Editor’s Note: Our columnist is not a trained or paid professional, nor does he get complimentary meals from the restaurants visited. He and his party arrive unannounced and do not reveal that they will be doing a review. Comments or questions may be sent to Sam Geati, greengeezer9@comcast.net
Great beer, wine, and food!
This week, I’m writing about a unique Algonquin eatery called The Village Vintner. This recently re-opened business is now a restaurant with a winery and brewery on the premises. It’s only one of two in the state to be licensed as such. It was previously located on Randall and Miller Roads, but did not include a restaurant. The new surroundings are very large, with separate brewing areas in addition to the dining section. You don’t have to be interested in either wine or beer to thoroughly enjoy The Village Vintner. Co-owners Bob and Steve Boyer have done a great job of making sure that the food quality doesn’t take a backseat to the excellence of the spirits they brew.
One of the key features of the dining experience is the wood fire oven. The menu includes several interesting appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, plus pizza and various entrees cooked in the wood fire oven. My softball teammates, Tom Maley and Mike Burns, were with me for this review. Tom chose a wood-fired roasted chicken salad wrap, which included apple, cashews, golden raisins, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato rolled in a tomato tortilla wrap with a side order of regular or sweet potato fries. Tom chose the regular fries and said they were crispy on the outside, just as he likes them. The cost of the wrap was $7.90. He also had a good size glass of the house Cabernet ($7), which Tom thought was excellent.
Mike was more adventurous, choosing the Santa Fe wrap, a combination consisting of grilled chicken, wood-fired corn salsa, chipotle ranch, pepper jack cheese, tomato, and field greens, also $7.90. Mike and I ordered one of the house beers, a refreshing light beer with a bit of a vanilla aftertaste, aptly called vanilla cream. The 8 oz. size glass was $6. Mike ordered the sweet potato fries, which I sampled. We both thought they were very good. Mike’s meal also included a very mysterious slaw that had him stumped as to its unique flavor. Finally, our server Cindy told us it contained cinnamon and golden raisins. Great combination!
I happen to be a devotee of wood fire pizza, so I ordered the Margherita with an extra topping of Italian sausage (what else?) for $10.65. It was large enough to have shared with my wife had she been there. Since she was not, I managed to consume the entire pie. Along with the great-tasting beer, it made for a very enjoyable lunch.
For the three of us, who are very occasional-type alcohol drinkers, the highlight of the lunch was the food. If, however, you are a wine and/or beer connoisseur, you will be thrilled with the many offerings available for purchase here. There are special tasting areas for serious buyers within the very attractive facility. I should also mention that our server, Cindy, was excellent and very knowledgeable. Outdoor dining is also available.
Since our first visit was for lunch, I was curious about the dinner menu. The entrees included fire-roasted chicken, ribs, and shrimp dijon, lemon dill salmon, fettucini with chicken and portobello, spinach manicotti, and eggplant caprese. Prices range from $12.90 to $18.90 and included various sides and seasonal vegetables.
In summary, the three of us had nothing but good things to say about our lunch at The Village Vintner and plan to return someday soon for dinner. We say, give it a try!
The Village Vintner – 2380 Esplanade Dr, just south of Algonquin Commons. Open every day for lunch and dinner. 847-658-4900. Visit them on the web: www.thevillagevinter.com Groups welcome. Separate checks available.
