Grapevine

Interior Space

We had just gotten home from a mini road trip and weren't in the mood to cook anything so we went to dinner locally at Grapevine in La Grange.  We had heard about this place from a couple of people and have passed it many times as it is located just across the street from the downtown La Grange train stop.

Greek Anti Pasto

We didn't know what to expect at all.  We were given menus to peruse through at a table but  we were told that the ordering takes place back at the counter.  They have too large of a menu to simply write down on boards above a counter space.

Spanakopita

We ordered a Greek Anti Pasto as an appetizer which had artichoke hearts, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, olives, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and feta cheese.  They also had an Italian style anti pasto as well but the feta swayed Nick to the other direction.  (He must not have read the entire description on the menu because he was hoping to see some meat like you would have in an Italian anti pasto.) Later he heard others order various types of salad at the counter and they were asked if they wanted feta with it so perhaps we could have gone in the other direction and still gotten the feta. But the vegetables and feta were very refreshing on such a hot day.  And Natalie discovered a new way to spice up lettuce by putting dill in with it.

For entrees we stuck with the traditional Greek fare, although they do offer sandwiches, pizza and other Mediterranean entrees. We ordered Spanakopita which is spinach, onions and feta wrapped in phyllo dough.  The filling was very good but it could have used a few more layers of phyllo dough. It was served with a rice pilaf which was more than enough and had to be boxed up to take home.

The other entree we had was Pastitsio, kind of like a Greek version of lasagna.  But instead of layers of long flat noodles, smaller noodles are baked together and topped with a ground beef, cheese and bechamel sauce.  We really enjoyed this dish.  Nick claims that it could have been warmer but it was such a hot day that it really didn't matter. It was served with a small salad so that was a bit of overkill with the Anti pasto we had earlier.

Pastitsio

Final thoughts on Grapevine:
Food - good value for what you get, nice carry out food to get on your way off the train
Service - after you order at the counter the food is delivered to your table.  The dishes all came out quickly.  But the entrees came out too quickly because we weren't even half way done with the appetizer when they came out (maybe that is why Nick thought the pastitsio was not warm enough because we were still eating the anti pasto).
Atmosphere - nice Mediterranean feel. Lots of space.  A little awkward to sit down and peruse the menu but it looks like they have lots of regulars that know what they want to order already or have a take out order ready.