The Grape

If you ask any server at The Grape to recommend a wine, he won’t skip a beat before spouting forth options to pair with your dinner. That’s because wine training is an everyday occurrence at this Lower Greenville staple. Both the menu and wine list rotate every week or two, and the staff stays abreast with regular tastings so they can recommend favorites and explain why a particular bottle would complement your Australian lamb sirloin. With a list topping 200 bottles, it’s good to know that someone can point you in the right direction. But no one will cringe if you stray from the path, says general manager Mark Gilsdorf. “We’re very unpretentious. We certainly carry white zinfandel – we’re not above that,” he says. “Wine should be something enjoyed with any type of atmosphere and any type of situation with no particular rules or strict dos and don’ts.” Pinot noir is The Grape’s top seller (Gilsdorf chalks this up to the impact of the movie Sideways) but the restaurant also prides itself on seeking out good dollar-value wines from places such as Spain and Argentina. The by-the-glass options also include a Chardonnay from local favorite Times Ten Cellars – try it and other varietals for half price on Monday nights, when the menu also features $3 martinis and half-priced calamari to boot.

THE GRAPE