Cheuvront Wine & Cheese Bar
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Best Nights: Wed, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Full Bar
19 Reviews for Cheuvront Wine & Cheese Bar
a friend had her birthday party here one late night... can't speak about the wine, since i didn't have any this night, BUT the cheese. oh glorious cheese! i loooooooove cheese! not sure of which 3 cheeses to choose for our platter, our waiter helped us out - and his recommended cheese (i believe the humboldt fog) was our favorite!
seriously, cheuvront is a very sexy little place, with a nice little "lounge-y" type area, dim lighting... it's clean and the waiters are soooo nice! great for a romantic date...
although my friends who ordered food wished that they hadn't. for cheese and wine, yes. food, no. and my one complaint - does it really take 15 minutes to cut and toast 2 small slices of bread?!?!?! but all in all, i looooooooove the concept of the wine flights and cheese plates!
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I think I'd really love this place if I came for happy hour or even dinner. I joined a few friends for lunch, and while I liked Cheuvront, I didn't love Cheuvront. And as we all know, there is a big difference between "like" and "love." I think it would take me a few dates and some convincing to fall in love with Cheuvront.
I chose the turkey sandwich for lunch, which had turkey, gruyere and cranberry sauce on grain bread. There was a little too much bread for my liking, but the flavor was good. Overall, though, I thought the choices for lunch were ample. Pizza, sandwiches, pasta, etc.- truly something for everyone. However, I think Cheuvront is probably best enjoyed when taking advantage of their wine selection. I also appreciate the nice parking lot adjacent to the restaurant.
I'd come back to Cheuvront for sure, but I'm definitely not ready for a committed long term relationship yet. And don't even think about saying the "m" word.
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The search is over...I have found my favorite wine bar in the Valley!
Comfortably situated on Central Avenue slightly south of McDowell, it's a quiet, chic space that I think will be tremendously helped out once light rail opens in a few months. The wine list is nice and covers a wide range of palattes. I've had the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc before which was good, and also had a glass of another white whose name escapes me. The second white I had was poured for me by the very friendly bartender Jeff...I told him what kind of wine I liked and he hand-selected one for me to try. It's not on the "wine by the glass" menu, so he opened the bottle and poured me a glass. I love when places do that! The beer list while small has all of my favorite imports, so thumbs up on that as well.
The first time I dined at Cheuvront was for dinner and my friend and I started with the Brillat Savarin which was creamy and very much like brie...it was delicious. I loved how the server asked if we wanted more baguette when she saw we were running low because we still had a lot of cheese left. I felt that the one cheese plate was a perfect size for two people to split as an appetizer. For dinner I had the caesar salad which was light and the perfect meal for a warm spring day. I took a bite of my friend's Pizza Chevre which was really good and hearty.
I most recently dined at Cheuvront for lunch today with a group of friends. Our waiter was incredibly pleasant and even though the menu said they do not split checks, he was very nice about running two credit cards and breaking cash to make change. Everyone at the table seemed very pleased by what they ordered. I had the macaroni and cheese which comes with a side salad. The mac and cheese was the perfect lunch sized portion and the salad was light and crispy. Prices are very reasonable for both wine and food.
Cheuvront is a great spot for lunch, dinner, or just to sit at the bar and try a new wine or two. I know I will be there in the future especially with Kristin S. moving so close to it!
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There are a number of things that are spectacular about Cheuvront -- it is a classy spot in an up-and-coming area of town, ripe with their targeted market, and in a gorgeous building that allows for sunlight and views of the best thoroughfare in Phoenix, Central Ave.
The wines are expertly picked and they have included my favorites, Trimbach Gewurztraminer to Pascual Toso Malbec to the Sexto. They have the old reliables like the Kim Crawford Sav Blanc. They even have -- and I'm very impressed by this -- Cakebread Vineyards Chard! Now, granted, I'm not keen on throwing down $70 for a bottle, nor is it really in my disposable budget when two bottles of the Sav Blanc will suffice; but if we are talking about a special occasion, THAT is your bottle.
The cheese list is exhaustive and very impressive. I wish I knew more about cheeses and pairings to offer a helpful review, but the pairings that were suggested by the waiter were perfect. You can see their cheese menu online and its worth researching before you go so you'll know your varieties.
The thing that bothers me about Cheuvront, however, is their chronic lack of atmosphere. First, it kind of feels like drinking in the lobby of an airport. There just isn't a ton of ambiance. While I do enjoy the lighting, the brightness reflecting off of the concrete mess that is Central Ave is just really uncomfortable when you are trying to enjoy a bottle. Where as Pacifico pairs beautifully with the sunny deck of a pool, I count on dim, moody lighting for a bottle of Pinot.
Furthermore, the place is just usually dead, no excitement, or aura. Its bright, lacks energy, and the seating is mostly awkward. This place deserves an inspired crowd, but I've yet to see it yet. The mood even trickles, up/down to the staff who seem to be going through some of the motions. I don't know, maybe its just my perception. I think a lot of it has to do with the enormous amount of spacing between tables, and of course, the trepidation of those couches that seem to infiltrate all posh valley spots. Ugh. Those damn bar-lounge-couches will be in my local pub down in Hell.
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Sigh. I'm in love. If only I lived closer to Cheuvront. Maybe I'll move downtown just to be closer....
My husband and I went in on a Saturday night for a few glasses of wine. Once we saw the desserts, however, we knew we had to try it! I ordered the pumpkin bread pudding which was very good (it wasn't the Harvard Faculty Club, but then again...what is?) and my husband selected the coconut pie. Both servings were huge and covered in whipped cream. They were fantastic. Finally, a place to go for dessert here!
We chose to sit at the bar and the bartender was amazing. He offered us complimentary tastings of two delicious dessert wines and then even offered us a complimentary mini cheese sampler with an amazing sheep's milk cheese. The atmosphere was perfect, it was laid back, kind of cafe/bistro-ish but still modern. They were playing The Food Network which I absolutely loved...I've never seen that in a restaurant before! It was a great touch. The wine list is extensive and reasonably priced.
They have a wonderful wine dinner with four courses for only $55 a person! I'm eager to attend one in the future and I definitely plan on going back for dinner in the near future.
And that folks, was my 400th review. :)
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Wow, I'm surprised to see so many rave reviews of this place. My husband and I came here on Friday night and found it to just be OK.
Now, to be fair, I am just basing this review on one visit. But nothing we found really made us want to come back for a second time, to be honest. The food was really mediocre and my lychee mojito tasted more like a grapefruit juice and rum drink than anything else. Maybe I should have just ordered wine, but their cocktail menu looked so enticing!
Part of our issue with the place was probably our own fault -- we came late on a Friday and the only place they could sit us was in the corner, right by the cheese case. I sort of felt like we were drinking in a deli. Also, the smell of bleach from either the table or the deli was so strong it was really messing with my sense of smell -- and probably my tastebuds.
Our service took waayyy longer than it should have (10 minutes before we even got a drink? They weren't THAT busy) but our waitress was friendly enough. My macaroni and cheese appetizer didn't do anything for me and my husband's salmon left him really cold.
Eh... I guess I'd come back here for some wine, maybe as a happy hour type of place, but I probably will only do so if I'm in the area -- and only if I've already eaten something.
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"This place is trying sooo hard to be New York."
That's the closest an annoying acquaintance of mine from NY could come to praising Phoenix when we came here. Backhanded though it may be, I think it was his way of admitting that he couldn't think of a reason to sneer at us locals as we enjoyed our wine and cheese.
When I used to work downtown I'd come here for lunch all the time, especially when in the mood for lighter fare. Their rotating soup du jour is always superb, as are their salads. The selections of both wine and cheeses are extensive. It truly is painful to come here on nights when the crowds are sparse. My hope is that the owner, Rep. Ken Cheuvront (D-Phoenix), can ride through the current lulls created by Light Rail construction, which will hopefully end very soon as the downtown portion is completed.
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Love, love, love this place! Love the wine selections, the way the waiter suggests the right cheese to pair with it, the atmosphere, the hipness that's not annoying, etc etc. Check it out!
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Went on a Thursday after work ; Although it was nice outside on the patio I chose to sit at the techno looking bar and was immediately greeted by the bartender /sommolier(Jeff??) who was very knowlegeable and helpful . Since this was my first time here to try the 3 cheese platter . The 3 cheeses that Jeff recommended (Green Hill Brie from Ga.; Conte Gusn from France and the Hoch y Brig from Switzerland) were complemented by a nice Sav. Blanc . Cheeses were amazing and the fruits, almonds and slices of baguette were artistically plated.
I then tried a red wine (Byron Santa Maria '05 ) that was so luscious I had to purchase a bottle to take home. Yes - that's right ! - you can purchase wines by the bottle and bulk cheeses to take with you. The decor is modern with natural lighting and ample space between tables.
I definitely will return to try something new on both the wine list and menu. RC
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Well... today we showed up to meet some people for a yelp thing. It was supposed to be a wine tasting at 4:30. I made reservations for today at 4:30 and was not corrected either time I called, but then maybe they were busy and figured I knew the right time.
I showed up with the Hubster and Weinski for some vino-education, only to find out that the wine tasting actually began at 3:30, not 4:30. Well, the manager, Dave, sat us at the bar and told Jeff, the bar man, to take care of us. He let us sample some wines before choosing our glasses, and they also were kind enough to throw in the cheese plate that the wine tasters were enjoying. Unfortunately they had run out of the fontina during the official tasting, so we ended up with a more expensive and very tasty cheese.
I enjoyed the Titus Zinfandel, Hubster ordered a dessert white, and Weinski got a Chardonnay before sampling the 3 Olives well vodka. He might have a headache later on.
The ambiance was nice. A simple place in a great location, Cheuvront serves up a nice vino. We enjoyed our seats at the bar, the decor, and good conversation with Dave and Jeff. I caught a glimpse of the dessert tray. While one too many episodes of Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares left me disappointed in pumpkin bread pudding that had been baked two days or so ago, it all looked delicious. I'll be back on an empty stomach to try the pear and candied walnut salad, chicken or veggie lasagna, and the dessert of the day.
I'll also do my best to try something other than my new favorite, the Titus Zin. Full bodies red with hints of raspberries and blackberries. Light on the tannins, just like I like.
If I frequent this place, I might get even better at pretending to be a wine snob! I might even actually learn something!
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Busy, informal, good atmosphere. Well trained and pleasant staff.
Food was presented nicely with adequate portions. Beer and Wine
only with good promos on various "Wine flight tastings" and some
good suggestions from the wait staff on what food pairings might
be best enjoyed with your wine selection(s). A happy place and
popular by virtue of the 7:30PM crowds. I had dinner there 3 times
during my month long Phoenix visit.
Amazing food, great presentation and sleek space - with NO WAIT on a Saturday night! Huh? Yes, you read that right. After taking in the Body Worlds exhibit (What else does someone do after seeing dead bodies? Have dinner of course!) at the AZ Science Center we headed to Pizzeria Bianco and decided that we really didn't want to wait 3.5 hours (Phoenix's equivalent of Bridge and Tunnel were at PB in full effect) for food, especially when there are so many great restaurants within 1 mile. So off to Cheuvront it was, and what a great dinner it was.
Atmosphere - 5 stars
Food - 4.75 stars
Service - 3.75 stars
Overall - 4.5 stars
This is my third visit over the past few years, and each time it has been on a weekend night with a surprisingly sparse crowd. I'm not sure why this is. I've never heard anything bad about this place, so I suspect AZ State Senator Cheuvront's restaurant must be suffering from light rail construction. Their loss should be your gain, as diners are rewarded with light crowds and superb food and wine. Even one of my dining guests visiting from New York City was impressed.
The sexy modern space on the first floor of the Artisan Lofts sets that perfect urban tone that the menu and locale indicate. We sat at a table towards the back close to the loungey sofa area and curtained bar tables. Cool touch. We started out with a nice bottle of sauvignon blanc chilled in a fancy container and noshed on a French charcuterie plate of a pate mousse, cornichons (I have a weakness for salty gherkins), two cheeses, marinated artichokes, asparagus, kalamata olives, smooth spicy mustard and a crusty artisanal sourdough baguette. What a great way to start a dinner, eh?
Our main entrees continued the pace and didn't disappoint. I ordered the prosciutto wrapped grilled shrimp and macaroni and cheese. Those thangs weren't shrimp. These MOFOS were GIANT tiger prawns, and they were presented on a bed of mango avocado salsa drizzled with a balsamic reduction. HEAVEN. The macaroni was impressive as well - and cooked with three fancy cheeses: Quebec cheddar, comte and a dry jack cheese.
Bonnie shared some of her ahi tuna salad nicoise - and that tuna was seared and seasoned perfectly, and surprisingly fresh. Additionally I had a taste of the peppercorn filet and was pleased with the marinated tender taste of the meat.
Price for 3 people (apps, entrees and $40 bottle of wine) - $115. Average entree - $16. Not bad, methinks.
My only complaint would be the service. It was very good for the most part, but started to falter toward the end as our server's attentiveness (which was impressive most of the evening) left us with finished dinner plates on our table for about 15 minutes. In his defense though, he gave us a very warm and classy (classy with a 'C') welcome and spoke very knowledgeably about the menu and wine when we had questions. Additionally, the hostess and other servers are super friendly and congenial.
I'm eager for my next visit so I can try some of their martinis and buy cheeses from their retail section, but I would be just as happy enjoying a glass of wine there and soaking the place up.
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Whenever I go to the symphony a trip to Cheuvront is in order. My husband and I usually split the bacon wrapped shrimp and order two wine/cheese pairings. I love the presentation and reading the descriptions of each on the paper placemat is fun. I could have sworn the lemon tart dessert was fresh picked off the tree and the coconut cream pie was orgasmic. I would rate it 5 stars if they ditched the huge tv. It's too large, easy to get sucked into, and is distracting when trying to have a good conversation.
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I really like this place and would definitely come back. I had a blueberry martini that was dreamy and for dinner I had the halibut entree which was also very good. Their wine selection is very good... I did have a glass of wine too because someone ordered a bottle of wine and I felt compelled to help him out:) And from what I remember the service was also very good.
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Through Stevey, I first heard of this place as a great little loungey place for food and wine and was surprised I had never heard of it.
About two weeks ago, I decided to finally drop off the rest of my over-due (by like FOUR MONTHS...maybe more) books, which embarrassingly enough contained OutKasts Idlewood DVD that I probably owe 135 dollars in fine for keeping. The shame. I had already spent a relaxing day in Phoenix, had a light lunch, and when walking back to the car, realized Cheuvront was RIGHT THERE. I decided to brave crossing the "street" (since the light rail construction was going on right there) and check it out. It was like 3 something and I indulged in a glass of wine outside on the patio. The beeping of a construction vehicle didnt even deter from my experience, and I think the construction may be exactly what is hurting this business considering what should be its prime location.
Stevey wanted to meet up with a Brooklyn-ite here, so I made it here (even passing it to be honest) after checking the menu on-line to see if I could eat anything. I am lactose-intolerant, so going to a cheese place is kinda asking for the house of pain, and is about as smart as me being a meat free person going to a steak house. Yeah. But they had some good salad options so I went for it.
I went for the Salad Nicoise, after convincing my other table mates to indulge in an appetizer (it seemed dumb to not sample at least SOME of the cheese this place has to offer) and it was fantastic. I def. want to try the Spanish plate with almonds, and fig cake and all that good stuff next time. My salad was yummy-there was so much Tuna I had to give it away, but no one complained despite their huge steaks and bacon wrapped shrimp to eat. Overall, it was fantastic with the super light cab by the glass I chose, but I must confess I found the salad a tiny bit bland-a little more seasoning and better quality potatoes would have pushed this salad to a new place.
The place was inhabited by some big groups of ladies gettin their pre-game on, and it was pretty empty with just us there. I really think it isnt busy due to the horrible predictament with the light rail construction in front. Next time you are near the Heard, Art museum or Library, stop by here for a cheese plate or salad and some great wine, esp. near Lunch hours.
One note: the bathrooms, while innovative, were so confusing-who on a date wants to look like an asshole who cant open a door to the bathroom? Shits hard enough!
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Out of all the wine bars I've been to in the Phoenix area (not counting Divine Wine in Mesa), this is my favorite! Hands down. The people are friendly, the room is spacious, the wine selection is supple & the atmosphere is cozy.
The last time I went was after dinner at Panino on Central. My date and I went into the wine bar to sample a selection. He chose his with cheese. I did not. My wine was incredible. We were able to relax on the couch, continue our conversation while having amazing wine at our fingertips. I was giddy with pleasure.
To top it off, the bathroom is unisex... and sneaky. Behind a wall without a handle, you almost have to tipsily stumble into it to find your way. While waiting for an open room (there are two private bathrooms once you're inside), a couple men profusely apologized. Evidently, they thought they were in the wrong bathroom. Little did they know.
I would go back here in a heartbeat. In fact, I've been thinking of going soon - it's a perfect place for a date, since there's plenty of room to sit and an atmosphere conducive to conversation.
Forget Kaz. Try Cheuvoront instead.
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I ended up getting lost at the art walk and randomly ran into this place... and i have to say i am a big fan... it is in a different part of town than i normally hang out in but the atmosphere is pretty cool.... it feels trendy but is a casual place... they have a pretty good wine selection at various price ranges... i did not try the food and not sure about the happy hour but i will go back soon...
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I don't know how many stars to give, so I picked the middle to be fair.
This place broke my heart. I was only in Phoenix for a weekend and this was the ONLY place I requested my friend take me. After a day of excitement for the cheeses I would enjoy, we arrived to find they had a private party and would not seat us. I begged and explained that I was in town for the weekend and could we please just sit at the corner of the bar in the back??!!??! But, to no avail. To be fair, the waitress was super sweet and apologetic and offered for us to come back the next day to buy some cheese, but it wasn't the same.......so sad.......
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LOVED LOVED LOVE THIS PLACE! It's kind of like a cafe style restaurant with a glass cheese display. The owner is a humble Republican State Senator...after a few glasses of wine he probably gets cornered quite a bit.
Anyway...I was on a date. This is a GREAT date place. We ordered pairings of cheeses and wines that are already selected for you. We each got our own tastes (3 each). We shared each other's cheese and wine. The service is so so, but nothing to complain about really. After our cheese tasting I ordered the salmon. It was cooked very well with fresh vegetables.
Great place...and I look forward to my next visit in Phoenix to come back here.
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