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    Symposium Wine Bar

    4.6 (34 reviews)
    Open 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Symposium Wine Bar Photos

    Business Info

    SYMPOSIUM WINE BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Symposium Wine Bar

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    Dairy free toast

    Went to Symposium Wine Bar today for brunch, and I was a little nervous seeing there were no lactose free options on the menu. I let our server know, and she kindly asked the chef what the our options were. While they don't have something directly on the menu (unless you do a dish minus cheese), they do have some dairy free cheeses. Our server, Karen, sat down and walked me through an option where the chef would make me a custom toast with their dairy free cheese. It was FABULOUS! I was so so pleased. I 100% recommend going to Symposium!

    Dr Frank
    Vicky B.

    Visited for just a glass of wine with friends and was impressed with their extensive wine list, specifically because there were a few New York wines on the menu (although I'd like to see more). I really wish they had outdoor seating on the West Main Street side of the building, because it was a beautiful day and we really wanted to stay outside (hence why we stayed for only one drink). We sat by the window though and our waitress was attentive and friendly. Also enjoyed the Dr. Frank skeleton. I'll definitely be back and would love to get a snack the next time.

    The Goat
    Leah R.

    Came here with a friend for brunch and was so impressed! Staff were so friendly and welcoming. Ambiance was great. Enjoyed two espresso martinis and "the goat". A good mix of sweet and savory. Delicious. Can't return to return and try something else that I'm sure will be equally as good!

    Mediterranean plate
    Patti Y.

    Never disappoints! Whether you're interested in a happy hour, date nite cocktails or dinner, this place has it all. It's got beautiful decor and very friendly service ... and patrons!

    Bloody Mary and Irish coffee
    Kellie M.

    Had a delicious brunch here this morning!! The cannoli French toast was amazing and the croque madame my husband loved. He also loved the Bloody Mary . The service was excellent. Very nice place will definitely be back.

    Jessica R.

    So glad my bestie Ryli recommended we try this place! It was awesome. The atmosphere is very cool, although it can definitely get a bit loud when it's full with people. We tried a small charcuterie board with some of their rotating cheese and meats and the Mediterranean snack board. Both were great!! Our favorites were the cheese with truffles and the white Stilton with apricot. The whipped feta was fantastic as well. They had 4 mocktails on the menu but only 1 available which was the cucumber collins and pretty tasty! I love the way they serve their wine flights too. I would definitely come back here to try more of their food!

    Sherry C.

    By complete luck we came here on their opening day and was excited to check out this new wine bar a few doors down from Lily Belle's in Lancaster. Like any new business, opening day can be hectic and this place was actually not too bad. I love the chic decor, long bar, and high ceiling; however the sound really echo in the room which makes conversation difficult. They offer wine by the glass range from $9+ and also can purchase by bottle. I'm not a wine snob but do enjoy a glass of red from time to time. They've got a good selection of various wine on the menu as well as food. Not cheap, but average for a fancy wine bar. I believe that down the road, they should do Happy Hour specials and live jazz band to draw more crowds.

    Colleen O.

    I would be open to moving this up to a 4 or 5 star review once the iron out some of the staffing and service issues - but I do understand they were there because of some family emergencies. I loved that they sat us in a back private room where our group could socialize without too much effort . I did really enjoy my pasta in vodka sauce - it tasted very fresh . The bread I added to my order - with a garlic balsamic dipping oil , was good too . Our server was only on her second shift ever there - she struggled quite a bit and didn't know the answer to many of our questions . The owner did come over to apologize for the long waits in between courses - we waited an hour before half of our group got entrees - the other half 10 min after that - but was assured that dessert wouldn't take long at all . While well received , it still took about 15-20 min to arrive . Long story short . Ambience - A Food - B Service - C- . Definitely a cool place to try out if they work out the service problems and train more staff .

    Charcuterie board
    Doug Y.

    Excellent friendly service. Tasty food and top notch wines in a classy ambience. Will be back again and again

    Menu
    J C.

    We have our cat groomed two doors down the street. Went here on a Thurs to kill some time at pick up. Trays are half off on Thurs! Bartender was awesome met the owner stayed longer than intended.

    Avocado toast
    Kelly B.

    Stopped here for brunch on a Sunday. Perfect little spot in downtown Lancaster. Their brunch menu was very modern and upscale to match the atmosphere. I got the avocado toast and the presentation was GORGEOUS! Felt like something you would get at an elite city establishment. And our server was very pleasant!

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    Went for drinks and we're were not disappointed. The deviled eggs were some of the best I've had. Bartenders were pleasant.

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    Food was fantastic and the wine was hand selected by the owner. Everything was great and the price was reasonable

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    1 year ago

    Love this place but they recently changed their menu and were so bummed. We LOVED their bacon.

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    2 years ago

    Wonderful atmosphere , great service , excellent , delicious and beautifully plated food . Will absolutely be a repeat customer .

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    4 years ago

    Perfect addition to the village of Lancaster! Great atmosphere, great food, and amazing drinks!

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    4 years ago

    Excellent selection, food, and service. List is wide-ranging and of high quality. Great atmosphere - well done!

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    The Wine Bar

    The Wine Bar

    2.8(4 reviews)
    62.5 mi

    My party of four visited during Taste of Oakville, and in hindsight, the evening foreshadowed…read moreitself early -- the restaurant's website was down with a 404 error, and we kept finding two different addresses (one apparently their old location). We eventually found it. Upon arrival, the door swung open and struck a seated guest -- a sign of just how small the space is. The restaurant was full except for one four-top (clearly ours), and we stood awkwardly in the entrance -- which is essentially inside the dining room -- waiting to be acknowledged. When greeted, we were asked if we had a reservation. We said yes. "Table for eight?" we were asked, which felt impossible given the size of the room. We clarified four, and were pointed to the only open table. No name was requested; we realistically could have just walked in and taken it. The space is starkly lit with aggressive bright white lighting that feels more clinical than cozy. The artwork is interesting and gives a gallery-like feel -- it seems the restaurant is aiming for a downtown Toronto wine bar aesthetic, but it doesn't quite land. Our table was missing water glasses, and the stemware was mismatched -- not in an intentional, charming way, but more in a "we ran out" way. Once seated, we weren't acknowledged or offered water for nearly 20 minutes. Not rushing guests is one thing; leaving them feeling forgotten is another. When our server finally arrived, the service set the tone for the evening. One glass of water was poured before he realized another was missing. He disappeared, returned with a glass, inspected it mid-pour, then walked away again (dirty glass). After several more trips and long gaps, everyone eventually received water -- about 15 minutes later. He was polite and friendly, just clearly untrained. He shared that the owner is also the sommelier, cook, and server, and that he liked working there because he wasn't expected to know much about wine -- an interesting admission for a wine bar. The owner greeted us warmly but asked only one guest about wine preferences -- ironically the only non-wine drinker at the table. The concept appeared to be sommelier-led, though this was never explained. If that is the intention, engaging the entire table is essential. That said, the wines themselves were enjoyable; the service surrounding them was not. The Taste of Oakville menu promised three curated 3-oz pours paired with a charcuterie board for two. The pours arrived unevenly and slowly, with little explanation of the pairings. The charcuterie boards were plain and inconsistent between tables despite containing similar items -- basic fruit, crostini, simple cured meats, small portions of brie, and two slices of truffle cheese. No crackers, spreads, or thoughtful touches elevated the experience, and presentation varied noticeably. Our second wine pour didn't arrive until our mains, and service moved so slowly we requested a wine list to order a bottle. We were told there is no wine list -- "we're not that kind of restaurant." Instead, all reds are $80 and all whites $70, and the owner selects the bottle for you after asking only red or white. The concept might work if explained upfront; without context, it was confusing. At one point, noticing my empty glass, our server poured me a random red -- which turned out to be the same wine as our first pour -- and then left without serving anyone else. We had to remind staff we were still waiting for our second curated pour. Nothing about the experience felt curated. The most surprising moment of the night came when our mains arrived. As we lifted our appetizer plates -- still holding olive pits, fruit rinds, and crumbs -- the servers told us not to worry about clearing them and proceeded to place our main dishes directly on top of the used plates. I'm still shocked. I wouldn't do that at home, let alone expect it at a Lakeshore, or quite frankly, any restaurant. Two of us ordered the tagliatelle, which was tasty but contained only two small pieces of short rib -- and was difficult to enjoy while staring at discarded rinds beneath the plate. The other two ordered brisket sliders: two sliders, no sides. They tasted good but left diners hungry. One guest joked they kept thinking the fruit rinds were fries -- unfortunately accurate. We tried to make the best of the evening, but it never delivered the cozy wine-and-charcuterie experience we had anticipated -- dim lighting, thoughtful pairings, something special. After finishing our meal, we requested our bills and reminded staff we were still waiting for the third curated pour. We were told "five minutes." Those five minutes never came. Eventually, wanting simply to leave, we paid a single combined bill and sorted it out ourselves. Dinner for four totaled $460. This was not the boutique Lakeshore dining experience we expected, and ultimately, it was deeply disappointing.

    As an Oenophile, I was excited to check out The Wine Bar in my neighbourhood. The door was open, In…read morewalked in at 4:55 to be "Greeted" by the Owner, "We don't open till 5 o'clock".......Attitude from the get go. I looked at the menu, interesting but very pricey for the offering. I looked at a row of wine bottle partially open and simply corked, no nitrogen or air extraction.....no telling how long the wine had been "Breathing"....Days? I am puzzled by the discrepancy 5 Star vs 1 Star reviews. I have no confidence in the 5 star reviews....Friends?...Self reviewed? No serious wine enthusiast would visit this establishment...bad attitude, poor value, insufficient wine care and presentation.

    Photos
    The Wine Bar - Website

    Website

    The Wine Bar
    The Wine Bar - Tase of Oakville menu and charcuterie for 2

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    Tase of Oakville menu and charcuterie for 2

    Apogee Wine Bar

    Apogee Wine Bar

    4.5(72 reviews)
    57.2 miPark Avenue
    $$

    Apogee is a fantastic gem of a place in a quiet spot on Park Ave, far from the crowds and traffic…read moreand heavily perfumed masses. It feels like a hidden locals-only joint where you can grab a glass of your fave from a thoughtfully curated list of delicious options, and settle in with your better half, besties or a group of friends and just chill. We've been to Apogee a number of times before and 'after' covid, in colder months when we've been lucky to snag a window table, and in warmer times, like tonight, when we can sit outside and enjoy the flickering fireflies along with our sparkling rosè. Besides the pleasant atmosphere, Apogee has a beautifully appointed interior space, clean bathrooms, and a menu with cheese plates, cake, and more wines than you could taste in a summer. All of that plus super knowledgable 'bar tenders' (more like wine sommeliers) who can take your possibly clumsy description of what you think you want and offer up several perfect options, and you have the makings of a very pleasant evening. Book mark this place and plan to spend at least an hour enjoying an outside table!

    Apogee was our baby shower venue. While people don't normally associate wine bar with baby shower,…read morewe made it work and Apogee was the perfect venue that met all of our needs. As a special events venue, Apogee was flexible with outside food and also with decorations. There was no additional venue rental/site fee, just a minimum spend amount (which we were confident that we would exceed). The venue is cozy and intimate, but has high ceilings so it did not feel claustrophobic at all, even with 30+ guests at one point. I'm a wine snob myself, so I was a bit skeptical initially when I saw their wine list. Most of the wines they serve retail for $10-20. They do have some bottles that are more expensive (retail ~$30). However, after tasting some of their entry level wines (Ancient Peaks Zinfandel & Gouguenheim Malbec), my worries vanished. Everything I tasted was excellent and drank better than their actual price point. Steve was a great host. He was laid back, but still friendly and attentive to all of our guests. He made sure everybody's drink needs were satisfied. He was also flexible with letting us in the venue early to set up and also staying late to clean up. I also liked the fact that they allowed us to bring our own wine, for a $15 per bottle corkage fee, which is fair. Anyways, Apogee is a great venue for a small party. They are flexible and reasonable. I would definitely recommend them as a wine bar and for hosting a private event (especially on a Sunday).

    Photos
    Apogee Wine Bar - Maple cake slice

    Maple cake slice

    Apogee Wine Bar
    Apogee Wine Bar - Maple cake

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    Maple cake

    Kade’s Scratch Kitchen - Meatball hoagie and onion rings

    Kade’s Scratch Kitchen

    3.9(17 reviews)
    34.9 mi

    Have had two dinners there and they both were quite good. I like rye and the rye roll they used…read morefor the roast beef sandwich was great!

    1/5 Stars - Unprofessional and Disappointing Experience at Kade's Scratch Kitchen …read more We've dined at Kade's Scratch Kitchen four times, but our latest visit was a complete disaster. My husband ordered a second beer, which never arrived, yet it was included on our bill. I had two drinks and even offered him half of mine, noticing he'd only had one, before we realized the error on the check. When he politely pointed out that he never received the second beer, the owner insisted she "100% delivered it" and argued with him, refusing to correct the mistake at first. As someone with years of hospitality experience in foodie cities like Portland, Maine, and Boston, I've never seen a restaurant owner argue with a customer over something so trivial--especially with a family dining with two kids, having ordered appetizers, meals, and three cookies for dessert. When my husband tried to address the issue calmly, the owner shockingly threatened to call the police if he didn't leave. To make matters worse, she was openly complaining about wanting to go home to bed when we arrived, setting a negative tone from the start. While everyone can have a bad day, this level of unprofessionalism is unacceptable. Kade's Scratch Kitchen has lost our business, and it's clear the owner is in the wrong industry.

    Photos
    Kade’s Scratch Kitchen - Chicken fingers and fries - you need to try the Kades Signature Sauce!

    Chicken fingers and fries - you need to try the Kades Signature Sauce!

    Kade’s Scratch Kitchen - Mushroom Swiss Burger with homemade chips.

    Mushroom Swiss Burger with homemade chips.

    Kade’s Scratch Kitchen - Caesar Salad with popcorn shrimp

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    Caesar Salad with popcorn shrimp

    Symposium Wine Bar - wine_bars - Updated May 2026

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