Vine and Plate makes a strong first impression. The atmosphere is lively, stylish, and genuinely fun -- the kind of place that invites you to linger. In many ways, the setting is the draw. Where it fell a bit short was in living up to the expectations that atmosphere creates. The food was good, but lacked the spark one hopes for at those price points, and when a menu leans into five-star city pricing, the execution has to meet it. The drinks were a brighter note and helped carry the evening. In the end, while it didn't fully deliver on promise, the energy of the place alone makes it worth another look. read more

Vine & Plate - Wine Bars Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

Serving a wide variety of unique scratch made tapas. Went with a work group, tried a dozen selections. Everything was fantastic. The steak bites are delicious, the carnitas tacos are incredible and the patatas are spicy. It was a snowy night, service was shorthanded, but very attentive. Wings are great!!! read more

Vine & Plate - Wine Bars Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

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We ordered take out from here and we enjoyed the food and there were good portions. We ordered for a future time and the food was ready on time. The inside was busy on a Thursday evening. The chicken wings were larger, crispy and the honey bbq sauce was delicious! Also enjoyed the tacos, Brussel sprouts. The salmon ordered was a bit overcooked and without much taste likely wouldn't order it again. It is a bit pricey for the portion sizes. Parking was a bit difficult so parked in the neighborhood behind the restaurant. read more

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Stopped into Vine + Plate and got the salmon quinoa bowl and wow... it was huge! Super fresh and really tasty. The vibe inside is very "cute hipster small bar with healthy bites" cozy but still kind of chic. Staff was friendly, the place felt clean, and food came out quick which I appreciated. Only downsides: it's a little pricier than your average lunch spot, and parking is kind of tucked away on a side street (not the worst, just good to know). Overall, loved it. Great spot if you want something healthier that still actually fills you up. read more

Vine & Plate - Menu - Wine Bars Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

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A diamond in the rough, we came across this restaurant by accident, no advertising that we were aware of! This was such a stellar food experience for us! We will definitely go back to dine again. Our hats are off to the chef! read more

Vine & Plate - Salmon Cakes: Remoulade sauce - Wine Bars Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

I wen here for lunch and here's my review of Vine & Plate. I went during the week, right when they opened and got sat down right away. I did a quick look at the menu and was going to go with the braised short rib panini that caught my eye immediately. And If you read my previous reviews then you'd like I'm a short rib slut. I love it. Need it. Go for it. That's when I read their special menu and the short rib tacos jumped to me. That's it, I'll go with that. I had lunch with my old boss and he got the steak salad. This will be important for later in my review. As I sat back and took in the ambiance it was cool. It had a little downtown vibe and I was enjoying the day. The service was good and the our waitress was prompt and very attentive. Not soon after our food arrived. I dug right into my taco and it was not the worst taco or the best taco I've ever had. It was a good taco. No complaints from me but you're certainly not going to brag to your friends or family about the short rib tacos at Vine and Plate. My boss's steak was very under-seasoned and he has to ask for salt and pepper but other than that everything went smoothly. Would I go back to Vine & Plate? I mean, I guess I'd give it another try but I'd like to try something else on the menu. read more

Vine & Plate - Short Rib Tacos - Wine Bars Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

It fits a niche. Nothing exceptional but respect the effort. Need to spend a few bucks and enclose the entrance to make dining and drinking comfortable. I like this place. read more

I love this place! The small plates are innovative and made from scratch. The cocktails are also creative and moderately priced. And the service is excellent. You will not find better offerings and service in Crystal Lake. We love coming to this restaurant, everything they serve is on par with what you would find at a high-quality restaurant in Logan Square or Wicker Park in Chicago, but at much lower prices. We will keep coming back. read more

Food and drinks are tasty! The service is good but maybe they're not fully staffed -- it was a little slow.

Ambiance & Atmosphere: 4/5 Wrapped in a cozy yet chic vibe, this spot feels like a European bistro meets a modern cocktail lounge. With its mix of lighting, eclectic chairs, and divided spaces featuring a lively front bar/dining area and an intimate, dimly-lit back room, it's the perfect setting for both laid-back and stylish evenings. The back room's proximity to the kitchen can lend to overhearing food preparation noise, but it's easy to tune out once you're engrossed in the ambiance and conversation. Service: 4/5 Shoutout to Skyla and the friendly food runner who made our night special. Their warm welcome, attentive service, and swift action on my silverware mishap showed their commitment to making guests feel valued. It's this kind of care that tempts you to return. Menu and Food Quality: 4/5 The diverse menu is a testament to quality and freshness, featuring a mix of dishes that cater to various tastes. From artfully presented starters to flavor-packed mains, every bite was a delight. The wine list is impressive, though prices lean towards the higher side. Yet, the overall culinary experience is worth it. They have a variety of styles on the menu, from sharables (think small plates, similar to tapas), flatbreads, sandwiches, tacos, soups and salads. Note the sharables come as they are ready, not all at once. Thanks for the tip on that Skyla! Wife ordered elderflower pear martini, patatas bravas and blackened shrimp tacos (subbed with chicken), while I had dirty Grey Goose martini, olive tapenade crostini, crispy chicken wings with spicy Korean sauce (other choices available) and Gorgonzola creamy dipping sauce (others available). One minor issue was serving with corn tortilla instead of flour as requested on my wife's tacos. No biggie. Convenience: 2/5 The main road location makes parking a bit tricky, with limited options nearby. It may take some circling or risk-taking with parking signs, but the dining experience that awaits is worth the effort. Overall Dining Experience: 4/5 This restaurant is worth exploring, especially for those looking for a mix of casual and intimate dining close to home. Its unique ambiance, standout service, and delicious menu offerings make it a solid choice for a refreshing night out. While it may not be our top favorite yet, its charm and quality ensure we'll be back. Highly recommended for a delightful dining experience that feels just right. read more

Vine & Plate - Front dining area with bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

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We had a very nice birthday dinner here, thanks! The drinks were very tasty and reasonably priced... I had a big pour of Sazarac for $12 and they even offer pretty cheap beers too. If you want amazing wine I'm sure it's available too... there was an impressive list The food was delicious... would definitely recommend the charcuterie, tacos, and whatever is on special (scallops today). We will be back, ty! read more

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Excellent food! ( Scallops to die for and sausage plate was delicious!) (pork tenderloin a bit dry but sides were delicious ) Dessert was also delicious! Excellent drinks! (White wine , fall sangria with bourbon and strawberry basil margarita were all great!) Excellent service! Loved the cozy, intimate ambiance. read more

It's very important to support local restaurants. This is one of them! One word to describe this restaurant is excellent! The ambience is very nice and the outdoor seating is quaint. The waiter and bartender were both very friendly and attentive. The pear martini was excellent. The Parmesan garlic wings with Gorgonzola dressing on the side was very good but on the smaller side. The steak sandwich was amazing and very flavorful. However the hummus platter was just ok. Based on other yelp reviews and the bartender also recommended the gnocchi which I will try next time. They also offer half-price bottles of wine on Thursdays. I will definitely be back! read more

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My son needed to come to Crystal Lake, that means I need a place to eat & have a cocktail! Googling spots - Vine & Plate kept coming up as a nice place for both! I agree! At first I felt welcoming wasn't friendly, that was my misinterpretation! My server Skyla is so much smiles! I asked for recommendations for martinis & food! I am NOT disappointed! I am so full and have left overs! I'm having third WHITE MARTINI! Oh and needed wine to clear my head Yesss! Will return securing reservation w/friends! read more

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Love Thursdays 1/2 price bottle of wine! The plates are delicious. Servers are nice. I would have given a 4 star except the food delivery was so slow. It must have taken 30 minutes for each plate. Owners/management, please address this because your restaurant is otherwise awesome and food wonderful! We will be back and I hope to give another review with 4 or 5 stars. read more

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Every once and awhile we like sitting at the bar and Vine is one those places. The food was great and the drinks were top notch.

My wife and I came here on our last summer date night before back to school. We didn't make reservations which ended up working just fine. The small tapas restaurant had a wonderful atmosphere and we were greeted by the lone waitress, who was fantastic! She took us to our outside preference and we sat down and each ordered a flight of drinks. My wife got the red flight and I got the bourbon flight. This was the highlight of the night as they had a wonderful selection of alcohol that was high level and diverse! We ordered four plates; shrimp tacos, Brussels sprouts, Brie and crostinis, and gnocchi. All four were middle of the road and honestly nothing too special. For the price of food I will say it's a bit of a reach. If they can elevate their flavors to make some really special plates it would be well worth the high price. Otherwise, we'll come back for drinks! read more

Vine & Plate - Bourbon flight - Wine Bars Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

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Excellent foodie-like spot in Woodstock. Loved the apps and the cocktails were spot on

Omg, this place was so good I want to return already. We had my mother in law's 60th here with few family members, and food, wine, beer, mocktail, and service were allllll on point. Very polite and friendly staff, GREAT food and ambiance, and just great time overall. I would recommend going on a date night or even a group and tasting all the tapas dishes like we did! Our wine flight and beer flights were excellent and the servers were so accommodating. Thanks everyone!!! read more

Vine & Plate - Wine Bars Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

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Excellent food. Variety is limited. Service is friendly and attentive. Nice ambiance.

This is the gem of Crystal Lake! The ambiance makes this place our favorite date night location - and it is within walking distance. The food is incredible! The drinks are inventive and delicious! Sometimes they are even on fire. So fun! But the service is second to none! Anthony and his team are top notch. Highly recommend! read more

Vine & Plate - The amazing olive tapenade, charcuterie board, and the goat cheese appetizer. - Wine Bars Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

I would have given 5 stars except it was pretty hard to breathe inside. There didn't seem to be much in the way of ventilation, and we were seated just on the other side of the kitchen. Everyone in my party loved the food, short rib was amazing... baked Brie was awesome. Wine was pretty darn good. Ambience was romantic, not good for big parties. It's got a little patio for outdoor eating as well. I learned the hard way... they want you to make a reservation (you will be asked if you made one and we were even given a little attitude when mentioning not having one - we didn't know!!). read more

In summary food is less than mediocre and poor quality ingredients. The flat breads are poorly overloaded cheesy pods with premade crust, chewy, burnt and told the ovens are "wonky" by nervous waitress. The brussel sprouts were mushy overcooked in a canned jared premade corn syrup based sauce. We had to wait 1 hr for the shrimp entree they had 3 total thawed frozen shrimp. Anyway I recommend any chain restaurant over this place, at least there is time efficiency, quality control and overall expectations, instead of a place trying so hard to be a place they just are not, like they researched awesome bar menus but have no skill set to execute that ideal menu. This whole experience took 2 1.5hrs for 2 starters 1 main 1 side! read more

The food at Vine and Plate was solid. We tried several items and were pleased with most of them, our favorites being the charcuterie and the gnocchi. We were not impressed by the wings but may try them again with a different sauce. Our primary complaint was with the service. It felt like the waitress forgot about us a few times and it took an unnecessarily long time to get refills of our soda/water. Overall, we would come back again! read more

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I absolutely love this place. My husband and I both work in the service industry and this place by far has the best bites and STEAK! I've ever tasted. The wine by bottle is the best price. And Thursdays are 1/2 priced wine! Small businesses matter! read more

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Place is tasty ... food is great ... has a great wine selection ... glad this place is close to home!

Let me start off saying that the waiter Zack was amazing. That part of the whole dining experiment. Made reservations got there 5 minutes early. Walked completely through the restaurant to the very back room. Sitting almost in the kitchen while other tables were open in the front. Pricing is outrageous for what you get. Ordered an appetizer and two dinners and a couple of drinks. The food comes out when it's ready, so we got the advertiser, Four minutes later my wife's food came ten minutes later my thirteen absolutely ridiculous .. read more

Liked it a lot. We got seated at the bar. Good wine list, craft beer and super good cocktails including the Elderflower Pear Martini. We also had the baked brie with honey and almonds. Will need to go back. read more

Vine & Plate - Elderflower Pear Martini - Wine Bars Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

Went on a date night and made reservations in advance. All the food was great, service was a little bit slow and not sure if we were forgotten outside. read more

We went here after it just opened and enjoyed the food, wine and service. We had a number of shared plates. We liked the food so much that we called them to see if they would cater a small reception back at our home. We tried all four flatbreads to choose from and went with the steak chimichurri and the honey bbq chicken. We also did the patatas bravas and the monte cristo sliders. They did a great job. Great wine and small plate place in Crystal Lake. They also have mixed drinks and beer on tap. read more

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Amazing dish by Liz and the chefs! always a great experience. Good food, great drinks, cozy atmosphere. I'm considered a regular here. CHECK IT OUT!! read more

Vine & Plate - Shrimp verde with cilantro lime rice and glazed carrots - Wine Bars Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

Great experience early in December as first time diners! Along with friends we had a wonderful evening of sampling a variety of tasty plates... everyone of which we agreed we'd order again. Going back this week with many more menu items to try. A fresh outlook on dining in the area. The plates were just a portion of what made for a quality evening with friends, as the pacing was managed effortlessly by our waiter who guided us through suggestions and explanations. He was able to do this without pushing or encouraging us in any particular direction. Plus he was cordial and professional. If you enjoy a total dining experience, this is a must! read more

My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Vine and Plate. Bartenders were very friendly and helpful on suggestions of drinks. I had a traditional old fashioned drink and my wife had a blueberry lemon drop martini, both drinks were delicious. We were going to stay for one but ended being there for a few hours. Restaurant has great food, awesome wings, flatbreads and dessert. Highly recommended. read more

I love this spot! I come with friends and my husband often. The weekly specials are all great too including the half price wine. I especially love the goat cheese appetizer! read more

I had the privilege of dining at Vine & Plate today where a Chicago Bistro vibe lives in the suburbs. We shared everything and all dishes were done to perfection. Broccoli Cheese Soup- Very fresh Broccoli cooked perfectly sitting in a wonderful broth you could drink, and we did. Baked Brie- A perfect share for an appetizer for 2! Very eloquently plated. Short Rib Flatbread-Fresh toasted bread,Fig Jam, with Braised Short Ribs. This was our favorite though it was hard to pick one. We loved the service from Scott who was very professional and presentable, and truly cared about our experience which isn't always the case these days at other places. We will be back and spread the word to our network. Thanks Elizabeth and Team. read more

To start off, the charcuterie board was sad. I'm positive you can get the same stuff including the crackers at Sams Club! Our waitress was dressed like a ghost tour maid. So that was odd. My husband ordered the hummus and the pita bread was as hard as a rock! Whoever thinks this place is fancy/upscale good food, you haven't tried many places then! Overall, the wine selection was fine. read more

First time here made reservations but didn't need them. Pretty empty inside. My fiancé and I want to come back to try more of their tapas. They are tapas so smaller but priced well for what you get. We enjoyed what we got they seem to get parts of each dish right but the pork tacos pork was a little dry but the salsa verde on it was real good! Had a nice kick to it. Lots of meat too which was nice. The goat cheese was very light and delicious but could have came with better crostini's or something to dip in it. Wings chicken was fresh and sauce def flavorful the Spicy Korean but wasn't very spicy. Overall a nice spot and we will be back . Waitress was nice but order tapas all at once it took awhile for plate to come out read more

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Excellent and unique food and beverage options with many gluten free options. Great ambiance and thoughtful recommendations from staff.

Food is always delicious, service is always good when they are properly staffed. It does seem sometimes the bartender is the only one waiting on the entire place which does create a wait. read more

My friend and I went to vine and plate on Friday night after work. We wanted a nice glass of wine and an old-fashioned. We walked in at around 10 o'clock knowing that vine and plate was advertised as being open until 11. We were met by a very rude bartender, who basically ignored us and literally moved us from our seats at the bar to seats farther down the bar because he was cleaning the bar. He then proceeded to clean the tables around us. We finally got a drink order in after about 10 minutes. I asked him what time they closed and he said well we're winding down and I said well it says you don't close until 11 and he said well the kitchen is closed so we're we're probably going to close early.. He was very very rude and we were treated horribly and we will never go back. read more