Long Grove wine bar nurtures cozy feel
With its picturesque location and cozy decor, UnWined of Long Grove lives up to its name. It's the perfect place to savor a glass of wine, share a flatbread and let the stress of your day melt away.
Motif: UnWined — owned by Chatterbox of Long Grove owners Jessica Capek and Steve Besbeas, as well as Maggie Iverson — opened at the end of June in the historic Ritzenthaler Farmhouse, and it retains that homey feel. When you walk through the door, you encounter a small, inviting bar with seating. You can grab a spot there or pass through a wine room to a warmly decorated space with a fireplace, wooden tables and shelves lined with wine-inspired pieces and folk art.
Food: The focus is on small plates, so you can nibble on a light snack or put a few picks together for a dinner enjoyed with your favorite wines. We started with a hummus board featuring a trio of takes on a favorite spread. All three — roasted garlic, roasted red pepper and walnut pesto — packed a lot of flavor, and they paired well with lemon-drizzled zucchini strips, orange-accented carrots, mushrooms tossed with truffle oil and crunchy pita chips.
The caprese flatbread was another good pick, with tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella and a balsamic drizzle atop a crunchy herbed crust. The Chatter Eggs offered up three creamy deviled eggs brightened with a sweet chili sauce.
Also on the menu: salmon bites, cucumber sandwiches, caprese skewers, a charcuterie board and a chocolate board for those craving something sweet.
Liquid consumption: The focus is on wine, with 15 to 20 different selections at any one time, though beer lovers will also find craft brews. When we asked for recommendations, our knowledgeable server offered up information on her favorites and was quick to bring a generous sample of a pinot meunier, a nice deviation from the more well-known reds. A 2011 Brandlin Cabernet was also a hit.
Service: Our server — whom we later found out was one of the owners — was attentive and helpful, returning often to see how we liked our wine selections and food choices. All of her suggestions were spot-on.
Crowd: The bar draws couples and groups of friends who want to enjoy before- or after-dinner drinks. In the summer, the lawn will provide yet another reason to visit and linger.
Music: A pleasant mix of piped-in music allows for easy conversation. UnWined hosts occasional live acts and hopes to do more in the summer.
Parking: There is parking on-site.
Overall: UnWined offers a relaxing escape on a cold winter night or a nice place to enjoy a glass of wine outdoors when the weather warms.
UnWined of Long Grove
132 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove, (847) 383-6975, <a href="http://unwinedlonggrove.weebly.com/">unwinedlonggrove.weebly.com</a>
<b>Hours:</b> 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday