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: 4.6

4.6

51 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

Sep 24, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 1 time 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

What 51 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.8Service
4.7Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

New York / Tri-State Area
Great for fine wines
Connecticut
Great for fine wines

51 Reviews

JS
JulieS
New York Area
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
We shared several small plates and a cheese plate and everything was delicious and the perfect portions. I will be craving the shaved brussels salad. Bistro steak was cooked to order. Waitress was very knowledgeable and attentive.
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D
Deedee
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Second time we have been there is 2 weeks. Love the atmosphere and the food. Service is good.
The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold InnResponded on August 27, 2023
Thank you so much for the great review! Hope to see you back soon!
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G
Gayle
New York Area
32 reviews
vip
5.0
32 reviews
Dined on July 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Perfect night. Loved everything about it. Can’t wait to go back.
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D
Deedee
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love the variety. Can order an assortment of tapas. Wednesday is 1/2 of wine for women. Great good.
The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold InnResponded on July 21, 2023
Thank you for the great review! Hope to see you back soon!
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JC
JasonC
New York Area
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 15, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
Always pleasant. But prices make you think twice on going back.
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s
sgermanmd
New York Area
35 reviews
2.0
35 reviews
Dined on July 15, 2023
overall2food3service4ambience5
The menu offered was not the menu online. Big differences. Very expensive for what was served. The cheese and fruit plate had 12 grapes, some sliced green apple (1/4 apple) some dried apricots, a handful of cashes, and 1oz of cheese. $8. My wife ordered 2, and got the same board, but with 2oz of cheese. Poor choice of fruit in the peak of summer fruit season. Strawberry shortcake had 2 pieces of wilted strawberries, and a grilled piece of shortcake. The tuna tartare was bland. Nibb salad was small and basic. The restaurant was beautiful, service was good. $90 for 2, with one glass of wine.
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DN
DaleN
New York Area
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on July 15, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience3
AC was broken so it was hot. I have eaten at this establishment many times and the food and service are always very good. This last time though the price seems to have gone up to a point where it doesn't meet he value.
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J
Judy
Philadelphia
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on July 1, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience3
The bar tender was exceptional. He made me a custom wine flight. We were celebrating an anniversary and he gave us sparkling wine to celebrate. The sausage pizza was good, but much too salty for our us. I thought it would be a bit more of an intimate atmosphere, but it was.
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KW
KarenW
New York Area
18 reviews
vip
3.0
18 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2023
overall3food4service3ambience4
I want to love this place because it is close by and the chef is clearly really good. But the service was spotty (slow and didn't bring one of our dishes at all) and the portions are tiny and not inexpensive. I would only recommend to a friend with those caveats. Maybe better to just sit at the bar and have a drink.
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PH
PamelaH
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on April 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food and am ambiance like no other! The Wine Bar is elegant but casually relaxed.
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DD
DeeD
New York Area
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on April 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food and wonderful wine flight. Staff was friendly and helpful. Escargot and gnocchi where both fantastic. Highly recommended.
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B
Bostonlocal
Greater Boston
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on March 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great place for an evening out! Love the food, the wine and the a atmosphere
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Charleston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great experience! Highly recommend!!
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PM
PhilipM
Washington DC
29 reviews
vip
5.0
29 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, 2023
Thank you for joining us. We will see you next time.
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CT
CTdiner
Greater Boston
33 reviews
vip
5.0
33 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, 2023
We love that you enjoyed our small plates. Come back for more wine!
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MF
MelissaF
New York Area
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on January 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful wine flights! Excellent variety of micro and macro plates! Everything we ordered was absolutely scrumptious!!
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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.
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D
Dalydouble
New York Area
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 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.
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G
Gardenguy
Washington DC
10 reviews
vip
3.0
10 reviews
Dined on December 21, 2022
overall3food2service5ambience5
Very nice evening. Ambiance and service was amazing.
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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!
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ML
MaxLover
New York Area
8 reviews
3.0
8 reviews
Dined on December 17, 2022
overall3food3service4ambience4
Nice atmosphere but food was mediocre.
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CC
CathleenC
San Francisco
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 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!
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FL
FoodLover
New York Area
30 reviews
vip
5.0
30 reviews
Dined on November 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great cozy comfortable place with great food and excellent service.
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TC
TinaC
New York Area
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food and service was excellent! Will definitely go back.
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PO
PeteO
Charleston
3 reviews
5.0
3 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.
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FL
FoodLover
New York Area
30 reviews
vip
5.0
30 reviews
Dined on October 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great spot with great food and atmosphere.
Is this helpful?
FN
FriendsNightOut
New York Area
28 reviews
vip
5.0
28 reviews
Dined on October 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and wine experience! Thrilled that the wine bar is open again! We will be back!
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DR
DavidR
New York Area
4 reviews
vip
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on October 14, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
Beautiful atmosphere, great service, good small plates and a decent wine selection.
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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.
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U
Unique
Nashville
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 24, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
So glad the Wine bar has reopened. Bar service was excellent.
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LJ
LindaJ
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Perfect place to be on the Last day of Summer. Fun.
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C
Christina
New York Area
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.
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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.
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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!
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DC
DaveC
Greater Boston
69 reviews
5.0
69 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!
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VL
ValerieL
New York Area
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Valentine’s Day
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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!
2 people found this helpful
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.
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N
Nichole
Greater Boston
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.
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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.
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FAQs

The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn is rated 4.6 stars by 51 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

Sep 24, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 1 time 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

Menu

What 51 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

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