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The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn, Essex, CT

The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn

4.8
4.8
40 Reviews
$30 and under
Wine Bar
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

2 people

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

  • 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

  • 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

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

NoiseModerate

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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Filters

  1. 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
  2. OpenTable Diner

    Charleston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great experience! Highly recommend!!
  3. 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.

  4. 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!

  5. 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!!
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Gardenguy

    Washington DC

    10 reviews

    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on December 21, 2022

    overall3food2service5ambience5
    Very nice evening. Ambiance and service was amazing.
  9. 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!
  10. MaxLover

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on December 17, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    Nice atmosphere but food was mediocre.
  11. 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!
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. FoodLover

    New York Area

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on October 22, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great spot with great food and atmosphere.
  16. 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!
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. LindaJ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Perfect place to be on the Last day of Summer. Fun.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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!
  24. 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!
  25. ValerieL

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Valentine’s Day
  26. 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!
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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
  31. 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.
  32. 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.
  33. LauraO

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 18, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful wines, food and service. We love this place!
  34. 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!
  35. 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.
  36. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on September 4, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Mini-cation
  37. 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
  38. 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.
  39. 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
  40. 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

2 people

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

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