is nothing special.

2006 Oct 24
I'll be the first to admit Vineyards has a decent wine list. We did note some odd entries (like a young tawny port being priced like a vintage port) but overall it's not a bad list. Not the best in Ottawa, but not bad.

But the service here is dreadful. If you want to order food, you'll have to do a lot of work flagging down your server. If you want drinks, you have to go to the bar to get them yourself. One time, my husband and I were there, and we asked for our tab so we could pay and go. There had been two people working the bar, and for some reason, only half of our drinks ended up on the final tab. We didn't notice at first, and paid the tab, but then went back over the receipt and realized the mistake. Rather than be dishonest, we told the bartender what had happened and asked for the rest of our bill. Instead of apologizing for the mistake (or at least saying 'oh oops, I'll get you the rest of the bill!'), he was pretty curt with us.

The food is sub-par, nothing special. I wouldn't recommend.


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