Once Upon A Vine (3559 Arsenal at Grand, 776-2828, free parking in lot off Arsenal) is a genteel restaurant that was expanded recently to include the corner section of the building. The remodeling is beautifully done: pleasant, modernistic interior plus old large windows overlooking both Arsenal and Grand. A lovely place for a leisurely dinner while watching the world go by.
The building's history explains my seemingly misplaced architectural emphasis within this "StL.Dining" Internet Newsgroup. Prior to its initial remodeling (several clients ago), the building's corner section held a 1950's diner with stark-white enameled interior. People waiting to catch buses nursed cups of coffee all hours of the day and night. More years ago than I care to admit I walked into that diner to buy a pack of cigarettes. The occupants' steely glare so intimidated me that I turned around without the cigarettes and never returned.
Upon expanding into the corner section, Once Upon A Vine expanded their scope from a high quality luncheon menu (which they continue to offer) to a dinner menu with a wide variety of dishes. Recently my wife and I had dinner at the restaurant. I had grilled tuna, while my wife had a pasta dish. Everything was beautifully and tastefully prepared. I especially recommend the chocolate/cranberry cake for dessert.
When reviewing a restaurant it is customary to identify particularly excellent dishes. I don't know if Once Upon A Vine's chef considers this his signature dish, but the dish that sticks in my mind is the Caesar Salad that I had for lunch one afternoon. All of the salad ingredients were fresh as expected. The Caesar Salad dressing was the best Caesar dressing that I have had in memory. It was very light, and the ingredients were proportioned and blended so that you could taste each ingredient separately. No ingredient overpowered the others.
With the name "Once Upon A Vine" you would expect the restaurant to have a fine wine selection. I am not a wine connoisseur (I ask the server "What goes well with ...?"), but I do recognize excellent wine and all recommendations have been excellent.
Once Upon A Vine is a mid-priced restaurant. With two glasses of
*excellent* wine each, a shared appetizer, entrees, and dessert our check for two was less than eighty dollars.
The restaurant has sponsored monthly wine tasting events since August. Two tastings remain for 1998:
November 12, 1998 - "What Wine Should We Have With Turkey?" (A Selection Of Wines To Serve On Thanksgiving)
December 10, 1998 - "Holiday Cheer" (A Festive Holiday Tasting)
All tastings start at 7:00 P.M. Tastings cost $25.00 per person, and include appetizer, cheese/fruit tray. Call 776-2828 for reservations.
I like Once Upon A Vine. This upscale restaurant is another good reason to make the trip to the Grand South Grand area.
Richard Ballard CNA4 KD0AZ
[email removed]
O Lord, grant that we may always be right,
For Thou knowest we will never change our minds.
-Old Scottish PrayerSt. Louis, MO