Had friends in from Ecuador and promised them Fine dining and music. Where else to go but Vines Grille And Wine Bar. We had our 3 children in tow ages 6-9, so it was a challenge to make the evenings dining experience a great one.....but due to the attentiveness of the staff, my kids were entertained for 2 hours...Jazz band helped too. Started out with Calamari,Oysters Rokefeller and Caviar.....All three items were delicious and were paired with Rose Champagne. Perfecto! Dinner for my wife was Sea Bass, cooked to its flaky moist white perfection with just the right seasonings to allow the taste of the rich fish to show Other 3 mains dishes were the Ribeyes Pittsburgh with Horseradish sauce. Very healthy portion of a nicely marbled cut of meat cooked medium rare.....Our Ecuadorian guests commented "that's the best steak I have ever eaten"....Our waiter James paired the steaks with a very nice Red wine, Nickel Nickel I believe, and it was spot on. To really gain some brownie points with my wife, we ordered 2 portions of the foie Gras....Heaven in our mouths. Our favorite Restaurant in Orlando....hands down. Thank you Team Vines....another outstanding experience See you soon
(5)
Devin J.
This place is fantastic. Had to try it once again when I came back into town. It's even better than before! It has a mature (28-45) but not overly old crowd. Fantastic happy hour with a polite and friendly staff. The live music is definitely a plus. Not too loud and talented the night I was there. Erin in the lounge was a complete sweetheart!! She was friendly without being pushy and overbearing. Only reason this is not 5 stars is that the sliders were burnt but they still had a good flavor. I will DEFINITELY be back!!
(4)
Andrew J.
I tried a few times to go here but I can never find parking. They try and bully you into valet and I feel I should be able to park without having pay a tip to some kid not to scratch my car
(1)
Barb K.
I was underwhelmed. The room is very nice, the decor is updated. The hostess was very young and dismissive, didn't make us feel welcome at all. We had two adults for dinner. Their wine list is extensive and good. We started with the bread and butter (to die for!) followed by the grilled octopus (it was tender but not grilled, tasted like it just came out of a can, very disappointing). We ordered lamb rack (it was tender and tasty, the sides were cold) and the Ossobucco (absolutely perfect!). For dessert we had the creme brulee and that was also good. The presentation of every dish was immaculate and the service very good. The menu is absolutely over priced. The live music is what keeps this place going. Without it, I would have not paid $150 for a dinner for two.
(3)
Jullie C.
Went here for the first time and the first thing that bothered me was the attitude of the hostess. Very rude and one of the employees almost ran into me because she was on her phone and not looking forward and didn't even apologize. The staff seems very snooty. I only went in for drinks and dessert. The cocktails are amazing! Had basil watermelon cooler and it was delicious. As for the dessert, its pretty standard, nothing amazing. They could really work on their service.
(3)
Jason B.
Had our anniversary dinner here and was very impressed. The live jazz made the night.
(5)
Michelle B.
Basil Watermelon Cooler, best drink ever. The live music is great if you like and appreciate a good jazz singer. Definitely a mixed but nice mature crowd in the middle of restaurant row. Waitress needed to take some kind of customer service refresher. We asked her what a dish was at the table next to us bc it looked really good. She said "Oh that's off our other menu and walked away" Uhh ok, how about asking if we'd like to see that menu. Lol.
(4)
Kristie P.
Happy hours is GREAT. The food is awesome. i wish the drink selection was better for happy hour. I will continue to go there :)
(4)
Derek C.
Had a fantastic time, Don was incredibly helpful! We will definitely come back!! Best wine list in Orlando!!!
(5)
Jennifer B.
Great food, great service, and great music. Had one of the most enjoyable date night with my husband here. Perfectly cooked and seasoned NT Strip for my husband and Sea Bass for me. Loved every moment.
(5)
Chuck K.
Came for a work event, 10 people in our group, waiter said the steaks were the best around. Six people in our group ordered steaks and only one came out cooked right. One steak they missed two times on. How tough is medium rare?
(2)
Trevor D.
The best place to eat in town. Ask for Phil he has great suggestions. He was able to pair a wine for any entree.
(5)
Lisa G.
Great wine great atmosphere. The place is in a perfect location and the staff is amazing.
(5)
Sharon W.
We all have our favorite places to frequent for happy hour, and Vines Grille and Wine Bar happens to be at the top of my list. But what makes this place stand out? The great assortment of wine choices by the glass and apps are pretty much a no brainer, but it's the jazz music that starts after 7p that really makes this place fun. The older gentleman that sings is just full of life and soul, and really brings smiles to everyone's face as he walks throughout the bar to sing to every group that's there. I love the atmosphere inside. Nice and chill, and the crowd slowly grows into the night, easing you into your weekend. The patio outside is quite lovely. Couches, tables, plants, dim lighting, all come together to create that warm and inviting atmosphere of friendly gathering.
(4)
Stephanie H.
Oh Vines. You could be so much that is good in Orlando, but you cop out in some key areas! My girlfriend and I went on Thursday evening, which is apparently the big night to go out around there. The promo girls were in full effect, passing out shots of whiskey to everyone at the bar - and there was indeed a crowd, though I have to say, it was mostly 50+ and male. Part of this is probably due to the fact that it's a Sinatra-themed bar. Usually, I find that to be a huge bonus. In this case, it added to the cheese factor-- mostly because the guy singing there was way over the top and going around to folks to serenade them (just a little too much kitsch!) There was a woman belting it out before him, however, who was awesome- wish she had stuck around! Another thing that felt "off" were the playboy-bunny dressed bartenders. Granted, I REALLY don't mind sexy outfits for the bar staff, but because the place is at a high price point and advertises itself as a super classy jazz bar with a high-end menu, it just kind of made it less classy and more cheesy and Hooters-esque. As for the food and drink, totally on point! They had grey goose martini drink specials for $5 a pop (score!) - complete with blue cheese olives and the tapas my friend and I ordered were outstanding! These things bought them the extra star in this review, though service at the bar was pretty bad-- probably because we were girls, to be honest. We ordered the cheese plate and I believe they were chicken empanadas. Both were great and appropriately portion sized. Conclusion- struck me as a "fake" atmosphere and a place trying too hard to be upscale and classy when it's obviously not, but might be better on a different night. Who knows!
(3)
Alex K.
This review is written only about customer service, or really about customer disservice. I was part of a party of 20+ people who had a reservation on Saturday night for a surprise birthday gathering. The reservation had been made and confirmed in advance. When we got there, the reserved area was taken and our reservation could not be found. No accommodation was made to try to find us another space in the restaurant. The event manager for some reason felt the need to express that he felt that if he gave us another space in the restaurant that we would not order as much as regular tables and therefore were not worth accommodating from a financial standpoint. 1) This is never okay to say to a customer 2) I'm not sure how many large party gatherings he's been to but orders, especially alcohol, tend to be pretty high. In the end, we were forced to leave and find another restaurant to accommodate our party. No small feat with such a large group. Not to mention inconvenient for a surprise party. I'm not sure I'd have interest in going back to this restaurant, even if the food proved to be adequate. Not only was it loud to the point where you had to yell to be heard. It also appeared to be a middle-aged hookup spot. Not very classy.
Expensive, but the food was excellent (especially the grilled octopus and the sea bass). Service was terrific and the jazz is exceptional.
(5)
Bill N.
First time to Vines and it was spectacular. The food is amazing, although on the expensive side which puts the restaurant in that special event category vs. 'hey lets grab a bite'. Our food was amazing - the chicken dish and cioppino. The cioppino had a significant pice of lobster and all of the other sea food components were heavenly. The chicken dish was tasty and extremely well prepared. We had the burat appetizer which is an incredible ball of fresh mozzarella with tomatoes and it was all garnished with micro basil. You need to experience this to know exactly what I'm talking about. On a saturday night they had a band in the cozy bar area and the sound carries throughout the establishment. We will be back.
(5)
Flavitcha G.
I went to Vines last Saturday for a company dinner. It was supposed to be a casual event, but I am glad we went to Vines, as we ended up having last minute clients showing up at our dinner. The facility is right at the edge of being Fun and Adult Casual, which was just perfect for our group. WOW!!! was the expression I kept hearing over and over and over again by our guests. The food was AMAZING ( and I don't easily get amazed by food, being a foodie in the Bay Area)!!! Everyone was amazed by their dishes. The service was OUTSTANDING!!!! We were treated like special guests, which in a way we were by having a group a 20 ( which meant great business). But I will give them the review that they deserve, because they were constantly checking on us, and they met all of our requirements. They had a live band playing which was a little loud, however, our group didn't mind and loved the background live music. If I get back to Orlando, I already know where to go for dinner. Vines is the place, no doubt!
(5)
Amanda L.
Very expensive but delicious. We didn't know what we were in for as we just moved to the area and were looking for a decent dinner that wouldn't break the bank. We sat at the bar and the girls were nice but not overly friendly. We made it just before happy hour so we took advantage of half priced glasses of wine. We then looked at the dinner menu and whoa! $28 for a burger, $12 for a Caesar salad-those were the least expensive items so we ordered those as we hadn't come for a $65 steak. The burger was amazing and the truffle fries were homemade and delicious! The bacon bar snack was incredible too but make sure to ask for it as I don't know if they jus give it to you. If you know what you are in for (a high end steakhouse experience) then you will enjoy it.. If you think you are going to a wine bar for some low key wine and appetizers, rethink your choice!
(4)
Luis G.
Wayyyyyy overpriced for quality and service, want a better steak for wayyyyyy cheaper go to Morton's , Capital Grille or Bull and Bear at the Waldorf Astoria, not sure who's pricing the menu but is way overpriced for what you offer.
(2)
Tim m.
Second time eating here. First time was good. Second time was the last time for us. First of all, the noise from the bar area was overwhelming to say the least. The music was very nice, but the crowd noise to overcome the band was too much for a nice quiet dinner. We actually had to raise our voices to hear each other talk. Dinner. Way too much in price for the quality, quantity and service received. We ordered the escargot, simply the worst escargot we've ever had and we have them a lot. The garlic was overwhelming, the butter sauce was like water. Next was ordering the dinner. We ordered the porterhouse steak for 2 at $125.00. Now we have to order everything else to go with dinner. A side of brocolini, gnocchi with a brown bacon sauce, and bernaise sauce for the steak was $30 alone. Not bad if it was for two people, but a small dish of gnocchi, 5 brocolini stalks and a very small dish of sauce for what is supposed to be 3 pounds of meat was too much to believe. We ordered medium rare for the steak and was served medium well at best. The sever said "this is the chef's interpretation of medium rare" I said, what? The service was adequate at best, asked 3 times for a lemon for my water. Over $250 for a dinner for two. I would have rather spent the weekend at a hotel and eaten at Longhorn for the same quality of food. To the owners, just because your business is in Dr Phillips doesn't mean you need to charge these ridiculous prices for the type of food you serve. Take a hint, at 8pm on a Saturday night and only three tables with customers is a sign. It certainly was to me!
(1)
Rick R.
I've been wanting to try this place for several years and finally managed to on this visit to Orlando. Sophisticated, but casual atmosphere. Live music, commanding bar, and impressive wine collection. I was surprised the menu was heavily focused on steak, and ended up having the Prime Filet--which was quite good. The non-steak dishes had very nice compositions. My friend had the Chilean sea bass, and loved it. I also had the Wedge salad, and really liked it. The Sweet Potato fries were way too soggy for my taste. The wine list was impressive, and reasonably priced. Properly decanted too. Later that evening my friend returned to the restaurant to enjoy the live music and lounge scene. Very fun evening.
(4)
Luke M.
What can I say, this place is a sand lake favorite and if you stop in you will see why. Huge wine list, live jazz, great food & service. The live entertainment is just great. You really get the old school frank Sinatra vibe in the place. Love it did I mention they put out cones of bacon on the bar for you to snack on! Yes...BACON! Winning
(5)
Forrest F.
Firstly, let me just state that I hardly ever review restaurants, because I usually have at least SOMEwhat acceptable service. However, last night was different, so I'm here to let everyone know what they can expect when they visit Vine's Wine Bar in Orlando. What a terrible time we had last night, so bad in fact that we won't be returning. So, I, my wife, and several friends decided to come to Vines in celebration of both my birthday, and my wife and I's anniversary. We had come to Vine's several months ago, and it was great. So, we made reservations for Saturday night, and arrived right on time and were shown to our table. A special place for our special occasion, right? The first thing we noticed is that it was dark in the dining room, like "can't even make out the menu without the aid of your cell-phone's camera light" dark. I have never been in such a dark restaurant that bills itself as so upscale. Secondly, the appetizers we ordered were all tiny and inconsistently done. My wife and I shared a dozen oysters, and there were two regular sized oysters and ten absurdly tiny oysters, too small to even cover a standard saltine. That sucked, frankly, for $3 apiece oysters. Then our main courses came. Out of eight people. only two people had their food correctly prepared, and really only one, because one of my buddies will eat anything and say it's fine. Now, here comes the ridiculous part. My wife and I ordered the Wagyu Beef Ribeye for two. That's an $85 piece of meat, and we ordered it medium rare. It showed up at our table, and it was medium to medium well in the middle, and well done on the outside, and by outside, I mean, nearly two inches in, all around. All around the outside was grey, and gristly. This meat is what they are billing as "#2 beef in the world". We get it, and I am instantly disatisfied, because the steak was clearly and obviously way overdone, so we had our server take it back. The server comes back several minutes later and tells us that the manager won't do anything because in his estimation, that's "medium rare", so can he get me something else, because the manager won't be replacing our steak. I instantly tell the server to bring that manager out so that we can discuss it. The GM comes out, and he tells me point blank that they won't be remaking our $85 steak, because how we received it is, in his estimation, correctly done. Then he launches into some schpiel about how, because the grill Vines uses is a charcoal grill, sometimes steaks will come more well done on the outside. After this sad excuse, I was starting to get angry, and I pointed out two other people at our table, one had the filet, the other the New York Strip. Both were done ACTUALLY medium rare (despite my FiL having ordered his New York Strip medium). So, you're telling me that your grillmaster can somehow produce medium rare on these other two steaks, but not on this $85 steak we ordered? "Yes, that's correct." The manager then offered us something else, and when I stated that what I wanted was the Wagyu ribeye correctly cooked, he said that that was how it comes, so sorry, if you don't like it like that, I can get you something else." The sole saving grace of the event was that he comped the steak from our bill. He DID NOT however, comp the meals of my friends, whose lamb was both overcooked and undercooked...on the same plate. It is clear that the grillmaster they had working that night is an extreme novice, which is shocking considering what they charge for a plate. Are you going to let a guy who can't cook steak, man your grill at a high end steakhouse? Who would do that? Well, now we know. I have eaten at places whose prices make Vines prices look cheap by comparison, and I've also eaten at chain steakhouses whose meat was better than what we received, and at a fourth of the cost. What I have NEVER had though, is a manager tell me, a customer, that my expectations for an $85 steak, billed as the #2 beef in the world are wrong because I don't want it charred on the edges, and the middle of the steak slightly pink. That's not medium rare, that's not even medium, it's medium well, and the edges were Well Done. I've never had a manager straight up tell me that they won't remake an order because they don't want to take the loss on their inventory (although in hindsight, it's probably because the GM didn't want to have his grill guy mangle another piece of meat). So, I would like to warn anyone who's considering this place that if you're thinking of going here, I'd avoid it if I were you. The manager doesn't actually care about you, or making it right if they screw up. It doesn't matter to him, because the tourists will keep coming to keep this place alive in their ignorance, because it's ignorant to believe that exceptionally high prices equal exceptional quality. No. Sometimes, your place is just an overpriced dive, with poor atmosphere, too loud music, too dim lighting, and poorly cooked food.
(1)
Jeff C.
This is a first class experience. Be prepared to spend at least $75 per person at a minimum. Fantastic wine choices and a great selection of after dinner drinks and scotch. The service was attentive and professional. The food was prepared perfectly for everyone at our table. My only complaint is that the noise level is exceptionally loud.
(5)
Shanen C.
I suggest the garlic spinach, it was the highlight of my meal. The sea bass was impressive too! Very pricey but good food. We had pretty slow service though.
(4)
Antonio B.
This place is outrageously good. I had the escargot, calamari, kobe burger and the watermelon basil drink. Amazing place.
(5)
Indrid I.
Great place to be for happy hour. Great wine selection. Today, I'm enjoying the Imposter red blend from California wine. Katy is our server today. Great and fun girl. Good live jazz music.
(5)
Steve G.
Referred to this restaurant by many on this stay, we decided to come on aTuesday night. Great energy at the bar, restaurant was relatively open. Service excellent, our salads, appetizers and Main courses all first rate. Great ingredients, well done sauces, and well prepared. I've got to say, would be stand out in any city.
(4)
Robert C.
Great Happy Hour and Bar Staff. Always enjoy ourselves when we stop by be it happy our, dinner or just to hang out and listen to the jazz.
(4)
Jennifer S.
I honestly LOVED this place. Service was excellent. The atmosphere is great. The food was delicious. They serve bread before your meal, and I promise it's the best bread you'll probably ever get at any restaurant in Orlando. They also have the best Bacon Mac n' cheese in town. It's a very nice, upscale and modern spot. They got an awesome wine selection and top-notch service. The Jazz live band is like the cherry on top. I love jazz, so that was the main reason we wanted to go there in the first place. Everything else that came with it, was just a bonus.
(5)
Michael K.
I really should go four stars on this review but thought the prices were a little too steep for what you get. Their special 50oz porterhouse was on sale for $140. Most other steaks were in the high $30s and $40s. I had a wait at the bar for my party to arrive but Rebecca took good care of me. The thing to gnaw at the bar though is a cone of bacon. I think there were eight slices in there but after three or so I had my fill. We sat down around 6pm or so and the place was just starting to fill up. By the time we finished it was packed. I started with the shrimp cocktail and snails. The shrimp were huge and enjoyable. I don't go out of my way to eat snails but did enjoy one or two of them. They were very well seasoned and didn't taste like dirt at all. I ordered the heirloom Greek salad and New York strip steak with grilled onions. The salad was awesome and not at all what I expected. Very chunky, a huge hunk of cheese and tons of olives were in the bowl. The steak was cooked exactly to the temperature I ordered, well seasoned and quite tasty. Even at 18oz (I think) I managed to devour it all. At this point, I had no room for dessert but the list looked impressive. Our waiter was attentive at first but less so as the night wore on. Not really a problem but could have been better. A live band started up in the middle of dinner and although I found myself tapping my toes to the beat they were too loud to carry on a table conversation. Like I said above, a little too pricey for what you get IMHO but the place was packed so they must be doing it right.
(3)
Kalvin K.
Great little happy hour location here. There is a nice veranda for outdoor seating and the pours are quite heavy from the bar. It's nice to get out there and enjoy the half priced appetizers and discounted drinks while hanging out with friends. I will definitely return again because the food and drinks were amazing.
(5)
Marsha M.
This is a great place for happy hour. sit at the bar and enjoy half priced appetizers and wine. We enjoy all of the appetizers, especially the lamb
(5)
Cygell P.
Loved the relaxed vibe. They play live jazz music every night making it feel like a weekday is a weekend. I had the roasted chicken and it was amazing, I don't know how they made chicken taste so delicious. My partner had the pork chop and it was to die for! The bacon Mac and cheese was so rich and satisfying!
(5)
Linda C.
The food and service is amazing! The grilled octopus appetizer and the Chilean sea bass entree were some of the best food I have ever eaten. A must dine!
(5)
Cindy L.
Decent service, ok food, horribly overpriced with a cheesy atmosphere. Dinner for two was $250 and the steaks were overpriced and flavorless. The restaurant is in a strip mall a couple of doors down from CVS. The wine list is supposedly award winning, but not all of the wines on the list are available. So the list looks good, but who knows how many wines can actually be ordered. The jazz in the bar area is loud and the bartender wore an outfit smaller than a Hooter's bartender. Do yourself a favor and skip this place.
(2)
Kelleigh M.
Meh....for the price I was underwhelmed. I don't think I ordered the wrong items either. I went with yelp recommendations. Service was great-but I was their only table so I would hope so. I had Stan and Tony. Both were great and helpful. I started off with the Ceasar salad topped with pork belly and chopped egg whites. The pork belly didn't taste any different than crumbled bacon. The egg was a different unique touch. For my entree I went with the seabass atop the lobster risotto. Very underwhelming. The risotto was odd-it had a tomato base to it. The fish was a nice piece but lacking any distinctive flavor. I also ordered a side of corn maque choux. This was probably the highlight of the meal. Would I go back? No. There are better options in the immediate area. I'm glad this meal was on the company's dime.
(3)
Schannon B.
Parents day soiree! Yay! Went here with my parentals- the ones who raised me in the ways of fine dining and jazz music- and my younger sister. We were here for the happy hour and the to-our-surprise jazz music, which was absolutely fantastic. There was a couple who created a dance floor, so we decided to join in and before we knew it, half the restaurant was dancing in the doorway and between the tables- I don't think a dance floor was meant for this place, either way we lived it up- YOLO! It was the most fun I've had with my family- outside of giving them grey hairs in Kindergarten and pranking my sister. For dinner we had Happy Hour specials- the Kobe beef sliders (2) and the truffle fries (2), which were delicious! Then we quieted down with creme brulee and cognac- god the burn! The servers were attentive and out of this world great- they had the band play my parents wedding song, as it was their anniversary. Made Mama cry happy tears. One of the best dining experiences I've had and a definite memory to place in my heart. This is what makes memories for me, the happiness of my family and the tastiness of a great establishment.
(5)
Natalie G.
Great service in the bar area. We sat at a bar table and enjoyed the live music with dinner. We also took advantage of the amazing 1/2 price wine selection by the glass. We had filets - one Oscar style and the other regular. Both cooked to our individual specifications (and this from a picky steak eater). The oysters were good as well and nicely priced for happy hour. I was impressed to find such a local gem amongst so many chain restaurants.
(5)
Emily B.
I've been here many times for happy hour over the years, and it's one of the best! Great deals on food and the wine is lovely! Just recently I came for dinner for the first time, and it was also very good! The only thing I will say is that if you are a late night eater like myself, Open Table lets you make a reservation for 11 pm, thank goodness we got there a few minutes early because they close the kitchen at 11. They should probably change the last time till 10:30 or so. Anyway, great food and great service even though we were the last table to eat! I got the foie gras appetizer, and it was the best I've had! Looking forward to my next visit!
(5)
Melanie D.
Love this place. We first had our 10 year anniversary dinner here about 2 months ago. We had a private room in the back to accomodate our 26 guests. Staff was great, attentive, on top of their game. Food was outstanding. (I think I had SeaBass.Delicious.) Absolutely no complaints. I went back this past weekend during their happy hour (4-7pm everyday). Drinks and appetizers were half off. The flatbread was ok (i think it was margherita?). The kobe sliders were delicious. My friend got the oysters (great) and the beef kabob. The beef was a little over cooked. Drinks we were great, the bartender was great, and the live band was great. My new fav spot! My only complaint is I wish it were closer to my house lol.
(5)
Nawal B.
My favorite place for live music on Friday night! The band is very good, the service is perfect and food ohhh my! first time I went there I felt back home and it became since then my favorite place to hang out with my favorite friends.
(5)
Crazy D.
Long story short, they have the best hamburger I've ever had in my life. How good? When I turned 30, I flew down from NYC for the night just to eat there then fly back the next day. That good. Very friendly staff, great menu selection and live jazz entertainment makes this one of my favorite places to go. Wish I lived closer.
(5)
Steven B.
I'll keep it short and sweet in regards to the vines.. Great night life, incredible people, mediocre drinks and a GREAT band! Food is good but not great and I have eaten here more than once. Do yourself s favor eat at seasons 52 save some money and come across the street for the fun. You won't be disappointed. They do have s private roo for parties If needed. Enjoy!
(4)
Gary D.
Great food, great atmosphere, excellent staff. Certainly would go back again.
(4)
Ha C.
I gave it four star because of its band. They play great music. It's a must place to go on a Friday and Saturday night . Btw they have bacon on the bar lol The food is good but pricey.
(4)
Onn S.
Stopped by for our dinner since we came from Universal Orlando and yes, we are tourists. This restaurant is nicely decorated with great atmosphere. Good for date night or special occasion. We weren't so dressy but the waiters still gave us an amazing service. We were so glad they didn't judge us from the way we dressed. We ordered Wagyu steak topped with foie gras and they are amazing! I also ordered cold serve foie gras and I love them too. The food is pricey but it's worth it!
(5)
Grant C.
The definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. For me this would mean, periodically going to up scale restaurants in the I-Drive / Sand lake rd area and expecting them to be anything but a huge fraud. How is it that the vast majority of restaurants on this side of Orlando are interested in One thing: sticking it to tourist and convention goers. I can understand over charging, that is expected, but does the food have to suck too? Now for the Issue at hand, Vines... Of Service, Quality, and Value, generally we are expected to pick two of the three. At vines they offer none. Drinks: They got my drink order wrong twice and then at the end they over charged me for it. Appetizers: took 40 minutes to arrive. Bone marrow was not prepared well. However, the Octopus was delicious. Sides: duck mac and cheese was horrible and swimming in oil. Not edible Main course: We had been seated for an hour and a half when they arrived. Pork chop was average and over seasoned. My wife's Pasta was reminiscent of two day old left overs, instead of Al dente they cooked the parppedelle to a mush like consistency. I'm sure golden coral would have had better pasta on their buffet. Should this be expected at $30 a plate? The waiter took this off the bill, but also had the nerve to make a snide comment that he didn't cook it. What the hell? I not only have to pay a $300.00 dinner bill for mediocrity, I have to deal with a waiter that for all intents and purposes is an asshole! The final bill came and I was over charged for a drink and a side item, and again I'm made to feel like a jerk for bringing this up. Vines Grille is the embodiment of all that is wrong with fake fine dining on the theme park side of Orlando: Poor service, over priced, less than average preparation and quality. I judge restaurants by one main criteria: Can I do a better job cooking a similar meal at home? If the answer is yes, I am supremely disappointed and feel taken advantage of. In short, Vines Grille sucks, don't go there.
(1)
Jose G.
The service was fantastic. Wine selection is not the best as they did not have a couple of the wines on the wine list we asked for, but our waiter recommended something similar. My rib eye was not the best and frankly he more fat than normal for a rib eye. About a third was fat and I ended up not eating most of the steak. What saved the meal was the service, appetizers and atmosphere. Would go back but maybe not for a steak.
(3)
Tom T.
Excellent service, food and live Jazz - great spot for a date night. Highly recommend the octopus as an appetizer. The scotch selection was varied and offered many choices add to that some top shelf cigars, ahhhh. Would like to see a different dessert selection, it's needs something decadently chocolate.
Vines Grille and Wine Bar is located off Sand Lake Road, in the Plaza with Moonfish and Ruth's Chris. This space is lovely, nice large bar area and spacious dining area with private dining rooms available. Service is top notch, the menu offers plenty to choose from. Service is that of a high end, fine dining restaurant, with several waiters tending to your table throughout your meal. Our recent visit started by enjoying happy hour at the bar, nice menu available and great food and drink specials. Vines lives up to it's name, offering some great by the glass wines from Sparkling to lush or big reds. Wine fans, will not be disappointed. I was steered to the Forefront Pinot Noir, having just enjoyed the Forefront Cabernet at a wine tasting the week prior, I was happy to see it offered. The bartender poured a sample and I happily ordered a glass. Hubby was happy with his Blue moon and we settled in for some Ahi Tuna lettuce wraps and an order of truffle fries. Both were steller. Having noshed at the bar, we we weren't as hungry as we should have been; the dinner menu offers so many amazing choices. We decided on more drinks and the shared Shellfish platter for 2, described as Main Lobster Tail, shrimp cocktail, alaskan king crab legs, oysters on the half shell and clams. ($65). Hubby will not eat raw oysters, so they happily substituted for 2 oysters Rockafeller. Very nice. A nice, warm bread basket was delivered with wonderful crusty Ciabatta-like bread. Served with unsalted butter and a cheesy, bacony butter that my husband loved. Our Shellfish platter arrived in short order, presentation of the chilled seafood was nice and all shells were split for easy eating. Sadly, we did not receive a whole Lobster tail, we received 1/2 a tail. For the $65 price, I would have expected the whole tail, since we received under 4 oz of lobster meat. (Each of us had 2 bites of lobster) The 2 shrimp were huge and I would order again, the Alaskan king crab legs, was 1 leg cut in half and split in half, so not much meat and we were disappointed to find the crab meat overly salty. The oysters Rockafeller were amazingly delish, with plump oysters and a savory spinach topping, the 2 clams were petite, but fine. Since we had snacked heavily at the bar, we were fine with the portion, but it was a less than plentiful shellfish platter. Nice time, we'd order the Oysters Rockafeller appetizer and shrimp cocktail instead of the shellfish platter. The two desserts we would have ordered off the printed menu (an apple dish and a pumpkin cheesecake) were not available on our visit, so we skipped dessert. Too bad. I've enjoyed some lovely meals here over the years and the live jazz is a nice touch. Music played from about 7PM on, in the bar but easily heard throughout the open concept restaurant. Reservations for dinner are recommended, especially Thurs-Sunday, it's a popular anniversary/birthdya/special meal restaurant any night of the week. On our Monday visit, the dining room was pretty full and the bar was packed. I would be sure to call Vines before arriving for happy hour or unscheduled dinner, as we showed up (without calling ahead) at 6PM this past Friday night to find Vines closed for a private function. Nothing had been posted in advance on their Facebook page, Website or emailed. (Which I mentioned to the gentleman outside who was turning other people away.) They did post something on FB later in the evening.
(4)
Benson S.
The wife and I tried this place out recently. Everything was top notch IMO. The wine list is absolutely sick, about 60 pages long, and some insanely excellent choices. We ordered a bottle of Austin Hope Syrah which was excellent. We were in the mood for seafood. Had the grilled octopus for a starter and that was great. Wife had the Chilean Sea Bass and I had the Cioppino, both were very good. Service was good as well. Our only complaint is the bar area is very noisy. You would not think what is primarily advertised as a "Wine Bar" would be packed with loud, rowdy types. I subtracted one star for this, bringing it down to a four star rating. They need to install a wall or divider or something. But that was our only complaint, everything else was just about perfect.
(4)
lisa B.
Did not have a reservation, but we were lucky the hostess found us a table. The food was amazing!! The wait staff could not have been friendlier. Had the sea bass. Best I ever had. Definitely worth the money.
(5)
Mark C.
Tried the summer special Surf N Turf w/ bottle wine ($100) for two this past weekend. Both parties at our table shared the same selections. The halved 8 oz. filet steak portion looked pretty small on the plate. Served with steamed asparagus, looks were deceiving as we all left quite satisfied all the same. The Vines really has steak preparation down. Though I prefer the taste of a NY Strip, their grill is great for any cut. Needless to say, forgo the steak sauce. I had to try it just out of curiosity, and McCormick packaged sauces came to mind on the sampling. Now, I'm not a steak sauce-in' type person anyway - so there is a ton of bias in that opinion! The (halved) 2 lb lobster was succelant and the drawn butter is like the topping on a cupcake. Decadence is allowed in small portions - right? The Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 was a welcome touch to encourage the easy going mood so inspired by the live, easy listening jazz from around their awesome wine cellar. Busy place on Sat. night but we were sat spot-on as reserved. Overall the Vines Grille did another great job at providing value for the charge. We'll be back soon for the happy hour outdoor lounge experience.
(5)
Sienna S.
We are in Orlando at least twice a year, the one place we never fail to visit is Vines. The food is exceptional. The octopus is tender and unforgettably delicious, all their meat is of exceptional quality, not to mention they have an incomparable wine collection. Nice decor, very inviting and comfortable. This place is not to be missed, you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Dana F.
This place was a pretty chill location to spend a Saturday night. It's a steakhouse and restaurant as well, however, my friends and I went in to drink some wine and listen to some live music. First impression, a little bit of a mature crowd - definitely not the "downtown" crowd. Everyone was dressed really nicely and sitting around drinking wine and listening to the live music. I personally loved the music - the band was super talented. However, it was older music... 70's, 80's... jazzy stuff. Think Al Green and Marvin Gaye. LOVED IT. All in all, a nice, chill place to go on a Saturday night.
(4)
Sherri K.
The service was outstanding! The jazz was OK. All covers, which was a bit surprising. I hope this is not the best live music scene Orlando has to offer. But, nice ambiance. Complimentary valet adds a nice touch for date night. The food was good - I don't know if it was worth the incredible pricetag that came along with it, but it was good. I started with the french onion soup, which was just OK. Unfortunately, too much bread, not enough soup, but the cheese top was cooked to perfection. We also enjoyed the steak oscar. The steak itself was cooked almost to order, and the crab was delightful. The asparagus tip atop was a nice touch and also cooked to perfection. We had a side of garlic spinach - it was just OK. The bottle of wine, also just OK. I think had the price point hot been so incredulous, the food may have come across a bit better, but when dropping a couple Benji's on a meal, I believe EVERYTHING should be outstanding...even the soup.
(4)
Jerry M.
Best service and food I've had in Orlando. Love the music too!
(5)
Mary W.
Overpriced, small portioned , everything on menu sold separately. The atmosphere is what you pay for. Great jazz trio playing. The wine list is extensive. They must make their money off tourist. I had the sea bass which was nice. My husband got the steak ordered medium rare, came chargrilled on the outside with too much pepper.
(2)
Rhea P.
Great place to meet friends for a drink and live music for sure! I love the complimentary valet parking, because, let's face it, I'm not always in the mood to look around for parking. Now, I'm not too crazy about the food. The fries were ok, tasted like sea salt and cracked black pepper. The risotto was unfortunately under par; This is especially unacceptable because of the price point of the dishes. Come prepared to spend a little more than average here. Live music is always a plus. Love the soulful juke joint tunes the ensemble played while there--piano jazz and singers. Overall, a great place to meet up with friends with a seemingly good crowd and great music. . . I think I'll eat before I go though.
(3)
Jeffrey P.
Food just okay. Prices are not $$$ but more like $$$$$. Drinks were good and we had a great waitor.
(2)
Charles L.
Excellent! we do miss the old Vines but the new Vines is super. The jazz band and Frank are the best
(5)
Owl B.
This has got to be the largest hidden jewel of Orlando , the produce is "organic" and bought from local farms, the beef is all certified prime angus, every thing is made in house . Holy crap undoubtably one of the best meal I have ever had , I can't say enough good things about my experience at Vines, you all have got to go , you will thank me
(5)
J S.
Don't get me wrong. I liked this place. The food was good, as was the service. I gave it 3 stars, instead of 4, because it's slightly pretentious. This steak and seafood place is in a strip mall in Orlando. The fare is somewhat standard for an upscale seafood and steak place. I had the filet mignon, which was nearly perfect. The middle of the meat was not quite as tasty as I'd like, but the edges were great. The accompanying potatoes were tasty. My fiance's fish (I can't remember which type) was also very good. So, the food is just about worth the price (close to $40 per plate, depending on the dish). The restaurant is in the back, the bar in the front. There is a strange difference in the two. The bar has a small area for live jazz (which is pretty cool), but the hostesses are about 16 years old and the bar servers are 20-something females in very provocative, revealing outfits. The wait staff in the restaurant, on the other hand, were mostly males in their 30s and 40s wearing very conservative uniforms. Whatever. I guess some clients enjoy oogling the barmaids.
(3)
Amy D.
In my oh so short vacation in Orlando recently, I came upon this place not too far from my hotel. I am so glad I found it on the first day of the trip. I did walk in about 3:30 PM, but was told that they didn't open until 4PM. I'm not sure why the door was unlocked if they weren't serving, and what the folks sitting at the bar were doing, but whatever. I came back at 4 and had several wonderful glasses of wine, an OK tomato and mozzarella salad and my date had the sea bass. I found the bass to be a little undercooked, but he loved it. The portion on the fish was enormous, and the bartender did generous pours on the wine. The prices here were more than I expected to see, even for a pseudo-upscale place. I did like the atmosphere, and the band that played Saturday night was good. I would totally suggest this place if you have some extra cash falling out of your bum and like some good wine.
(3)
Nick B.
To start off the food was good, wine selection was nice and the atmosphere was pleasant. However, the experience was quickly ruined by a manager that didn't understand his businesses marketing promotions. I am an avid user of foursquare and was pleased to see a special when you check into the location. "On Thursday, bring two ladies for ladies night and receive a free drink". It happened to be Thursday and there were two ladies dining with me. I happily ordered a martini and went on to order a meal well over $600. But, I was denied the free drink from the foursquare special. The waiter said I would have to print out the coupon...really? Obviously not familiar with the application. I tried to work with the manager and got the same response. Without the foursquare special, it would have been a great meal. But to fail so miserably at a social media application like that, makes me very angry.
(1)
Sara Y.
Wanted a nice "grown-up" restaurant for a mommy/daddy date without the munchkin. Definitely a good choice. We had two waiters tag-teaming and received excellent service from both. Enjoyed the Artisan Cheese Board appetizer and the Braised Beef Short Rib. Everything was great and we walked away absolutely stuffed. The live music started at 8:00pm, just as we were leaving. Very nice venue for a romantic dinner or private party. Definitely not a good choice for kids though.
(4)
Jazmin G.
My husband and I took my mother-in-law to Vines for her birthday. It was a Sunday night and our usual steakhouse is closed on Sundays so we decided to give this place a try. We all ordered the long bone in ribeye, and when they say long bone oh boy is it really long. The bone itself looked like a dinosaur bone with a bit of meat attached at the end. It states 24oz but you really get about 10-12 oz of steak for $68 and the other 12-14oz is nothing but bone. You order a la carte so we also ordered the seasonal veggies which was boiled cabbage, the spinach which was just ok, the bacon mac and cheese this was actually the only thing that was good, the steak looked so juicy when it was served but one cut into the steak and all the juices came flowing out, the steak immediately was dry and meat was tough and hard. If you want a really good steak go to Christner's, I've been going to Christner's for years and they have never got my steak wrong it is the best steak I have ever had I have visited many steakhouses this one is by far the best, Vines on the other hand this $68 steak tasted more like a $20 steak, I don't mind paying $68 for a steak but I expected the steak to be as good or just as good as Christner's, Ruth Chris or Capital Grille. The only reason we went there was because it was a Sunday night and Christner's was closed. The service was good but the food overall was barely just ok. That was my first and last time at Vines. First impressions really are lasting impressions.
(2)
James A.
Excellent top notch culinary experience, raw oysters followed by wagyu steak with parmesan truffle fries and a decadent dessert how can you go wrong?!
(5)
Desiree R.
Came here with family yesterday for happy hour which is from 4p to 7pm daily. We all sat at the bar order drinks and food from their happy hour menu. Food was awesome. Had the cheese platter, kobe sliders, lamb meatballs, and chicken lettuce wraps. They also serve bacon instead of your average peanuts and chips. All very very good. Open feel... lounge area, outside patio...
(4)
Danielle E.
We went for a Saturday night girls dinner on a recommendation from friends. The place was amazing. Great steak and wine, and the music was incredible. It was like being at a concert while being at a great restaurant. The service was also great. A memorable night out!
(5)
Mike L.
Although my visit was more than a year ago, it's always great when you find out that they're playing live music while on your first date. It's also great when the creme brulee is STILL easily the best you've had after all this time. The only time when it's not great is when you realize that it was a really expensive first date. Regardless, it's as good as it gets. The service, especially.
(5)
Elle H.
Stuck between 3.5 & 4 stars. In fairness I have not eaten a full meal here. A former professor from my grad school days called to say he would be in the area for a conference and would I like to catch up over drinks and desert. Absolutely! Did I know a good place? Of course! I had been wanting to try this spot for a couple of months and it was conveniently located between his hotel and our house. The atmosphere was perfect for this kind of outing, unfortunately is is also apparently perfect for folks who like to get "handsy" in public. I've never seen so many 40-60 somethings pawing at each other. It was a bit awkward but we could, usually, ignore it. The service was adequate and not at all intrusive. Our waiter's response to "No, we don't want to hear about the specials, we have only come for desert and drinks" immediately let me know he was just as happy to bring us that as he would be to serve us their most expensive entree. Big relief - some places can get pretty snotty about that! The prices are ridiculously high for many things on the menu. I ordered a glass of a wine I often enjoy at home and paid nearly as much for the glass as I do for the bottle. I'm all for people making some money but that's just offensive. The deserts were bliss and I enjoyed every bite. We were left alone to talk and sip and occasionally make an immature remark about a couple groping each other the next couch over.
(4)
K B.
I will go back for happy hour, not sure about returning for a meal. The food was very good, but the restaurant was very noisy due to the bar and live music. We were celebrating a special occasion and I found it difficult to hear my husband. I had to ask him to repeat himself many times, lean closer, and basically read his lips to understand what he was saying. We felt pressured by the server to order appetizers. I had a late lunch, so wasn't looking for a full three course meal, but the server said three times that I should get something, "Come on, you want something." I basically agreed to the Caesar Salad to get him to leave us alone. A good salad with the chopped egg, but I ate less than half. Dinner was very good, I even ate crab! My husband said the sea bass was the best he has had and offered some to me, but I declined as I was enjoying my filet too much. Since it was a special occasion, dessert was brought to us without asking if we wanted dessert. We had planned on having dessert elsewhere and hadn't planned on getting dessert. We were brought cheesecake and creme brulee, ate less than half of each between the two of us, and then were surprised to see the cost on the bill. ($25). Maybe we are too nice and didn't want to cause difficulty, but I was less than pleased with the "sales pressure" of the service team. Overall, I would return, most likely for happy hour. Not sure if I would return for meal and, if we do, request a table towards the back of the dining room.
(3)
Rommel M.
Great ambiance, live music, wine and service. Thank you Michelle for your attention.
(4)
Steve A.
Orlando's best venue for live jazz, and a good place for a drink. The food is somewhat pricey. I think you're better off with appetizers in the bar than trying to eat in the large, usually sparsely populated dining room.
(4)
Christopher T.
The Vines use to be a cool wine bar that expanded to include a restaurant. They need to get out of the restaurant business. I enjoyed the Worst service and food was not worth the price. We were seated promptly but our waiter neglected us for 20 minutes without taking our drink order. We had to get a bus boy to get the waiter. For appetizers, I ordered the mussels which had two shells open and tasted fishy. I sent them back with a meek apology from the assistant waiter. Two of us received our food at same time while our other friend again had to flag down a busboy to get his dinner. I had the Chilean Sea bass which was cooked unevenly from one end to the other. The lobster Mac-n-cheese was over cooked and had shells in it. No one asked if our meals were good and our waiter spent most of his time at another table (3 times at our table by my count). The manager eventually came over but only offered recommendations for wine. The bill was the only thing we received promptly and then I had to demand they remove the mussels from the bill, again with no apology. The wine selection may be good but there are too many restaurants in Orlando to waste your time here.
(1)
Michelle R.
Absolutely loved it here. The live music is awesome, and not overbearing. I can't wait to come back here and bring more people. The only downside is that this place seems pretty expensive - I'll have to try to food to find out if it's worth it. But the wine selection and atmosphere are pretty spot on.
(5)
G C.
I went to Vines for dinner on (7/2), first time actually eating dinner here. I've been to the bar, I had drinks and Apps when it was in the old location where you felt like you were really crammed into a little spot. This spot is much larger, and it works. I've heard many warn me about the crowd, and how it could ruin an evening, where you're wanting a nice dinner with colleagues or a romantic dinner if that's what you're there for. I would agree that a noisy crowd at the bar could have ruined dinner, luckily it was pretty quite (must be because the 4th is coming up). [Note: I would probably not judge the place differently if it was a little raucous at the bar. But, for those trying to celebrate a special occasion I could see how it would be ruined.] We started at the bar for a little pre-dinner drink, and who can't love a place that replace your standard bar nuts with BACON! Now to the dinner. The reason I'm giving this place 5-stars is the steak. We had the Long Bone Ribeye, I say we because everyone at our table got one. Yeah, it was one of those things where you don't want to be left out... I think we were all VERY happy we did. It was insane! This is a 24oz wet aged Ribeye, and I will say it's one of the best I've had (you can throw steaks from Chicago, NY, Cali, hell Argentina). We shared some sides which were good, nothing amazing, but let's be honest they are sides. I will say the Lobster Mac n' Cheese was great, but I think any high-end steak house would put that quality side out. The service was good, responsive. I read some posts, and someone made comments about their server, I think we had the same guy. Really nice, but if it wasn't a business dinner and I was with my wife, could be too much. To his credit he did a great job walking us through the wines, we knew what we wanted, but he did throw out some good complimentary ideas, which let's be honest it's what you want in a server. I am going back for the steak....
(5)
Jana B.
We enjoyed the atmosphere, wine, conversations with friends. The live music was nice but loud at times even though we sat in opposite corner of the restaurant. What was shocking was the 24oz ribeye bone-in steak. At $68 per steak, you would expect the most flavorful piece of steak ever. What was brought out was a humongous bone that probably weight about 14oz and the remaining meat was slightly burned, too thin of a cut and medium well instead of medium rare. After returning the steak as overcooked, a new less burned and actually medium rare was delivered in about 5 minutes. It was still very small for $68 and with lots of fat so it contained perhaps 8 oz of meat you would eat. Flavor OK but I expected much more for the money. We may be going back in the future but not getting a ribeye here ever again!
(3)
William L.
Great food, but they canceled my Open Table reservation after I showed up and honored my reservation, denying me my dining points. Not happy about that.
(1)
Patrick W.
I cannot compliment this place enough. My wife and I always visit Vines to celebrate her birthday. We're both vegetarians and with an early request the chef kindly whips us up an imaginative entree. This year he even came out to explain his creation to us and wish my wife a happy birthday in person. So the service is incredible, spot on, appropriately attentive and professional. The food, heavenly. Hands down the best dishes I've ever had in my life. Plus an unbeatable wine list, famous live jazz music and on and on. Go to Vines. It's the best.
(5)
Jillian S.
This upscale restaurant and wine bar is nestled in a highly penetrated restaurant area of Orlando - yet it stands out on its own. The combination of wine varietals (Freakshow Blended Reds being my favorite), tapas with elegant presentation, and the modern decor is what lures you in to sit down at the wrap around bar. (Which should be extended in my opinion) This place would be perfect for any occasion, but I think it's the ideal place to unwind with colleagues for an after-work cocktail. You will find a crowd of business professionals, couples, and friends enjoying drinks, dinner, and live music in a trendy yet mature environment. I've been here on several occasions and highly recommend this place.
(4)
K R.
Manager is total ....... Don't waste your money- most unprofessional place--- handles a problem with - woohoo!! NEVER again!!!!!!!
(1)
Archna H.
Terrible terrible service and mediocre food. We arrived on a Monday night and it was packed so we opted to wait at the bar. They brought drinks for 5 of us and we had to wait 45mins to get the 6th drink (simple martini). Autumn our waitress left a martini glass with 3 olives sitting there for the longest time. Never smiled once. They were out of 2 entrees at 7:30pm! Food was cold and steak was over done. Nasty! Service could have made the experience nicer but it seemed like we were such an inconvenience. For the price they charge, it was ridiculous. Don't go there, you will regret the experience.
(1)
Brad L.
One of the best steaks I've ever had! A little noisy, cascading over from the bar but I will be back.
(4)
Candace R.
After getting into Orlando for a business trip, we came here for dinner. The band was playing and there was a crowd inside, but we were quickly seated. For appetizers, we had fried calamari which was very good, especially with the lemon-caper aioli. I was torn between ordering chicken or steak, but decided to get the 8oz filet mignon with a side of mashed potatoes. The size of their sides are shareable, which I learned after getting a HUGE plate of potatoes, but they were very good. And the filet mignon was one of the best I have ever had. We washed everything down with a bottle of red wine, and had a nice dinner. My only squabble is that the band, while very awesome, was super loud, which made conversation a little hard in the dining room.
(4)
Rachel L.
We came for Happy Hour. The happy hour menu seemed scaled down from the one online. Our menu that was presented to us was sticky and had hair stuck on it. Every page was stuck together. Not a good first impression. The waitress even pointed it out to us that it was sticky when she handed it to us, yet did nothing to fix it. We got the cheese platter, sliders and the ceviche. The ceviche was kind of bland, and I didn't think the chips that were served with it were a good accompaniment. My husband loved the sliders, and the cheese platter was awesome. Live Jazz starts right at 7 when happy hour ends. So order up before then if you would like to stay for music. I would come back for the cheese platter and jazz.
(3)
JOHN C.
While in Orlando for a convention, this place was recommended to me by a local couple we met at the Wine Room in Winter park. Being someone who eats steak only sporadically and on special occasions, I went to Vines with the intention of splurging on a good steak and some wine. Instead, I left the restaurant very let down and hungry! Upon entering the restaurant, my dining partner and I quickly determined that the front part of the place was way to loud so we asked to be seated in the main dining room away from the noise. Once seated, we looked over the menu and liked what we saw...they even had Wagu beef on offer (more on that later). We ordered an appetizer of fried calamari (very good), and a bottle of Rioja wine. The calamari came, but we were informed that they were out of the Rioja. "No probs" said we and ordered another bottle which came promptly and was delicious! By this time we had settled on our dinner choices. My companion ordered the Chilean Sea Bass a
(2)
Roger P.
We went for dinner on New Year's Eve. For $125+ per person, the experience was, at best, mediocre. The menu lacked imagination or originality, the food was just okay and the service was slow. What ruined the entire experience was the incredibly rude treatment by the person in charge of Valet. All in all, there are many places in Orlando where you'll get a far better experience for far less money.
(2)
tr y.
Chicago steak house in florida! Bacon cones? this place crushes all steak houses, is it expensive? Yeah! It is retarded expensive, but worth every cent. Great seafood/ great beef.... Del fresco's of Orlando.......Great Live music since inception, bacon cones as apetizers in the bar...ground breaking and the hottest wait staff in orlando. These chicks are stone cold foxes! go here if you have the cash.
(5)
Lynda F.
Ahhh romance. Who doesn't like a romantic date night? With surprising outside ambiance, very generously poured drinks, great food and entertainment, Vines certainly delivered. Arriving on a week night during happy hour we headed to a table in the bar but noticed there was an outside seating area. Vines is located on Sand Lake in the Dr Philips restaurant mecca so I wouldn't have thought an outside area would be that great. Well someone knows what they are doing when they created this little oasis. The laid back couch settings and tastefully arranged plants and fountains do not allow you to think you are sitting between buildings in a parking lot. Nicely done! Our server came out and what a joy. She was friendly and perfect at pacing our food and drink orders. I asked for a dirty martini and it was a very friendly pour! No seconds for me! Our happy hour food choices were truffle fries (two orders since they are too good to share even on a date night), one order of kebabs, mini Kobe cheeseburgers and an order of ceviche. Besides the fries, the Kobe cheeseburgers would be my choice next visit. The kebabs and ceviche were good but the burgers were better. As we sat enjoying our food and the ambiance I eventually noticed the live jazz had started. I was pleasantly surprised that sitting outside the volume was not too loud so we could still talk. After a while a gentleman came walking out, looked around and stopped to ask how we were enjoying our evening. We mentioned we were very much enjoying ourselves and the ambiance and also that we were celebrating our anniversary. He congratulated us and told our server to bring us a drink on Vines. What a nice gesture! I chose a pear brandy which I had never tried before. When I first inhaled this liquid it was like smelling a freshly sliced pear - awesome! It wasn't as sweet as I was expecting but a very good "slow sipping" libation. Thank you vines for providing an awesome evening! We very much appreciate the awesome service, very tasty menu and ambiance. You are definitely on our list of "date night" choices.
(5)
Chad W.
Delicious. One word of warning though...this place is not three $$$. It's definitely 4 $$$$...we spent $350+ tip for 5 people, for 2 apps, 5 entrees, 3 desserts, 6 beers & 2 sides. Service was excellent, and everyone really enjoyed their meal. For appetizers we had oysters Rockefeller & grilled octopus. The grilled octopus was extremely tender, more than I've ever had elsewhere. Everyone seemed to really enjoy their entrees, too. I'd recommend the CAB petite filet as one of the best deals on the menu, judging from the meals that we ordered. Apparently they have 650+ wines, and still a generous amount by the glass, although not nearly as many. Finally, looks like happy hour is the thing to do here...seems like a real bargain for happy hour.
(4)
Jimmy P.
Bacon as a bar snack is revolutionary. The food was awesome, but way over priced for what it is. The servers (both of them) work as a team and it made our service horrible. Instead of assigning one server to each of the TWO parties dining in the restaurant at the time, they both waited on us simultaneously. They wouldn't communicate with each other so we never got what we asked for. Go for drinks but when it comes to dinner there are great restaurants with actual service across the street.
(2)
Krista H.
Stumbled over here after Moonfish next door was apparently closed at 7 pm on Fathers Day. First off, thank you for closing on us Moonfish! The interior is absolutely gorgeous. A beautiful dark wood ceiling high bar, white linen covered tables, and candlelit ambiance. We were sat immediately by a gracious host and had two servers say they were helping us for the evening. The main server was Alex and he had a great personality, not pushy and was very knowledgable and helpful. We ordered a 2009 bottle of Pahlmeyer, which I noticed they brought out a 2010. I didn't say anything but definitely took note. For appetizers we ordered the caviar and beef carpaccio. It took about 30 minutes for the caviar to come out, then another 20 for the carpaccio. Unusually slow for appetizers, but we weren't in a rush. For dinner I ordered the Cioppiono, while my friend ordered the Chilean sea bass that came with lobster risotto. We are more seafood people and Alex let us know we made the best choices. I will say the steaks are a la carte and $40+, and the sides are $15+, but they use only prime beef. Alex also let me know the Cioppino was more of a fork and knife take, and not stew. It was the tastiest I had ever had. It came with half of a huge lobster tail, about 6 clams, shrimp, and fish. My friends Chilean sea bass was cooked perfectly and the lobster risotto was the best I'd ever had. My only qualms were the wine being different than advertised and the service being a little slow. It took us almost 3 hours for dinner, but I enjoyed every minute. Dinner without tip did come to almost $500 for the two of us, so be prepared. The jazz band was also wonderful that night! Will absolutely be back the next time I'm in Orlando and will not be going back to Moonfish.
(4)
Benjamin B.
Excellent food, excellent service, excellent wine. I would have a lot of trouble trying to come up with negative points about this restaurant. Our server Jay was excellent at what he did. He recommended some fine Pinot Noirs, he described every special and every plate with enthusiasm and expert knowledge. Having dined at many fine establishments in Los Angeles, I felt right at home in Vine's as the service was second to none. I had the wagyu filet mignon, it was juicy, tender, and mouth watering. It required no sauces or special seasoning, it was just a wonderful piece of beef cooked to perfection. If I ever find myself in Orlando again, you can bet I'd choose this place over the neighboring Ruth Chris any day.
(5)
Zulma G.
Great place to listen to some great jazz music and enjoy a glass of vine. I always have a great time here, menu is a bit pricey but live music is great and usually a cool vibe.
(4)
Tommy ..
I've always had a nice time here, menu is a bit pricey but what do you expect? Live music is great and usually a cool vibe.
(4)
Wendy V.
Ruined what was to be a special night, twice. My first time here five years ago was actually very good. But when I returned with family after suggesting it to celebrate my mother's engagement, I ended up being embarrassed for recommending it so highly. Its a small space so if you're seated near the front, the live band is deafening and makes conversation difficult. The food was average and overpriced considering the quality. You would think that a little more effort would be put into ensuring the finest experience for a party of twelve that ended up spending over $400. Regrettably, I made the mistake of returning a third time with my significant other for a surprise birthday dinner and that was the most disappointed I have ever been. Upon seeing us (two women), they "delayed" our reservation, then sat us in a corner after making us wait 25 minutes beyond our reservation time. Our server was inattentive and distracted, the food was miscooked, and I actually felt as if they were trying to hurry us along to finish quickly and leave. I draw the line at blatant discrimination and will not be giving Vines another cent or chance.
(2)
Kevin D.
When you say it is all about the service, it is all about the service. I am willing to overlook high prices (WAY TOO high in my opinion) for great food and great service. Our server was overbearing and frankly insulting. I felt like I was being attacked by someone in the Bronx (nothing wrong with the Bronx!) Titles like, "Hey, boss" and phrases used like "Just doing my check in" (five plus times) and then insulting my vegetarian wife with comments about goose liver...not cool. Adapt to your customers. It was the service that frankly left a bad taste in our mouths for the entire evening. Don't waste your time at this tourist spot. Not worth it. Ask locals where they go, much better choices out there. I am willing to pay high prices for great food and great service. I am not willing to pay high prices to be insulted and treated like an idiot.
(2)
Rajiv B.
I went here with my cousin on the way out to one of the bars at the Amway Center and it was a classy place to be. After we gave the car to the valet and started to walk through the patio, you can get a sense of the place. The outdoor seating had groups of people dressed nicely laughing and joking among themselves. When we walked in there were everything from couples, to small groups, and a few people, seemingly regulars, who were hugging the bar by themselves. The dark interior gave it a cozy feel as a live jazz band played in the background. The wait staff was quick to get your order, attentive as they talked to patrons, and were a great mix of classy and attractive. If you're going on a date and are willing to shell over some cash for a casually-impressive night, this would be a great place to go.
(4)
Jay H.
I love this place the service was incredibly and quality of the vines selection the have is Incredible. I had the Salmon entry for dinner witch is the best I ever had! planing on going there soon again
(5)
Kelcey M.
I was looking for an upscale restaurant to host a client dinner for a group of 12. After a good amount of research I decided on Vines. We were very happy with our choice! Yes you are going to spend a pretty penny on your meal but in my opinion it was worth it. Great service, excellent food, perfect pacing. We ordered apps and my favorite was the crab cake - we also had the calamari (meh) and the shrimp cocktail (3 ENORMOUS shrimp). For my entree I had the Sea Bass with Lobster Risotto. The Sea Bass was perfectly done and delicious! The portion size was huge so I brought half home. Most of the party ordered steak and were very pleased - one steak did come out overdone and was sent back our Waiter apologized profusely and insisted on buying a drink for the person while they prepared a new steak (that is the correct way to offer great customer service:) ). Favorite side item (family style) seemed to be the potatoes. We also had dessert but by that time i was so full the only thing I tried was the chocolate dessert which was tasty and rich. They have live music but we were in the back corner so really didn't see much of it but from what I saw on the walkout they were excellent. Definitely a see and be seen vibe at the bar. Ambiance is warm with brick and wood decor. If you are entertaining clients, celebrating a special occasion or looking for a bar to grab a drink at I would definitely point you to Vines. Well done!!
(5)
Dawn M.
Ruth's Chris and Moonfish were both packed and we stumbled upon this amazing place! Absolutely awesome. First, the service (James & Alex!!!) was definitely high class. The wine selection excellent and the servers knew the wine list well. And then the food, it was, as James had assured us, physically and emotionally satisfying. The Sea Bass was excellent and the steak cooked to perfection. There was live music but it didn't interfere with conversation in the dining room. Don't miss this gem!
(5)
Debbie H.
Visiting for the first time, my husband and I wanted to find a fun spot for dinner and good music. This place did not disappoint! The food was awesome and the entire staff was very accommodating, polite and attentive (but not overly so). We ended up staying way later than we planned because the bands were so good. We really had a great time and will definitely be back the next time we are in Orlando.
(5)
Landon H.
Great food wine mingle place. Surf and turf was great. Filet mignon, asparagus and crab legs with entire bottle of wine for $99! All of them were delicious. The live music is a great bonus.
(5)
David W.
Pretty mediocre steak and awful Ceaser Salad, way over dressed and bland
(2)
David M.
Good food can be part of a great experience if the service is great. Great food can be part of a horrible experience if the service is poor. Vines offers the best service that I have experienced in Orlando and that is a good thing because the food is only good to, perhaps, a little better than good. My wife and I visited Vines last week for our anniversary. We went on a Tuesday night and were surprised by the crowd. If the economy is not picking up, there were a large number of people eating at Vines with a degree of explaining to do! Vines, as others have noted, is not a cheap meal. But it is a fun place to visit. Our server was friendly, entertaining and attentive, without being pushing or offensive. We immediately liked him and appreciated both his candor in as he advised us about the menu. As we did not want to rush through our meal, we started with a cheese platter. The platter was attractively arranged with three artisanal cheeses, the freshest of fruits, real honeycomb (a wonderful touch!), grilled bread and . . . . crackers out of a box. The crackers were starkly contrasted to everything else and really cheapened the experience. Vines should just offer its rather excellent house bread to go along with the cheese and fruit. The cheese was good but not remarkable--several steps below the cheeses that I have had of late at the Wine and Cheese Gallery in Gainesville. I also ordered a Caesar Salad. The Romaine was fresh but the dressing was uninspired. Nothing remarkable, to say the least. Our entrees were a bit of a mixed bag. My wife ordered chicken and found that her enjoyment would have been enhanced had it been served on a platter instead of in a bowl. Cutting the quarter chicken was not easy and, removing the skin nearly impossible. The flavor was good but nothing special. I enjoyed my Tuna, served rare. Fresh tuna, perfectly seared is difficult to beat. The macadamia nut & pineapple risotto with which it was paired managed to do just that. If I have ever enjoyed a risotto as much, it was in another life because I know that I have not experienced such a flavorful risotto in this life. My wife persuaded me to order dessert. She: A chocolate torte. Me: Creme Brulee. I was very happy with my creme brulee. My wife much less so with her torte. I tried the torte and found it lacked a discernible flavor but my creme brulee was above average. On the whole, our meals offered a mixed bag but our server ensured that our dining experience was both delightful and memorable. Vines needs to give its staff a raise in pay because at least in the case of this review, the staff saved a star!
(4)
Forza M.
This place is full of itself. I called ahead to make sure they were still serving dinner. I also asked if I needed a reservation because it was quite late. The answers were yes and no. But, after we arrived, the guy who I assume was the owner was very rude and dismissed us as if we didn't belong there.
(1)
Bobby P.
Great all around spot. Sinatra Saturday's is Vines at it's best.
(4)
Billy L.
Excellent service and a wonderful filet
(5)
Amy G.
Great place for wine lovers. I try to hit this place for dinner every time my job brings me to Orlando. Food is yummy. Wait staff is great!! AND live jazz!!!
(4)
Chad P.
We were staying in a hotel in the area and found this restaurant through the concierge. Overall the food, atmosphere and wine list were fantastic. We were utterly disappointed by our waiter who did not seem to know anything about the wines on the list but assured us that he had tasted most of them. Many of his suggestions were taking into account his own wine tastes as opposed to our own. We had already had many of the wines on the list. Despite providing our likes and dislikes both in terms of flavors and particular wines, he continually pushed us into wines that we not only knew we would not like but also have tried and did not like. Considering the variety of wines on the wine list, a sommelier should be on staff.
(3)
Mari T.
The best thing about this place was the service. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly. HUGE wine list - thankfully our waiter helped to sort that out, but more than I've seen in a long time and the wines were beautifully set up for display. However, the food was unimpressive. For the prices, I expected more, unfortunately we received par. The most delicious part of the meal were the scallops for appetizer, beautiful cooked and paired well with the mushrooms. The Argentinian steak with chimichurri - the steak was cooked well enough but sliced thin and the chimichurri was no more than oil with not enough herbs. My sea bass though cooked well, was boring in flavor. Had to try the mac and cheese - and opted for the bacon mac and cheese, but much too salty. Sat next to a group of businessmen, who mostly each ordered steaks which come without any sides. It was humorous to see their faces when they saw the steak sitting lonely next to a whole tomato as garnish - needless to say everyones' tomato remained untouched. The sides did look delicious though. I may give this place another try, but maybe for a happy hour next time.
(3)
S F.
Dear hiring manager: you have the most discerning taste when it comes to hiring the bar staff. this is your typical upscale-ish Oralndo steak and seafood place. same general food as shulas or charleys but not as pricey and without the pressure to order more than you need. also has a really well stocked bar. they do steaks well. the bone in rib eye was an awe induing size a la Fred Flintstone sized portion. my oversees colleagues were horrified and amazed that i would tackle the side of cow. seafood was above average but i wont choose it over the steak. creamed spinach is a must. i definitely recommend NOT making a reservation so you have time to sit in the bar and enjoy the atmosphere.
(4)
Ted E.
Great atmosphere. Mainly a steak house but the fish dishes are also very good. Excellent wine list - though we were able to BYO. Service extremely attentive - wine service was A+. Nice stems and our server decanted our wine without our requesting. Recommend this if you can tolerate the traffic along this stretch of road which had a ton of restaurants. Thanks Kimberly (the GM) for chatting with us.
(4)
D S.
Not reviewing anything other than the ambiance and a vodka/soda/lime... but they both get 5 stars! Went here to listen to the band, Groove Therapy, they play Friday & Saturday nights starting at 11 and rock the house with funk, R&B, dance and blues hits from earlier eras. When I walked in, a little after 11, the place was packed, and the band was playing. Seemed like a great group of people and age range looked to be late 20's on up. Our waitress, Jamie, was a perfect hostess and made sure we were settled in and had a beverage ordered within just a few moments of sitting at a table. They have very large beverage menu, but a very small food menu. From what I recall there were a few flat bread pizzas, a charcuterie plate, some fried stuff... This is a place I would definitely recommend going to for a date or just to hang out with friends. Loved the laid back atmosphere and the chance to hear some incredible live music!
(5)
Jackie P.
There was so much good stuff on the menu I didn't even know where to start. And that was only the wine menu. I wanted to do a flight of wine but found out that this particular wine bar does NOT do flights. This seemed odd to me but our waiter was ever so glad they didn't do flights. So instead I settled for a bottle of my new favorite wine - Conundrum. When I looked at the food menu I was just as perplexed. But then I spotted their truffle lobster mac and cheese. I was hoping it was as good as Blue 13's truffle mac and cheese. I was disappointed. I guess I should have known not to try but I did anyway. The scallops were divine and the bread and different butter they set out was just as good to. I just couldn't get over the truffle mac and cheese not being so good. Sad really. Service was impeccable even though we had 3-4 different people waiting on us at one time. It was a guessing game as to who would show up next. Do it if you're in Orlando.
Everything at this restaurant was great. The ambiance, the service, the wine list, we had a great time. I brought a date and we enjoyed everything. My only criticism would be the food. The menu was very appealing and the execution with the food was perfect. The only problem was that everything was under seasoned in my opinion. I'm a self proclaimed foodie and someone who stems from a culinary background. I had the seabass which was cooked perfectly (but bland)and my date had a mushroom pasta. The mushroom pasta was very unimpressive, under seasoned and had an awkward sweetness that I wouldn't expect from a dish like that. The presentation was nothing impressive and it had large stems of mushrooms throughout. Don't get me wrong, we had a great time here as they had excellent live entertainment from a Sinatra singer and loved the atmosphere. Just thought the food was a bit of a let down, especially for the price.
(3)
Paul H.
Whenever I go to Orlando (which is every year) I always make it a point to go to Vines. The wine and food selection is excellent and service on point. I had the Kobe beef burger which I highly recommend, it melts in your mouth. It is on pricey side but the food and service are worth it.
(4)
Jonathan S.
I stopped here for dinner while in Orlando for a conference. We actually arrived with two coupons for free glasses of wine (obtained from one of the tourist bureau offices near our hotel), which we took advantage of. The wine was quite good, and the wine-list overall was impressive. They seemed to feature a great cross-section of worldwide wine offerings (although at quite elevated prices). I tried the mushroom tagliatelle , which was rich but had lots of mushroom flavor packed into the pasta, along with assorted wild mushrooms sprinkled throughout. My dining companions both had the Kobe beef cheeseburger (see: double bypass special). That massive chunk of meat (it looked to be about 14 oz or so) came topped with cheddar, thickly sliced bacon, truffle aioli and optional foie-gras. It was accompanied by truffle-oil-drizzled french fries (in a heap). The sheer amount of food and quality of the beef (which I got the chance to sample) would seem to warrant the $25 price tag on the burger, but I'm hesitant to give praise to the practice of melting cheddar cheese and slathering mayonnaise onto Kobe beef. Heathens. The quality of the food and service was very good. I'm not sure if the prices are Orlando standard or not, but this place is quite expensive. You'd find similar prices in the old lobbyist hangouts in DC, but typically they are jacket-only sorts of affairs. While I know that Orlando, particularly in this area is a big tourist destination, the prices still seemed somewhat exploitative (thus the star deduction).
(3)
Wendy m.
One of the best happy hours in town. 7 days a week 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. 50% off all appetizers, 50% off all wines by the glass, $6 martinis. The kobe beef sliders are awesome and a must try. The popcorn shrimp and the flat breads are also tasty. I have never been to Vines other then for happy hour so i cant write about there entrees. The martinis are very good and they have some unique options making it hard to choose. I cant forget the great atmosphere offered here. Nice high tops by the bar and at 7 they usually have a piano or jazz player.
(4)
D K.
It seems that the neutral reviews all stem from the pricing and crowd at this restaurant... It's unfortunate, because the food is actually quite good. They're not "trying" fine dining, they *are* fine dining. Is that enough justification for the prices? Well, it depends on your point of view, what you order, and on how much you drink. I used to make it out there at least twice a year for a night of romance with the missus, if you will, and whenever my grandmother visited we took her there too, as she enjoyed the jazz. For a while I often dropped by for a drink on my way home (~$7 for scotch, typical price you find anywhere). But this hasn't been the case for the past year... So for the uninitiated, the establishment needs further explanation: You see, Vines used to be located a few suites over (still in the same complex) in a much smaller, intimate, and accommodating space. The band played at the front, and you could find privacy dining in the back. One of the reasons why I always came back was because the waiters were the absolute best in Orlando. As another reviewer said they are in their 30s, perhaps older. That's a good sign, especially as it appears that they hold on to their jobs (I first went there in 2005). This means they take it as a profession, not a job, as of course, all waiters should! The other reason why I returned, of course, was the food. I always preferred the starters to main courses, mainly because we could share it and get more variety. We often ordered the grilled octopus, the seafood harvest for four (it was $99 but it does feed four, includes lobster, shrimp, squid, scallops, and crab cakes). The lobster bisque is definitely worth it. If you eat out often you will notice that very rarely is lobster bisque not out of a can, even at upscale establishments. Vines is one of the rare ones. All in all, my suggestion is this: order starters and you will be surprised at how much less you will spend. As for the main courses, the kurobuta is good, as are the beef ribs and the risotto. I never tried the other steaks, to me it's a waste of money to order steak when I can get churrasco down the street (and churrasco is the best!), though I am tempted to try the wagyu and the burger which was added to the menu after the move. As for the crowd, well, it's Sand Lake. They're not tourists, they're locals. The wine happy hour attracts more patrons than before. It's a high income area. There's nothing wrong with having money. Orlando isn't as pretentious as Miami, but it's getting there (I hope it never does). Those of you from L.A. should not be phased at all, as you live with it on a daily basis. It doesn't bother me, to be honest. It can be annoying when it gets too loud, though I haven't had a chance to experience the new dining area. I've only been back twice since the move and I give it four stars because I wasn't too keen on the new bar menu (at least later in the evening) and I liked the older location better. It seems as though they lost some of their charm in the transition. The ogling already mentioned by another reviewer is also a factor, though the great waiters are still there. Just stick to the dining area, be prepared to spend a lot of money and give it a chance.
(4)
Scott W.
A Blast!. One of the few places you can get steak tartare. Sit at the bar and let TNT (Tiffany N Travis) take care of you. Great jazz music and superb service. It is definitely a place to go, meet real people, have great food, and enjoy an evening. Two specialities not to be missed: fried capers (not on the menu but Tiff will hook you up) and Travis' excellent libation called Gentleman prefer Ginger. It is an very refreshing martini.
(4)
Hiromi N.
Hmmm....When I asked the Marriott World Center concierge for recommendations for an up-scale restaurant that was good for business colleages, she recommended The Vines Grille. I trusted her opinion. First off, I want to clarify that I grew up in the South, I'm not a native Californian (so, don't bash me for my foodie-type review). In fact, I lived in Orlando during my Disney CP days and admittedly thought TGI Friday's was UP-SCALE back then. Comparing TGI Fridays and this resto, well, I think that THIS restaurant (Vines Grille & Wine Bar) is an adequate attempt at "Upscale and Contemporary". The wine menu was good and the food was filling, to say the very least. In fact, my colleagues and I left there feeling more than full, I'd say BLOATED. The food was good, southern type of fixins and the steak that I ordered there is better than ANYTHING that I can get in San Fran. Although the food was great and the jazz band playing were stellar, I was left feeling like I'd been invited to some frat party. There was a group of ladies whooping and yelling and it felt more like a pick up bar at the front of the restaurant than a "fine dining" experience. 3 people, 2 bottles of wine, 3 apps, 3 main courses and 2 desserts = $340 (including gratuity)
(3)
Gigi G.
I absolutely love this place for cocktails and music. The only place I go to listen to smooth jazz and blues and to sip sweet liquors on a Saturday night. Love the new outside patio. Has plenty of seating both indoors and outside. Very cool, romantic spot to visit with your significant other. The music and ambiance makes you feel cool and trendy but with a romantic twist.
(4)
Stephany R.
Great ambiance and incredible food. I tried the butter lemon salmon with potatoes, and it was out of this world. It is the best salmon I have tasted. My boyfriend tried the steak, and it was delicious too. However, the star of the night was my salmon. Order it with some wine and enjoy the great music, you'll thank me.
(5)
C X.
3.5 stars overall 4 stars food 3 stars service We had dinner for a party of 6 here several days ago. Extensive and deep wine list, attractive room with very complimentary lighting. There was live music when we were there, it was not obtrusive. My foie gras appetizer was excellent ( I would give it 5 stars), and steak cooked exactly as I requested it, medium rare and charred. Our dinner lasted 3 1/2 hours.....many many bottles of wine....the untimely manner of the the output of the kitchen left something to be desired but our waiter was very personable and gracious. I have read other reviews of Vine and it seems many people complain that it is located in a 'strip mall'. Its not a strip mall with a Wal Mart or like in it....and...Seems like everything in Orlando is in a strip mall of sorts.... That's like saying you don't like a restaurant in Manhattan because its located on the ground floor of a office / high rise building.... Very glad we choose to dine here (it was recommended by the concierge at the Marriott World Center)
(4)
Fredy Y.
I've been wanting to come to Vines since forever, making almost minimum wage and without having to empty the bank account has preventing me from checking the place out. The culinary gods must have heard me cause my aunt send me $20 for my birthday and it happens to be the month of magical dining where you can get 3 courses for $30. So I made a reservation, dusted the funeral shoes and went off. The prefix menu had choice of the fire grilled, scallops, soup or salad, I went for the eight legged mollusk to gage the talent of the chefs; Octopus happens to be one of those items that it's has to be meaty yet tender and not chewy and fibrous so tenderizing is crucial when preparing. The grill cook hit it out of the park my tongue almost had an umami orgasm, shave red onions, fennel, capers, Greek olive oil, lemon juice I asked for extra bread to mop the plate clean. Next was the bacon wrapped twin wrapped tenderloins cooked medium rare with enough resting time so the succulent juices were apparent with every bite I had to catch my breath. a sweet creme brule followed ending a savory meal. This could have been my first 4 star review but I can't afford it, got tap water instead of wine although after the meal I stopped at the CVS for a reasonable priced bottle of Australian pinot to enjoy at home suddenly I had forgotten about the A hole that's representing my district in congress. Vines rating it's a solid 3 and a half stars definitely superior for special occasions or when that scratch off ticket investment pays dividends.
(3)
JEWELe M.
I believe this was the 3rd time I came here and once again I enjoyed my time here. I've eaten at the restaurant part before, but personally did not enjoy it since the Nawlin's type menu could not compare to the actual meals I enjoyed living in the Big Easy! This time we sat up front and enjoyed Happy Hour wine and appetizers. I totally recommend the duck flatbread and the bruchetta. The Moscata was bubbly delicious for me and my group enjoyed their wines as well. The waitress was good at suggestions, but horrible in service. But I will come back because I liked the half-off wine list before 7pm! ;)
(4)
Bettina T.
Beautiful place. Upscale, high-end and fabulous! I came here for a meeting and ended up staying for about 5 hours hanging out afterwards. The ambiance was great and I really enjoyed the entertainment. I didn't have dinner here but I did try to escargo dish which was yummy and their famous imported bread which was out of this world delicous! The service was great everyone was lively and very accomodating.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : Yes Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Kent R.
Had friends in from Ecuador and promised them Fine dining and music. Where else to go but Vines Grille And Wine Bar. We had our 3 children in tow ages 6-9, so it was a challenge to make the evenings dining experience a great one.....but due to the attentiveness of the staff, my kids were entertained for 2 hours...Jazz band helped too. Started out with Calamari,Oysters Rokefeller and Caviar.....All three items were delicious and were paired with Rose Champagne. Perfecto! Dinner for my wife was Sea Bass, cooked to its flaky moist white perfection with just the right seasonings to allow the taste of the rich fish to show Other 3 mains dishes were the Ribeyes Pittsburgh with Horseradish sauce. Very healthy portion of a nicely marbled cut of meat cooked medium rare.....Our Ecuadorian guests commented "that's the best steak I have ever eaten"....Our waiter James paired the steaks with a very nice Red wine, Nickel Nickel I believe, and it was spot on. To really gain some brownie points with my wife, we ordered 2 portions of the foie Gras....Heaven in our mouths. Our favorite Restaurant in Orlando....hands down. Thank you Team Vines....another outstanding experience See you soon
(5)Devin J.
This place is fantastic. Had to try it once again when I came back into town. It's even better than before! It has a mature (28-45) but not overly old crowd. Fantastic happy hour with a polite and friendly staff. The live music is definitely a plus. Not too loud and talented the night I was there. Erin in the lounge was a complete sweetheart!! She was friendly without being pushy and overbearing. Only reason this is not 5 stars is that the sliders were burnt but they still had a good flavor. I will DEFINITELY be back!!
(4)Andrew J.
I tried a few times to go here but I can never find parking. They try and bully you into valet and I feel I should be able to park without having pay a tip to some kid not to scratch my car
(1)Barb K.
I was underwhelmed. The room is very nice, the decor is updated. The hostess was very young and dismissive, didn't make us feel welcome at all. We had two adults for dinner. Their wine list is extensive and good. We started with the bread and butter (to die for!) followed by the grilled octopus (it was tender but not grilled, tasted like it just came out of a can, very disappointing). We ordered lamb rack (it was tender and tasty, the sides were cold) and the Ossobucco (absolutely perfect!). For dessert we had the creme brulee and that was also good. The presentation of every dish was immaculate and the service very good. The menu is absolutely over priced. The live music is what keeps this place going. Without it, I would have not paid $150 for a dinner for two.
(3)Jullie C.
Went here for the first time and the first thing that bothered me was the attitude of the hostess. Very rude and one of the employees almost ran into me because she was on her phone and not looking forward and didn't even apologize. The staff seems very snooty. I only went in for drinks and dessert. The cocktails are amazing! Had basil watermelon cooler and it was delicious. As for the dessert, its pretty standard, nothing amazing. They could really work on their service.
(3)Jason B.
Had our anniversary dinner here and was very impressed. The live jazz made the night.
(5)Michelle B.
Basil Watermelon Cooler, best drink ever. The live music is great if you like and appreciate a good jazz singer. Definitely a mixed but nice mature crowd in the middle of restaurant row. Waitress needed to take some kind of customer service refresher. We asked her what a dish was at the table next to us bc it looked really good. She said "Oh that's off our other menu and walked away" Uhh ok, how about asking if we'd like to see that menu. Lol.
(4)Kristie P.
Happy hours is GREAT. The food is awesome. i wish the drink selection was better for happy hour. I will continue to go there :)
(4)Derek C.
Had a fantastic time, Don was incredibly helpful! We will definitely come back!! Best wine list in Orlando!!!
(5)Jennifer B.
Great food, great service, and great music. Had one of the most enjoyable date night with my husband here. Perfectly cooked and seasoned NT Strip for my husband and Sea Bass for me. Loved every moment.
(5)Chuck K.
Came for a work event, 10 people in our group, waiter said the steaks were the best around. Six people in our group ordered steaks and only one came out cooked right. One steak they missed two times on. How tough is medium rare?
(2)Trevor D.
The best place to eat in town. Ask for Phil he has great suggestions. He was able to pair a wine for any entree.
(5)Lisa G.
Great wine great atmosphere. The place is in a perfect location and the staff is amazing.
(5)Sharon W.
We all have our favorite places to frequent for happy hour, and Vines Grille and Wine Bar happens to be at the top of my list. But what makes this place stand out? The great assortment of wine choices by the glass and apps are pretty much a no brainer, but it's the jazz music that starts after 7p that really makes this place fun. The older gentleman that sings is just full of life and soul, and really brings smiles to everyone's face as he walks throughout the bar to sing to every group that's there. I love the atmosphere inside. Nice and chill, and the crowd slowly grows into the night, easing you into your weekend. The patio outside is quite lovely. Couches, tables, plants, dim lighting, all come together to create that warm and inviting atmosphere of friendly gathering.
(4)Stephanie H.
Oh Vines. You could be so much that is good in Orlando, but you cop out in some key areas! My girlfriend and I went on Thursday evening, which is apparently the big night to go out around there. The promo girls were in full effect, passing out shots of whiskey to everyone at the bar - and there was indeed a crowd, though I have to say, it was mostly 50+ and male. Part of this is probably due to the fact that it's a Sinatra-themed bar. Usually, I find that to be a huge bonus. In this case, it added to the cheese factor-- mostly because the guy singing there was way over the top and going around to folks to serenade them (just a little too much kitsch!) There was a woman belting it out before him, however, who was awesome- wish she had stuck around! Another thing that felt "off" were the playboy-bunny dressed bartenders. Granted, I REALLY don't mind sexy outfits for the bar staff, but because the place is at a high price point and advertises itself as a super classy jazz bar with a high-end menu, it just kind of made it less classy and more cheesy and Hooters-esque. As for the food and drink, totally on point! They had grey goose martini drink specials for $5 a pop (score!) - complete with blue cheese olives and the tapas my friend and I ordered were outstanding! These things bought them the extra star in this review, though service at the bar was pretty bad-- probably because we were girls, to be honest. We ordered the cheese plate and I believe they were chicken empanadas. Both were great and appropriately portion sized. Conclusion- struck me as a "fake" atmosphere and a place trying too hard to be upscale and classy when it's obviously not, but might be better on a different night. Who knows!
(3)Alex K.
This review is written only about customer service, or really about customer disservice. I was part of a party of 20+ people who had a reservation on Saturday night for a surprise birthday gathering. The reservation had been made and confirmed in advance. When we got there, the reserved area was taken and our reservation could not be found. No accommodation was made to try to find us another space in the restaurant. The event manager for some reason felt the need to express that he felt that if he gave us another space in the restaurant that we would not order as much as regular tables and therefore were not worth accommodating from a financial standpoint. 1) This is never okay to say to a customer 2) I'm not sure how many large party gatherings he's been to but orders, especially alcohol, tend to be pretty high. In the end, we were forced to leave and find another restaurant to accommodate our party. No small feat with such a large group. Not to mention inconvenient for a surprise party. I'm not sure I'd have interest in going back to this restaurant, even if the food proved to be adequate. Not only was it loud to the point where you had to yell to be heard. It also appeared to be a middle-aged hookup spot. Not very classy.
(1)Mary Ann C.
An upscale place to have a glass of wine with friends. Their appetizers are exquisite. Loved the décor. They had a nice crowd for happy hour which made for great conversations. I'm not a huge fan of Jazz however it works well for the Vines.
(4)Troy S.
Expensive, but the food was excellent (especially the grilled octopus and the sea bass). Service was terrific and the jazz is exceptional.
(5)Bill N.
First time to Vines and it was spectacular. The food is amazing, although on the expensive side which puts the restaurant in that special event category vs. 'hey lets grab a bite'. Our food was amazing - the chicken dish and cioppino. The cioppino had a significant pice of lobster and all of the other sea food components were heavenly. The chicken dish was tasty and extremely well prepared. We had the burat appetizer which is an incredible ball of fresh mozzarella with tomatoes and it was all garnished with micro basil. You need to experience this to know exactly what I'm talking about. On a saturday night they had a band in the cozy bar area and the sound carries throughout the establishment. We will be back.
(5)Flavitcha G.
I went to Vines last Saturday for a company dinner. It was supposed to be a casual event, but I am glad we went to Vines, as we ended up having last minute clients showing up at our dinner. The facility is right at the edge of being Fun and Adult Casual, which was just perfect for our group. WOW!!! was the expression I kept hearing over and over and over again by our guests. The food was AMAZING ( and I don't easily get amazed by food, being a foodie in the Bay Area)!!! Everyone was amazed by their dishes. The service was OUTSTANDING!!!! We were treated like special guests, which in a way we were by having a group a 20 ( which meant great business). But I will give them the review that they deserve, because they were constantly checking on us, and they met all of our requirements. They had a live band playing which was a little loud, however, our group didn't mind and loved the background live music. If I get back to Orlando, I already know where to go for dinner. Vines is the place, no doubt!
(5)Amanda L.
Very expensive but delicious. We didn't know what we were in for as we just moved to the area and were looking for a decent dinner that wouldn't break the bank. We sat at the bar and the girls were nice but not overly friendly. We made it just before happy hour so we took advantage of half priced glasses of wine. We then looked at the dinner menu and whoa! $28 for a burger, $12 for a Caesar salad-those were the least expensive items so we ordered those as we hadn't come for a $65 steak. The burger was amazing and the truffle fries were homemade and delicious! The bacon bar snack was incredible too but make sure to ask for it as I don't know if they jus give it to you. If you know what you are in for (a high end steakhouse experience) then you will enjoy it.. If you think you are going to a wine bar for some low key wine and appetizers, rethink your choice!
(4)Luis G.
Wayyyyyy overpriced for quality and service, want a better steak for wayyyyyy cheaper go to Morton's , Capital Grille or Bull and Bear at the Waldorf Astoria, not sure who's pricing the menu but is way overpriced for what you offer.
(2)Tim m.
Second time eating here. First time was good. Second time was the last time for us. First of all, the noise from the bar area was overwhelming to say the least. The music was very nice, but the crowd noise to overcome the band was too much for a nice quiet dinner. We actually had to raise our voices to hear each other talk. Dinner. Way too much in price for the quality, quantity and service received. We ordered the escargot, simply the worst escargot we've ever had and we have them a lot. The garlic was overwhelming, the butter sauce was like water. Next was ordering the dinner. We ordered the porterhouse steak for 2 at $125.00. Now we have to order everything else to go with dinner. A side of brocolini, gnocchi with a brown bacon sauce, and bernaise sauce for the steak was $30 alone. Not bad if it was for two people, but a small dish of gnocchi, 5 brocolini stalks and a very small dish of sauce for what is supposed to be 3 pounds of meat was too much to believe. We ordered medium rare for the steak and was served medium well at best. The sever said "this is the chef's interpretation of medium rare" I said, what? The service was adequate at best, asked 3 times for a lemon for my water. Over $250 for a dinner for two. I would have rather spent the weekend at a hotel and eaten at Longhorn for the same quality of food. To the owners, just because your business is in Dr Phillips doesn't mean you need to charge these ridiculous prices for the type of food you serve. Take a hint, at 8pm on a Saturday night and only three tables with customers is a sign. It certainly was to me!
(1)Rick R.
I've been wanting to try this place for several years and finally managed to on this visit to Orlando. Sophisticated, but casual atmosphere. Live music, commanding bar, and impressive wine collection. I was surprised the menu was heavily focused on steak, and ended up having the Prime Filet--which was quite good. The non-steak dishes had very nice compositions. My friend had the Chilean sea bass, and loved it. I also had the Wedge salad, and really liked it. The Sweet Potato fries were way too soggy for my taste. The wine list was impressive, and reasonably priced. Properly decanted too. Later that evening my friend returned to the restaurant to enjoy the live music and lounge scene. Very fun evening.
(4)Luke M.
What can I say, this place is a sand lake favorite and if you stop in you will see why. Huge wine list, live jazz, great food & service. The live entertainment is just great. You really get the old school frank Sinatra vibe in the place. Love it did I mention they put out cones of bacon on the bar for you to snack on! Yes...BACON! Winning
(5)Forrest F.
Firstly, let me just state that I hardly ever review restaurants, because I usually have at least SOMEwhat acceptable service. However, last night was different, so I'm here to let everyone know what they can expect when they visit Vine's Wine Bar in Orlando. What a terrible time we had last night, so bad in fact that we won't be returning. So, I, my wife, and several friends decided to come to Vines in celebration of both my birthday, and my wife and I's anniversary. We had come to Vine's several months ago, and it was great. So, we made reservations for Saturday night, and arrived right on time and were shown to our table. A special place for our special occasion, right? The first thing we noticed is that it was dark in the dining room, like "can't even make out the menu without the aid of your cell-phone's camera light" dark. I have never been in such a dark restaurant that bills itself as so upscale. Secondly, the appetizers we ordered were all tiny and inconsistently done. My wife and I shared a dozen oysters, and there were two regular sized oysters and ten absurdly tiny oysters, too small to even cover a standard saltine. That sucked, frankly, for $3 apiece oysters. Then our main courses came. Out of eight people. only two people had their food correctly prepared, and really only one, because one of my buddies will eat anything and say it's fine. Now, here comes the ridiculous part. My wife and I ordered the Wagyu Beef Ribeye for two. That's an $85 piece of meat, and we ordered it medium rare. It showed up at our table, and it was medium to medium well in the middle, and well done on the outside, and by outside, I mean, nearly two inches in, all around. All around the outside was grey, and gristly. This meat is what they are billing as "#2 beef in the world". We get it, and I am instantly disatisfied, because the steak was clearly and obviously way overdone, so we had our server take it back. The server comes back several minutes later and tells us that the manager won't do anything because in his estimation, that's "medium rare", so can he get me something else, because the manager won't be replacing our steak. I instantly tell the server to bring that manager out so that we can discuss it. The GM comes out, and he tells me point blank that they won't be remaking our $85 steak, because how we received it is, in his estimation, correctly done. Then he launches into some schpiel about how, because the grill Vines uses is a charcoal grill, sometimes steaks will come more well done on the outside. After this sad excuse, I was starting to get angry, and I pointed out two other people at our table, one had the filet, the other the New York Strip. Both were done ACTUALLY medium rare (despite my FiL having ordered his New York Strip medium). So, you're telling me that your grillmaster can somehow produce medium rare on these other two steaks, but not on this $85 steak we ordered? "Yes, that's correct." The manager then offered us something else, and when I stated that what I wanted was the Wagyu ribeye correctly cooked, he said that that was how it comes, so sorry, if you don't like it like that, I can get you something else." The sole saving grace of the event was that he comped the steak from our bill. He DID NOT however, comp the meals of my friends, whose lamb was both overcooked and undercooked...on the same plate. It is clear that the grillmaster they had working that night is an extreme novice, which is shocking considering what they charge for a plate. Are you going to let a guy who can't cook steak, man your grill at a high end steakhouse? Who would do that? Well, now we know. I have eaten at places whose prices make Vines prices look cheap by comparison, and I've also eaten at chain steakhouses whose meat was better than what we received, and at a fourth of the cost. What I have NEVER had though, is a manager tell me, a customer, that my expectations for an $85 steak, billed as the #2 beef in the world are wrong because I don't want it charred on the edges, and the middle of the steak slightly pink. That's not medium rare, that's not even medium, it's medium well, and the edges were Well Done. I've never had a manager straight up tell me that they won't remake an order because they don't want to take the loss on their inventory (although in hindsight, it's probably because the GM didn't want to have his grill guy mangle another piece of meat). So, I would like to warn anyone who's considering this place that if you're thinking of going here, I'd avoid it if I were you. The manager doesn't actually care about you, or making it right if they screw up. It doesn't matter to him, because the tourists will keep coming to keep this place alive in their ignorance, because it's ignorant to believe that exceptionally high prices equal exceptional quality. No. Sometimes, your place is just an overpriced dive, with poor atmosphere, too loud music, too dim lighting, and poorly cooked food.
(1)Jeff C.
This is a first class experience. Be prepared to spend at least $75 per person at a minimum. Fantastic wine choices and a great selection of after dinner drinks and scotch. The service was attentive and professional. The food was prepared perfectly for everyone at our table. My only complaint is that the noise level is exceptionally loud.
(5)Shanen C.
I suggest the garlic spinach, it was the highlight of my meal. The sea bass was impressive too! Very pricey but good food. We had pretty slow service though.
(4)Antonio B.
This place is outrageously good. I had the escargot, calamari, kobe burger and the watermelon basil drink. Amazing place.
(5)Indrid I.
Great place to be for happy hour. Great wine selection. Today, I'm enjoying the Imposter red blend from California wine. Katy is our server today. Great and fun girl. Good live jazz music.
(5)Steve G.
Referred to this restaurant by many on this stay, we decided to come on aTuesday night. Great energy at the bar, restaurant was relatively open. Service excellent, our salads, appetizers and Main courses all first rate. Great ingredients, well done sauces, and well prepared. I've got to say, would be stand out in any city.
(4)Robert C.
Great Happy Hour and Bar Staff. Always enjoy ourselves when we stop by be it happy our, dinner or just to hang out and listen to the jazz.
(4)Jennifer S.
I honestly LOVED this place. Service was excellent. The atmosphere is great. The food was delicious. They serve bread before your meal, and I promise it's the best bread you'll probably ever get at any restaurant in Orlando. They also have the best Bacon Mac n' cheese in town. It's a very nice, upscale and modern spot. They got an awesome wine selection and top-notch service. The Jazz live band is like the cherry on top. I love jazz, so that was the main reason we wanted to go there in the first place. Everything else that came with it, was just a bonus.
(5)Michael K.
I really should go four stars on this review but thought the prices were a little too steep for what you get. Their special 50oz porterhouse was on sale for $140. Most other steaks were in the high $30s and $40s. I had a wait at the bar for my party to arrive but Rebecca took good care of me. The thing to gnaw at the bar though is a cone of bacon. I think there were eight slices in there but after three or so I had my fill. We sat down around 6pm or so and the place was just starting to fill up. By the time we finished it was packed. I started with the shrimp cocktail and snails. The shrimp were huge and enjoyable. I don't go out of my way to eat snails but did enjoy one or two of them. They were very well seasoned and didn't taste like dirt at all. I ordered the heirloom Greek salad and New York strip steak with grilled onions. The salad was awesome and not at all what I expected. Very chunky, a huge hunk of cheese and tons of olives were in the bowl. The steak was cooked exactly to the temperature I ordered, well seasoned and quite tasty. Even at 18oz (I think) I managed to devour it all. At this point, I had no room for dessert but the list looked impressive. Our waiter was attentive at first but less so as the night wore on. Not really a problem but could have been better. A live band started up in the middle of dinner and although I found myself tapping my toes to the beat they were too loud to carry on a table conversation. Like I said above, a little too pricey for what you get IMHO but the place was packed so they must be doing it right.
(3)Kalvin K.
Great little happy hour location here. There is a nice veranda for outdoor seating and the pours are quite heavy from the bar. It's nice to get out there and enjoy the half priced appetizers and discounted drinks while hanging out with friends. I will definitely return again because the food and drinks were amazing.
(5)Marsha M.
This is a great place for happy hour. sit at the bar and enjoy half priced appetizers and wine. We enjoy all of the appetizers, especially the lamb
(5)Cygell P.
Loved the relaxed vibe. They play live jazz music every night making it feel like a weekday is a weekend. I had the roasted chicken and it was amazing, I don't know how they made chicken taste so delicious. My partner had the pork chop and it was to die for! The bacon Mac and cheese was so rich and satisfying!
(5)Linda C.
The food and service is amazing! The grilled octopus appetizer and the Chilean sea bass entree were some of the best food I have ever eaten. A must dine!
(5)Cindy L.
Decent service, ok food, horribly overpriced with a cheesy atmosphere. Dinner for two was $250 and the steaks were overpriced and flavorless. The restaurant is in a strip mall a couple of doors down from CVS. The wine list is supposedly award winning, but not all of the wines on the list are available. So the list looks good, but who knows how many wines can actually be ordered. The jazz in the bar area is loud and the bartender wore an outfit smaller than a Hooter's bartender. Do yourself a favor and skip this place.
(2)Kelleigh M.
Meh....for the price I was underwhelmed. I don't think I ordered the wrong items either. I went with yelp recommendations. Service was great-but I was their only table so I would hope so. I had Stan and Tony. Both were great and helpful. I started off with the Ceasar salad topped with pork belly and chopped egg whites. The pork belly didn't taste any different than crumbled bacon. The egg was a different unique touch. For my entree I went with the seabass atop the lobster risotto. Very underwhelming. The risotto was odd-it had a tomato base to it. The fish was a nice piece but lacking any distinctive flavor. I also ordered a side of corn maque choux. This was probably the highlight of the meal. Would I go back? No. There are better options in the immediate area. I'm glad this meal was on the company's dime.
(3)Schannon B.
Parents day soiree! Yay! Went here with my parentals- the ones who raised me in the ways of fine dining and jazz music- and my younger sister. We were here for the happy hour and the to-our-surprise jazz music, which was absolutely fantastic. There was a couple who created a dance floor, so we decided to join in and before we knew it, half the restaurant was dancing in the doorway and between the tables- I don't think a dance floor was meant for this place, either way we lived it up- YOLO! It was the most fun I've had with my family- outside of giving them grey hairs in Kindergarten and pranking my sister. For dinner we had Happy Hour specials- the Kobe beef sliders (2) and the truffle fries (2), which were delicious! Then we quieted down with creme brulee and cognac- god the burn! The servers were attentive and out of this world great- they had the band play my parents wedding song, as it was their anniversary. Made Mama cry happy tears. One of the best dining experiences I've had and a definite memory to place in my heart. This is what makes memories for me, the happiness of my family and the tastiness of a great establishment.
(5)Natalie G.
Great service in the bar area. We sat at a bar table and enjoyed the live music with dinner. We also took advantage of the amazing 1/2 price wine selection by the glass. We had filets - one Oscar style and the other regular. Both cooked to our individual specifications (and this from a picky steak eater). The oysters were good as well and nicely priced for happy hour. I was impressed to find such a local gem amongst so many chain restaurants.
(5)Emily B.
I've been here many times for happy hour over the years, and it's one of the best! Great deals on food and the wine is lovely! Just recently I came for dinner for the first time, and it was also very good! The only thing I will say is that if you are a late night eater like myself, Open Table lets you make a reservation for 11 pm, thank goodness we got there a few minutes early because they close the kitchen at 11. They should probably change the last time till 10:30 or so. Anyway, great food and great service even though we were the last table to eat! I got the foie gras appetizer, and it was the best I've had! Looking forward to my next visit!
(5)Melanie D.
Love this place. We first had our 10 year anniversary dinner here about 2 months ago. We had a private room in the back to accomodate our 26 guests. Staff was great, attentive, on top of their game. Food was outstanding. (I think I had SeaBass.Delicious.) Absolutely no complaints. I went back this past weekend during their happy hour (4-7pm everyday). Drinks and appetizers were half off. The flatbread was ok (i think it was margherita?). The kobe sliders were delicious. My friend got the oysters (great) and the beef kabob. The beef was a little over cooked. Drinks we were great, the bartender was great, and the live band was great. My new fav spot! My only complaint is I wish it were closer to my house lol.
(5)Nawal B.
My favorite place for live music on Friday night! The band is very good, the service is perfect and food ohhh my! first time I went there I felt back home and it became since then my favorite place to hang out with my favorite friends.
(5)Crazy D.
Long story short, they have the best hamburger I've ever had in my life. How good? When I turned 30, I flew down from NYC for the night just to eat there then fly back the next day. That good. Very friendly staff, great menu selection and live jazz entertainment makes this one of my favorite places to go. Wish I lived closer.
(5)Steven B.
I'll keep it short and sweet in regards to the vines.. Great night life, incredible people, mediocre drinks and a GREAT band! Food is good but not great and I have eaten here more than once. Do yourself s favor eat at seasons 52 save some money and come across the street for the fun. You won't be disappointed. They do have s private roo for parties If needed. Enjoy!
(4)Gary D.
Great food, great atmosphere, excellent staff. Certainly would go back again.
(4)Ha C.
I gave it four star because of its band. They play great music. It's a must place to go on a Friday and Saturday night . Btw they have bacon on the bar lol The food is good but pricey.
(4)Onn S.
Stopped by for our dinner since we came from Universal Orlando and yes, we are tourists. This restaurant is nicely decorated with great atmosphere. Good for date night or special occasion. We weren't so dressy but the waiters still gave us an amazing service. We were so glad they didn't judge us from the way we dressed. We ordered Wagyu steak topped with foie gras and they are amazing! I also ordered cold serve foie gras and I love them too. The food is pricey but it's worth it!
(5)Grant C.
The definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. For me this would mean, periodically going to up scale restaurants in the I-Drive / Sand lake rd area and expecting them to be anything but a huge fraud. How is it that the vast majority of restaurants on this side of Orlando are interested in One thing: sticking it to tourist and convention goers. I can understand over charging, that is expected, but does the food have to suck too? Now for the Issue at hand, Vines... Of Service, Quality, and Value, generally we are expected to pick two of the three. At vines they offer none. Drinks: They got my drink order wrong twice and then at the end they over charged me for it. Appetizers: took 40 minutes to arrive. Bone marrow was not prepared well. However, the Octopus was delicious. Sides: duck mac and cheese was horrible and swimming in oil. Not edible Main course: We had been seated for an hour and a half when they arrived. Pork chop was average and over seasoned. My wife's Pasta was reminiscent of two day old left overs, instead of Al dente they cooked the parppedelle to a mush like consistency. I'm sure golden coral would have had better pasta on their buffet. Should this be expected at $30 a plate? The waiter took this off the bill, but also had the nerve to make a snide comment that he didn't cook it. What the hell? I not only have to pay a $300.00 dinner bill for mediocrity, I have to deal with a waiter that for all intents and purposes is an asshole! The final bill came and I was over charged for a drink and a side item, and again I'm made to feel like a jerk for bringing this up. Vines Grille is the embodiment of all that is wrong with fake fine dining on the theme park side of Orlando: Poor service, over priced, less than average preparation and quality. I judge restaurants by one main criteria: Can I do a better job cooking a similar meal at home? If the answer is yes, I am supremely disappointed and feel taken advantage of. In short, Vines Grille sucks, don't go there.
(1)Jose G.
The service was fantastic. Wine selection is not the best as they did not have a couple of the wines on the wine list we asked for, but our waiter recommended something similar. My rib eye was not the best and frankly he more fat than normal for a rib eye. About a third was fat and I ended up not eating most of the steak. What saved the meal was the service, appetizers and atmosphere. Would go back but maybe not for a steak.
(3)Tom T.
Excellent service, food and live Jazz - great spot for a date night. Highly recommend the octopus as an appetizer. The scotch selection was varied and offered many choices add to that some top shelf cigars, ahhhh. Would like to see a different dessert selection, it's needs something decadently chocolate.
(5)David K.
Fellow Yelpers, Let me preface my review with the following statement: "I found myself at a loss for words to describe the convention of flavors going on in my mouth at the same time not due to a mouthful of the highest quality food, but because of my state of trance due to the S&M taste orgy party I endured." - Dr. Troy (David Klein) Magical dining month is / was upon us in Orlando. Its wizardry allowed me to wave my financial wand at several fine dining locations that would otherwise put a larger hole in my wallet. My wand settled above this restaurant which has a very high reputation amongst all fine diners in the area. Given the aforementioned promotion, I could not pass this opportunity up. Leaving my house with both holsters holding fully loaded AMEX and VISA credit cards, safeties off, I journeyed to the area locally known as "restaurant row." The magical dining month promotion is available at many restaurants and it consists of a prix fixe (preeh-fics) menu of three courses consisting of an appetizer, an entrée, and a dessert. On arrival at this revered spot, I was greeted with very loud music of the rat pack kind. An older gentleman with the finest of fedoras sang cover songs from old blue eyes, Frank Sinatra. He did a fine job, but in my own opinion, I felt as if I was entering a Las Vegas show room than I was a restaurant at first. The bar is a great spot to hang out (see my photo). There are lounging areas available for those that do not want to be at the bar itself. The crowd is very ritzy and a good portion of them may be card carrying members of AARP. Since I was mainly interested in the food, I disregarded the quasi-geriatric dancing skills of some and proceeded to follow the very well dressed hostess to the main dining room (see my photos) where I was seated. I was presented with a copy of the prix fixe menu, the wine list (extensive doesn't begin to describe this bible), and the regular menu. Don, our main waiter, who thankfully did not carry the last name Corleone, was very attentive and descriptive of the food options available to us. After some time looking over the wondrous items on the menu, we were ready to place our orders. We placed an order for two glasses of wine, a sauvignon blanc and a merlot, and we were off to the races. They began by bringing a basket of fresh bread, which to this paleo-primal diet oriented guy means pretty much nothing, contained regular butter on one end and another spread which they called a "dirty martini" on the other. If my memory serves me right, well, hopefully better than the crowd dancing in the anteroom here, it was a mix of cream cheese, butter, onions, and some other ingredients. It was a very unique and a cool spin on an otherwise bland part of every dinner. I ordered one appetizer from the regular menu and the rest was all from the prix fixe menu. The appetizer in my opinion was the best part of the entire meal. I had the seared foie gras with pan roasted pear, French toast, and honey comb. The foie gras was stra"taste"tically placed above the French toast. The presentation was beautiful (see my photo). I cannot recommend it enough. Everything here tasted fresh and combining all of it together made it even better. It was like a New Year's Eve fireworks show in Copacabana inside my mouth. Except the fireworks were taste explosions. From the prix fixe three course choice of appetizers I ordered the escargot (see my photo). Again, these little fellas were super tender and not chewy enough to the point of seeming like they were made in a Wrigley's factory. To put it simply, they were just at the right texture. For the main dish, I ordered the pan roasted all natural chicken breast that came with smoked bleu cheese mashed potatoes, wild mushroom sautée, and natural jus (see my photo). The chicken had a very thin layer of skin that was almost crunchy, but not entirely. This was a very delicious entrée. My company had the wild caught salmon with roasted apples, sun chokes, beet puree, and pistachio-orange mignonette. I tasted a bit of this one as well and needless to say, it did not disappoint. To close out the dinner, for dessert we had the crème brûlée and key lime pie respectively. The crème was marvelous, with a very thin glass-like shell of burnt sugar above it with a sliced strawberry and an edible flower garnish. The key lime pie was also very good, but I'm not big into desserts that are sort of tart and sour, so I'm not a good judge for this since I'm clearly biased. Overall, a fantastic restaurant, a great ambiance which can be rather loud at times depending on which stanza of which Frank Sinatra song the old fedora man might be covering. This place is highly recommended by me, if that means anything to you. I'm aware of my pseudo food critic status, but I still type these reviews with my nose up looking down at the keyboard. Like a lord. Au revoir!
(5)Lisa W.
Vines Grille and Wine Bar is located off Sand Lake Road, in the Plaza with Moonfish and Ruth's Chris. This space is lovely, nice large bar area and spacious dining area with private dining rooms available. Service is top notch, the menu offers plenty to choose from. Service is that of a high end, fine dining restaurant, with several waiters tending to your table throughout your meal. Our recent visit started by enjoying happy hour at the bar, nice menu available and great food and drink specials. Vines lives up to it's name, offering some great by the glass wines from Sparkling to lush or big reds. Wine fans, will not be disappointed. I was steered to the Forefront Pinot Noir, having just enjoyed the Forefront Cabernet at a wine tasting the week prior, I was happy to see it offered. The bartender poured a sample and I happily ordered a glass. Hubby was happy with his Blue moon and we settled in for some Ahi Tuna lettuce wraps and an order of truffle fries. Both were steller. Having noshed at the bar, we we weren't as hungry as we should have been; the dinner menu offers so many amazing choices. We decided on more drinks and the shared Shellfish platter for 2, described as Main Lobster Tail, shrimp cocktail, alaskan king crab legs, oysters on the half shell and clams. ($65). Hubby will not eat raw oysters, so they happily substituted for 2 oysters Rockafeller. Very nice. A nice, warm bread basket was delivered with wonderful crusty Ciabatta-like bread. Served with unsalted butter and a cheesy, bacony butter that my husband loved. Our Shellfish platter arrived in short order, presentation of the chilled seafood was nice and all shells were split for easy eating. Sadly, we did not receive a whole Lobster tail, we received 1/2 a tail. For the $65 price, I would have expected the whole tail, since we received under 4 oz of lobster meat. (Each of us had 2 bites of lobster) The 2 shrimp were huge and I would order again, the Alaskan king crab legs, was 1 leg cut in half and split in half, so not much meat and we were disappointed to find the crab meat overly salty. The oysters Rockafeller were amazingly delish, with plump oysters and a savory spinach topping, the 2 clams were petite, but fine. Since we had snacked heavily at the bar, we were fine with the portion, but it was a less than plentiful shellfish platter. Nice time, we'd order the Oysters Rockafeller appetizer and shrimp cocktail instead of the shellfish platter. The two desserts we would have ordered off the printed menu (an apple dish and a pumpkin cheesecake) were not available on our visit, so we skipped dessert. Too bad. I've enjoyed some lovely meals here over the years and the live jazz is a nice touch. Music played from about 7PM on, in the bar but easily heard throughout the open concept restaurant. Reservations for dinner are recommended, especially Thurs-Sunday, it's a popular anniversary/birthdya/special meal restaurant any night of the week. On our Monday visit, the dining room was pretty full and the bar was packed. I would be sure to call Vines before arriving for happy hour or unscheduled dinner, as we showed up (without calling ahead) at 6PM this past Friday night to find Vines closed for a private function. Nothing had been posted in advance on their Facebook page, Website or emailed. (Which I mentioned to the gentleman outside who was turning other people away.) They did post something on FB later in the evening.
(4)Benson S.
The wife and I tried this place out recently. Everything was top notch IMO. The wine list is absolutely sick, about 60 pages long, and some insanely excellent choices. We ordered a bottle of Austin Hope Syrah which was excellent. We were in the mood for seafood. Had the grilled octopus for a starter and that was great. Wife had the Chilean Sea Bass and I had the Cioppino, both were very good. Service was good as well. Our only complaint is the bar area is very noisy. You would not think what is primarily advertised as a "Wine Bar" would be packed with loud, rowdy types. I subtracted one star for this, bringing it down to a four star rating. They need to install a wall or divider or something. But that was our only complaint, everything else was just about perfect.
(4)lisa B.
Did not have a reservation, but we were lucky the hostess found us a table. The food was amazing!! The wait staff could not have been friendlier. Had the sea bass. Best I ever had. Definitely worth the money.
(5)Mark C.
Tried the summer special Surf N Turf w/ bottle wine ($100) for two this past weekend. Both parties at our table shared the same selections. The halved 8 oz. filet steak portion looked pretty small on the plate. Served with steamed asparagus, looks were deceiving as we all left quite satisfied all the same. The Vines really has steak preparation down. Though I prefer the taste of a NY Strip, their grill is great for any cut. Needless to say, forgo the steak sauce. I had to try it just out of curiosity, and McCormick packaged sauces came to mind on the sampling. Now, I'm not a steak sauce-in' type person anyway - so there is a ton of bias in that opinion! The (halved) 2 lb lobster was succelant and the drawn butter is like the topping on a cupcake. Decadence is allowed in small portions - right? The Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 was a welcome touch to encourage the easy going mood so inspired by the live, easy listening jazz from around their awesome wine cellar. Busy place on Sat. night but we were sat spot-on as reserved. Overall the Vines Grille did another great job at providing value for the charge. We'll be back soon for the happy hour outdoor lounge experience.
(5)Sienna S.
We are in Orlando at least twice a year, the one place we never fail to visit is Vines. The food is exceptional. The octopus is tender and unforgettably delicious, all their meat is of exceptional quality, not to mention they have an incomparable wine collection. Nice decor, very inviting and comfortable. This place is not to be missed, you will not be disappointed!
(5)Dana F.
This place was a pretty chill location to spend a Saturday night. It's a steakhouse and restaurant as well, however, my friends and I went in to drink some wine and listen to some live music. First impression, a little bit of a mature crowd - definitely not the "downtown" crowd. Everyone was dressed really nicely and sitting around drinking wine and listening to the live music. I personally loved the music - the band was super talented. However, it was older music... 70's, 80's... jazzy stuff. Think Al Green and Marvin Gaye. LOVED IT. All in all, a nice, chill place to go on a Saturday night.
(4)Sherri K.
The service was outstanding! The jazz was OK. All covers, which was a bit surprising. I hope this is not the best live music scene Orlando has to offer. But, nice ambiance. Complimentary valet adds a nice touch for date night. The food was good - I don't know if it was worth the incredible pricetag that came along with it, but it was good. I started with the french onion soup, which was just OK. Unfortunately, too much bread, not enough soup, but the cheese top was cooked to perfection. We also enjoyed the steak oscar. The steak itself was cooked almost to order, and the crab was delightful. The asparagus tip atop was a nice touch and also cooked to perfection. We had a side of garlic spinach - it was just OK. The bottle of wine, also just OK. I think had the price point hot been so incredulous, the food may have come across a bit better, but when dropping a couple Benji's on a meal, I believe EVERYTHING should be outstanding...even the soup.
(4)Jerry M.
Best service and food I've had in Orlando. Love the music too!
(5)Mary W.
Overpriced, small portioned , everything on menu sold separately. The atmosphere is what you pay for. Great jazz trio playing. The wine list is extensive. They must make their money off tourist. I had the sea bass which was nice. My husband got the steak ordered medium rare, came chargrilled on the outside with too much pepper.
(2)Rhea P.
Great place to meet friends for a drink and live music for sure! I love the complimentary valet parking, because, let's face it, I'm not always in the mood to look around for parking. Now, I'm not too crazy about the food. The fries were ok, tasted like sea salt and cracked black pepper. The risotto was unfortunately under par; This is especially unacceptable because of the price point of the dishes. Come prepared to spend a little more than average here. Live music is always a plus. Love the soulful juke joint tunes the ensemble played while there--piano jazz and singers. Overall, a great place to meet up with friends with a seemingly good crowd and great music. . . I think I'll eat before I go though.
(3)Jeffrey P.
Food just okay. Prices are not $$$ but more like $$$$$. Drinks were good and we had a great waitor.
(2)Charles L.
Excellent! we do miss the old Vines but the new Vines is super. The jazz band and Frank are the best
(5)Owl B.
This has got to be the largest hidden jewel of Orlando , the produce is "organic" and bought from local farms, the beef is all certified prime angus, every thing is made in house . Holy crap undoubtably one of the best meal I have ever had , I can't say enough good things about my experience at Vines, you all have got to go , you will thank me
(5)J S.
Don't get me wrong. I liked this place. The food was good, as was the service. I gave it 3 stars, instead of 4, because it's slightly pretentious. This steak and seafood place is in a strip mall in Orlando. The fare is somewhat standard for an upscale seafood and steak place. I had the filet mignon, which was nearly perfect. The middle of the meat was not quite as tasty as I'd like, but the edges were great. The accompanying potatoes were tasty. My fiance's fish (I can't remember which type) was also very good. So, the food is just about worth the price (close to $40 per plate, depending on the dish). The restaurant is in the back, the bar in the front. There is a strange difference in the two. The bar has a small area for live jazz (which is pretty cool), but the hostesses are about 16 years old and the bar servers are 20-something females in very provocative, revealing outfits. The wait staff in the restaurant, on the other hand, were mostly males in their 30s and 40s wearing very conservative uniforms. Whatever. I guess some clients enjoy oogling the barmaids.
(3)Amy D.
In my oh so short vacation in Orlando recently, I came upon this place not too far from my hotel. I am so glad I found it on the first day of the trip. I did walk in about 3:30 PM, but was told that they didn't open until 4PM. I'm not sure why the door was unlocked if they weren't serving, and what the folks sitting at the bar were doing, but whatever. I came back at 4 and had several wonderful glasses of wine, an OK tomato and mozzarella salad and my date had the sea bass. I found the bass to be a little undercooked, but he loved it. The portion on the fish was enormous, and the bartender did generous pours on the wine. The prices here were more than I expected to see, even for a pseudo-upscale place. I did like the atmosphere, and the band that played Saturday night was good. I would totally suggest this place if you have some extra cash falling out of your bum and like some good wine.
(3)Nick B.
To start off the food was good, wine selection was nice and the atmosphere was pleasant. However, the experience was quickly ruined by a manager that didn't understand his businesses marketing promotions. I am an avid user of foursquare and was pleased to see a special when you check into the location. "On Thursday, bring two ladies for ladies night and receive a free drink". It happened to be Thursday and there were two ladies dining with me. I happily ordered a martini and went on to order a meal well over $600. But, I was denied the free drink from the foursquare special. The waiter said I would have to print out the coupon...really? Obviously not familiar with the application. I tried to work with the manager and got the same response. Without the foursquare special, it would have been a great meal. But to fail so miserably at a social media application like that, makes me very angry.
(1)Sara Y.
Wanted a nice "grown-up" restaurant for a mommy/daddy date without the munchkin. Definitely a good choice. We had two waiters tag-teaming and received excellent service from both. Enjoyed the Artisan Cheese Board appetizer and the Braised Beef Short Rib. Everything was great and we walked away absolutely stuffed. The live music started at 8:00pm, just as we were leaving. Very nice venue for a romantic dinner or private party. Definitely not a good choice for kids though.
(4)Jazmin G.
My husband and I took my mother-in-law to Vines for her birthday. It was a Sunday night and our usual steakhouse is closed on Sundays so we decided to give this place a try. We all ordered the long bone in ribeye, and when they say long bone oh boy is it really long. The bone itself looked like a dinosaur bone with a bit of meat attached at the end. It states 24oz but you really get about 10-12 oz of steak for $68 and the other 12-14oz is nothing but bone. You order a la carte so we also ordered the seasonal veggies which was boiled cabbage, the spinach which was just ok, the bacon mac and cheese this was actually the only thing that was good, the steak looked so juicy when it was served but one cut into the steak and all the juices came flowing out, the steak immediately was dry and meat was tough and hard. If you want a really good steak go to Christner's, I've been going to Christner's for years and they have never got my steak wrong it is the best steak I have ever had I have visited many steakhouses this one is by far the best, Vines on the other hand this $68 steak tasted more like a $20 steak, I don't mind paying $68 for a steak but I expected the steak to be as good or just as good as Christner's, Ruth Chris or Capital Grille. The only reason we went there was because it was a Sunday night and Christner's was closed. The service was good but the food overall was barely just ok. That was my first and last time at Vines. First impressions really are lasting impressions.
(2)James A.
Excellent top notch culinary experience, raw oysters followed by wagyu steak with parmesan truffle fries and a decadent dessert how can you go wrong?!
(5)Desiree R.
Came here with family yesterday for happy hour which is from 4p to 7pm daily. We all sat at the bar order drinks and food from their happy hour menu. Food was awesome. Had the cheese platter, kobe sliders, lamb meatballs, and chicken lettuce wraps. They also serve bacon instead of your average peanuts and chips. All very very good. Open feel... lounge area, outside patio...
(4)Danielle E.
We went for a Saturday night girls dinner on a recommendation from friends. The place was amazing. Great steak and wine, and the music was incredible. It was like being at a concert while being at a great restaurant. The service was also great. A memorable night out!
(5)Mike L.
Although my visit was more than a year ago, it's always great when you find out that they're playing live music while on your first date. It's also great when the creme brulee is STILL easily the best you've had after all this time. The only time when it's not great is when you realize that it was a really expensive first date. Regardless, it's as good as it gets. The service, especially.
(5)Elle H.
Stuck between 3.5 & 4 stars. In fairness I have not eaten a full meal here. A former professor from my grad school days called to say he would be in the area for a conference and would I like to catch up over drinks and desert. Absolutely! Did I know a good place? Of course! I had been wanting to try this spot for a couple of months and it was conveniently located between his hotel and our house. The atmosphere was perfect for this kind of outing, unfortunately is is also apparently perfect for folks who like to get "handsy" in public. I've never seen so many 40-60 somethings pawing at each other. It was a bit awkward but we could, usually, ignore it. The service was adequate and not at all intrusive. Our waiter's response to "No, we don't want to hear about the specials, we have only come for desert and drinks" immediately let me know he was just as happy to bring us that as he would be to serve us their most expensive entree. Big relief - some places can get pretty snotty about that! The prices are ridiculously high for many things on the menu. I ordered a glass of a wine I often enjoy at home and paid nearly as much for the glass as I do for the bottle. I'm all for people making some money but that's just offensive. The deserts were bliss and I enjoyed every bite. We were left alone to talk and sip and occasionally make an immature remark about a couple groping each other the next couch over.
(4)K B.
I will go back for happy hour, not sure about returning for a meal. The food was very good, but the restaurant was very noisy due to the bar and live music. We were celebrating a special occasion and I found it difficult to hear my husband. I had to ask him to repeat himself many times, lean closer, and basically read his lips to understand what he was saying. We felt pressured by the server to order appetizers. I had a late lunch, so wasn't looking for a full three course meal, but the server said three times that I should get something, "Come on, you want something." I basically agreed to the Caesar Salad to get him to leave us alone. A good salad with the chopped egg, but I ate less than half. Dinner was very good, I even ate crab! My husband said the sea bass was the best he has had and offered some to me, but I declined as I was enjoying my filet too much. Since it was a special occasion, dessert was brought to us without asking if we wanted dessert. We had planned on having dessert elsewhere and hadn't planned on getting dessert. We were brought cheesecake and creme brulee, ate less than half of each between the two of us, and then were surprised to see the cost on the bill. ($25). Maybe we are too nice and didn't want to cause difficulty, but I was less than pleased with the "sales pressure" of the service team. Overall, I would return, most likely for happy hour. Not sure if I would return for meal and, if we do, request a table towards the back of the dining room.
(3)Rommel M.
Great ambiance, live music, wine and service. Thank you Michelle for your attention.
(4)Steve A.
Orlando's best venue for live jazz, and a good place for a drink. The food is somewhat pricey. I think you're better off with appetizers in the bar than trying to eat in the large, usually sparsely populated dining room.
(4)Christopher T.
The Vines use to be a cool wine bar that expanded to include a restaurant. They need to get out of the restaurant business. I enjoyed the Worst service and food was not worth the price. We were seated promptly but our waiter neglected us for 20 minutes without taking our drink order. We had to get a bus boy to get the waiter. For appetizers, I ordered the mussels which had two shells open and tasted fishy. I sent them back with a meek apology from the assistant waiter. Two of us received our food at same time while our other friend again had to flag down a busboy to get his dinner. I had the Chilean Sea bass which was cooked unevenly from one end to the other. The lobster Mac-n-cheese was over cooked and had shells in it. No one asked if our meals were good and our waiter spent most of his time at another table (3 times at our table by my count). The manager eventually came over but only offered recommendations for wine. The bill was the only thing we received promptly and then I had to demand they remove the mussels from the bill, again with no apology. The wine selection may be good but there are too many restaurants in Orlando to waste your time here.
(1)Michelle R.
Absolutely loved it here. The live music is awesome, and not overbearing. I can't wait to come back here and bring more people. The only downside is that this place seems pretty expensive - I'll have to try to food to find out if it's worth it. But the wine selection and atmosphere are pretty spot on.
(5)G C.
I went to Vines for dinner on (7/2), first time actually eating dinner here. I've been to the bar, I had drinks and Apps when it was in the old location where you felt like you were really crammed into a little spot. This spot is much larger, and it works. I've heard many warn me about the crowd, and how it could ruin an evening, where you're wanting a nice dinner with colleagues or a romantic dinner if that's what you're there for. I would agree that a noisy crowd at the bar could have ruined dinner, luckily it was pretty quite (must be because the 4th is coming up). [Note: I would probably not judge the place differently if it was a little raucous at the bar. But, for those trying to celebrate a special occasion I could see how it would be ruined.] We started at the bar for a little pre-dinner drink, and who can't love a place that replace your standard bar nuts with BACON! Now to the dinner. The reason I'm giving this place 5-stars is the steak. We had the Long Bone Ribeye, I say we because everyone at our table got one. Yeah, it was one of those things where you don't want to be left out... I think we were all VERY happy we did. It was insane! This is a 24oz wet aged Ribeye, and I will say it's one of the best I've had (you can throw steaks from Chicago, NY, Cali, hell Argentina). We shared some sides which were good, nothing amazing, but let's be honest they are sides. I will say the Lobster Mac n' Cheese was great, but I think any high-end steak house would put that quality side out. The service was good, responsive. I read some posts, and someone made comments about their server, I think we had the same guy. Really nice, but if it wasn't a business dinner and I was with my wife, could be too much. To his credit he did a great job walking us through the wines, we knew what we wanted, but he did throw out some good complimentary ideas, which let's be honest it's what you want in a server. I am going back for the steak....
(5)Jana B.
We enjoyed the atmosphere, wine, conversations with friends. The live music was nice but loud at times even though we sat in opposite corner of the restaurant. What was shocking was the 24oz ribeye bone-in steak. At $68 per steak, you would expect the most flavorful piece of steak ever. What was brought out was a humongous bone that probably weight about 14oz and the remaining meat was slightly burned, too thin of a cut and medium well instead of medium rare. After returning the steak as overcooked, a new less burned and actually medium rare was delivered in about 5 minutes. It was still very small for $68 and with lots of fat so it contained perhaps 8 oz of meat you would eat. Flavor OK but I expected much more for the money. We may be going back in the future but not getting a ribeye here ever again!
(3)William L.
Great food, but they canceled my Open Table reservation after I showed up and honored my reservation, denying me my dining points. Not happy about that.
(1)Patrick W.
I cannot compliment this place enough. My wife and I always visit Vines to celebrate her birthday. We're both vegetarians and with an early request the chef kindly whips us up an imaginative entree. This year he even came out to explain his creation to us and wish my wife a happy birthday in person. So the service is incredible, spot on, appropriately attentive and professional. The food, heavenly. Hands down the best dishes I've ever had in my life. Plus an unbeatable wine list, famous live jazz music and on and on. Go to Vines. It's the best.
(5)Jillian S.
This upscale restaurant and wine bar is nestled in a highly penetrated restaurant area of Orlando - yet it stands out on its own. The combination of wine varietals (Freakshow Blended Reds being my favorite), tapas with elegant presentation, and the modern decor is what lures you in to sit down at the wrap around bar. (Which should be extended in my opinion) This place would be perfect for any occasion, but I think it's the ideal place to unwind with colleagues for an after-work cocktail. You will find a crowd of business professionals, couples, and friends enjoying drinks, dinner, and live music in a trendy yet mature environment. I've been here on several occasions and highly recommend this place.
(4)K R.
Manager is total ....... Don't waste your money- most unprofessional place--- handles a problem with - woohoo!! NEVER again!!!!!!!
(1)Archna H.
Terrible terrible service and mediocre food. We arrived on a Monday night and it was packed so we opted to wait at the bar. They brought drinks for 5 of us and we had to wait 45mins to get the 6th drink (simple martini). Autumn our waitress left a martini glass with 3 olives sitting there for the longest time. Never smiled once. They were out of 2 entrees at 7:30pm! Food was cold and steak was over done. Nasty! Service could have made the experience nicer but it seemed like we were such an inconvenience. For the price they charge, it was ridiculous. Don't go there, you will regret the experience.
(1)Brad L.
One of the best steaks I've ever had! A little noisy, cascading over from the bar but I will be back.
(4)Candace R.
After getting into Orlando for a business trip, we came here for dinner. The band was playing and there was a crowd inside, but we were quickly seated. For appetizers, we had fried calamari which was very good, especially with the lemon-caper aioli. I was torn between ordering chicken or steak, but decided to get the 8oz filet mignon with a side of mashed potatoes. The size of their sides are shareable, which I learned after getting a HUGE plate of potatoes, but they were very good. And the filet mignon was one of the best I have ever had. We washed everything down with a bottle of red wine, and had a nice dinner. My only squabble is that the band, while very awesome, was super loud, which made conversation a little hard in the dining room.
(4)Rachel L.
We came for Happy Hour. The happy hour menu seemed scaled down from the one online. Our menu that was presented to us was sticky and had hair stuck on it. Every page was stuck together. Not a good first impression. The waitress even pointed it out to us that it was sticky when she handed it to us, yet did nothing to fix it. We got the cheese platter, sliders and the ceviche. The ceviche was kind of bland, and I didn't think the chips that were served with it were a good accompaniment. My husband loved the sliders, and the cheese platter was awesome. Live Jazz starts right at 7 when happy hour ends. So order up before then if you would like to stay for music. I would come back for the cheese platter and jazz.
(3)JOHN C.
While in Orlando for a convention, this place was recommended to me by a local couple we met at the Wine Room in Winter park. Being someone who eats steak only sporadically and on special occasions, I went to Vines with the intention of splurging on a good steak and some wine. Instead, I left the restaurant very let down and hungry! Upon entering the restaurant, my dining partner and I quickly determined that the front part of the place was way to loud so we asked to be seated in the main dining room away from the noise. Once seated, we looked over the menu and liked what we saw...they even had Wagu beef on offer (more on that later). We ordered an appetizer of fried calamari (very good), and a bottle of Rioja wine. The calamari came, but we were informed that they were out of the Rioja. "No probs" said we and ordered another bottle which came promptly and was delicious! By this time we had settled on our dinner choices. My companion ordered the Chilean Sea Bass a
(2)Roger P.
We went for dinner on New Year's Eve. For $125+ per person, the experience was, at best, mediocre. The menu lacked imagination or originality, the food was just okay and the service was slow. What ruined the entire experience was the incredibly rude treatment by the person in charge of Valet. All in all, there are many places in Orlando where you'll get a far better experience for far less money.
(2)tr y.
Chicago steak house in florida! Bacon cones? this place crushes all steak houses, is it expensive? Yeah! It is retarded expensive, but worth every cent. Great seafood/ great beef.... Del fresco's of Orlando.......Great Live music since inception, bacon cones as apetizers in the bar...ground breaking and the hottest wait staff in orlando. These chicks are stone cold foxes! go here if you have the cash.
(5)Lynda F.
Ahhh romance. Who doesn't like a romantic date night? With surprising outside ambiance, very generously poured drinks, great food and entertainment, Vines certainly delivered. Arriving on a week night during happy hour we headed to a table in the bar but noticed there was an outside seating area. Vines is located on Sand Lake in the Dr Philips restaurant mecca so I wouldn't have thought an outside area would be that great. Well someone knows what they are doing when they created this little oasis. The laid back couch settings and tastefully arranged plants and fountains do not allow you to think you are sitting between buildings in a parking lot. Nicely done! Our server came out and what a joy. She was friendly and perfect at pacing our food and drink orders. I asked for a dirty martini and it was a very friendly pour! No seconds for me! Our happy hour food choices were truffle fries (two orders since they are too good to share even on a date night), one order of kebabs, mini Kobe cheeseburgers and an order of ceviche. Besides the fries, the Kobe cheeseburgers would be my choice next visit. The kebabs and ceviche were good but the burgers were better. As we sat enjoying our food and the ambiance I eventually noticed the live jazz had started. I was pleasantly surprised that sitting outside the volume was not too loud so we could still talk. After a while a gentleman came walking out, looked around and stopped to ask how we were enjoying our evening. We mentioned we were very much enjoying ourselves and the ambiance and also that we were celebrating our anniversary. He congratulated us and told our server to bring us a drink on Vines. What a nice gesture! I chose a pear brandy which I had never tried before. When I first inhaled this liquid it was like smelling a freshly sliced pear - awesome! It wasn't as sweet as I was expecting but a very good "slow sipping" libation. Thank you vines for providing an awesome evening! We very much appreciate the awesome service, very tasty menu and ambiance. You are definitely on our list of "date night" choices.
(5)Chad W.
Delicious. One word of warning though...this place is not three $$$. It's definitely 4 $$$$...we spent $350+ tip for 5 people, for 2 apps, 5 entrees, 3 desserts, 6 beers & 2 sides. Service was excellent, and everyone really enjoyed their meal. For appetizers we had oysters Rockefeller & grilled octopus. The grilled octopus was extremely tender, more than I've ever had elsewhere. Everyone seemed to really enjoy their entrees, too. I'd recommend the CAB petite filet as one of the best deals on the menu, judging from the meals that we ordered. Apparently they have 650+ wines, and still a generous amount by the glass, although not nearly as many. Finally, looks like happy hour is the thing to do here...seems like a real bargain for happy hour.
(4)Jimmy P.
Bacon as a bar snack is revolutionary. The food was awesome, but way over priced for what it is. The servers (both of them) work as a team and it made our service horrible. Instead of assigning one server to each of the TWO parties dining in the restaurant at the time, they both waited on us simultaneously. They wouldn't communicate with each other so we never got what we asked for. Go for drinks but when it comes to dinner there are great restaurants with actual service across the street.
(2)Krista H.
Stumbled over here after Moonfish next door was apparently closed at 7 pm on Fathers Day. First off, thank you for closing on us Moonfish! The interior is absolutely gorgeous. A beautiful dark wood ceiling high bar, white linen covered tables, and candlelit ambiance. We were sat immediately by a gracious host and had two servers say they were helping us for the evening. The main server was Alex and he had a great personality, not pushy and was very knowledgable and helpful. We ordered a 2009 bottle of Pahlmeyer, which I noticed they brought out a 2010. I didn't say anything but definitely took note. For appetizers we ordered the caviar and beef carpaccio. It took about 30 minutes for the caviar to come out, then another 20 for the carpaccio. Unusually slow for appetizers, but we weren't in a rush. For dinner I ordered the Cioppiono, while my friend ordered the Chilean sea bass that came with lobster risotto. We are more seafood people and Alex let us know we made the best choices. I will say the steaks are a la carte and $40+, and the sides are $15+, but they use only prime beef. Alex also let me know the Cioppino was more of a fork and knife take, and not stew. It was the tastiest I had ever had. It came with half of a huge lobster tail, about 6 clams, shrimp, and fish. My friends Chilean sea bass was cooked perfectly and the lobster risotto was the best I'd ever had. My only qualms were the wine being different than advertised and the service being a little slow. It took us almost 3 hours for dinner, but I enjoyed every minute. Dinner without tip did come to almost $500 for the two of us, so be prepared. The jazz band was also wonderful that night! Will absolutely be back the next time I'm in Orlando and will not be going back to Moonfish.
(4)Benjamin B.
Excellent food, excellent service, excellent wine. I would have a lot of trouble trying to come up with negative points about this restaurant. Our server Jay was excellent at what he did. He recommended some fine Pinot Noirs, he described every special and every plate with enthusiasm and expert knowledge. Having dined at many fine establishments in Los Angeles, I felt right at home in Vine's as the service was second to none. I had the wagyu filet mignon, it was juicy, tender, and mouth watering. It required no sauces or special seasoning, it was just a wonderful piece of beef cooked to perfection. If I ever find myself in Orlando again, you can bet I'd choose this place over the neighboring Ruth Chris any day.
(5)Zulma G.
Great place to listen to some great jazz music and enjoy a glass of vine. I always have a great time here, menu is a bit pricey but live music is great and usually a cool vibe.
(4)Tommy ..
I've always had a nice time here, menu is a bit pricey but what do you expect? Live music is great and usually a cool vibe.
(4)Wendy V.
Ruined what was to be a special night, twice. My first time here five years ago was actually very good. But when I returned with family after suggesting it to celebrate my mother's engagement, I ended up being embarrassed for recommending it so highly. Its a small space so if you're seated near the front, the live band is deafening and makes conversation difficult. The food was average and overpriced considering the quality. You would think that a little more effort would be put into ensuring the finest experience for a party of twelve that ended up spending over $400. Regrettably, I made the mistake of returning a third time with my significant other for a surprise birthday dinner and that was the most disappointed I have ever been. Upon seeing us (two women), they "delayed" our reservation, then sat us in a corner after making us wait 25 minutes beyond our reservation time. Our server was inattentive and distracted, the food was miscooked, and I actually felt as if they were trying to hurry us along to finish quickly and leave. I draw the line at blatant discrimination and will not be giving Vines another cent or chance.
(2)Kevin D.
When you say it is all about the service, it is all about the service. I am willing to overlook high prices (WAY TOO high in my opinion) for great food and great service. Our server was overbearing and frankly insulting. I felt like I was being attacked by someone in the Bronx (nothing wrong with the Bronx!) Titles like, "Hey, boss" and phrases used like "Just doing my check in" (five plus times) and then insulting my vegetarian wife with comments about goose liver...not cool. Adapt to your customers. It was the service that frankly left a bad taste in our mouths for the entire evening. Don't waste your time at this tourist spot. Not worth it. Ask locals where they go, much better choices out there. I am willing to pay high prices for great food and great service. I am not willing to pay high prices to be insulted and treated like an idiot.
(2)Rajiv B.
I went here with my cousin on the way out to one of the bars at the Amway Center and it was a classy place to be. After we gave the car to the valet and started to walk through the patio, you can get a sense of the place. The outdoor seating had groups of people dressed nicely laughing and joking among themselves. When we walked in there were everything from couples, to small groups, and a few people, seemingly regulars, who were hugging the bar by themselves. The dark interior gave it a cozy feel as a live jazz band played in the background. The wait staff was quick to get your order, attentive as they talked to patrons, and were a great mix of classy and attractive. If you're going on a date and are willing to shell over some cash for a casually-impressive night, this would be a great place to go.
(4)Jay H.
I love this place the service was incredibly and quality of the vines selection the have is Incredible. I had the Salmon entry for dinner witch is the best I ever had! planing on going there soon again
(5)Kelcey M.
I was looking for an upscale restaurant to host a client dinner for a group of 12. After a good amount of research I decided on Vines. We were very happy with our choice! Yes you are going to spend a pretty penny on your meal but in my opinion it was worth it. Great service, excellent food, perfect pacing. We ordered apps and my favorite was the crab cake - we also had the calamari (meh) and the shrimp cocktail (3 ENORMOUS shrimp). For my entree I had the Sea Bass with Lobster Risotto. The Sea Bass was perfectly done and delicious! The portion size was huge so I brought half home. Most of the party ordered steak and were very pleased - one steak did come out overdone and was sent back our Waiter apologized profusely and insisted on buying a drink for the person while they prepared a new steak (that is the correct way to offer great customer service:) ). Favorite side item (family style) seemed to be the potatoes. We also had dessert but by that time i was so full the only thing I tried was the chocolate dessert which was tasty and rich. They have live music but we were in the back corner so really didn't see much of it but from what I saw on the walkout they were excellent. Definitely a see and be seen vibe at the bar. Ambiance is warm with brick and wood decor. If you are entertaining clients, celebrating a special occasion or looking for a bar to grab a drink at I would definitely point you to Vines. Well done!!
(5)Dawn M.
Ruth's Chris and Moonfish were both packed and we stumbled upon this amazing place! Absolutely awesome. First, the service (James & Alex!!!) was definitely high class. The wine selection excellent and the servers knew the wine list well. And then the food, it was, as James had assured us, physically and emotionally satisfying. The Sea Bass was excellent and the steak cooked to perfection. There was live music but it didn't interfere with conversation in the dining room. Don't miss this gem!
(5)Debbie H.
Visiting for the first time, my husband and I wanted to find a fun spot for dinner and good music. This place did not disappoint! The food was awesome and the entire staff was very accommodating, polite and attentive (but not overly so). We ended up staying way later than we planned because the bands were so good. We really had a great time and will definitely be back the next time we are in Orlando.
(5)Landon H.
Great food wine mingle place. Surf and turf was great. Filet mignon, asparagus and crab legs with entire bottle of wine for $99! All of them were delicious. The live music is a great bonus.
(5)David W.
Pretty mediocre steak and awful Ceaser Salad, way over dressed and bland
(2)David M.
Good food can be part of a great experience if the service is great. Great food can be part of a horrible experience if the service is poor. Vines offers the best service that I have experienced in Orlando and that is a good thing because the food is only good to, perhaps, a little better than good. My wife and I visited Vines last week for our anniversary. We went on a Tuesday night and were surprised by the crowd. If the economy is not picking up, there were a large number of people eating at Vines with a degree of explaining to do! Vines, as others have noted, is not a cheap meal. But it is a fun place to visit. Our server was friendly, entertaining and attentive, without being pushing or offensive. We immediately liked him and appreciated both his candor in as he advised us about the menu. As we did not want to rush through our meal, we started with a cheese platter. The platter was attractively arranged with three artisanal cheeses, the freshest of fruits, real honeycomb (a wonderful touch!), grilled bread and . . . . crackers out of a box. The crackers were starkly contrasted to everything else and really cheapened the experience. Vines should just offer its rather excellent house bread to go along with the cheese and fruit. The cheese was good but not remarkable--several steps below the cheeses that I have had of late at the Wine and Cheese Gallery in Gainesville. I also ordered a Caesar Salad. The Romaine was fresh but the dressing was uninspired. Nothing remarkable, to say the least. Our entrees were a bit of a mixed bag. My wife ordered chicken and found that her enjoyment would have been enhanced had it been served on a platter instead of in a bowl. Cutting the quarter chicken was not easy and, removing the skin nearly impossible. The flavor was good but nothing special. I enjoyed my Tuna, served rare. Fresh tuna, perfectly seared is difficult to beat. The macadamia nut & pineapple risotto with which it was paired managed to do just that. If I have ever enjoyed a risotto as much, it was in another life because I know that I have not experienced such a flavorful risotto in this life. My wife persuaded me to order dessert. She: A chocolate torte. Me: Creme Brulee. I was very happy with my creme brulee. My wife much less so with her torte. I tried the torte and found it lacked a discernible flavor but my creme brulee was above average. On the whole, our meals offered a mixed bag but our server ensured that our dining experience was both delightful and memorable. Vines needs to give its staff a raise in pay because at least in the case of this review, the staff saved a star!
(4)Forza M.
This place is full of itself. I called ahead to make sure they were still serving dinner. I also asked if I needed a reservation because it was quite late. The answers were yes and no. But, after we arrived, the guy who I assume was the owner was very rude and dismissed us as if we didn't belong there.
(1)Bobby P.
Great all around spot. Sinatra Saturday's is Vines at it's best.
(4)Billy L.
Excellent service and a wonderful filet
(5)Amy G.
Great place for wine lovers. I try to hit this place for dinner every time my job brings me to Orlando. Food is yummy. Wait staff is great!! AND live jazz!!!
(4)Chad P.
We were staying in a hotel in the area and found this restaurant through the concierge. Overall the food, atmosphere and wine list were fantastic. We were utterly disappointed by our waiter who did not seem to know anything about the wines on the list but assured us that he had tasted most of them. Many of his suggestions were taking into account his own wine tastes as opposed to our own. We had already had many of the wines on the list. Despite providing our likes and dislikes both in terms of flavors and particular wines, he continually pushed us into wines that we not only knew we would not like but also have tried and did not like. Considering the variety of wines on the wine list, a sommelier should be on staff.
(3)Mari T.
The best thing about this place was the service. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly. HUGE wine list - thankfully our waiter helped to sort that out, but more than I've seen in a long time and the wines were beautifully set up for display. However, the food was unimpressive. For the prices, I expected more, unfortunately we received par. The most delicious part of the meal were the scallops for appetizer, beautiful cooked and paired well with the mushrooms. The Argentinian steak with chimichurri - the steak was cooked well enough but sliced thin and the chimichurri was no more than oil with not enough herbs. My sea bass though cooked well, was boring in flavor. Had to try the mac and cheese - and opted for the bacon mac and cheese, but much too salty. Sat next to a group of businessmen, who mostly each ordered steaks which come without any sides. It was humorous to see their faces when they saw the steak sitting lonely next to a whole tomato as garnish - needless to say everyones' tomato remained untouched. The sides did look delicious though. I may give this place another try, but maybe for a happy hour next time.
(3)S F.
Dear hiring manager: you have the most discerning taste when it comes to hiring the bar staff. this is your typical upscale-ish Oralndo steak and seafood place. same general food as shulas or charleys but not as pricey and without the pressure to order more than you need. also has a really well stocked bar. they do steaks well. the bone in rib eye was an awe induing size a la Fred Flintstone sized portion. my oversees colleagues were horrified and amazed that i would tackle the side of cow. seafood was above average but i wont choose it over the steak. creamed spinach is a must. i definitely recommend NOT making a reservation so you have time to sit in the bar and enjoy the atmosphere.
(4)Ted E.
Great atmosphere. Mainly a steak house but the fish dishes are also very good. Excellent wine list - though we were able to BYO. Service extremely attentive - wine service was A+. Nice stems and our server decanted our wine without our requesting. Recommend this if you can tolerate the traffic along this stretch of road which had a ton of restaurants. Thanks Kimberly (the GM) for chatting with us.
(4)D S.
Not reviewing anything other than the ambiance and a vodka/soda/lime... but they both get 5 stars! Went here to listen to the band, Groove Therapy, they play Friday & Saturday nights starting at 11 and rock the house with funk, R&B, dance and blues hits from earlier eras. When I walked in, a little after 11, the place was packed, and the band was playing. Seemed like a great group of people and age range looked to be late 20's on up. Our waitress, Jamie, was a perfect hostess and made sure we were settled in and had a beverage ordered within just a few moments of sitting at a table. They have very large beverage menu, but a very small food menu. From what I recall there were a few flat bread pizzas, a charcuterie plate, some fried stuff... This is a place I would definitely recommend going to for a date or just to hang out with friends. Loved the laid back atmosphere and the chance to hear some incredible live music!
(5)Jackie P.
There was so much good stuff on the menu I didn't even know where to start. And that was only the wine menu. I wanted to do a flight of wine but found out that this particular wine bar does NOT do flights. This seemed odd to me but our waiter was ever so glad they didn't do flights. So instead I settled for a bottle of my new favorite wine - Conundrum. When I looked at the food menu I was just as perplexed. But then I spotted their truffle lobster mac and cheese. I was hoping it was as good as Blue 13's truffle mac and cheese. I was disappointed. I guess I should have known not to try but I did anyway. The scallops were divine and the bread and different butter they set out was just as good to. I just couldn't get over the truffle mac and cheese not being so good. Sad really. Service was impeccable even though we had 3-4 different people waiting on us at one time. It was a guessing game as to who would show up next. Do it if you're in Orlando.
(4)Elizabeth B.
Restaurant Row at its finest! Tucked into one of the mediterranean buildings is this quaint restaurant with mood lighting, soft jazz music, and brick walls. Great selection of wines from France, Australia, and the US, you will find the red or white that is perfect for you. I had asked the server what wine would be the best for a sweet white wine with a delicious aroma aftertaste. A Riesling named Mosella is what she recommended and it was great. I would recommend asking the servers for their advice not only on wine but food, because they give great suggestions. Coming here for a special occasion, I had to eat something that was divine and a bit exquisite. My date and I went for steak. We both had the filet mignon, and it was so tender. Yes it is a bit high in calories but the béarnaise sauce was out of this world.
(4)Steve P.
Everything at this restaurant was great. The ambiance, the service, the wine list, we had a great time. I brought a date and we enjoyed everything. My only criticism would be the food. The menu was very appealing and the execution with the food was perfect. The only problem was that everything was under seasoned in my opinion. I'm a self proclaimed foodie and someone who stems from a culinary background. I had the seabass which was cooked perfectly (but bland)and my date had a mushroom pasta. The mushroom pasta was very unimpressive, under seasoned and had an awkward sweetness that I wouldn't expect from a dish like that. The presentation was nothing impressive and it had large stems of mushrooms throughout. Don't get me wrong, we had a great time here as they had excellent live entertainment from a Sinatra singer and loved the atmosphere. Just thought the food was a bit of a let down, especially for the price.
(3)Paul H.
Whenever I go to Orlando (which is every year) I always make it a point to go to Vines. The wine and food selection is excellent and service on point. I had the Kobe beef burger which I highly recommend, it melts in your mouth. It is on pricey side but the food and service are worth it.
(4)Jonathan S.
I stopped here for dinner while in Orlando for a conference. We actually arrived with two coupons for free glasses of wine (obtained from one of the tourist bureau offices near our hotel), which we took advantage of. The wine was quite good, and the wine-list overall was impressive. They seemed to feature a great cross-section of worldwide wine offerings (although at quite elevated prices). I tried the mushroom tagliatelle , which was rich but had lots of mushroom flavor packed into the pasta, along with assorted wild mushrooms sprinkled throughout. My dining companions both had the Kobe beef cheeseburger (see: double bypass special). That massive chunk of meat (it looked to be about 14 oz or so) came topped with cheddar, thickly sliced bacon, truffle aioli and optional foie-gras. It was accompanied by truffle-oil-drizzled french fries (in a heap). The sheer amount of food and quality of the beef (which I got the chance to sample) would seem to warrant the $25 price tag on the burger, but I'm hesitant to give praise to the practice of melting cheddar cheese and slathering mayonnaise onto Kobe beef. Heathens. The quality of the food and service was very good. I'm not sure if the prices are Orlando standard or not, but this place is quite expensive. You'd find similar prices in the old lobbyist hangouts in DC, but typically they are jacket-only sorts of affairs. While I know that Orlando, particularly in this area is a big tourist destination, the prices still seemed somewhat exploitative (thus the star deduction).
(3)Wendy m.
One of the best happy hours in town. 7 days a week 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. 50% off all appetizers, 50% off all wines by the glass, $6 martinis. The kobe beef sliders are awesome and a must try. The popcorn shrimp and the flat breads are also tasty. I have never been to Vines other then for happy hour so i cant write about there entrees. The martinis are very good and they have some unique options making it hard to choose. I cant forget the great atmosphere offered here. Nice high tops by the bar and at 7 they usually have a piano or jazz player.
(4)D K.
It seems that the neutral reviews all stem from the pricing and crowd at this restaurant... It's unfortunate, because the food is actually quite good. They're not "trying" fine dining, they *are* fine dining. Is that enough justification for the prices? Well, it depends on your point of view, what you order, and on how much you drink. I used to make it out there at least twice a year for a night of romance with the missus, if you will, and whenever my grandmother visited we took her there too, as she enjoyed the jazz. For a while I often dropped by for a drink on my way home (~$7 for scotch, typical price you find anywhere). But this hasn't been the case for the past year... So for the uninitiated, the establishment needs further explanation: You see, Vines used to be located a few suites over (still in the same complex) in a much smaller, intimate, and accommodating space. The band played at the front, and you could find privacy dining in the back. One of the reasons why I always came back was because the waiters were the absolute best in Orlando. As another reviewer said they are in their 30s, perhaps older. That's a good sign, especially as it appears that they hold on to their jobs (I first went there in 2005). This means they take it as a profession, not a job, as of course, all waiters should! The other reason why I returned, of course, was the food. I always preferred the starters to main courses, mainly because we could share it and get more variety. We often ordered the grilled octopus, the seafood harvest for four (it was $99 but it does feed four, includes lobster, shrimp, squid, scallops, and crab cakes). The lobster bisque is definitely worth it. If you eat out often you will notice that very rarely is lobster bisque not out of a can, even at upscale establishments. Vines is one of the rare ones. All in all, my suggestion is this: order starters and you will be surprised at how much less you will spend. As for the main courses, the kurobuta is good, as are the beef ribs and the risotto. I never tried the other steaks, to me it's a waste of money to order steak when I can get churrasco down the street (and churrasco is the best!), though I am tempted to try the wagyu and the burger which was added to the menu after the move. As for the crowd, well, it's Sand Lake. They're not tourists, they're locals. The wine happy hour attracts more patrons than before. It's a high income area. There's nothing wrong with having money. Orlando isn't as pretentious as Miami, but it's getting there (I hope it never does). Those of you from L.A. should not be phased at all, as you live with it on a daily basis. It doesn't bother me, to be honest. It can be annoying when it gets too loud, though I haven't had a chance to experience the new dining area. I've only been back twice since the move and I give it four stars because I wasn't too keen on the new bar menu (at least later in the evening) and I liked the older location better. It seems as though they lost some of their charm in the transition. The ogling already mentioned by another reviewer is also a factor, though the great waiters are still there. Just stick to the dining area, be prepared to spend a lot of money and give it a chance.
(4)Scott W.
A Blast!. One of the few places you can get steak tartare. Sit at the bar and let TNT (Tiffany N Travis) take care of you. Great jazz music and superb service. It is definitely a place to go, meet real people, have great food, and enjoy an evening. Two specialities not to be missed: fried capers (not on the menu but Tiff will hook you up) and Travis' excellent libation called Gentleman prefer Ginger. It is an very refreshing martini.
(4)Hiromi N.
Hmmm....When I asked the Marriott World Center concierge for recommendations for an up-scale restaurant that was good for business colleages, she recommended The Vines Grille. I trusted her opinion. First off, I want to clarify that I grew up in the South, I'm not a native Californian (so, don't bash me for my foodie-type review). In fact, I lived in Orlando during my Disney CP days and admittedly thought TGI Friday's was UP-SCALE back then. Comparing TGI Fridays and this resto, well, I think that THIS restaurant (Vines Grille & Wine Bar) is an adequate attempt at "Upscale and Contemporary". The wine menu was good and the food was filling, to say the very least. In fact, my colleagues and I left there feeling more than full, I'd say BLOATED. The food was good, southern type of fixins and the steak that I ordered there is better than ANYTHING that I can get in San Fran. Although the food was great and the jazz band playing were stellar, I was left feeling like I'd been invited to some frat party. There was a group of ladies whooping and yelling and it felt more like a pick up bar at the front of the restaurant than a "fine dining" experience. 3 people, 2 bottles of wine, 3 apps, 3 main courses and 2 desserts = $340 (including gratuity)
(3)Gigi G.
I absolutely love this place for cocktails and music. The only place I go to listen to smooth jazz and blues and to sip sweet liquors on a Saturday night. Love the new outside patio. Has plenty of seating both indoors and outside. Very cool, romantic spot to visit with your significant other. The music and ambiance makes you feel cool and trendy but with a romantic twist.
(4)Stephany R.
Great ambiance and incredible food. I tried the butter lemon salmon with potatoes, and it was out of this world. It is the best salmon I have tasted. My boyfriend tried the steak, and it was delicious too. However, the star of the night was my salmon. Order it with some wine and enjoy the great music, you'll thank me.
(5)C X.
3.5 stars overall 4 stars food 3 stars service We had dinner for a party of 6 here several days ago. Extensive and deep wine list, attractive room with very complimentary lighting. There was live music when we were there, it was not obtrusive. My foie gras appetizer was excellent ( I would give it 5 stars), and steak cooked exactly as I requested it, medium rare and charred. Our dinner lasted 3 1/2 hours.....many many bottles of wine....the untimely manner of the the output of the kitchen left something to be desired but our waiter was very personable and gracious. I have read other reviews of Vine and it seems many people complain that it is located in a 'strip mall'. Its not a strip mall with a Wal Mart or like in it....and...Seems like everything in Orlando is in a strip mall of sorts.... That's like saying you don't like a restaurant in Manhattan because its located on the ground floor of a office / high rise building.... Very glad we choose to dine here (it was recommended by the concierge at the Marriott World Center)
(4)Fredy Y.
I've been wanting to come to Vines since forever, making almost minimum wage and without having to empty the bank account has preventing me from checking the place out. The culinary gods must have heard me cause my aunt send me $20 for my birthday and it happens to be the month of magical dining where you can get 3 courses for $30. So I made a reservation, dusted the funeral shoes and went off. The prefix menu had choice of the fire grilled, scallops, soup or salad, I went for the eight legged mollusk to gage the talent of the chefs; Octopus happens to be one of those items that it's has to be meaty yet tender and not chewy and fibrous so tenderizing is crucial when preparing. The grill cook hit it out of the park my tongue almost had an umami orgasm, shave red onions, fennel, capers, Greek olive oil, lemon juice I asked for extra bread to mop the plate clean. Next was the bacon wrapped twin wrapped tenderloins cooked medium rare with enough resting time so the succulent juices were apparent with every bite I had to catch my breath. a sweet creme brule followed ending a savory meal. This could have been my first 4 star review but I can't afford it, got tap water instead of wine although after the meal I stopped at the CVS for a reasonable priced bottle of Australian pinot to enjoy at home suddenly I had forgotten about the A hole that's representing my district in congress. Vines rating it's a solid 3 and a half stars definitely superior for special occasions or when that scratch off ticket investment pays dividends.
(3)JEWELe M.
I believe this was the 3rd time I came here and once again I enjoyed my time here. I've eaten at the restaurant part before, but personally did not enjoy it since the Nawlin's type menu could not compare to the actual meals I enjoyed living in the Big Easy! This time we sat up front and enjoyed Happy Hour wine and appetizers. I totally recommend the duck flatbread and the bruchetta. The Moscata was bubbly delicious for me and my group enjoyed their wines as well. The waitress was good at suggestions, but horrible in service. But I will come back because I liked the half-off wine list before 7pm! ;)
(4)Bettina T.
Beautiful place. Upscale, high-end and fabulous! I came here for a meeting and ended up staying for about 5 hours hanging out afterwards. The ambiance was great and I really enjoyed the entertainment. I didn't have dinner here but I did try to escargo dish which was yummy and their famous imported bread which was out of this world delicous! The service was great everyone was lively and very accomodating.
(5)Brent A.
Probably the best food we had in Orlando. Our Captain gave a great presentation on the menu, but the attentiveness stopped after we received our entrees. The staff was accomodating, but service was a little slow. The calamari was decent, but the peppers were money! The bread was some of the best our group had w/ 2 types of butter. The wines by the glass list could of been larger since the normal list is 650+ bottles. 3 cabs by the glass is a little light for a 2010 Top 100 rated Condé Nast Restaurant. Kobe burger was decent, truffle fries were great, grouper was a great presentation, but a little rich, the New York Strips were 14oz & cooked perfectly! Nice interior & exterior lounge space. We'll definitely make it back next year.
(4)