Well, its date night on a Monday night. Me and the wife met up with another couple, friends of ours to try out this place. Overall, great impression from the get go. Walked in and promptly greeted, and quickly joined our party. Nice day out so the deck was perfect, not too hot, not cold at all, and with this crazy Georgia weather we got extremely lucky. First off, this place has a self serve wine bar - Just get a prepaid card and serve up! Great selection of wine, so we all get a glass and get some. I got a Riesling since I knew a cheese plate will be in order, don't remember the name to be exact but it was nice. Got to our table and first thing we ordered, Cheese plate of 4 different cheeses as a starter, all delicious and paired well with our wine. Couple of minutes go by and proceeded to order food, we decided to get 4 different plates to share, so everyone could try all the good food as my pictures explain; Andouille Sausage & Gouda Cheese Grit Cakes, Surf & Turf Flatbread, Trio Of Crispy Pork Belly Chipotle Tacos (my favorite) and Smoky Three Cheese & Beef Lasagna. Overall, the ambiance was on point. Wine was great, and loved the many options and descriptions on each label, as I am definetly not a wine enthusiast. Not too crowded, not loud, just groups of friends gathered to have some conversation over good food. I will be coming back here soon to try more of their dishes. Will update then.
(4)
Lindy F.
"In vino veritas" -- Tombstone (1993) What a disappointing experience for Dunwoody Restaurant Week. So this was my first time at Vino Venue and I was really looking forward to it - and then I was in a situation that morning where I was not going to be able to drink any wine. But I was determined to enjoy the food anyway! I have been notorious to go to the restaurant week outings and then NOT order from the special menus - so I have changed my strategy and insist on ordering off these menus and get the RW experience. Total failure this time around. A couple of the ladies at the table opted to do the enomatic wine cards (opting for the Yelp deal instead of the RW deal as it was a better offer). The rest of the table went with the $20 bottle deal. From the RW menu, I chose the Green Goddess Salad, the Braised Beef Bistro Filet on Potato Leek Waffles and the Dark Chocolate Orange Pot de Crème. The salad was delicious and probably the best thing I ate all night. It had a very refreshing and herbaceous dressing with a great salt level and a nice crunch from the pepitas. The entree was atrocious. So first, even if you braise a filet, it is a crime to A) cook it to well done and B) cook it without any salt or pepper. Now, they then placed world's smallest piece atop a piece of waffle - that actually had a decent flavor and was one of the only things giving any flavor at all to this dish. Next, it came with a jus that we poured over the top - it gave flavor to the dish, made the waffles soggy, which killed them. Plus, the flavor of the jus was just salt - not in a good way. Thank goodness for a decent dessert - which I almost did not get. Our server brought the desserts to the table - for everyone except me. So I waited and waited, and finally started waving in his direction (he was 15 feet from the table) and he looked up and I motioned at the empty space in front of me. Next thing I know, he is placing the pot de crème in front of me. So this was pretty rich in dark chocolate, with a pretty smooth texture, and a nice orange finish. It was pretty good - not the best I have had, but a good finish after a terrible entree. The entire thing was $20 plus tax - that I wish I could get back. I don't think I would come here again as the food is not worth the money and there are many great places to go for wine in this town.
(2)
Kyra M.
I'm feeling this new spot in walking distance to me! Love the wine school and the many selections. The staff is educated and the small plates compliment the wine well. You can go to cooking/wine class in a group or sit at the bar or at a table. It may be located in a shopping center but it is nothing short of fascinating!
(4)
Michael C.
The only bad, the food menu is fairly limited. On the up side, they have a good selection of wine. I like that they have the wine bar where you can go up and fill your own wine glass. Staff is super friendly. Id definitely come back.
(4)
Gretchen F.
Swanky wine bar with high end enophile aspects. I was a little overwhelmed at how I had to go on a tour when I arrived before I could consume. I think they would win the client over better if they greeted them with a tasting of their preferred wine while showing them the various options for consumption. Let me explain. It first appears to be a regular wine bar where you order off the menu but once you see the menu, you'll notice there are only 4 different choices for red or for white. Well at a wine bar, that is pretty shockingly low, I have to say. Most wine bars offer 20 or more choices ( at least ) per type (red vs white etc ). Well at Vino Venue, you have the option to purchase a tasting card that is prepaid and you can decide how big the pour is ( in ounces ) at an Italian dispensing station so that you may try various different wines. Yet I found the majority of the wines available at this place were extremely expensive, such at $25 a full pour/glass. I wasn't able to try the food menu since I had just eaten dinner but it looked pretty promising. I feel there should be more options on the service/wine menu and more mid price options on the self-serve dispenser "menu". Although the wine classes in the back room look appealing, I may choose a more classic wine bar in the future so that I may just sit back, relax and be served a decent glass of wine at a medium price and so that I have time to catch up with my friend rather than learn about wine which was not my intent that evening. Learning about wine is interesting to me but you either go in with a learning vibe or a relaxing vibe. I wasn't in the mood to learn that evening.
(3)
Jeanette G.
Vino Venue has a great wine selection and I love the fact that they have an enomatic wine card system. I have been here for an Italian Wine Dinner/Cooking class as well as most recently dining out during the Dunwoody Restaurant week. While I do enjoy the wine options and the overall experience at Venue, the food has never lived up to my expectations or my dining companions. The food screams for seasoning and as a lot of restaurants choose to do, they do not provide salt and pepper automatically on the table. I completely understand that because it can be an insult to the chef when diners grab for it without trying the food. That is one of my biggest pet peeves when I cook! Taste it first before you grab the S&P but I think the chef might want to taste more before the food leaves the kitchen. During my last experience my Dinner choice was the Braised Beef Bistro Filet with Honey Soy Pinot Grigio jus with Potato Leek Waffles. How great does that sound??! Unfortunately an overcooked attempt at the Bistro Filet and the soggy Waffles even with the jus fell flat! I kept trying to pawn it off to my dinner companions who didn't seem to enjoy it either. I will go back for the wine but will definitely pass on the food. They do have a great event calendar but be warned. I purchased a class for two and had to cancel the day of due to something out of my control. Lelia Bryan who is the event coordinator informed me she could not refund my money unless she could sell my seats to someone else. I'm a reasonable person and I get that you are in business to make money. It would have gone a long way if she would have said "I understand, I will give you a credit to the next class you would like to attend" rather than just taking my money. I will still go back for the great wine selection.
(3)
Kate M.
While I love wine, I don't like whine-ing and dining. Unfortunately for Vino Venue, my last experience leaves a lot to be desired. We had a table of about 8 people and had some difficulty finding a seat during Dunwoody Restaurant Week. Understandable so we bought cards which allowed us to purchase wine. They have cool machines where you insert your card, pick your wine glass size (taste, half, or full) and play sommelier with all of your friends. While the decor was welcoming and the atmosphere cozy, the wait staff and food were disappointing in comparison. While a small restaurant, our waiter could be found anywhere but where our table was. He seemed more interested in chatting with other staff members than assisting us. Our three course menu consisted of an appetizer, entree, and dessert. I chose to start with the garlicky goat cheese with toast points. It was smooth and creamy but the garlic overwhelmed the cheese. I had a few bites and was satiated while over half the jar was still full! Definitely one to share. It paired well with my wine and I could take it for what it was. My entree however was a different story. Ordering the lobster mac and cheese I pictured ooey-gooey cheese with perfectly al dente pasta and tender lobster. Unfortunately, I got the opposite. The only lobster in the dish was the piece on top garnishing it. The cheese was congealed a bit (mostly because there was way too much oil/butter used) and the panko on top just provided a mouthful of dry breadcrumbs. For dessert, I chose the pot de creme. It was orange and dark chocolate and probably the best part of the meal. A drawback though was that our whole table wasn't served at the same time and one of the diners had to flag down our waiter to let him know she wasn't served hers. With so many up and coming wine bars in the area I'm definitely interested in seeing what others have to offer.
(2)
Thi T.
I went here for Dunwoody Restaurant week. I opted for the garlic goat cheese appetizer. It was divine and was presented in a cute little jar with some sprouts sprinkled on the top. The pita chips were pretty much bite sized. Most were crispy and fresh but there were some softer soggy ones that I tried to avoid. I should have read the whole title of the entree. I stopped at "braised beef" and missed the "filet" part. I rechecked the menu after being surprised I did not get the chunky tender meat that I had imagined. In fact, I got four little slices of meat on top of waffles. These didn't even taste like traditional waffles. It had an odd aroma to it. The waffles were big enough to make it filling since the little pieces of meat were not impressive. I will give the chef some credit with presentation. Au jus sauce came in a cute little pitcher but it did not add to the flavor of this strange blend of savory and sweet. The last part of the meal was the dessert. I got the dark chocolate orange pot de creme. It was an interesting blend of sweet and bitter. Again, it came in little containers. For those who enjoy wine... You can purchase cards and load them with money. There is a wide assortment of wine. You can swipe your cards at different stations to try different wines. Ambience can be romantic. Chairs were comfortable. There were different seating arrangement, including patio seats, depending on your and/or your party's mood. Parking was shared with other businesses but a spot was not hard to find.
(2)
Mike F.
Surprisingly great. You would never expect to have a restaurant and wine bar at this location. Great food, excellent service, and the price is right. We got here early on Saturday (before 7 pm) and by 7:30, it was slammed! People know a good place when they see one.
(4)
Douggie B.
From start to finish, Vino Venue was a total waste of money. I purchased two Groupons for this restaurant, based on the reviews on that website. I hope that I can return the second Groupon because I won't use it or give it to somebody else. It took nearly 3 hours from our 8:00 reservation for them to serve 3 courses, despite claims from the waitress that the kitchen was no longer "backed up". What made it all the more frustrating was that they were clearly serving pre-prepared food made expressly for the Groupon customer. How long should it take to put it on a plate? Are they hoping that by dragging out the meal that the customers will buy more wine than the 3 glasses that come with the Groupon? Started with a slice of cheese and a piece of salami. It went from there to a cold and dried out piece of chicken on top of cold and dry noodles. I left 95% of it on my plate. Ending with rice pudding that was super dry and paste like in consistency. I left 95% of it on my plate. Dreadful service. No following up on food served until the next course was about to be served. Mediocre wine- especially bad was the dessert wine which tasted like sugar was added in for an extra syrupy experience. I wasn't about to force feed myself terrible food, even though the food had already been paid for on Groupon. Life's too short. I won't ever return.
(1)
Samantha M.
We've been here a few times now. It's in a plaza & next to a karate studio, but don't let that fool you. The wine selection is immense & the food is delicious. On previous trips in we've done tons of small plates. The charcuterie board is great, as are the flatbreads, lobster Mac & everything else we've tried. So far have not tried anything I don't want to order again! This last trip we opted to do the Pre Fixe menu, choosing a night in Barcelona & a night in Paris. All 3 courses & their wine pairings were fantastic. The wine store has a great selection & many of the varieties are available on the machine so you can try out 1oz before buying the entire bottle. They also host classes & tastings in the back, which I hope to make it to at some point! Tip: they often have deals on groupon :)
(5)
Craig J.
Great concept. Appetizers are on the small side. Had the humus. Definitely not enough to share. The salads are great. Will definitely return.
(4)
Maria P.
The experience was disappointing from start to finish. We arrived for an 8 o'clock reservation and were told we could not be seated for at least a half an hour to 45 minutes because people were lingering. I would think any good restaurant would factor that into the equation. The food was less than mediocre. We had a Groupon which should not have mattered. The appetizer was minuscule, the main course was cold, and the dessert was gelatinous. Service was sketchy. It should not be my problem if the kitchen is backed up. We will not return.
(1)
Maggie H.
Went today with my son. For 30.00 we got a eno card which allowed us to sample some really nice wines by a taste, a half or a full pour. Also we got two appetizers. Goat cheese spread with crackers and a bruscetta, avocado mousse and prosciutto. Yum! I want to go back and learn more!
(5)
Vince V.
Automatic wine dispensers and reloadable wine cards to samlle as little or as much as you like.. What more could you ask for? To top it off, cool place to hang out and the food is amazing!
(5)
Somee K.
It was OK. Nothing stood out for me. We came here for my sister's birthday for the wine selection, while I had one thing in mind-the food! I went in there with a big appetite. Too bad I walked out still hungry. We ordered the Shrimp, Chorizo, Parmigiano Pasta, Chicken Lollipops, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Cheese and Charcuterie, some soft tacos, Marcona Almonds, and other plates not worth mentioning. The food was just not good, period. We barely touched our food and the only reason we were picking at our food was to have something to snack on with our wine. The only thing I enjoyed was the Marcona Almonds which was a snack. Not a fan. I don't think I will come here for the food, but maybe for the wine!
(1)
Tamera B.
As a wino, I fully support and approve of this place. This is one of my favorite wine spots in Atlanta. The enomatic wine dispensers are 5 stars on their own. The ability to create your own tasting is awesome. You put money on a card and can pour yourself a taste, half or full glass of various reds, whites and high end reds. It can add up fast if you like to taste. They do regular deals of getting a $20 credit for $15. As tempting as it may be, use your glass and refrain from taking the dispensers straight to the head. The Saturday tastings from 3-5pm are fun and a great time way to spend a Saturday afternoon. We've been to a couple and for $15 it's a great value. There are usually 6-8 wines they are pouring. It's casual and you can go at your own pace. They do a Ladies Night Out on Tuesdays as well as other events, check their online calendar. After hearing a friend's experience, I really want to take a cooking and/or wine class there. It is also home of the Atlanta Wine School and you can get certified beginner, intermediate and advanced wine education. A girl can dream! I'm a sommelier in my own mind. Oh, and the food is pretty delicious! I've tried a few of their bites and was pleasantly surprised at what's going on in the kitchen. We are attending an Italian Wine event with food at the end of this month and it feels like Santa's coming.
(5)
Charles G.
This is the best place outside the perimeter , in my opinion, when you get a sudden urge to sip some awesome wines. Their bootle selection, bar and, my favorite aspect, the enomatic wine dispenser guarantee you won't be disappointed. I love that I can attend a tasting or just drop in for a drink. Michael is a great guy and a very personable owner who knows his wines. I keep my enomatic money card on me at all times just in case I get the urge to have a drink. If you get a drink and sit on the comfortable furniture you may find yourself there drinking for awhile. Awesome wine bar.
(5)
Jessica R.
I would not expect to find such a gem in a Dunwoody strip mall. Yummy beer selection, plus those fancy wine machines that let you try samples, half glasses or full glasses of wine. Delicious small plates. Great spot for work happy hours, date night, girls night out or larger corporate outings. Wonderful service. Highly recommend.
(5)
Heidi P.
Great place for a LIGHT meal or a wine tasting. We went for the local Restaurant Week and unfortunately, I felt like it was not quite an appropriate venue for an actual dinner. However, it's a great place to come for a date, a girl's night out, catching up with a friend, or even after-work drinks! There are not a ton of large seating options. There is a beautiful bar.. there is a party room / event space, but on this particular night it was booked. The shopping options are fun, and the wine cards are such a cool concept (pay $ onto a card, swipe card, dispense amount of wine, card gets charged.. you're essentially serving yourself with machine-measured portions, so you can have a glass, or a taste of different types without having a bartender hanging around.) For my appetizer, I ordered the garlic goat cheese, and it was excellent.. the crunchy pita chips were VERY crunchy and slightly hard to bite, but a good taste for the delicious dip. My "main entree" was braised beef on waffle, definitely still appetizer-y and very interesting.. overall, if you close your eyes, it's a very tasty dish, but the waffle was sweeter than I expected, and the beef was a bit more plain than I had hoped. There was an au jus to pour on it, which added a good taste, but didn't make it any more savory. For dessert, I had a vanilla cream puff pastry, that had berries and red currant fig reduction, which was tasty! Just remember that you are coming here for the wine experience, and pairings (which are recommended on the menu) - not just the food on it's own, and you'll be happy. The atmosphere is pretty cool, and I like the style of the furniture and decor. There are also seats out front on the covered patio! All in all, very cool place tucked away in a shopping center on Chamblee Dunwoody. Worth a try!!
(4)
Katherine B.
I drove over to Vino Venue on the spur of the moment after getting an email advertising "Drop In Saturday" for a wine and grilled cheese sandwich pairing. The place was packed and there was literally nowhere to sit. The staff tried to get us to sit in the warehouse-like back room, which i assume is what they use for large parties. There was only one bartender, and customers were lined up for drinks. We didn't feel like standing around juggling food plates and wine like a bad wedding reception, so asked for our money back - refunded on the spot with no problem. They were absolutely unprepared for crowd they got for an email they sent out - if you're going to do that, why not have the staff and seating to accommodate it? Too bad, the place looked pretty nice.
(2)
Brianna L.
Yummy food! We(two people) had the Groupon deal. We received: one bottle of house wine, red or white, one cheese plate, and one "small plate" (small plate valued up to $12). Everything was delectable. We had that Tempranillo 2011. Our server, Kiffany, was very polite. I'm not at cheese person, but I very much enjoyed the pairing of Tempranillo with sharp cheddar. The slider plate was our choice for a small plate, and we were too full to order dessert (we did share a Starbucks salad beforehand).
(4)
Shawn B.
First time here, I had the garlic shrimp over pasta...delicious! Will definitely come back again.
(5)
Paige N.
My boyfriend and I have a friend who owns his own financial planning company, so when he held a wine tasting for his current clients and potential new clients, he invited us and we happily accepted. I always like trying new wines, and the spiel that most wine connoisseurs, experts or sommeliers give about each wine is usually worth the price of admission alone. It's so much entertaining BS about "round flavors," "hints of cherry and silver oak," and "bright finishes" for each wine, I have a hard time not laughing half the time. But maybe my palate's just too unrefined to appreciate all the subtleties and nuances. Bottom line, if I like how a wine tastes, I know it, but I'm tangenting. The wine tasting with light bites was held at Vino Venue, a nice wine bar in the Chamblee Dunwoody area. The store occupies the end of a strip mall and it has a very nice space. There's room on the sidewalk for outdoor seating, inside the tables are well spaced and made to seat a variety of different sized groups: big tables, small tables, high tables, low tables around couches, etc. And towards the back is a large private room complete with its own demo kitchen, access to the wine room in the back and plenty of room for people to mingle or sit at tables laid out for the occasion. When we arrived, we were greeted at the door with a glass of sparkling wine (not champagne, mind you), and the wining and schmoozing began. The spread they put out for evening was very impressive. We nibbled on different cheeses and crackers, sausage, a variety of bruschettas (one with olive tapenade, one with red peppers, etc.), two types of baked brie with berries or brown sugar and walnuts, smoked salmon flatbreads, mushroom flatbreads, shrimp grilled on sprigs of rosemary, and for dessert: slices of pound cake with berries and chocolates with bursts of alcohol in their centers. Like I said, quite impressive. Over the course of a couple of hours we sampled seven different wines: one sparkling, two whites, and four reds complete with a short oral history and tasting of each one. And in between wines we had the option to move around, help ourselves to more food (it was served buffet-style at the front of the room and seemed to be never ending), and chat. It was a very fun experience and the company was in good humor, making the whole event even better. I had had a particularly stressful day at work, so some good wine, some good food, and some good people to talk to really took the edge off. Vino Venue did an excellent teaching us a few new things about wine, feeding us and letting us enjoy ourselves at the same time. I would definitely come back here for a single date night or with girlfriends on my own.
(4)
Amy G.
We took the Frutti Di Mare class tonight with chef Donna and it was a lot of fun! I feel like I learned so much about how to make seafood dishes that I was too intimidated to try before! Like ceviche and mussels. The wines flowed as we helped prepared the meal under the capable hands of chef Donna and chef Cyd. Once we got to eat it was so good. We did a great job! The wines pared well with the meal. Overall a fun night.
(5)
Chad M.
Absolutely one of the best places in Atlanta to sample new wines. The staff are all wonderful and very pleasant to deal with - not at all snobby or pretentious as you expect some wine shop owners to be. I really like being able to sample wines at my own pace via the pneumatic self-service machines. My only very minor complaint would be that they get real pita bread for their hummus instead of the pita chips which always seem so hard my teeth are going to break. Oh, and bring back the edamame hummus! That stuff is AWESOME!!! :) I also strongly recommend this place for group events. I brought the Next Wave Society from the Georgia Aquarium here and the did a tasting led by Michael and had a blast.
(5)
Shelley B.
My husband I went here for a quick date night. We had already had dinner so we just got a meat and cheese and had wine. Our server was very helpful and explained the eno card to us. We had several different wines as well as a beer and everything was really tasty. It wasn't a cheap date, but we had a great time and will definitely be back.
(4)
Anita K.
Took a Spanish wines class here; great instructor, very knowledgeable. Great snacks paired with the wines to enhance their flavors. Discount offered on any purchases made after class...I'll be taking more classes here!
(5)
Alexa G.
Went here on a dreary rainy day, figured it would be better to stay inside and drink wine! The wine tastings on the weekend get packed pretty fast so plan on getting there around 3 to provide enough time to snag a seat and get started with the tastings. For $15 ( the website says $10 but I think they add gratuity in) you get to taste about 7 different wines-it was reds the day I was there ( not sure if this changes weekly) They offer 50% off appetizers as well if you are there for the tasting, although they do provide light snacks ( olives, cheeses, crackers..etc) There are wine dispensing stations set up in the back of the space, which allow you to serve yourself via a pre-paid card you can purchase up front. The venue also serves a double purpose as cooking class space also located in the venue. ( FYI-located in the same shopping center as farm burger)
(4)
Dave N.
I love vino and I'm a big fan of this venue! My wife and I started going there just over a year ago for a wine tasting and found out that it's also a great place for dinner, a date, or a party. We booked a birthday party there recently (for a group of 16), and everybody reported having a great time. The atmosphere is relaxed, the decor is welcoming, and the sommeliers are happy to give you as many (or few) wine details/insights as you would like. There's an obvious passion for both wine and food and the artful pairing of the two. If you go there for dinner, some of our favorite menu items include: * Sweet Peppers Stuffed With Honeyed Goat Cheese -- everyone everyone seems to love these. They go fast at a party. * House Pimento Cheese with flatbread cracker -- not at all your typical pimento cheese spread, this stuff is amazing! * Candied Bacon -- this was a choice on the event menu and a favorite by our group. If you've never tried candied bacon, you're in for a real treat! * Chicken Lollipops -- all of the flavors are good, though our favorites were the sweet wasabi soy and the chimichurri parmesan. * Slider Quartet -- of the 4 flavors, my two favorites are the housemade chorizo and the lamb slider. And let's not forget the wine tasting. Though several types of wines are available from the bar, VV has a wide selection of wine available through their Enomatic wine machines (card purchase required). This is a fantastic way to get a taste, 1/2 glass, or full glass of an expensive bottle of wine at a fraction of the cost. I fully endorse VV and would encourage anyone to check it out for a date or a group party. Enjoy!
(5)
Candice D.
This restaurant and wine bar consistently disappoints. From the classes with Michael who is as boring as @&€#!! To the broken enomatic wine machines. This place is the pits. I am sitting at the empty bar now trying to use the rest of the money on my card so I never have to come back to this place.
(1)
Daryl G.
An excellent venue for foodies and wine lovers in a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. The knowledgeable and friendly staff can guide you through a wonderful culinary experience. The menu is carefully crafted by a talented chef and I've yet to have something on the menu that was not fabulous. Not your typical wine bar food. I would drop in just for the small bites! There's a great selection of beer, but the main attraction is wine. You can sample a wide range of wines from the enomatic wine machines or you can order off the wine list. The enomatic dispensers provide an opportunity to try wines at a fraction of the cost of ordering a bottle. While they offer many well known wines (i.e. Silver Oak, Continuum, etc.), I prefer to explore their selection of unique wines or "new discoveries", searching for my new favorite wine! I also recommend checking their calendar for wine classes, wine dinners or wine dinners- vino-venue.com Saturday tastings are free for Wine club(4 or 6 bottle) members. Membership is month to month and can be cancelled anytime.
The Saturday wine tasting is a fun idea for a girls day out! I brought a group of girlfriends here one afternoon and it was a blast. We claimed a hightop table and splurged on the "extra" tastings, but were a bit frustrated with the fact that we had to keep returning to the bar for the next wine on the list every 5 minutes. One of the owners/managers saw us doing this and immediately told us to have a seat, because he was going to take care of us - and he certainly did! He kept a running mental list of the wines we tried and took the time to explain each wine to us whenever he brought over a new one. I'm not a fan of reds, but there were several on the list that I really liked and even considered purchasing by the bottle. I have yet to try the self-serve dispensers or the food - but the small plates I did see looked delicious. For the non-wine drinkers, Vino Venue does have a small selection of craft beers.
(4)
Yoonie S.
Beautiful decor, amazing service, a very "buckhead" feel. Food is fantastic but don't expect maggiano-sized portions ;)
(5)
Sherri D.
My 3 daughters and I were going to have a nice dinner and it was ruined by both the waitress and the General Manager. I had purchased a Groupon and it had expired which means you get the value of what you have paid. As soon as the waitress found out we had a Groupon, she became short and rude. She informed us of what we could order and how much we would have to pay. We were treated as if we had committed a crime by buying their Groupon (that they negotiated to get more business in the first place). When we explained to the waitress that we wished to spend the Groupon dollars differently and asked to speak with the manager, he was insulting and just as rude. He said "this is what you are going to do". We promptly said no we would take our business else where and left. Groupon was great about refunding our money. Who needs to be treated rudely and told what you can order when going out for a nice evening?
(1)
Andrew L.
I made it here this past Wednesday night with my Wife (Wednesday night is ladies night, apparently) and had a blast. Buy your card, grab a glass and circle the store to sample the numerous wines on "tap". You could fill your glass with a sample, half, or whole glass from probably 30 or so different reds, whites and blends. We originally went for a light diner and found that the place wasn't over crowded but had a warm hum of low key energy. All said, dinner was enjoyable. It's small plates so you won't stuff yourself here, but it was just what we wanted at the time. The mushroom flat bread was good, as was the maple bacon popcorn. Goat cheese stuffed peppers were refreshing, but not what I expected (still enjoyable though). The three little pigs dessert was fun, bacon, covered, smeared, and dipped in different dessert coatings for a nice sweet & savory blend. I can see the crowds picking up on the weekend, but during the week it was the perfect, low key spot. My wife and I will be returning soon.
(4)
Lily R.
I visited for my first time on Saturday with a groupon. I loved the environment and had the Spanish menu which was amazing. The pork and potato dish was delicious. And the shrimp dish makes me wanna come back. I had never heard of vino venue and was a little taken back by it being in a Kroger plaza, but the atmosphere is great inside. Recommend!
(5)
Ken A.
Just found this place. Was recommended to me by more than one person to try this place out. A friend and I went for dinner. We sat at the bar, and Roy (our server) was awesome, attentive, and knowledgeable about the food and the wine. I am interested in the "date night" cooking classes they have in the back portion of the building a few times a month. The food was awesome. It's apparently wine-inspired food, and really went well with the wine. Will definitely return.
(4)
Bobbie F.
Absolutely LOVE this place! It's loungy, conversation friendly, date friedley and perfect for Ladies night out! It's become my go to spot... the staff such as Tiffany and Jess are personable, friendly and well, rock! Great food and of course wine and the service is always on point. I suggest the Butternut Squash Hummus.... though I haven't had anything on the menu that has not been fabulous!
(5)
j s.
So-So, but not outstanding. I'm a foodie and eat excellent food on a regular basis, and I don't think Vino Venue is that special, and the prices are quite high for the value. We tried smoked trout mousse with toast and it was fair. We had stuffed peppers that were very tasty. The flatbread was teeny and not large enough to share; but the toping was nice. Wines were so-so and prices were higher than at nearby wine venues. Service was ok but not excellent, and our waitperson was way too loud and way to too talkative, and then forgot one item and didn't supply eating utensils needed and thought it was funny. Cost was about $50 per person for tapas and 1 1/2 glasses of wine each. I will not return.
(3)
Juliet C.
While I did not eat anything here, I rated this venue as excellent for the decor, ambiance, selection of wines, and services. This is a fantastic place badly needed in the area. I look forward to visiting often.
(5)
Lisa S.
Met a friend for a glass of wine and light snacks. Great place for meeting up with friends for something light.
(3)
Chantel W.
Nice place for a girls night. We went with our waitresses suggestions for reds and small plates. All were excellent! Especially enjoyed the pimento cheese, Sophia and flatbread.
(4)
Craig S.
I love this place! I've been there twice now for special events with trade groups. What a fantastic place to gather! The food is scrumptious, prepared by gifted chefs. The wine selections are excellent and they're not all crazy expensive. Some really good values. The ambiance is sophisticated but casual. Staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. I'm eager to return for dinner with friends.
(5)
Scarlett W.
So I've been here a couple of times for their wine tastings as it's a good way to try new wines & catch up with friends. Their wine selection seems extensive and their ENOmatic system is very cool. However this past Saturday left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I went with a friend to their Saturday ENO Deal Days where you pay $15 for $20 worth of wine from their ENOmatic system & a free snack. Sounds pretty good right? My friend and I sat down and she mentioned that the (presumed) manager who had taken our payment said something to the effect of "Give her a little something extra since she's a real pro" while my friend was signing her check at the front counter. The "She" in question was our waitress who would take our order for our free snack and bring us utensils & water. The implication was clear - please tip our hardworking and professional waitress right at this moment. I found a few things wrong with this statement, listed below: 1. If she is such a fantastic waitress, why don't you pay her more so she doesn't rely on tips? 2. Who asks for a tip? How incredibly impolite is that? 3. Have you never heard of cash tips? Or tips that are left after a server has completed their service because that is what one tips based on? 4. Additionally, the waitress wasn't much of a "pro" and had to be flagged down for everything. I sorely wish this hadn't happened because their food is decent, wine selection is pretty good & the space is beautiful. Verdict: Sorry Vino Venue, despite my affinity for your wine tastings, I'm going to have to stop coming (and recommending).
(2)
Lauren P.
I've been to Vino Venue twice now - once for happy hour and recently for a cooking class - so I have to tell y'all this is as good as it gets for Dunwoody. Let's start with the wine. The folks who originally started Vino Venue as The Atlanta Wine School clearly have a passion for wine. On the wine machines, a $15 card can get you tastings of some of the best vino this city has to offer. During happy hour, there was a nice assortment of flatbread, cheese, dried fruit, nuts and olives. If you're looking to host a gathering after work (or even a bridal shower) this would be the place to do it. On the flip side (more like the back half of the space) there's a $100K gourmet kitchen for cooking classes. My sister bought us a pasta making class, and oh my goodness the food was so good and we had so much fun. During our 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. class we made three different types of pasta and homemade Caesar salad, all paired with delicious vino. It was a great experience and I would go again in a heart beat. All around, Vino Venue is a much needed establishment in the Perimeter area. Keep up the great work, y'all!
(5)
Tiff H.
This is quite a belated review... We came here for Dunwoody Restaurant Week. I live across the street and always passed the Venue when shopping at Kroger or driving onto 285W. The location is very conveniently located at the end of the Kroger parking lot. We were looking forward to the special menu... but unfortunately we may have hyped it up a little. For a Friday night, we were still somehow able to get seats for 4 at a communal table, which we shared with a nice little couple on the other end. Our server shows us the menu, which consisted of a couple options that we had already researched ahead of time. I ordered the pimento cheese dip, while my friends ordered the garlic goat cheese. Both were excellent with the toasted pita chips, which were warm and crispy. With the standard set, we were ready to encounter our entrees, sipping our glasses of wine (who can go to a wine bar without ordering a bottle of red?!) The entree I ordered was definitely not what I expected... I ordered the braised beef on waffle. I was looking forward to a hearty meal, and when this came out, I was taken aback. As others have stated, it didn't seem like a full entree. The waffle was slightly drenched with syrup, and the meat was a little bland and dry. With the provided sauce, it isn't so bad, but... I ran out of that sauce pretty quickly. I was kind of disappointed... The dessert couldn't be worse than the entree, was what I thought. The mousse I ordered was so simple I didn't even take a picture of it. While it was fluffy, it was nothing to rave about. I should have ordered the puff pastry that my friends ordered! I definitely want to come here again one day for just the appetizers and the wine, not sure the food is my cup of tea...
(3)
April W.
I like the concept of sampling wines from the modern automatic pour machine. They have a huge assortment of wines from all over the world. The owner is really nice & takes the time to educate you without being a wine snob. This is a great date spot! Two thumbs up for service & wine quality.
(5)
Michelle B.
I recently moved into the Dunwoody area and happened upon this amazing wine bar/store/cooking school in the middle of one beautiful Saturday afternoon. My friend visiting me for the weekend was looking to purchase a bottle as a birthday gift for someone so we stopped in not knowing there was a wine tasting in progress. We of course joined right in. It was a great surprise! Thank you
(5)
Terena W.
We've been here several times for the tastings at the Enomatic machines and we love it. There is a great selection of wines and the atmosphere is very nice and relaxing. We don't usually have a meal but the truffle popcorn was FANTASTIC. We decided to make this a regular relaxation spot!
(5)
Justin W.
I've decided to revisit this place (literally, as well as in the form of a review) because of an especially enjoyed visit I had yesterday. I had previously patronized Vino Venue over a year ago, when a less-than-stellar Dunwoody Restaurant Week menu left me irritated and mildly bewildered, mainly by certain food-related decisions made by the chef (A braised filet sitting atop a waffle? Bizarre.) More recent visits to the restaurant, wine shop, and instructional kitchen though have left me impressed, with unique praise being awarded to the managing partner: Michael Bryan. Michael has truly poured his heart and soul into his business, which is truly apparent in his election of a more creative chef and the complete turn-around that had been accomplished since my initial voyage into Vino Venue. Despite an unexpected bout with cancer that unfortunately cost him his leg, he remains stoic and passionate about providing a unique, high-end dining experience to those residing in the cities of Chamblee and Dunwoody, something that warms my heart and makes me smile, especially as someone who lives up the street and is very aware of the sparse fine-dining options nearby. Though it's probably obvious, Michael really knows his wine, and is a spectacular person to put your trust in should you not know what you're looking to enjoy. Even if you do, he can steer you in the direction of a choice you may not have considered previously. Those seeking an even more educational experience should keep peeled eyes upon the many classes offered here in their spacious back kitchen, where they also hold private events. Long live Vino Venue!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dessert Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Mauricio A.
Well, its date night on a Monday night. Me and the wife met up with another couple, friends of ours to try out this place. Overall, great impression from the get go. Walked in and promptly greeted, and quickly joined our party. Nice day out so the deck was perfect, not too hot, not cold at all, and with this crazy Georgia weather we got extremely lucky. First off, this place has a self serve wine bar - Just get a prepaid card and serve up! Great selection of wine, so we all get a glass and get some. I got a Riesling since I knew a cheese plate will be in order, don't remember the name to be exact but it was nice. Got to our table and first thing we ordered, Cheese plate of 4 different cheeses as a starter, all delicious and paired well with our wine. Couple of minutes go by and proceeded to order food, we decided to get 4 different plates to share, so everyone could try all the good food as my pictures explain; Andouille Sausage & Gouda Cheese Grit Cakes, Surf & Turf Flatbread, Trio Of Crispy Pork Belly Chipotle Tacos (my favorite) and Smoky Three Cheese & Beef Lasagna. Overall, the ambiance was on point. Wine was great, and loved the many options and descriptions on each label, as I am definetly not a wine enthusiast. Not too crowded, not loud, just groups of friends gathered to have some conversation over good food. I will be coming back here soon to try more of their dishes. Will update then.
(4)Lindy F.
"In vino veritas" -- Tombstone (1993) What a disappointing experience for Dunwoody Restaurant Week. So this was my first time at Vino Venue and I was really looking forward to it - and then I was in a situation that morning where I was not going to be able to drink any wine. But I was determined to enjoy the food anyway! I have been notorious to go to the restaurant week outings and then NOT order from the special menus - so I have changed my strategy and insist on ordering off these menus and get the RW experience. Total failure this time around. A couple of the ladies at the table opted to do the enomatic wine cards (opting for the Yelp deal instead of the RW deal as it was a better offer). The rest of the table went with the $20 bottle deal. From the RW menu, I chose the Green Goddess Salad, the Braised Beef Bistro Filet on Potato Leek Waffles and the Dark Chocolate Orange Pot de Crème. The salad was delicious and probably the best thing I ate all night. It had a very refreshing and herbaceous dressing with a great salt level and a nice crunch from the pepitas. The entree was atrocious. So first, even if you braise a filet, it is a crime to A) cook it to well done and B) cook it without any salt or pepper. Now, they then placed world's smallest piece atop a piece of waffle - that actually had a decent flavor and was one of the only things giving any flavor at all to this dish. Next, it came with a jus that we poured over the top - it gave flavor to the dish, made the waffles soggy, which killed them. Plus, the flavor of the jus was just salt - not in a good way. Thank goodness for a decent dessert - which I almost did not get. Our server brought the desserts to the table - for everyone except me. So I waited and waited, and finally started waving in his direction (he was 15 feet from the table) and he looked up and I motioned at the empty space in front of me. Next thing I know, he is placing the pot de crème in front of me. So this was pretty rich in dark chocolate, with a pretty smooth texture, and a nice orange finish. It was pretty good - not the best I have had, but a good finish after a terrible entree. The entire thing was $20 plus tax - that I wish I could get back. I don't think I would come here again as the food is not worth the money and there are many great places to go for wine in this town.
(2)Kyra M.
I'm feeling this new spot in walking distance to me! Love the wine school and the many selections. The staff is educated and the small plates compliment the wine well. You can go to cooking/wine class in a group or sit at the bar or at a table. It may be located in a shopping center but it is nothing short of fascinating!
(4)Michael C.
The only bad, the food menu is fairly limited. On the up side, they have a good selection of wine. I like that they have the wine bar where you can go up and fill your own wine glass. Staff is super friendly. Id definitely come back.
(4)Gretchen F.
Swanky wine bar with high end enophile aspects. I was a little overwhelmed at how I had to go on a tour when I arrived before I could consume. I think they would win the client over better if they greeted them with a tasting of their preferred wine while showing them the various options for consumption. Let me explain. It first appears to be a regular wine bar where you order off the menu but once you see the menu, you'll notice there are only 4 different choices for red or for white. Well at a wine bar, that is pretty shockingly low, I have to say. Most wine bars offer 20 or more choices ( at least ) per type (red vs white etc ). Well at Vino Venue, you have the option to purchase a tasting card that is prepaid and you can decide how big the pour is ( in ounces ) at an Italian dispensing station so that you may try various different wines. Yet I found the majority of the wines available at this place were extremely expensive, such at $25 a full pour/glass. I wasn't able to try the food menu since I had just eaten dinner but it looked pretty promising. I feel there should be more options on the service/wine menu and more mid price options on the self-serve dispenser "menu". Although the wine classes in the back room look appealing, I may choose a more classic wine bar in the future so that I may just sit back, relax and be served a decent glass of wine at a medium price and so that I have time to catch up with my friend rather than learn about wine which was not my intent that evening. Learning about wine is interesting to me but you either go in with a learning vibe or a relaxing vibe. I wasn't in the mood to learn that evening.
(3)Jeanette G.
Vino Venue has a great wine selection and I love the fact that they have an enomatic wine card system. I have been here for an Italian Wine Dinner/Cooking class as well as most recently dining out during the Dunwoody Restaurant week. While I do enjoy the wine options and the overall experience at Venue, the food has never lived up to my expectations or my dining companions. The food screams for seasoning and as a lot of restaurants choose to do, they do not provide salt and pepper automatically on the table. I completely understand that because it can be an insult to the chef when diners grab for it without trying the food. That is one of my biggest pet peeves when I cook! Taste it first before you grab the S&P but I think the chef might want to taste more before the food leaves the kitchen. During my last experience my Dinner choice was the Braised Beef Bistro Filet with Honey Soy Pinot Grigio jus with Potato Leek Waffles. How great does that sound??! Unfortunately an overcooked attempt at the Bistro Filet and the soggy Waffles even with the jus fell flat! I kept trying to pawn it off to my dinner companions who didn't seem to enjoy it either. I will go back for the wine but will definitely pass on the food. They do have a great event calendar but be warned. I purchased a class for two and had to cancel the day of due to something out of my control. Lelia Bryan who is the event coordinator informed me she could not refund my money unless she could sell my seats to someone else. I'm a reasonable person and I get that you are in business to make money. It would have gone a long way if she would have said "I understand, I will give you a credit to the next class you would like to attend" rather than just taking my money. I will still go back for the great wine selection.
(3)Kate M.
While I love wine, I don't like whine-ing and dining. Unfortunately for Vino Venue, my last experience leaves a lot to be desired. We had a table of about 8 people and had some difficulty finding a seat during Dunwoody Restaurant Week. Understandable so we bought cards which allowed us to purchase wine. They have cool machines where you insert your card, pick your wine glass size (taste, half, or full) and play sommelier with all of your friends. While the decor was welcoming and the atmosphere cozy, the wait staff and food were disappointing in comparison. While a small restaurant, our waiter could be found anywhere but where our table was. He seemed more interested in chatting with other staff members than assisting us. Our three course menu consisted of an appetizer, entree, and dessert. I chose to start with the garlicky goat cheese with toast points. It was smooth and creamy but the garlic overwhelmed the cheese. I had a few bites and was satiated while over half the jar was still full! Definitely one to share. It paired well with my wine and I could take it for what it was. My entree however was a different story. Ordering the lobster mac and cheese I pictured ooey-gooey cheese with perfectly al dente pasta and tender lobster. Unfortunately, I got the opposite. The only lobster in the dish was the piece on top garnishing it. The cheese was congealed a bit (mostly because there was way too much oil/butter used) and the panko on top just provided a mouthful of dry breadcrumbs. For dessert, I chose the pot de creme. It was orange and dark chocolate and probably the best part of the meal. A drawback though was that our whole table wasn't served at the same time and one of the diners had to flag down our waiter to let him know she wasn't served hers. With so many up and coming wine bars in the area I'm definitely interested in seeing what others have to offer.
(2)Thi T.
I went here for Dunwoody Restaurant week. I opted for the garlic goat cheese appetizer. It was divine and was presented in a cute little jar with some sprouts sprinkled on the top. The pita chips were pretty much bite sized. Most were crispy and fresh but there were some softer soggy ones that I tried to avoid. I should have read the whole title of the entree. I stopped at "braised beef" and missed the "filet" part. I rechecked the menu after being surprised I did not get the chunky tender meat that I had imagined. In fact, I got four little slices of meat on top of waffles. These didn't even taste like traditional waffles. It had an odd aroma to it. The waffles were big enough to make it filling since the little pieces of meat were not impressive. I will give the chef some credit with presentation. Au jus sauce came in a cute little pitcher but it did not add to the flavor of this strange blend of savory and sweet. The last part of the meal was the dessert. I got the dark chocolate orange pot de creme. It was an interesting blend of sweet and bitter. Again, it came in little containers. For those who enjoy wine... You can purchase cards and load them with money. There is a wide assortment of wine. You can swipe your cards at different stations to try different wines. Ambience can be romantic. Chairs were comfortable. There were different seating arrangement, including patio seats, depending on your and/or your party's mood. Parking was shared with other businesses but a spot was not hard to find.
(2)Mike F.
Surprisingly great. You would never expect to have a restaurant and wine bar at this location. Great food, excellent service, and the price is right. We got here early on Saturday (before 7 pm) and by 7:30, it was slammed! People know a good place when they see one.
(4)Douggie B.
From start to finish, Vino Venue was a total waste of money. I purchased two Groupons for this restaurant, based on the reviews on that website. I hope that I can return the second Groupon because I won't use it or give it to somebody else. It took nearly 3 hours from our 8:00 reservation for them to serve 3 courses, despite claims from the waitress that the kitchen was no longer "backed up". What made it all the more frustrating was that they were clearly serving pre-prepared food made expressly for the Groupon customer. How long should it take to put it on a plate? Are they hoping that by dragging out the meal that the customers will buy more wine than the 3 glasses that come with the Groupon? Started with a slice of cheese and a piece of salami. It went from there to a cold and dried out piece of chicken on top of cold and dry noodles. I left 95% of it on my plate. Ending with rice pudding that was super dry and paste like in consistency. I left 95% of it on my plate. Dreadful service. No following up on food served until the next course was about to be served. Mediocre wine- especially bad was the dessert wine which tasted like sugar was added in for an extra syrupy experience. I wasn't about to force feed myself terrible food, even though the food had already been paid for on Groupon. Life's too short. I won't ever return.
(1)Samantha M.
We've been here a few times now. It's in a plaza & next to a karate studio, but don't let that fool you. The wine selection is immense & the food is delicious. On previous trips in we've done tons of small plates. The charcuterie board is great, as are the flatbreads, lobster Mac & everything else we've tried. So far have not tried anything I don't want to order again! This last trip we opted to do the Pre Fixe menu, choosing a night in Barcelona & a night in Paris. All 3 courses & their wine pairings were fantastic. The wine store has a great selection & many of the varieties are available on the machine so you can try out 1oz before buying the entire bottle. They also host classes & tastings in the back, which I hope to make it to at some point! Tip: they often have deals on groupon :)
(5)Craig J.
Great concept. Appetizers are on the small side. Had the humus. Definitely not enough to share. The salads are great. Will definitely return.
(4)Maria P.
The experience was disappointing from start to finish. We arrived for an 8 o'clock reservation and were told we could not be seated for at least a half an hour to 45 minutes because people were lingering. I would think any good restaurant would factor that into the equation. The food was less than mediocre. We had a Groupon which should not have mattered. The appetizer was minuscule, the main course was cold, and the dessert was gelatinous. Service was sketchy. It should not be my problem if the kitchen is backed up. We will not return.
(1)Maggie H.
Went today with my son. For 30.00 we got a eno card which allowed us to sample some really nice wines by a taste, a half or a full pour. Also we got two appetizers. Goat cheese spread with crackers and a bruscetta, avocado mousse and prosciutto. Yum! I want to go back and learn more!
(5)Vince V.
Automatic wine dispensers and reloadable wine cards to samlle as little or as much as you like.. What more could you ask for? To top it off, cool place to hang out and the food is amazing!
(5)Somee K.
It was OK. Nothing stood out for me. We came here for my sister's birthday for the wine selection, while I had one thing in mind-the food! I went in there with a big appetite. Too bad I walked out still hungry. We ordered the Shrimp, Chorizo, Parmigiano Pasta, Chicken Lollipops, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Cheese and Charcuterie, some soft tacos, Marcona Almonds, and other plates not worth mentioning. The food was just not good, period. We barely touched our food and the only reason we were picking at our food was to have something to snack on with our wine. The only thing I enjoyed was the Marcona Almonds which was a snack. Not a fan. I don't think I will come here for the food, but maybe for the wine!
(1)Tamera B.
As a wino, I fully support and approve of this place. This is one of my favorite wine spots in Atlanta. The enomatic wine dispensers are 5 stars on their own. The ability to create your own tasting is awesome. You put money on a card and can pour yourself a taste, half or full glass of various reds, whites and high end reds. It can add up fast if you like to taste. They do regular deals of getting a $20 credit for $15. As tempting as it may be, use your glass and refrain from taking the dispensers straight to the head. The Saturday tastings from 3-5pm are fun and a great time way to spend a Saturday afternoon. We've been to a couple and for $15 it's a great value. There are usually 6-8 wines they are pouring. It's casual and you can go at your own pace. They do a Ladies Night Out on Tuesdays as well as other events, check their online calendar. After hearing a friend's experience, I really want to take a cooking and/or wine class there. It is also home of the Atlanta Wine School and you can get certified beginner, intermediate and advanced wine education. A girl can dream! I'm a sommelier in my own mind. Oh, and the food is pretty delicious! I've tried a few of their bites and was pleasantly surprised at what's going on in the kitchen. We are attending an Italian Wine event with food at the end of this month and it feels like Santa's coming.
(5)Charles G.
This is the best place outside the perimeter , in my opinion, when you get a sudden urge to sip some awesome wines. Their bootle selection, bar and, my favorite aspect, the enomatic wine dispenser guarantee you won't be disappointed. I love that I can attend a tasting or just drop in for a drink. Michael is a great guy and a very personable owner who knows his wines. I keep my enomatic money card on me at all times just in case I get the urge to have a drink. If you get a drink and sit on the comfortable furniture you may find yourself there drinking for awhile. Awesome wine bar.
(5)Jessica R.
I would not expect to find such a gem in a Dunwoody strip mall. Yummy beer selection, plus those fancy wine machines that let you try samples, half glasses or full glasses of wine. Delicious small plates. Great spot for work happy hours, date night, girls night out or larger corporate outings. Wonderful service. Highly recommend.
(5)Heidi P.
Great place for a LIGHT meal or a wine tasting. We went for the local Restaurant Week and unfortunately, I felt like it was not quite an appropriate venue for an actual dinner. However, it's a great place to come for a date, a girl's night out, catching up with a friend, or even after-work drinks! There are not a ton of large seating options. There is a beautiful bar.. there is a party room / event space, but on this particular night it was booked. The shopping options are fun, and the wine cards are such a cool concept (pay $ onto a card, swipe card, dispense amount of wine, card gets charged.. you're essentially serving yourself with machine-measured portions, so you can have a glass, or a taste of different types without having a bartender hanging around.) For my appetizer, I ordered the garlic goat cheese, and it was excellent.. the crunchy pita chips were VERY crunchy and slightly hard to bite, but a good taste for the delicious dip. My "main entree" was braised beef on waffle, definitely still appetizer-y and very interesting.. overall, if you close your eyes, it's a very tasty dish, but the waffle was sweeter than I expected, and the beef was a bit more plain than I had hoped. There was an au jus to pour on it, which added a good taste, but didn't make it any more savory. For dessert, I had a vanilla cream puff pastry, that had berries and red currant fig reduction, which was tasty! Just remember that you are coming here for the wine experience, and pairings (which are recommended on the menu) - not just the food on it's own, and you'll be happy. The atmosphere is pretty cool, and I like the style of the furniture and decor. There are also seats out front on the covered patio! All in all, very cool place tucked away in a shopping center on Chamblee Dunwoody. Worth a try!!
(4)Katherine B.
I drove over to Vino Venue on the spur of the moment after getting an email advertising "Drop In Saturday" for a wine and grilled cheese sandwich pairing. The place was packed and there was literally nowhere to sit. The staff tried to get us to sit in the warehouse-like back room, which i assume is what they use for large parties. There was only one bartender, and customers were lined up for drinks. We didn't feel like standing around juggling food plates and wine like a bad wedding reception, so asked for our money back - refunded on the spot with no problem. They were absolutely unprepared for crowd they got for an email they sent out - if you're going to do that, why not have the staff and seating to accommodate it? Too bad, the place looked pretty nice.
(2)Brianna L.
Yummy food! We(two people) had the Groupon deal. We received: one bottle of house wine, red or white, one cheese plate, and one "small plate" (small plate valued up to $12). Everything was delectable. We had that Tempranillo 2011. Our server, Kiffany, was very polite. I'm not at cheese person, but I very much enjoyed the pairing of Tempranillo with sharp cheddar. The slider plate was our choice for a small plate, and we were too full to order dessert (we did share a Starbucks salad beforehand).
(4)Shawn B.
First time here, I had the garlic shrimp over pasta...delicious! Will definitely come back again.
(5)Paige N.
My boyfriend and I have a friend who owns his own financial planning company, so when he held a wine tasting for his current clients and potential new clients, he invited us and we happily accepted. I always like trying new wines, and the spiel that most wine connoisseurs, experts or sommeliers give about each wine is usually worth the price of admission alone. It's so much entertaining BS about "round flavors," "hints of cherry and silver oak," and "bright finishes" for each wine, I have a hard time not laughing half the time. But maybe my palate's just too unrefined to appreciate all the subtleties and nuances. Bottom line, if I like how a wine tastes, I know it, but I'm tangenting. The wine tasting with light bites was held at Vino Venue, a nice wine bar in the Chamblee Dunwoody area. The store occupies the end of a strip mall and it has a very nice space. There's room on the sidewalk for outdoor seating, inside the tables are well spaced and made to seat a variety of different sized groups: big tables, small tables, high tables, low tables around couches, etc. And towards the back is a large private room complete with its own demo kitchen, access to the wine room in the back and plenty of room for people to mingle or sit at tables laid out for the occasion. When we arrived, we were greeted at the door with a glass of sparkling wine (not champagne, mind you), and the wining and schmoozing began. The spread they put out for evening was very impressive. We nibbled on different cheeses and crackers, sausage, a variety of bruschettas (one with olive tapenade, one with red peppers, etc.), two types of baked brie with berries or brown sugar and walnuts, smoked salmon flatbreads, mushroom flatbreads, shrimp grilled on sprigs of rosemary, and for dessert: slices of pound cake with berries and chocolates with bursts of alcohol in their centers. Like I said, quite impressive. Over the course of a couple of hours we sampled seven different wines: one sparkling, two whites, and four reds complete with a short oral history and tasting of each one. And in between wines we had the option to move around, help ourselves to more food (it was served buffet-style at the front of the room and seemed to be never ending), and chat. It was a very fun experience and the company was in good humor, making the whole event even better. I had had a particularly stressful day at work, so some good wine, some good food, and some good people to talk to really took the edge off. Vino Venue did an excellent teaching us a few new things about wine, feeding us and letting us enjoy ourselves at the same time. I would definitely come back here for a single date night or with girlfriends on my own.
(4)Amy G.
We took the Frutti Di Mare class tonight with chef Donna and it was a lot of fun! I feel like I learned so much about how to make seafood dishes that I was too intimidated to try before! Like ceviche and mussels. The wines flowed as we helped prepared the meal under the capable hands of chef Donna and chef Cyd. Once we got to eat it was so good. We did a great job! The wines pared well with the meal. Overall a fun night.
(5)Chad M.
Absolutely one of the best places in Atlanta to sample new wines. The staff are all wonderful and very pleasant to deal with - not at all snobby or pretentious as you expect some wine shop owners to be. I really like being able to sample wines at my own pace via the pneumatic self-service machines. My only very minor complaint would be that they get real pita bread for their hummus instead of the pita chips which always seem so hard my teeth are going to break. Oh, and bring back the edamame hummus! That stuff is AWESOME!!! :) I also strongly recommend this place for group events. I brought the Next Wave Society from the Georgia Aquarium here and the did a tasting led by Michael and had a blast.
(5)Shelley B.
My husband I went here for a quick date night. We had already had dinner so we just got a meat and cheese and had wine. Our server was very helpful and explained the eno card to us. We had several different wines as well as a beer and everything was really tasty. It wasn't a cheap date, but we had a great time and will definitely be back.
(4)Anita K.
Took a Spanish wines class here; great instructor, very knowledgeable. Great snacks paired with the wines to enhance their flavors. Discount offered on any purchases made after class...I'll be taking more classes here!
(5)Alexa G.
Went here on a dreary rainy day, figured it would be better to stay inside and drink wine! The wine tastings on the weekend get packed pretty fast so plan on getting there around 3 to provide enough time to snag a seat and get started with the tastings. For $15 ( the website says $10 but I think they add gratuity in) you get to taste about 7 different wines-it was reds the day I was there ( not sure if this changes weekly) They offer 50% off appetizers as well if you are there for the tasting, although they do provide light snacks ( olives, cheeses, crackers..etc) There are wine dispensing stations set up in the back of the space, which allow you to serve yourself via a pre-paid card you can purchase up front. The venue also serves a double purpose as cooking class space also located in the venue. ( FYI-located in the same shopping center as farm burger)
(4)Dave N.
I love vino and I'm a big fan of this venue! My wife and I started going there just over a year ago for a wine tasting and found out that it's also a great place for dinner, a date, or a party. We booked a birthday party there recently (for a group of 16), and everybody reported having a great time. The atmosphere is relaxed, the decor is welcoming, and the sommeliers are happy to give you as many (or few) wine details/insights as you would like. There's an obvious passion for both wine and food and the artful pairing of the two. If you go there for dinner, some of our favorite menu items include: * Sweet Peppers Stuffed With Honeyed Goat Cheese -- everyone everyone seems to love these. They go fast at a party. * House Pimento Cheese with flatbread cracker -- not at all your typical pimento cheese spread, this stuff is amazing! * Candied Bacon -- this was a choice on the event menu and a favorite by our group. If you've never tried candied bacon, you're in for a real treat! * Chicken Lollipops -- all of the flavors are good, though our favorites were the sweet wasabi soy and the chimichurri parmesan. * Slider Quartet -- of the 4 flavors, my two favorites are the housemade chorizo and the lamb slider. And let's not forget the wine tasting. Though several types of wines are available from the bar, VV has a wide selection of wine available through their Enomatic wine machines (card purchase required). This is a fantastic way to get a taste, 1/2 glass, or full glass of an expensive bottle of wine at a fraction of the cost. I fully endorse VV and would encourage anyone to check it out for a date or a group party. Enjoy!
(5)Candice D.
This restaurant and wine bar consistently disappoints. From the classes with Michael who is as boring as @&€#!! To the broken enomatic wine machines. This place is the pits. I am sitting at the empty bar now trying to use the rest of the money on my card so I never have to come back to this place.
(1)Daryl G.
An excellent venue for foodies and wine lovers in a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. The knowledgeable and friendly staff can guide you through a wonderful culinary experience. The menu is carefully crafted by a talented chef and I've yet to have something on the menu that was not fabulous. Not your typical wine bar food. I would drop in just for the small bites! There's a great selection of beer, but the main attraction is wine. You can sample a wide range of wines from the enomatic wine machines or you can order off the wine list. The enomatic dispensers provide an opportunity to try wines at a fraction of the cost of ordering a bottle. While they offer many well known wines (i.e. Silver Oak, Continuum, etc.), I prefer to explore their selection of unique wines or "new discoveries", searching for my new favorite wine! I also recommend checking their calendar for wine classes, wine dinners or wine dinners- vino-venue.com Saturday tastings are free for Wine club(4 or 6 bottle) members. Membership is month to month and can be cancelled anytime.
(5)Philip M.
My partner and I have been dining here since they opened. It is located midway between my office and our home so the location is very convenient. Many of my friends and family will meet me here for wine and an appetizer or a full meal after work. We love being able to add monetary value to the enomatic card and do our own self paced wine tastings. It seems like once a month they run a special of $30 for only $20 which can be added to the enomatic card. This is a great deal so I typically double their offer and will spend $40 to receive $60 credit on the card. We have a wine app on the phone to use while tasting. Usually one of the employees will come and chat with us about our slections. The pricing on their retail bottles is very fair and the case discounts are a great deal. We love that their selection is from smaller and more specialized wineries. We are Costco members and that selection is good, however I have purchased many wines from Costco that were mediocre to awful. The beauty of Vino Venue is the ability to taste the wine in a half or full glass before purchasing. This year I splurged on a $100 bottle of white wine from Costco. I wanted to cry after the first sip. It was mediocre, barely one notch above bad. Bottles that cost me in the $20 range at Vino Venue were far better. Multiple times this year I have been burned on wine purchases that I regretted. I have determined that if I plan to spend $40+ on a bottle, I just head for Vino Venue to taste before I purchase. Food, both appetizers and entrées range from good to great. I am primarily vegetarian and my partner is a carnivore. I will eat some seafood on occasion. The mushroom flatbread is my favorite. A vegetarian paninni has also been a good choice. My partner likes their slider varieties. I wish they had more vegetarian options as hot entrées. The desserts could use some variety. The creme brulee is good but small for the price. Service is consistently good. On a previous visit our panna cotta dessert came to the table frozen. We stabbed at it with spoons but could not eat it. The waiter happily replaced it with a chocolate cake instead. I hope this place stays open. I really value the ability to taste wine before I purchase and the staff always treats me like royalty.
(4)Jennifer Y.
The Saturday wine tasting is a fun idea for a girls day out! I brought a group of girlfriends here one afternoon and it was a blast. We claimed a hightop table and splurged on the "extra" tastings, but were a bit frustrated with the fact that we had to keep returning to the bar for the next wine on the list every 5 minutes. One of the owners/managers saw us doing this and immediately told us to have a seat, because he was going to take care of us - and he certainly did! He kept a running mental list of the wines we tried and took the time to explain each wine to us whenever he brought over a new one. I'm not a fan of reds, but there were several on the list that I really liked and even considered purchasing by the bottle. I have yet to try the self-serve dispensers or the food - but the small plates I did see looked delicious. For the non-wine drinkers, Vino Venue does have a small selection of craft beers.
(4)Yoonie S.
Beautiful decor, amazing service, a very "buckhead" feel. Food is fantastic but don't expect maggiano-sized portions ;)
(5)Sherri D.
My 3 daughters and I were going to have a nice dinner and it was ruined by both the waitress and the General Manager. I had purchased a Groupon and it had expired which means you get the value of what you have paid. As soon as the waitress found out we had a Groupon, she became short and rude. She informed us of what we could order and how much we would have to pay. We were treated as if we had committed a crime by buying their Groupon (that they negotiated to get more business in the first place). When we explained to the waitress that we wished to spend the Groupon dollars differently and asked to speak with the manager, he was insulting and just as rude. He said "this is what you are going to do". We promptly said no we would take our business else where and left. Groupon was great about refunding our money. Who needs to be treated rudely and told what you can order when going out for a nice evening?
(1)Andrew L.
I made it here this past Wednesday night with my Wife (Wednesday night is ladies night, apparently) and had a blast. Buy your card, grab a glass and circle the store to sample the numerous wines on "tap". You could fill your glass with a sample, half, or whole glass from probably 30 or so different reds, whites and blends. We originally went for a light diner and found that the place wasn't over crowded but had a warm hum of low key energy. All said, dinner was enjoyable. It's small plates so you won't stuff yourself here, but it was just what we wanted at the time. The mushroom flat bread was good, as was the maple bacon popcorn. Goat cheese stuffed peppers were refreshing, but not what I expected (still enjoyable though). The three little pigs dessert was fun, bacon, covered, smeared, and dipped in different dessert coatings for a nice sweet & savory blend. I can see the crowds picking up on the weekend, but during the week it was the perfect, low key spot. My wife and I will be returning soon.
(4)Lily R.
I visited for my first time on Saturday with a groupon. I loved the environment and had the Spanish menu which was amazing. The pork and potato dish was delicious. And the shrimp dish makes me wanna come back. I had never heard of vino venue and was a little taken back by it being in a Kroger plaza, but the atmosphere is great inside. Recommend!
(5)Ken A.
Just found this place. Was recommended to me by more than one person to try this place out. A friend and I went for dinner. We sat at the bar, and Roy (our server) was awesome, attentive, and knowledgeable about the food and the wine. I am interested in the "date night" cooking classes they have in the back portion of the building a few times a month. The food was awesome. It's apparently wine-inspired food, and really went well with the wine. Will definitely return.
(4)Bobbie F.
Absolutely LOVE this place! It's loungy, conversation friendly, date friedley and perfect for Ladies night out! It's become my go to spot... the staff such as Tiffany and Jess are personable, friendly and well, rock! Great food and of course wine and the service is always on point. I suggest the Butternut Squash Hummus.... though I haven't had anything on the menu that has not been fabulous!
(5)j s.
So-So, but not outstanding. I'm a foodie and eat excellent food on a regular basis, and I don't think Vino Venue is that special, and the prices are quite high for the value. We tried smoked trout mousse with toast and it was fair. We had stuffed peppers that were very tasty. The flatbread was teeny and not large enough to share; but the toping was nice. Wines were so-so and prices were higher than at nearby wine venues. Service was ok but not excellent, and our waitperson was way too loud and way to too talkative, and then forgot one item and didn't supply eating utensils needed and thought it was funny. Cost was about $50 per person for tapas and 1 1/2 glasses of wine each. I will not return.
(3)Juliet C.
While I did not eat anything here, I rated this venue as excellent for the decor, ambiance, selection of wines, and services. This is a fantastic place badly needed in the area. I look forward to visiting often.
(5)Lisa S.
Met a friend for a glass of wine and light snacks. Great place for meeting up with friends for something light.
(3)Chantel W.
Nice place for a girls night. We went with our waitresses suggestions for reds and small plates. All were excellent! Especially enjoyed the pimento cheese, Sophia and flatbread.
(4)Craig S.
I love this place! I've been there twice now for special events with trade groups. What a fantastic place to gather! The food is scrumptious, prepared by gifted chefs. The wine selections are excellent and they're not all crazy expensive. Some really good values. The ambiance is sophisticated but casual. Staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. I'm eager to return for dinner with friends.
(5)Scarlett W.
So I've been here a couple of times for their wine tastings as it's a good way to try new wines & catch up with friends. Their wine selection seems extensive and their ENOmatic system is very cool. However this past Saturday left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I went with a friend to their Saturday ENO Deal Days where you pay $15 for $20 worth of wine from their ENOmatic system & a free snack. Sounds pretty good right? My friend and I sat down and she mentioned that the (presumed) manager who had taken our payment said something to the effect of "Give her a little something extra since she's a real pro" while my friend was signing her check at the front counter. The "She" in question was our waitress who would take our order for our free snack and bring us utensils & water. The implication was clear - please tip our hardworking and professional waitress right at this moment. I found a few things wrong with this statement, listed below: 1. If she is such a fantastic waitress, why don't you pay her more so she doesn't rely on tips? 2. Who asks for a tip? How incredibly impolite is that? 3. Have you never heard of cash tips? Or tips that are left after a server has completed their service because that is what one tips based on? 4. Additionally, the waitress wasn't much of a "pro" and had to be flagged down for everything. I sorely wish this hadn't happened because their food is decent, wine selection is pretty good & the space is beautiful. Verdict: Sorry Vino Venue, despite my affinity for your wine tastings, I'm going to have to stop coming (and recommending).
(2)Lauren P.
I've been to Vino Venue twice now - once for happy hour and recently for a cooking class - so I have to tell y'all this is as good as it gets for Dunwoody. Let's start with the wine. The folks who originally started Vino Venue as The Atlanta Wine School clearly have a passion for wine. On the wine machines, a $15 card can get you tastings of some of the best vino this city has to offer. During happy hour, there was a nice assortment of flatbread, cheese, dried fruit, nuts and olives. If you're looking to host a gathering after work (or even a bridal shower) this would be the place to do it. On the flip side (more like the back half of the space) there's a $100K gourmet kitchen for cooking classes. My sister bought us a pasta making class, and oh my goodness the food was so good and we had so much fun. During our 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. class we made three different types of pasta and homemade Caesar salad, all paired with delicious vino. It was a great experience and I would go again in a heart beat. All around, Vino Venue is a much needed establishment in the Perimeter area. Keep up the great work, y'all!
(5)Tiff H.
This is quite a belated review... We came here for Dunwoody Restaurant Week. I live across the street and always passed the Venue when shopping at Kroger or driving onto 285W. The location is very conveniently located at the end of the Kroger parking lot. We were looking forward to the special menu... but unfortunately we may have hyped it up a little. For a Friday night, we were still somehow able to get seats for 4 at a communal table, which we shared with a nice little couple on the other end. Our server shows us the menu, which consisted of a couple options that we had already researched ahead of time. I ordered the pimento cheese dip, while my friends ordered the garlic goat cheese. Both were excellent with the toasted pita chips, which were warm and crispy. With the standard set, we were ready to encounter our entrees, sipping our glasses of wine (who can go to a wine bar without ordering a bottle of red?!) The entree I ordered was definitely not what I expected... I ordered the braised beef on waffle. I was looking forward to a hearty meal, and when this came out, I was taken aback. As others have stated, it didn't seem like a full entree. The waffle was slightly drenched with syrup, and the meat was a little bland and dry. With the provided sauce, it isn't so bad, but... I ran out of that sauce pretty quickly. I was kind of disappointed... The dessert couldn't be worse than the entree, was what I thought. The mousse I ordered was so simple I didn't even take a picture of it. While it was fluffy, it was nothing to rave about. I should have ordered the puff pastry that my friends ordered! I definitely want to come here again one day for just the appetizers and the wine, not sure the food is my cup of tea...
(3)April W.
I like the concept of sampling wines from the modern automatic pour machine. They have a huge assortment of wines from all over the world. The owner is really nice & takes the time to educate you without being a wine snob. This is a great date spot! Two thumbs up for service & wine quality.
(5)Michelle B.
I recently moved into the Dunwoody area and happened upon this amazing wine bar/store/cooking school in the middle of one beautiful Saturday afternoon. My friend visiting me for the weekend was looking to purchase a bottle as a birthday gift for someone so we stopped in not knowing there was a wine tasting in progress. We of course joined right in. It was a great surprise! Thank you
(5)Terena W.
We've been here several times for the tastings at the Enomatic machines and we love it. There is a great selection of wines and the atmosphere is very nice and relaxing. We don't usually have a meal but the truffle popcorn was FANTASTIC. We decided to make this a regular relaxation spot!
(5)Justin W.
I've decided to revisit this place (literally, as well as in the form of a review) because of an especially enjoyed visit I had yesterday. I had previously patronized Vino Venue over a year ago, when a less-than-stellar Dunwoody Restaurant Week menu left me irritated and mildly bewildered, mainly by certain food-related decisions made by the chef (A braised filet sitting atop a waffle? Bizarre.) More recent visits to the restaurant, wine shop, and instructional kitchen though have left me impressed, with unique praise being awarded to the managing partner: Michael Bryan. Michael has truly poured his heart and soul into his business, which is truly apparent in his election of a more creative chef and the complete turn-around that had been accomplished since my initial voyage into Vino Venue. Despite an unexpected bout with cancer that unfortunately cost him his leg, he remains stoic and passionate about providing a unique, high-end dining experience to those residing in the cities of Chamblee and Dunwoody, something that warms my heart and makes me smile, especially as someone who lives up the street and is very aware of the sparse fine-dining options nearby. Though it's probably obvious, Michael really knows his wine, and is a spectacular person to put your trust in should you not know what you're looking to enjoy. Even if you do, he can steer you in the direction of a choice you may not have considered previously. Those seeking an even more educational experience should keep peeled eyes upon the many classes offered here in their spacious back kitchen, where they also hold private events. Long live Vino Venue!
(4)