Out to Eat: Vineyard Cafe & Wine Room

Christine Mandel and Alison Pietrzyk enjoy a bridal shower dinner at the Vineyard Cafe in Hyde Park. (Credit: David Sorcher | Metromix)

There's a bit of a natural romanticism to Hyde Park Square. There's the serenity of the surrounding neighborhood where pet owners stroll and joggers appear on a regular basis, the Americana feel of the shops with their large window displays, the fountain that serves as the heart of the square itself.

The Vineyard Cafe and Wine Room, with its welcoming atmosphere and good cuisine, is one of the places that helps give the square its charm.

WARM WELCOME

Situated on the corner of Edwards Road and Erie Avenue, the Vineyard is the type of place that instantly puts you at ease.

The decor of the Vineyard's main dining room is understated, in a style one might call "inoffensive chic." The floor is composed of earth-toned tiles; the tables are draped in white tablecloths; the wooden chairs are simply natural.

The wall color scheme is also subdued: a blend of a gray/olive highlighted by various abstract paintings and prints. Ficus trees and other greenery are scattered throughout the main dining room, and an ample supply of wine bottles rounds out the mix.

A more intimate experience, however, awaits in the Vineyard's wine room (separated from the main restaurant); it offers a more refined setting one might associate with Hyde Park. Meanwhile, the outdoor courtyard, like the patio seating in front of the main restaurant, provides a great place to relax with friends in warmer times.

PLENTIFUL HARVEST

The Vineyard's menu is not large; the narrow focus, however, pays great dividends in terms of the quality of its cuisine. Prepared by executive chef Blake Maier (formerly of One in Mason), the restaurant's menu changes with the season; fortunately for us, the menu we encountered featured several treats that were perfect for us right now.

My friend took advantage of the restaurant's extensive wine list, finding a glass to her liking in the form of Elsa Bianchi Argentina '05 ($7 glass, $25 bottle); I had a simple glass of lemonade ($2.50). Both went quite well with the fresh bread and black olive dipping sauce accompanying it.

Here's all I can say about our appetizer of scallops with cauliflower puree and curry vinaigrette ($12): It's quite possibly the best serving of scallops I've eaten (and I've eaten a lot of scallops). Firm to the touch and tender to taste, the dish is simply fantastic.

We also had high praise for both of our entrées. My beef short rib with root vegetable puree and braising jus ($23) was savory and plentiful for the price, a great treat on an unseasonably warm winter evening. My friend felt the same way about her cobia fish with blood orange and quinoa grain ($24), the evening special. Perfect for someone who "doesn't like fishy-tasting fish," the dish was light but had enough flavor to stand out even apart from its accompanying toppings.

For dessert, I can tell you the mango coulis and vanilla mousse "teardrop cake" ($7) and crème brûlée ($7) come highly recommended - as does the Vineyard Cafe and Wine Room itself.

MENU SAMPLER

APPETIZER: Scallops with cauliflower puree and curry vinaigrette ($12)

SALAD: Winter salad with roasted beet, watercress, sherry vinaigrette, goat cheese and hazelnut ($9)

ENTRÉE: Beef short rib with root vegetable puree and braising jus ($23)

VEGETARIAN FEATURE: Roasted zucchini with tomato, spinach, garlic, leek, forbidden rice and pepper sauce ($16)

DESSERT: Flavor-changing crème brûlée for two ($7)

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