Wine Knot Bar & Bistro Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Kenosha for healthy meals suggestion.

Visit below restaurant in Kenosha for healthy meals suggestion.

  • Charles M.

    I've been told by a number of people over the last few years that "Wine Knot is the kind of place you'll love." So with my partner and I finding ourselves in downtown Kenosha on a Monday night, we decided it was time to try it out. In retrospect, I should ask people to clarify exactly what they think I'll love, because it wasn't this place. After navigating the inexplicably closed main entrance and entering on a side door, we were quickly seated by the hostess, but waited over 10 minutes to be greeted by a server. This should have been a warning as the crowd was minimal. We were feeling mildly celebratory and my favorite sound is the shaking of a martini, so we ordered Cosmopolitans off the menu - it's usually a solid indicator of a bartender's mixology. The server arrived 10 minutes later, empty-handed, to take our dinner order. Another 5 minutes later, we were served drinks and the server vanished. What we received was some vile concoction with vanillla in it, like the bastard love child of a Cosmo and a Cherry Cheesecake shot. I even pulled the menu out from under the table - we were using it to stabilize a 1-inch gap under the pedestal that sent our water flying if we leaned - and checked the recipe listed. The bartender just did not know how to mix a simple drink. Of course, I couldn't send it back because our server had disappeared. She stopped briefly to tell us fresh bread was almost ready and she would bring some out soon, and then zipped away again. We were so perplexed (why didn't she mention bread before?) that we forgot to send back the "Cosmos." My second favorite sound is the uncorking of a wine bottle and since we couldn't trust the bartender for mixed drinks, we decided to peruse the wine list. A place that bills itself as a "wine bar" should have a more impressive selection. Wine? Not. There are several dozen varietals represented, but not well. Nearly the entire list was available by the glass, which sounds good, but in fact limits the selection to wines that fit into a by-the-glass price point. We settled on a reasonably respectable malbec, and popped the menu back under the table. When our wine arrived, the other problems of a large by-the-glass selection emerged: the wine had been open too long and was served far too warm. I'm not expecting cellar temperature, but those bottles were cooking in the afternoon sun that streams in the west-facing facade windows. By this point we had already determined never to return, so we just slugged through the stuff like the hooch it was. During our long waits and dissatisfying quality of inebriation, we pondered the Yelp review to come and turned to the decor. It initially struck me as pleasantly modern and ecclectic, but closer inspection revealed a tacky imitation of modern and ecclectic. The back wall behind the bar is painted charcoal grey with a slate-like faux finish and the adjacent wall near the kitchen is enamel red, which are quite complementary, but the grey wall is incredibly damaged from scraping by barstools The walls opposite are done in gold with a sponge-painted finish and slathered with the same "vintage" posters of European advertising that have been done a million times over. "Curtains" made of wine corks are strung over the front windows in some twisted homage to the unflinchingly tacky decor of family-style Italian restaurants. The ceiling is unbelievably trashy. While drapes of Asian-style red fabric and red Chinese lanterns are fairly attractive, Wine Knot's noise issues have resulted in a hodge-podge of egg-crate foam and sound-absorbing tiles being pasted or strung all over. Ahh... but here our prodigal waitress returns with our dinners! And more vague promises of fresh bread. The single redeeming quality of our visit was the food. I had the Duck Two Ways and my partner had ordered the filet mignon. The duck confit was juicy and well-seasoned, and the duck breast was cooked to just the right temperature. My partner's steak was tender and served with an excellent sauce. The cut of said steak was dubious, however, and it's accompanying asparagus was "adequate," which is rather stinging commentary from him. The multi-grain cous cous that accompanied my duck was flavorful, but definitely overcooked. Still, 3 or 4-star food does not save a 1-star experience. Really, there is no mystery to what excites me in a restaurant: good food, good drinks, good wine, good service, and good decor. We are more than willing to overlook some deficiencies in that mix, but Wine Knot failed on a catastrophic level. I walked in wanting to love this restaurant, but the experience was so miserable that I'll never be back. PS - the mythical bread never appeared.

    (1)
  • Shawn S.

    Since living here in Kenosha for about a year, the Wine Knot has been a regular destination for my friends and me. The have a pretty good selection of wines, some nice wine flights and a menu that changes with the seasons. The atmosphere is pretty cozy and they have outdoor seating when the weather permits. My favorite thing on the menu is a crispy duck breast. I've tried other things, and all have been good, but the duck breast is soooo good. It used to come with a very good risotto, but they changed it up for a wild rice blend with edamame, which is still pretty good. I went with the Blackened Norwegian Salmon last week when I was in, and that was very good too. It was served with a Black Paella, which I couldn't really get into. I found it difficult to eat something that's gooey, mushy, and black. They had this Honey and Gorgonzola Bruschetta in the Spring that sounds weird, but tastes great...Looking forward to that one coming back. The service is always good. The only thing that is hard to deal with is the overwhelming noise when it gets busy on the weekends. It's all but impossible to carry on a conversation without raising your voice...especially when they have live music. I guess it's just attributed to the excellent acoustics in a very old building. But, as a whole, in Kenosha, The Wine Knot is one of my favorites. For good food and good wine at a reasonable price, it can't be beat.

    (4)
  • Laura L.

    The wine Knot is a great little place in downtown kenosha that actually makes you forget you are in Kenosha! The live music is great and its super cozy! The food is wonderful and the service is great too! Some things are a tad pricey (if you are watching your budget) but there are more reasonable things on the menu so there is something for everyone. They also have drink special nights. If you live in Kenosha and haven't been there yet, you are really missing out!

    (5)
  • Riki O.

    Great food and drink and the outdoor patio cannot be beat. Just make sure to make it there by 6 pm for dinner.

    (5)
  • bill s.

    I go here semi-frequently, generally when I pick my wife up from the METRA on one of her trips to Chi. Probably a 3 star place but surviving this long in Kenosha gives it a 4th star. Gets loud due to the brick walls, wood floor and the bar 8' from the dining area. Good wine selection. I have had dinner (their large plates) but it is much more fun to order5 or 6 small plates. I often take out of town business clients there just for something different.

    (4)
  • Manny R.

    The best meatloaf I have ever had. Seriously the best. Yes meatloaf... Located downtown it's worth stopping in whether for drinks or to eat. Nice date spot.

    (4)
  • David C.

    Great food....great service!! Our favorite spot in Kenosha!! Our favorites....grilled veges and burger!!

    (5)
  • S F.

    First time here. Fantastic spinach and hanger steak salad with homemade balsamic dressing. Great wine. Great date night place. Good dessert too

    (4)
  • Cassandra M.

    Great service from Josh tonight! He recommended the halibut and the meatloaf, which were both very good.

    (4)
  • Bob H.

    Enjoy the food very much. I love ordering the Fish Tacos that they serve in the summer. It is great to be able to sit outside on the patio and share a bottle of wine and/or eat a fine meal. Steak is great as is all the sea food. One of their best specials is the meatloaf...order it as it is great... Only negative is if they have live music it gets really loud. Go their...eat and enjoy.

    (5)
  • Rebekah H.

    Came here on a weekday night nice and early, so while there were tables seated already we had no problem getting a table. Started with the Loaded Baked Potato Soup Quesadilla, it was pretty tasty. It was kindof basic for the type of place this is but had really good flavors. Also had the Hanger Steak And Spinach Salad, it was good but a tad too sweet for my taste. Hubby had the Brian's Meatloaf, and he seemed to really enjoy it. Waitress was very nice but slow about bringing the check. All in all, it is a really nice space with good food, we will definitely try it again.

    (4)
  • Twinkle T.

    If you enjoy sifting through a 5 page greasy lamented menu that hasn't changed since the 1980's and prefer to eat the same meal while sitting in the same booth prepared by the same cook that has assembled your same order for the past 10 years, you may not enjoy dining at the Wine Knot. Their menu only has two pages and changes often, which is one of the reasons we keep going back. I refuse to pay someone to make a meal I can make at home, which is, in my opinion, the driving force to actually dine out. This is where we go for date nights and when we have out of town guests arrive. Wonderful wine selection, friendly and helpful staff and an upbeat atmosphere. I've tried many of their main and unique side dishes (hello horseradish mashed potatoes!) with positive results. They don't offer a printed up children's menu, but will verbally give you options if you ask. The one Ribeye I've had was, quite possibly, the best cooked medium rare steak I've had in the Midwest. I now know what it is like to experience that 'melt in your mouth steak'. Thank you, Wine Knot. Don't ever change!

    (5)
  • Jill N.

    This place is great! I love the fact that they change their menu a couple times a year to serve items that are in season. I have come here as a girls night and for a date night with my husband and had a great time. They bring out fresh bread and dipping oil, which is delicious. I've tried many options on their menu and the hummus appetizer (when in season) is fabulous! The salmon, macadamia nut halibut and filet are also outstanding. I have never had a bad meal here and the service has always been good as well. As far as drinks are concerned you can't go wrong with the wine flights! And the Milky Way martini for dessert.....OH MY!!! Mom and I had to go to the bar for a second one! Best chocolate type dessert martini she said she'd ever had. Definitely on the top of my list as well!! Can't wait to go back!

    (5)
  • Amy B.

    My husband and I sat at the bar and ordered the filet and the sirloin with some glasses of wine. The bartenders were extremely polite and attentive. Our steaks were cooked to perfection and were excellent. The wines we choose were paired well with our meals and we had a great overall experience.

    (4)
  • Karen F.

    Over priced. Food was below par. Dessert of tiramasu was right out of the freezer. Hard on the edges with freezer taste. What really irritates me is the dirty windows and floors. Would not go back.

    (1)
  • Jessica H.

    Coming from San Francisco where there are a number of amazing places to eat, this is my favorite in all the Midwest. Everything I have eaten here has been delish and the atmosphere is always wonderful. The wine selection is so-so but the food truly is great. Highly recommend the Wine Knot!!!

    (4)
  • Katie L.

    Great food! Service isn't that great, maybe should have one more server on the floor. But the halibut was terrific!

    (5)
  • Alma V.

    So the atmoshphere is cool, and the wine is ok. The wine offered is of cheaper varieties (even the more expensive ones are sub-par), but it's not the worst. At least it's cheap, and the pours are large. The food is a disappointment all the way around. In order to eat enough to make you full you have to spend a lot of money, and that money is not well spent. The little plates are a cheap twist on potentially awesome classics. Their bruschetta came on, and I'm not even lying, hot dog buns, the cheap kind. And they, now this is the most shocking, DO NOT EVEN OFFER A STANDARD CHEESE AND/OR CHARCUTERIE PLATE!???!! What kind of a wine bar is this? I think this place has potential with where they are with wine flights and their atmosphere and decor and I really hope management reads this review and they can implement serious changes. We wish we had a place in Kenosha that was proportiantely priced with quality and had a wine bar with cheese and charcuterie options. Perhaps an olive plate? These things seem standard to me or anyone who's ever been to Nappa or any wine country.

    (2)
  • Mark K.

    So far the table for 8:30 isn't ready.... Trying to be patient. It's only 8:39.... Eventually went to SazzyB. No wait for table and EXCELLENT food and music.

    (1)
  • John M.

    We stopped in and had a drink at the bar before moving to a table for dinner. The bartender's wine recommendation was decent and the food was good, we would even highly recommend the Halibut. However, what we will not be recommending is our blonde waitress whom never bothered to tell us her name. After we sat down, we waited and finally she appeared. We ordered a few more drinks and again waited. We seemed to not have been of any concern to her. She was non-stop on her phone (Non-stop, I wish this was an understatement), she was always talking to her friend who was sitting at the end of the bar, and doing everything else but helping us. Once we ordered, that was the last we saw of her, the busier who was clearing tables brought us our food. She walked by us a few times and never checked in on us. We finished our dinner and headed home. I hope she is not the owner, if she is, I do not see this establishment lasting very long. She was on her phone constantly, touching her hair, rubbing on customers that walked in, and never stopped to wash her hands. (We had a pretty clear view of the sink and had been seated by the door.) She had no concern for us, she did not bother to bring us our food, check in on us, and we had to ask another employee to get us our check. An over all an unsanitary and well-ignored disappointment.

    (1)
  • Kara H.

    If you want your waitress to ignore you, and sit down at a table and drink a beer with someone she knows before she cashes you out, then this is the place for you. The wine and food are decent, but the service and ambiance kills this place. We won't be back. Do yourself a favor and walk 2 doors down to the Sazzy B - they know what a wine bar should be.

    (2)
  • Shawn L.

    I have eaten here twice and the atmosphere, drink selections and food have always been very good.

    (4)
  • Jeff R.

    The next time you venture to Kenosha, Wisconsin for any reason (college town, lake, outlet malls, etc) and need some food, Wine Knot is a very good option. My reason for being in southern Wisconsin was for Carthage College Men's soccer, and Erica, Erica's mom and I needed some food before braving the chilly 40s degree night last Wednesday. The Baker women have had trouble finding satisfactory dining choices, which only added to our enjoyable meal. As the name implies, Wine Knot is a small but fun atmosphere wine bar and patio in downtown Kenosha. There is a long bar, two large communal wooden high top tables, and individual tables along the wall. There's fun posters and signage, plus a few TVs to catch whatever game is playing. The menu is simple and to the point, exactly what a down-to-earth wine bar should offer. The wine and beer list looked extensive, though we didn't take time to explore it at length. Our meal was tasty with no surprises, middle of the road Midwestern food. We started with fish tacos, possibly the best dish of the meal, and seasoned parmesan russet fries with chipotle aioli. After tasting some good starters, I was slightly dissapointed with the main courses. I ordered Sweet and Spicy Chicken with Soba Noodles and Seasonal Vegetables. The dish was quite simple and relatively bland. Everything looked replicable at home without much work. The chicken was neither sweet nor spicy, and the vegetables added little. Erica did not love her ahi tuna and garlic noodles, preferring to eat all the noodles and some tuna. The food wasn't bad, just nothing special. I recommend choosing simple American dishes such as a burger. There is a nice and fun vibe to Wine Knot and it's a good place to grab a drink and a snack. I'm certain the patio in the summer is a great place to spend time and enjoy the breeze from Lake Michigan. The main entrees are well prepared and simple, but what more do you need from a wine bar in Kenosha? I have only enjoyed one meal in Kenosha but from what the Baker women said, this is one of the better options.

    (3)
  • Mark L.

    Ate at Wine Knot the other evening, and I was impressed on my first time in the restaurant. To begin, the atmosphere is nice with a full bar and tables scattered around the dining room. Was seated near the front window. It's a little on the noisy side, but I'm used to loud and bustling restaurants. Food wise I shared a seared ahi tuna salad, a platter of pot stickers and egg rolls, and a macadamia encrusted haddock. All three dishes were flavorful and the prices were fair. Look forward to trying more things on the menu.

    (4)
  • Roxanne G.

    Brought friends. Oh well. Our food was mediocre at best. And the place smelled like ammonia and garbage when we walked in. I'd bragged about the food and no one finished his/her meal.

    (2)
  • Michael B.

    One of my wife's and my favorite "date night" places. Charles M. sounds like a food critic. We like this place. Yeah, it's small and the tables are nestled fairly close together and we've gotten tables that weren't level before, but it's a very fun, nice, pleasant place to hang out with your loved one or a group of friends. We enjoy it and recommend it often to our friends. If I may be so bold, get their flights if you like to taste a few different wines. We like the Avery Lane gerwurztraminer, but we're semi-sweet wine fans. This is the place where we fell in love with artichoke dip. Ymmmmm.

    (5)
  • Dan M.

    What a pleasant surprise. My wife and daughter had the Asian Salmon, my other daughter had the Mussels over Linguine, and I had the Lamb Rack. The best Lamb I have had until this meal was at Phil's in Saugatuck, MI but this trumped that. The Salmon was impeccable as were the Mussels with Linguine. (To our surprise the Mussels were stacked so high on the plate that there was a full lunch available the following day.) The staff was charming and I met the Chef to tell him how pleased we were. We have not stopped talking about this visit. You can show up in shorts or dress up as you please. It is an unpretentious wonderful place to dine. I would highly recommend the Wine Knot. The down side? I'm am not sure I will ever be able to order the same dish again as I fear that I have set the bar to high. Dan

    (5)
  • Tim H.

    One of my top picks for a night out with my wife in the area. Although the Wine Knot is a in Kenosha, WI (which isn't known for it's fine dining establishments), the quality of the food and atmosphere is closer to that of restaurants in larger markets. If you go on a weekend, come early and expect a wait. Last time we went, they didn't accept reservations.

    (4)
  • Meg K.

    My friend and I wanted some wine and a patio to drink it on and decided to visit Wine Knot. We had a great time - good service (even on the patio on a busy night), properly chilled wine and a incredibly delicious and decedent dessert. The wines offered are broad enough to entice most palates and budgets.

    (4)
  • hugh g.

    There is a full large plate menu but we chose to have a number of items off the small plates menu. The brie and flat bread was terrific but my favorite was the steak and spinach salad.

    (5)
  • Alma V.

    So the atmosphere is cool, and the wine is okay. The wine offered is of cheaper varieties (even the more expensive ones are sub-par), but it's not the worst. At least it's cheap, and the pours are large. The food is a disappointment all the way around. In order to eat enough to make you full you have to spend a lot of money, and that money is not well spent. The little plates are cheap twist on potentially awesome classics. Their bruchetta came on, and I'm not even lying, hot dog buns, the cheap kind. And they, now this is the most shocking, DO NOT HAVE A CHEESE PLATE OR A CHEESE AND CHARCUTERIE PLATE??!! I think this place has potential with where they are with wine flights and their decor/atmosphere and I hope someone reads these reviews who can make serious changes. We wish we had a place in kenosha that was proportiantely priced with quality and had a wine bar with cheese and charcuterie options, which seems so obvious to me and for anyone who's been to Napa or done any traveling in Europe or wine savvy countries.

    (2)
  • Ethan M.

    I really wanted to love the Wine Knot. Technically, what was not to love: * The large selection of wine? * The varied (and somewhat over-styled) food? * The beautiful large bar? * The equally as beautiful and attentive staff? As an attention-seeking foodie with a fondness for wine and other spirits, the Wine Knot had everything that I was seeking. Before explaining the rating, let's get into some details. Entering the restaurant takes introspection and patience - especially if there is no one sitting outside. The entrance is on the side, not the front, and be careful - there is a slight step that it is pretty easy to trip on (more so if one has been visiting other local establishments). Walking into the boxy but nicely furnished space reveals slightly masculine reds, browns and oranges. I was greeted upon entering (no, not "Norm") and given some seating options. I chose a table where the front door would normally be and was immediately presented with a wine list and a food menu. The Wine Knot's wine list is extensive (as one would expect), particularly for those seeking to enjoy a wide variety of wines by the glass. Priced about right for the variability and poured correctly for the Kenosha locale (read: larger pour), there is plenty for everyone to love. While I sipped a Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, I reviewed the menu and ended up ordering a salad and flatbread. The salad was fresh with a number of different greens, however, I should have asked for the dressing on the side and the leaves were awash in an over-powering fruit-flavored vinaigrette. The flatbread was OK - a nice combination of three cheeses, some ham with an odd thin tomato sauce that clearly had a bit of the vinaigrette from the salad in it. I ate the flatbread with a Pinot Noir (apologies - cannot remember the name) and was happy with the combination, if not the dish itself. The portions that I received were about average for a nice restaurant, but those portions were smaller and notably more expensive than I expected. So, why no LOVE? I was a bit put off by frequently over-styled food and more so by the odd flavor combinations. The price finalized the trinity of dislike. In the future, I will likely stop by for a glass or two of wine, however, I am not likely to eat there again.

    (3)
  • Rob S.

    Extraordinarily mediocre. Having eaten here again for the requisite 'second chance', I can now safely say that it's not all that good. Come with low expectations and you might leave happy. If you have any sort of skill in the kitchen, you could probably make comparable food at home. It's hard to fault the chef because looking at the menu, you can see things that are going in the right direction - my problem was with the ingredients and I think the chef has probably fallen victim to the owners' food cost limitations. Two of the sides I've had have been green beans and a rice pilaf. Both these items were frozen and I swear the rice was the same fried rice 'kit' you can buy at Sam's Club. That's fine if they're a part of the $6.99 meatloaf special - not the $15 meatloaf special. Wine list is decent. Beer list is slightly above average. $25 for overcooked Halibut? Ravioli was undercooked and in a 'tomato/meat/wine sauce' that tasted a lot like onions mixed with the syrup from a can of yams. Awful. The Pork shanks were very good. Salmon was good and the meatloaf was well above average. Service was good. Atmosphere was good - it's a cool space. Definitely overpriced for the area, though. My recommendation would be to eat here only if using a restaurant.com coupon so you don't feel like you've been had. That's the only way I'll ever go back.

    (2)
  • Paul S.

    Good wine selection, excellent decor, great bistro type menu and food! I loved the concept of this place when it first opened. It opened in downtown Kenosha a few years back, 2003/2004, I think. And this is right around the time I started really falling in love with red wine. The current head chef used to be a sous chef @ the Polaris in Milwaukee and is a friend of mine. He also happens to be a great chef. If I had to describe the cuisine in a few words: Gourmet bistro meets home style comfort flavors. Great seafood, pasta and meat dishes all over the small, yet snazzy menu. The specials are usually excellent as well. Only complaint would be that it gets pretty crowded after 8:30p.m., mostly due to the fact that this is also a popular downtown bar. If you are lucky enough to grab a seat on the outside sidewalk cafe, by all means, DO! Downtown Kenosha is coming along nicely. Places like Wine Knot, Pazzo, Lazybird, and the new condos are the main reason for this positive transition.

    (4)
  • Brad B.

    If this place were in any of the other cities I frequent, it would rate a lot lower but, for where it is, its quite good. I've been literally dozens of times since I sometimes live near to this place. It kinda irks me that they don't "know me" after my frequent patronage....I mean, some of my favorite haunts in Chicago know my name after just a handful of visits. Whatever. The food is generally grouped into "little plates" and "big plates" and you can go either way really because the little plate portions are anything but. The pork chop that is on the menu in the fall / winter is really good. The duck is a great experience and for those of you who are boring, there is the typical filet and (sigh) a burger. Here is where my problem lies with this place. The chef has dumbed down the menu to cater to the local tastes. The food used to be MUCH better and more interesting when this place first opened. I can't imagine that he likes what he's doing here, by dumbing things down for the legacy residents (the Kenosha area is rapidly becoming a suburb of Chicago for those who don't know). The point here is, when I'm in this part of the world, I can't really be arsed to think of eating anywhere but the Wine Knot because its provided me with decent food, that is difficult to obtain in this part of the world, at really good prices. Oh. Almost forgot. Live music. Friday and Saturday nights at 10PM the Wine Knot typically lays on some pretty decent live jazz. Enjoy.

    (4)
  • Barbara Y.

    My husband and I spent a Saturday evening in Kenosha and wandered down to the lakefront. We took a 25 cent ride on the electric trolley. (It reminded me of my childhood in Chicago, riding on the Broadway Ave. streetcar with my mother.). While on the trolley, we passed an interesting street (6th Ave.) in the old downtown area and decided to explore that street after our ride. We managed to snag a table on the outside patio of Wine Knot. I had a glass of sangria and my husband had a nice red wine. We shared a huge appetizer of spinach-artichoke dip with mini-pita crisps. Everything was delicious and the service was excellent. It's a great spot to sit and watch people go by. All the food we saw being served looked fantastic, so we'll have to go back and have a full meal the next time we're up north. If you go, walk south a block or so on 6th and check out Laboratory Toys (even if you don't have kids to shop for). They have the most amazing selection of toys and games, and stuff you haven't seen in a long time (if ever!).

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 1:00pm
  • Mon : 5:00 pm - 1:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Noise Level : Loud
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes

Wine Knot Bar & Bistro

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