We were spending a long weekend in the area and, as we tend to do whenever we travel, started…read morelooking for places to sample local drinks. We normally go brewery hopping, but if the town we're staying in has a winery, we make a point of stopping there too. So we ended up here for one very specific reason: we wanted to sit down, relax and try a couple of wine flights. We didn't do the tour and we didn't order food, so those aren't things I can personally comment on, but the wine experience alone was excellent. I did the white wine flight and my wife went with the red, and we were both genuinely impressed. Neither of us likes wine that is overly sweet or syrupy, and these were exactly what we were looking for. The wines had much more depth and character than I expected, with robust flavors that made the flights fun to work through rather than simply tasting like different versions of the same thing. My favorite was the House White Reserve. I could have happily sat there with a glass of that for the rest of the afternoon. The service was probably the biggest surprise. Our server took the time to explain the wines and answer our questions without making the experience feel overly formal or pretentious. That's important with a tasting. I want someone who knows what they're talking about, but I don't want to feel like I'm taking an exam before I'm allowed to enjoy my glass. We were made to feel completely comfortable, and even though we ended up staying later than we originally intended, nobody rushed us out the door. We sat outside on the front patio, which made the whole afternoon even better. There was live entertainment while we were there, with a gentleman playing guitar and singing, and it created exactly the sort of relaxed atmosphere you hope to find when you're away for a long weekend. Good wine, comfortable outdoor seating, live music and nowhere we particularly needed to be. That's a pretty good combination. Our only real regret is that we didn't order food. We've heard a lot of good things about the eatery, and after seeing what was coming out of the kitchen while we were there, I definitely wish we'd planned for a meal. We were focused on the wine flights that day, but next time we're coming back with our appetites as well. I really enjoyed this stop. The wine was excellent, the service was outstanding, the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, and the whole experience felt like exactly what a winery visit should be. If you're in the area and enjoy wine, I'd definitely recommend stopping in and trying a flight. We'll be back, and next time we're staying for dinner too.

A super cute little winery! Full disclosure, I'm the farthest thing from a wine expert, so if…read moreyou're looking for a nuanced take on the vintages of Hermit I'm afraid this is not the review for you. But as a casual wine drinker, I really liked this place. We didn't order any of the food, but I did try a flight of their reds, all made not with grapes but a variety of local berries. I didn't get to sample any of their meads, but it's cool that they have them on the menu. We drank our wine outside on the lovely front patio, but they also have indoor seating both on the first floor as well as on the second floor where there was a musician performing. Good atmosphere, nice people working there, definitely worth a visit when you're in town.

So, we finally got to try the chef's table, or "Chef's Whim" as it's officially titled. Eight…read morecourses. In addition to the food, we added the suggested alcohol pairings. I say alcohol because it wasn't all wine but ... since it's a bit of a surprise in terms of what actually appears I'll just leave it at that. However, as to the food ... I'll give a taste, a flavor, a wisp of a whisper of the full culinary adventure. For complete details, see your local sous chef! Here's what we had. In the middle of my photo collage, a blood sausage slider with fennel/jalapeño sauce on toasted brioche bun. Then clockwise from top left - cornbread with maple glaze in a Barbie sized personal cast iron skillet; beet salad with goat cheese half spheres; a dessert tray of black apple cake with hay ice cream (yes, seriously), chamomile pot de creme and a duck fat beignet; an assortment of ice creams - fenugreek, fennel/maitake mushroom/burnt hazelnut (all tasted fabulous and in each you could taste the listed flavors); entree of duck and wild mushroom tart; white bean soup and finally a pasta dish of ravioli with two fillings. Just a note on what it would take to make it yourself. See that hexagonal white blob on the bottom row, middle pic? That's a potato foam. Forgive me for not recalling the full procedure but the prep is roughly 7 hours long. First, the cut potatoes are cooked in a sous vide for 2 hours so that no moisture is added to them. Then a succession of ricing, smoking, drying, undrying, mashing, placing in a foam machine that looked like a whipped cream dispenser and boom - a tiny dollop of potato. It tasted great. But man - that's a lot of effort for a mouthful of potato. I don't think I'll be trying it at home. Over two hours of eating and chatting. I brought a couple of my restaurant-based cartoons as my personal thanks for the meal and was shocked that Justin, their sommelier, had done a cartoon of his own ahead of time for me! Just stick to wine, Justin - I don't need any MORE competition with my magazine editors ... With Dylan ably providing the primary chef duties and Amaya and Justin handling the booze, the meal was a smashing success. The food pairings were masterfully chosen and timing of the dishes meant we were always primed for the next one. Although the succession of what I'd call dessert dishes made me start to feel like a Hobbit enjoying dessert, second dessert and then post seconds. As Anton Ego said in Ratatouille (and they have a cute Reme rat under glass on a shelf) "I shall be returning, hungry for more."

What a lovely restaurant. Just for a tip if you find the apothecary it's down the stairs right…read moreafter it. We did have a little bit of trouble finding it but that was kind of fun. Reservations recommended we were seated at a beautiful table for two right near the bar and started off with a Pinot noir and a cabernet. Both wines were delightful. For appetizers we had the braised lamb crepe and the octopus... Both dishes were delicious, presented well with sauces to die for. Followed by the pasta dish and the duck. These were the best dinners of the year for us. The blending of flavors were fantastic and it was augmented by the owner coming over and talking to us about how the food was prepared. I won't bore you with all the details but the octopus is slow boiled for 5 hours.. complete with wine. Corks it was tender and delicious with the Mediterranean flair. We go out to eat our fair share from high end to diners anywhere. The food is well prepared and delicious... This was the top for the year! From the service to the presentation to the wine to the ambiance, everything is top notch here. I will provide a warning. You will drop a pretty penny if you partake in all the courses, but we thought it was well worth it. Thank you to the staff and ownership. We enjoyed our evening.. a true date night.

Fantastic gourmet shop to grab key things you need for entertaining: wine, cheese, salami, &…read morehousemade dips for your charcuterie, the tastiest crispy chips. Don't miss the frozen case featuring Afterglow ice cream sandwiches made in Maine. People will fight over the Classic sweet cream between brown butter chocolate chip cookies. The restaurant no longer has regular hours. But their Wiener Wednesdays featuring inventive hot dogs, along w/ curated pop-ups are not to be missed. They're really community-minded, so great local stop.

If only I lived closer... I'd be at Vessel & Vine ALL. THE. TIME…read more I've been a huge fan of this wine store for years. It's got so much character, and the people running it are some of the nicest humans ever. I don't think I've ever left without a smile on my face, or without a bottle (or two) of something new and interesting. Their selection is incredible; not just wine, but also vermouths, Campari, and even pasta and bread?! Like, what don't they do? And the vibes??! Perfection. In the winter, it gives a mix of Scandinavia and Spain, and I'm so here for it. Oh, and they have a full wine bar with pours and bites. Just go... you'll thank me later.

I rarely leave one-star reviews, but our experience tonight was incredibly disappointing…read more The food itself was very good, but unfortunately the service was some of the worst we've experienced. The biggest issue was that my dad's meal was completely forgotten. The rest of our table had finished eating before his dinner finally came out. No one should have to sit and watch everyone else eat because their order was overlooked. What made the situation even more disappointing was how it was handled. While our server did apologize, the service continued to be poor for the rest of the evening. A manager never came to our table to apologize, check on us, or ask what they could do to make the situation right. We also weren't offered to have my dad's forgotten meal comped, despite the significant mistake and inconvenience. Mistakes happen, and we understand that. What matters is how a restaurant responds when they do. Unfortunately, there was very little effort made to acknowledge the issue or recover from it, and that left a much worse impression than the mistake itself. It's a shame because the food was genuinely good, but the lack of customer service and accountability completely overshadowed the meal. We left feeling frustrated and disappointed.

The term "Pizzeria" does not do this establishment justice. They have a vast menu well beyond…read morepizza that I would be anxious to try on my next visit. We ordered a regular Pizza with half Caramelized Onion and Garlic. The pizza was to die for. The onions and garlic were tasty without being overpowering and the thin crust was crisp and flavorful. The wine list was extensive and offered a "Wine Flight" where you can try four different glasses of Wine. The wine prices were more than reasonable. Our server was friendly and attentive, all the more impressive as it was a fairly busy crowd. I considered ordering a second pie, but instead decided on coffee and dessert, which was also wonderful. I would highly recommend the Pistachio Cake. The outside of the establishment is a bit deceiving, as it belies the upscale, classy interior. There was also a very nice bar area, with an interesting offering of drinks. Highly recommend.

Best restaurant in Portland! Amazing fresh food, great…read moreservice and fantastic wine selection. It's small and cosy, Make a reservation or you won't get in.

Tried this for the first time the other week for restaurant week. Super cute spot with only a few…read moretables and a couple seats at the bar. The service was very well done. We got the wine pairing too and it was great. The food was tasty. I will be back to try not during restaurant week.

Hidden Gem!!! Food was amazing and the bartender Ryan is exceptional!! Same great service and food…read moreevery time. Can't wait for the outdoor area to open.

Ventured from Southern New Hampshire to do a little Christmas shopping in the White Mountains…read more Needed a halfway point for a late lunch. Found this gem on Yelp. Old style Tavern/pub. The first thing we noticed when we walked in the door was that Christmas smacked us in the face with the best smelling Christmas Tree candle , burning in a super cute entryway. I could hardly wait to get inside to see what else this place had in store. First, there was a fireplace and a couch and a table. In the rest of the dining area, we're all high tops. Not so high that a barely over 5 foot person such as myself couldn't sit comfortably. Our waitstaff (there were two) and were great about offering menu suggestions when I shared flavor profiles I might be looking for and they were attentive and so pleasant. They had super cute Christmas decorations, and were putting up more while we were there. The vibe is super warm and welcoming, and for a short while you feel like you stepped back in time. The tiramisu martini was delicious, as was the blood orange martini. I had the cauliflower with juju sauce at the recommendation of the waitress, and it was honestly the best cauliflower I've ever had! My husband enjoyed his macaroni and cheese with buffalo and bleu as well. The owner/chef, Leslie, came and chatted with us for a little bit before we were on our way. We learned that in the summer they hold concerts, and they have a golf course. There is a distillery on site as well. Everything about this place was excellent, and we are already planning a day date to go back and try more menu items!

Wow, that was just perfect! Enjoyed cocktails and a cheeseboard for dinner, a fine eclectic play…read morelist, smiling owners/servers, and comfortable cushioned window seating watching the dog walkers on Main St. as the sun lowers on a lovely early summer evening. Plenty of parking out back if parallel parking is your fear.

I wish I could give this more than 5 stars. Sonny and Kim really took care of us! The French 75…read morethat Sonny made me was probably one of the best I ever had. The happy hour specials were great and ultimately, we ate the rest of the oysters they had for the day. This is a great spot to sit at the bar and enjoy a drink or to meet up with friends. I was just in town visiting, but I will definitely be back (and if I lived in Saco I would be a regular).

Such a nice surprise! Passed by while walking to the car after a late lunch and decided to pop in…read more Our wine was great, servers were so sweet and knowledgeable, cheese was amazing. Wish we found this spot on or first night in town!!

A quiet little gem on Shore Road in Ogunquit. We stopped there everyday during our 3 day Labor Day…read moreWeekend to enjoy the wine, meats and cheeses and the hospitality of Donna and her staff. You can either sit inside or sit outside and enjoy a delightful al fresco experience.. It is usually only opened from 3-9 but that is a perfect time to stop and have a glass of their great wines and try out their selections of meats and cheeses. Thank you Donna. You will definitely see us again.

Graze & Vine is small but we'll organized wine store and more. Indoor seating is limited, during…read morewarmer months the outdoor area has picnic tables with shade umbrellas for enjoying wine, beer and tasty appetizers. We stopped by the Saturday after thanksgiving and enjoyed a couple glasses of wine and delicious roasted apple crumb cake. Also on the menu are marinated olives, cheese boards, and charcuterie selection along with seasonal accompaniments. They have a fairly large selection of wines, beers and ciders.

I can't say enough about Owens wonderful new location in Ogunquit. The craft cocktails and wine…read morewith the perfect choices of delicious apps ! The outside deck is just the most lovely place to relax thanks to Jordan's impeccable eye ! The bar area is huge and another great place to chill if it's wet or too warm out !

had the best experience went with friends kid friendly grate for going to read or relaxread more

You're in the very suburban town of Lebanon, New Hampshire. You've got everything that you need at…read moreyour fingertips but maybe you're looking to enjoy wine or sip a cocktail at a place with more of an urban edge. Drive 5 minutes over the state line to Putnam's in White River Junction, Vermont for that sommelier-staffed experience. Love the ambience and rigorous focus on elevated, quality ingredients, at Putnam's. They have a corkboard-covered 3-ring binder menu which is aptly named a Field Guide. Trust me, this name is earned by the Tasting Notes alone. The field guide is like a thesis for advanced Upper Valley sippers, Vermont or not. If you forgot your book or paper, just saddle up to the Putnam's Field Guide. You'll find an elaborate offering of editorial descriptions of beverages from wine to martinis (6 kinds) to beer and whiskey (one from Japan). Btw, it's rare to find a wine bar that doubles as a gorgeous coffeehouse serving pastries, espresso-based drinks, teas and breakfast sandwiches on weekends. I'm looking forward to enjoying them sometime if I'm back. The offering at Putnam's Vineyard rotates seasonally, so I will describe what was there on my visits. Visit their website for updated menu surprises. As for the evening and weekends Fall menu, they call their offering Picnic Food. It's a modest title for an extensive offering of appetizers and a few sandwiches. Think fancied-up olives, pretzels, Brazilian cheese puffs, a craft beer mix, 2 melty sammies with Vermont cheeses (1 with turkey, the other veggies), beet and chevre arancini, dips and a vast selection of desserts. Vermont cheeses, apricots, Marcona almonds, dried apricots and crostini are looking divine on the cheese board. Oh, and there's also Superbon Madrid potato chips with Osetra caviar and a mini spirit of Gaston Chiquet champagne. Just saying. There is also a weekend brunch menu with bagels and egg sandwiches. As for the wine, I recommend a flight at Putmam's. In the fall season, these flight offerings were named: the Bella Blanca Wine Flight, the Falling Leaves Mixed Wine Flight, Fireside Reds Red Wine Flight, The Forgotten Bunches Mixed Wine Flight and the almighty and an unforgettable Sparkler Flight. In this flight, I slowly savoured 3 wine sparklers at $25 total. (And no, I cannot spell savour without a "u.") These wine flights are a true value. And here are the wines in the sparkler flight: 1.) Cava 2021 by Avinyó 2.) Crémant de Bourgogne Sparkling Brut Rosé NV by Albert Bichot 3.) Lambrusco by Villa Castellazo ROTA The Cava is everything. All three were delightful and I showed up needing warm fuzzies on an evening where there was live music so the total experience was extra lovely. There is also a whiskey flight! The coffee and craft beverages selection for the fall/winter menu includes a nitro cold brew, a brown butter latte with Maldon sea salt and biscotti and a FROLA New Orleans style cold brew slushie with maple syrup and coconut cream. To any craft and coffee beverage you can add Vermont Ice Cream Coffee Liqueur or Whistle Pig Piggy Back Bourbon. Yes, please. If you are making a trip of it, catch the local bbq joint across the way from Putnam's at lunch and then visit the wine bar for drinks. Layer up, because I've been nippy there twice, and then linger over one delightful beverage after the next. Oh, and there is a charming wine shop at Putnam's with handmade gifts to peruse, as well.