The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn

Name: The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn
Address: 36 Main St, Essex, CT, United States, 06426
Telephone: (860) 767-1776
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.8

4.8

40 Reviews

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Top Tags:

The Wine Bar at The Griswold Inn is an extraordinary space in which to enjoy a delicious experience in every respect. It features an innovative tapas menu, inspired "macro" plates, artisanal cheeses and handcrafted desserts. The menu changes periodically to take advantage of all that characterizes a particular season, though there are a few classics that remain on the menu throughout the year, like its very popular Grilled and Carved Bistro Steak, served with white truffle-laced pommes frites, arugula,
and red wine jus. A consistent winner of Wine Spectator's prestigious Award of Excellence, it offers numerous wines by the glass, wine flights, and a more extensive bottle list. A full-service bar is also available. A creative and accomplished chef and a knowledgeable and attentive service staff complete the experience.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Mar 31, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 2 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Wine Bar, Tapas / Small Plates
Hours of operation
Wed, Thu 5:30 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:30 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(860) 767-1776
Website
http://griswoldinn.com/food-wine/wine-bar-dining/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Eric Bond
Private party contact
Lauri Mackuck, Private Events Manager: (860) 767-1776

Location
36 Main St, Essex, CT 06426
Neighborhood
Essex
Cross street
1 Ferry Street
Parking details
There are two parking lots located off of Ferry Street directly across the street from the Wine Bar. There is also street parking. All is free!
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Wine

Our Own Famous 1776 Brand Sausage Sampler$8.50
three sausage varieties with Dijon mustard
Potato Cakes$8.00
served with sour cream and applesauce
Chilled Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail
- each$3.50
Garden Salad$8.50
mesclun greens, English cucumber, carrots, grape tomatoes, French breakfast radish, croutons and our Original Garlic-Asiago Dressing
Signature Clam Chowder or Boss' Soup of the Evening$6.50

Classic 'gris' Entrées

Served Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings

Roasted Cod Fillet$29.00
lemon-scented jasmine rice with English peas
Seared Atlantic Salmon$28.00
Roasted potatoes, leeks, grape tomatoes and mustard-chive sauce
Baked Stuffed Shrimp$26.00
Four jumbo shrimp with seafood filling, served with chef's vegetable
Braised Short Ribs of Beef$30.00
With whipped potatoes and red wine demi-glace
Grilled Filet of Beef
Served with sautéed spinach, roasted fingerling potatoes, and mushroom demi-glace
- 8 oz$38.00
Signature Roasted Prime Rib of Beef
With baked potato, au jus and fresh rasped horseradish
- 12 oz$37.00

Featured Seasonal Cuisine ~ Spring 2019

Seasonal Starters and Salads

Seared Ahi Tuna$14.00
citrus slaw, wasabi-pea crumble, black garlic purée, ginger vinaigrette
Boston Bibb and Warm Duck Confit$18.00
Holly Grove Farm blue chèvre, heirloom grape tomatoes, Bermuda onion, roasted pepper vinaigrette
Tuscan Kale Salad$10.50
gorgonzola, roasted Brussels sprouts, yellow beets, pickled carrots, red onion, caramelized honey-Dijon vinaigrette
Spring Arugula$12.00
with Goat Cheese gooseberries, honey-glazed almonds, citrus vinaigrette

Seasonal Entrées

Cheese Tortellini$18.00
heirloom grape tomatoes, peas, pancetta and pesto cream sauce
Buttermilk Fried Statler Chicken Breast$21.00
white cheddar-potato purée, Tuscan kale, sriracha tears
Seared Sea Scallops$31.00
spring pea puree, pea shoots, lemon-scented Jasmine rice and peas, carrot-ginger beurre blanc
Spice-Rubbed New York Strip$33.00
gorgonzola fondue, roasted asparagus, whipped potatoes

Seasonal Sides

$6 each

Spring Pea and Parmesan Risotto
Roasted Asparagus
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic
White Truffle and Chive Fingerling Potatoes

What 40 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.8Service
4.9Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

New York / Tri-State Area
Great for fine wines
New York / Tri-State Area
Wine Bar
Connecticut
Best Ambiance
Connecticut
Great for fine wines

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B
Bostonlocal
New England
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great place for an evening out! Love the food, the wine and the a atmosphere
OT
OpenTable Diner
Charleston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great experience! Highly recommend!!
PM
PhilipM
Washington DC
25 reviews
vip
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on February 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful experience. Great wine lists; attentive, knowledgeable and friendly staff.
The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold InnResponded on February 28, 2023Thank you for joining us. We will see you next time.
CT
CTdiner
New England
31 reviews
vip
5.0
31 reviews
Dined on February 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was great- we ordered a variety of small and plates to share. It’s nice to have the option of wine flights or 3 oz pours of good wines. We’ll definitely go back!
The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold InnResponded on February 28, 2023We love that you enjoyed our small plates. Come back for more wine!
MF
MelissaF
New York Area
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on January 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful wine flights! Excellent variety of micro and macro plates! Everything we ordered was absolutely scrumptious!!
T
Tabby018
New York Area
11 reviews
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on January 11, 2023
overall4food3service4ambience4
Really fun, great food and wine. Menu needs to be updated/changed more frequently.
D
Dalydouble
New York Area
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on December 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our meal and wine pairings were amazing - to be serenaded by the lovely period singers with songs & entertainment was a bonus.
G
Gardenguy
Washington DC
10 reviews
3.0
10 reviews
Dined on December 21, 2022
overall3food2service5ambience5
Very nice evening. Ambiance and service was amazing.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We loved our experience! We had family in from Europe and they were also impressed! Thank you!
ML
MaxLover
New York Area
8 reviews
3.0
8 reviews
Dined on December 17, 2022
overall3food3service4ambience4
Nice atmosphere but food was mediocre.
CC
CathleenC
San Francisco
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on December 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
So much fun doing the wine flight tasting! The Cheese plate had all the accoutrements perfect pairing for our wine. And Our server Doreen was terrific! made us feel right at home!
FL
FoodLover
New York Area
28 reviews
vip
5.0
28 reviews
Dined on November 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great cozy comfortable place with great food and excellent service.
TC
TinaC
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food and service was excellent! Will definitely go back.
PO
PeteO
Charleston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
great ambience and food was excellent. The soup was delicious, could have been warmer and a bit more in the serving. However, it was most delicious. Scallops were also delicious A place we would go again and often. Noisy though. There was a large crowd.
FL
FoodLover
New York Area
29 reviews
vip
5.0
29 reviews
Dined on October 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great spot with great food and atmosphere.
FN
FriendsNightOut
New York Area
27 reviews
vip
5.0
27 reviews
Dined on October 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and wine experience! Thrilled that the wine bar is open again! We will be back!
DR
DavidR
New York Area
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 14, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
Beautiful atmosphere, great service, good small plates and a decent wine selection.
SS
SuzanneS
New York Area
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 24, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Food was delicious. I had celeriac soup, followed by the flatbread with Brussels sprouts, bacon, goat cheese and hot honey. Both were delicious. I had the suggested rosé wine pairing with my flatbread - very good. My husband had the beet salad followed by the steak and truffle fries and loved it. I tasted the fries and they were great - perfectly seasoned. Husband not a wine lover so he was glad there was a full bar for cocktails. I would have rated 5 stars but I was seated facing outside and the storm windows were absolutely filthy. That sounds like I’m nit picking but it ruined what would’ve been a nice view down the hill to Essex Island.
U
Unique
Nashville
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 24, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
So glad the Wine bar has reopened. Bar service was excellent.
LJ
LindaJ
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Perfect place to be on the Last day of Summer. Fun.
C
Christina
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I had a great birthday dinner/date night out with my husband but I really recommend going with another couple if you want to try more off the small plates. It’s always a delicious experience if you go with people willing to share so you can try as much as possible. The service was also incredible. All around relaxing and delicious experience.
OT
OpenT
Western NC
4 reviews
vip
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2022
overall4food5service3ambience5
Acoustics are very bad. As soon as we walked in it was noticeable and got worse as the restaurant became busier.
LL
LuLu
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 16, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everyone enjoyed their meal immensely! The flavors in both the soup and the salad were unique and savory. The ravioli also possessed uniquely paired flavors and was out of this world. I dream of the day I can return and try the cheese fondue! Overall a delicious and delightful experience!
DC
DaveC
New England
68 reviews
vip
5.0
68 reviews
Dined on February 16, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
The bartender's knowledge of the wine offerings and menu was outstanding. Service was extremely friendly, yet efficient. The wines were wonderful, food was delicious. Would return again and again!
VL
ValerieL
New York Area
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Valentine’s Day
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Valentine’s Day dinner-table was ready, service was attentive and food was great. Tough to find a more charming spot; though a bit noisy (I wear hearing aids so I am particularly sensitive). Not objectionable, conversation was possible but whispers were not. Wine selection is impressive; I tried the recommended special (2015 Piazzo Barbaresco DOCG Piedmont). It was pricey but delicious. Our table of four ordered 5-6 small plates plus 2 starters; it was the perfect amount for us. We’ll definitely be back to visit this delightful place!
D
Davinia
New York Area
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 15, 2020
overall4food3service5ambience5
I generally love the Wine Bar at The Griswold Inn, but my dinner on Wednesday evening was not as good as usual. I had exactly the same meal there just before Christmas, and it was so good that I ordered exactly the same this week. Sadly, the arugula salad was under-dressed and consequently not as flavorful as it should have been, and the beef on goat-cheese polenta was tough and the serving size very small. I know it was a 'small plate', but the portion was tiny, with very few vegetables. But, as usual, the service was excellent, and the ambiance wonderful.
N
Nichole
New England
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 11, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Already recommended to friends and coworkers. Lovely atmosphere. Friendly waitstaff. Fantastic foods. Will be coming back regularly.
RW
RolfW
New York Area
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on January 11, 2020
overall4food5service4ambience4
Reception and seating were done quickly and efficiently. The Bar and Bistro was pleasantly full, which may explain why service was a bit slow. However, that was not a problem, because when the food arrived it was well-prepared and delicious. The six guests at the large table grew very animated as the evening wore on, which made it at times difficult to hear each other.
L
Lisa
New York Area
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on January 10, 2020
overall5food4service5ambience5
Service is great. A relaxing and friendly place to enjoy time with friends
DG
DawnG
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 14, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
The Wednesday night half price wine event is worth the price of admission. Will definitely be returning. One suggestion is that bread be served during meals whether they be micro or macro plates. Micro and macro plates are a bit pricey.
FL
FoodLover
New York Area
29 reviews
vip
5.0
29 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Intimate setting with great food. Duck was amazing.
LO
LauraO
New England
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 18, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful wines, food and service. We love this place!
g
goodmoodfoodie
New York Area
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on October 9, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Gather your girlfriends and enjoy half priced glasses of wine on Wednesday nights!
CD
CurtisD
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 8, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of the River Valley's best kept secrets. Everything is perfect and totally enjoyable. The great staff only serve to make the exceptional food even better.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on September 4, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience4
Mini-cation
EH
EdwardH
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 9, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had a wonderful meal. Suggested wine was special (got home and ordered a case on line). Waitress was attentive and most pleasant. Food was outstanding. We stuck with the smaller plates and shared with total enjoyment. Setting couldn't have been better
DW
DiWalt
New York Area
25 reviews
vip
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on August 3, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was our second visit to The Wine Bar. This time my husband and I each tried a flight of wines which was fun. The one I liked best was actually the least expensive, that does not happen often. The atmosphere is quiet so you can easily have a conversation over dinner. There is a wide selection of tapas to choose from. We had the cheese plate and then an arugula salad. Was all set to try the pork next but wanted to save room for dessert so we finished with the delicious strawberry tarts. Very enjoyable evening.
Z
Zorro
Naples
23 reviews
vip
4.0
23 reviews
Dined on July 21, 2019
overall4food4service4ambience4
Very nice place -- micro plates for tasting -- decent but not large selection... Wine flights are fun. Was quiet for a Sunday evening but wait staff very attentive... would recommend it highly
DL
DianeL
New York Area
19 reviews
vip
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on July 5, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful service and amazing food.

FAQs

The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn is rated 4.8 stars by 40 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Mar 31, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 2 times today

Google Map for The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn

36 Main St, Essex, CT 06426

Additional information

Cross street
1 Ferry Street
Neighborhood
Essex
Hours of operation
Wed, Thu 5:30 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:30 pm–10:00 pm
Cuisines
Wine Bar, Tapas / Small Plates
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
There are two parking lots located off of Ferry Street directly across the street from the Wine Bar. There is also street parking. All is free!
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Executive chef
Eric Bond
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Wine

Website
http://griswoldinn.com/food-wine/wine-bar-dining/
Phone number
(860) 767-1776
Private party contact
Lauri Mackuck, Private Events Manager: (860) 767-1776

The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn

Make a reservation

Additional information

Classic Starters and House-Made Soups

Our Own Famous 1776 Brand Sausage Sampler$8.50

Potato Cakes$8.00

Chilled Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail

Garden Salad$8.50

Signature Clam Chowder or Boss' Soup of the Evening$6.50

Classic 'gris' Entrées

Roasted Cod Fillet$29.00

Seared Atlantic Salmon$28.00

Baked Stuffed Shrimp$26.00

Braised Short Ribs of Beef$30.00

Grilled Filet of Beef

Signature Roasted Prime Rib of Beef

Featured Seasonal Cuisine ~ Spring 2019

Seasonal Starters and Salads

Seared Ahi Tuna$14.00

Boston Bibb and Warm Duck Confit$18.00

Tuscan Kale Salad$10.50

Spring Arugula$12.00

Seasonal Entrées

Cheese Tortellini$18.00

Buttermilk Fried Statler Chicken Breast$21.00

Seared Sea Scallops$31.00

Spice-Rubbed New York Strip$33.00

Seasonal Sides

Spring Pea and Parmesan Risotto

Roasted Asparagus

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic

White Truffle and Chive Fingerling Potatoes

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Sort by

Filters

FAQs

How is The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn restaurant rated?

Is The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information