Vine Dining: Sixty Vines
- The Reston Letter Staff
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
by Phantom Foodie
Sixty Vines, with its veritable liquid library of sixty global wines on tap, has been hailed as a destination for oenophiles and foodies alike. I was looking forward to my dining experience at Sixty Vines given the mixed reviews heard through the local grapevine. I had to see and taste for myself.
As in other reviews, the experience (and review) begins at reservation booking. A few taps on OpenTable and we were set for a mid-week dinner. Upon our on-time arrival, the hostess emerged from among the staff to greet us slightly and acknowledge our reservation. Then disappeared for unknown reasons. We were left standing awkwardly in the middle of the entryway for nearly fifteen minutes, observing plenty of open tables. A simple courtesy of please have a seat in our lounge or order a drink at the bar would have been sufficient. Instead, we were left twiddling our thumbs while other diners gazed upon us like it was our first time in a restaurant. Not off to a great start.
The extended standing time afforded an opportunity to soak in the setup - a sprawling open floor plan with long communal tables and several high tops in the main dining area. The scene transported me back to the vineyards and tasting rooms across my travels, and maybe a beer hall or two. A long bar, semi-private lounges, and patio terrace line the perimeter. A private space for larger parties is also offered.
Finally seated at our own high top, which was not set, we were offered paper menus and water, but no offer of still or sparkling. Glasses, napkins and silverware eventually made their way. In keeping with their sustainable mission, QR ordering is the norm.
The food. We were in a sampling mood as everything coming out looked divine. Brussels and zucchini chips. Tri tip (medium rare) and chimichurri sauce. The pan roasted mussels were succulent though several arrived unopened to our dismay. A generous portion of grilled ciabatta accompanies the mussels to sop up the savory sauce. The Harissa shrimp packed a kick and beware a shell or two. On to the spicy sausage pizza and a breath mint before dessert of brownie, ice cream, and espresso topping. Each dish was a balance of richness and freshness, flavorful, well-presented and arrived [mostly] on pace.
The wine. The wine list is again, impressive. The five-ounce pour is a regular pour with half pours available allowing for more sampling, if you have the patience. For the past several months, I’ve been interested in the ever-growing trend of non-alcoholic selections across the foodie scene. I opted for the Oddbird white from the Alsace region, which was surprisingly drinkable, but not inexpensive.
A second glass was ordered, but then subsequently lost or forgotten and never arrived. Additionally, in an unusual display, a waitress from a neighboring table decided our table was a convenient spot to park her beer tray, using it as a makeshift bar staging area for her table. We continued to watch in amazement as she poured a beer into a visibly dirty glass.
The restroom appeared clean and orderly. I would have given it a second inspection if I ever received that second glass of wine.
This one is a perplexing paradox. The wine-centric food was undeniably good but marred by disappointingly lackluster service that cast a long shadow over the entire experience. The service resembled a soft opening when not everything is up to speed. This one might deserve a second look at a later time.
11905 Market Street
Reston, VA 20190
Comments