Grape and Grain
“I was surprised to find this in Alphabet City, not far from some of the grittier mainstays, but it's a welcome change.”
“The tin roof with glowing chandeliers against the exposed brick is a warm, homey treat.”
“The cozy atmosphere, good service and a simple, but satisfying menu of small plates.”
Grape and Grain
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Loved this little wine bar in East Village & it's tucked away from all the busy bars/food areas! My friends and I came out here on. Saturday night before we started our night out & it was empty besides for a few people, but I loved that!
We ordered a bottle of white wine & a cheese board. The wine was delicious! I can't remember the exact name, but it was the first on the list. The cheese board was nothing amazing, none of the cheeses really stood out & the pairing with the prune jam, wasn't so great.
However service, location & wine are all delicious! Very intimate spot & great for a date night with friends or your significant other!
After a stressful first day on the job, this place was exactly what I needed to unwind.
Went on a Monday evening around 7:30 pm and we were the only ones there! We were helped promptly by the funky yet pleasant waitress. We started off with the caprese salad. I just came back from Italy so and I thought the cheese could have been fresher and the basil was a bit gritty but it didn't stop my boyfriend from enjoying the entire thing.
For an entre I ordered the portobello salad. I substituted bleu cheese for goat cheese which was a smashing success– I hope they offer it as an option on their menu in the future (not everyone loves bleu cheese but it's tough to argue with its goat counterpart)! The mushrooms were served sliced as a garnish and pickled in a vinaigrette. Their acidity perfectly complemented the creaminess of the fresh goat cheese. Pair that dynamic duo with the delectably salty prosciutto and it made for one satisfying and memorable meal.
Since it was a Monday and I had to be up early the next morning for work, I didn't try any of their wines but the list was ample. Maybe next time I'll try a glass or three!
As far as ambience goes, this place has got it. The main reason I walked the distance was for a relaxing, rustic atmosphere and this place delivered. The music was cool, the light was dim and soothing, and it genuinely seems like everyone wants to be your friend in there. A redo!
Summary:
Cozy little nook in Alphabet City. Fantastic selection of beers and wines with phenomenal choices for bites (not small by any means). Very cool ambience for a date I'd say.
Food:
My friends and I came during the snowstorm and got a few plates to share. The chorizo/avocado pizza had a little bit of a kick. The cubano is a MONEY sandwich. It was crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, cheese melting off the sides, great Cuban sandwich.
Service:
It was a slow night since there was a blizzard but we were well cared for.
Atmosphere:
Very cozy and intimate. I'd love to come back here for a date.
Recommendation:
Good spot for a date if you're in the area.
This is by far my most favorite spot in the Big city! It's cozy atmosphere and wonderful smelling food lured me in over a year ago. It left me craving the breakfast pizza until I was able to come back just last week.
Although it is a traditional city restaurant(meaning small shot gun style) there is plenty of room. There is an adorable bar where you can chat with the chef and bar tender. There is also plenty of 2 and 4 top table and booths.
I had a mimosa that will cure any hangover and as a starter the table shared the best stone ground grits. I am a southern grits aficionado. Nom! Then I mi Ed on to the reason for the season. The Breakfast Pizza! The crust is crusty the egg was easy and the veggies fresh.
The kicker is the adorable clean bathroom! I love you Grape and Grain!
We decided to try out Grape and Grain on a Thursday night after seeing such highly recommended reviews. Unfortunately, our experience wasn't as expected.
The intimate wine bar is decorated tastefully, but the wine was anything but tasty. I ordered a glass of something along the lines of "vino verde" and it was completely sour. I would never have expected to receive a spoiled glass of wine at this place. My boyfriend opted for beer instead which was obviously the better choice. I would have said something to the waiter, but he looked so busy I felt bad being "that" customer. Very disappointing for 12 dollars.
Which leads me to my next point..the waiter was the only staff member in the entire bar accomodating guests. We had to go up to the bar, physically ask for the check, and waited over 10 minutes to even receive our drinks.
It seems others have had very different, more positive experiences at Grape and Grain, but I don't think I'll be returning any time soon.
Grape and Grain is a subtle out-of-the-way treat in East Village. For a late night bite and drink without the noisy crowds of 1st avenue, settle in for a chorizo pizza (I like it with extra jalapeños) and a good glass of Malbec. This was 3 out of my 4 meals during my first four weeks of living in East Village.
Come for almost everything that a low-key neighborhood restaurant-bar should have. The staff is welcoming and entertaining; strike up a conversation at the bar, and they'll feel like family after two visits. The menu is brief but covers the spectrum from salads to cheese boards to, of course, pizza (the "grain" of "Grape and Grain"). Quick warning: They don't accept most credit cards. But every other amenity more than makes up for this. Five stars.
grape and grain is vino n eats spot for well-behaved winos, no whining though. seewhatididthere
anyway, the space is small, cozy, intimate. lighting is pretty subdued–candles and a bit of turned down ceiling lights. tin tile ceiling (i think) and distressed wood effects in terms of tables, chair, etc. a bit of eclectic pieces here and. but the space isn't cluttered or cramped and keeps the comfy intimate vibe consistent throughout. the L-shaped bar seats about 8-9. also there's plenty of seating around the perimeter of the restaurant–two- and four-tops and a few corner nook spots. the bar overlooks sixth street which is a pretty sleepy residential block, so mind your voices outside. the bar/eatery is also next door to its beer sister bar Against The Grain (whose beer menu choices) are available to Grape and Grain customers. a very cool date spot, light eats n drinks meeting up place OR catching up with your besties over beer, wine, etc. you can private party out this place as well if you have enough friends or can rent enough friends–HA!
the wine choices in terms of reds is top notch. nothing against the white wines just haven't dabbled too much into it, but i am sure the strength of that list got muscle. do call on the expertise of the bartenders here (especially Matthew)…he or they will steer you right especially since they are constantly debuting new bottles here. if you are stop and going at Grape and Grape–get a quarto of your fave vino…however anything above two quartos…but the bottle…you'll save $s. quartos range 13-15 bucks. bottles $30ish and above.
the tiny space behind the bar bangs out some excellent food whether it be brunch, light dinner, or late night eats. if you're hangry, i would not try to get a full meal here, but a lightish dinner or late night eats works perfect as the menu accommodates accordingly. think small plates mostly except for the PIZZA! i'd recommend: short rib sliders; meatballs in marinara, shrimp ceviche, tuna tartare, and charcuterie plate (definitely a nice bite for one person and a small share amongst two).
my current favorite pizza: chorizo, avocado, jalapeno. think square/sicilian pizza. you get about 6 small square slices that make up a medium-ish sized pizza. definitely do not think you are getting a giant pizza, but it's perfect for sharing for two or amply filling when you get late night hunger pains.
G&G also does brunch. the food has a nice variety to eat from breakfast pizza to fruit/granola/yogurt to nutella french toast and MORE. they do serve booze (wine n beer), but i prefer by own boozy brunch to be way boozier (hard alcohol). however to each his or her own and Grape and Grain works nicely as neighborhood brunch option or a nice break from morning/afternoon drunch (drunk brunch).
the staff? awesome. knowledgeable. hardworking. and relaxed. if you're expecting bustling midtown style restaurant service, then you will be disappointed. the service here is relaxed not slow. the staff is typically the bartender holding down the small bar area and playing waiter to tables. there's chef making the food and that's it. no runners, busbuys, etc. so chill out order ample wine or beer first, your food will come in time. treat the staff right and it will return to you tenfold.
the music? eclectic and fun. 70s, 80s, and 90s–thanks to Matthew's djing (one of the bartenders).
if the Grape and Grain is crowded. you can always head right next door to Against The Grain where you can order the same food menu and be closer to the beer!
definitely do try Grape and Grain if you are looking for a relaxed beer and wine joint, date spot, or place to relax with something to nosh on and get spirited away. it's a place for relaxed casual dining and drinks. the choice is yours, but ain't it obvious.
drops mic because the music here is awesome!
i out.
zzz.
Have you ever thought to yourself, "I'd like to have a fun night tonight!" And then you decided not to follow the crowd and to actually go to an awesome bar with an awesome bartender and a great scene with people dancing, singing, and cheering when people come into the bar or leave?
If so, you want to come to Grape and Grain. Perfect spot to stop in and enjoy a good night. Also apparently good for dates!