The Grapevine Ratings: 3.4/5
Food: 2/5 - Heard great things about this place so I decided to try it out, but it was a major disappointment. I am a true Italian pasta lover, and had amazing pasta locally and in major cities, but this was the first and the only time leaving an Italian place unsatisfied. This is the only time I couldn't finish my entree too, not because of the big portions from typical Greek restaurants, it's just that the pasta was not it at The Grapevine. You can see the description below.
- Sesame Bread Rolls [GET]: These are complimentary bread rolls they serve while we wait for our food. They are delicious, hella soft, pillowy, and airy. It is the BEST thing of the night; so tasty and wonderful, and eating only one of them was just not the right move, so make sure to ask for second rounds of these rolls. CARBS are your friends, and they are insanely good. I know my breads. Honestly, they are one of the reasons why gave it a three star ratings.
- Fried Calamari [GET]: Got an appetizer to share. The fried calamari was average, fried pretty crispy and had a crunchy on the outer layer, but nothing too special about them. The bread crumb to calamari ratio was good, and seafood was tender and juicy. I like the Marinara sauce that comes with it, definitely added a good acidic kick to the calamari.
- Special of the Night [SKIP]: It was penne pasta cooked with grilled chicken and sautéed spinach topped with mozzarella cheese. The grilled chicken was dry and hard, not juicy at all, was way too overcooked. The pasta was not al dente, instead it was soft and soggy; there's no chew to it. This dish was very bland, definitely didn't seasoned it enough, and low key I had to add the Mariana sauce from the calamari to juicy it up a bit, but didn't help much. The major downside was it was drenched in oil, and almost all of my pasta was in like a pool of oil. This entire dish tasted very greasy, unhealthy, and not tasty. Everything was just wrong about it.
Ambiance: 4.25/5 - Known for their cute interior design and romantic vibes. There is a Greek/Italian theme going on with bright string lights hanging on the wall because of the holidays. Inside was spacious with plenty of seating areas and a cocktail bar too. I love that they have a very cute outdoor patio, so definitely sit outside when the weather permits. Perfect for a date night on special occasions.
Price: 3.75/5 - I got an appetizer, fried calamari to share with my siblings for $14 and a specials of the night, which is a pasta entree for around $18. The total came up be around $40. The pasta did not meat my expectations, so I didn't thought it wasn't worth, but portions were great. I didn't end up taking the rest back home, because it wasn't good.
Service: 3.75/5 - We went a couple days before Christmas and packed with people. I had a reservation at 7:30PM, but we didn't get our food until almost an hour later. All the staffs were nice, and greeted us when we walked in and make sure we were happy with where we sit. Our server was attentive and friendly, and she tried to keep us updated with the status of our food, but it was still too long of a wait. Make sure to make a reservation before you go. Overall, an okay experience. I just hope they take less people, so the quality meets the quality even during busy times.
BLUF: Classic Greek style restaurant that serves huge portion. Great ambiance, reasonable prices, and amazing service from all the staffs, but we all agree as a group that the pasta dishes were way below average. I'd recommend Mama Cucina if you are craving for some delicious pasta in RVA. So, I will not be returning to The Grapevine again, probably will only go back for the sesame bread rolls only! read more