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Vinotecca
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Thu
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
51 reviews for Vinotecca
Review Highlights
"They have a reasonable happy hour."
(in 9 reviews)
"Good selection of small plates and appetizers to enhance..."
(in 6 reviews)
"...a NY Strip Steak, Vino Lobster Mac & Cheese, or the Paella..."
(in 3 reviews)
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51 reviews in English
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Review from Libby F.
1/13/2012
I went to a private party in the basement area of Vinotecca on Friday night. The atmosphere upstairs is much nicer, but it was nice to have a fairly large space to entertain friends for a special, milestone birthday celebration.
We had a private bartender who appeared to be a bit overwhelmed. We were offered a select list of about a dozen wines priced $8-14. Not exactly cheap, eh? For those of us who preferred a draft (which I am pretty sure were from Bastone), the barkeep had to go upstairs to get them, which meant for a pretty long wait to quench your thirst. The IPA draft was only $5, and mighty tasty, too.
Speaking of taste, the host of the party supplied ample munchies for the guests. Cheese cubes, crudites and mini sliders were downed with delight, but the pizza slices I had were fantastic! The margherita pizza was good, but I loved the mushroom and goat cheese pizza! I am not sure it is on their regular menu upstairs, but if it is, I will make a special trip here next time I am back in town.
Maybe I can get my non-wine drinking friend to join me. -
Review from Sonali B.
12/20/2011
I finally made it to Vinotecca.
My girlfriends and I had planned to enjoy the delicious beers of Bastone right next door but decided to swing by Vinotecca first to sample some of their wines. To say that I am sad that I had not visited before is an understatement.
The selection of wines and knowledge of the staff are excellent. Any question I had about wine was answered. They helped us select great choices to suit our moods and palates and I was not disappointed. The service didn't skip a beat - although they were packed, they seated us quickly, the server was very attentive and checked on us without fail, and we were welcome to stay as long as we liked no matter how much or little we ordered. I cannot speak on the food, as we only enjoyed a glass of wine each. The ambiance is perfect for a quiet date or evening with friends. The look is chic without trying too hard. It's great for anybody who loves wine or needs a great place to enjoy a drink. -
Review from ERICA C.
Royal Oak, MI
12/19/2011
Thursday happy hour is great! Starts at 9pm! Half off glasses of wine and appetizers/pizzas.
Ambience- I love it, great with just friends or a date.
Food: I ate two orders of the grilled shrimp with rice, they were seasoned perfectly. My friends had the pepperoni pizza, they loved it and another had the tuna, again they loved it.
Wine: Half off glasses - nothing more to say... loved it. Great, attentive staff and we didn't need to spend a fortune for good food, wine to have fun with the girls.
The wine selection was good enough for me, many red and whites to suit everyones taste. -
Review from Shaun P.
10/19/2011
First, Happy Hour is great and it is between 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The small plates are half off and the best part the wine is the same. This is good place to start an evening or for a small snack.
The wine list is easily comprehendible and is set in a way where you can order a glass based on your taste preference. If you are unable to make a selection then the staff is always there with helpful information. There is nice selection of glass pours and have prices set to fit everyone's budget.
The food was acceptable with the half off prices. I would have to say though if not for the prices I would not have been that thrilled. For example the wild mushroom bruschetta had button mushrooms and the priced was ten dollars. If you are charging that price for six toast points and some mushrooms then lets make it exciting. Lets add some real wild mushrooms like shitake, chanterelle, oyster, enoki, or at the very least portabella. At the end of the day I was happy.
The bartender Adam was the best part of the evening. He was knowledgable and engaging. I would recommend this place for wine and a place to grab a drink and bite for happy hour. The bar does get busy at night and always seems to have a good crowd. -
Review from Kate R.
9/26/2011
Honestly, the wine is probably the best part. They do have a good selection and a knowledgeable staff - I wish they had a few more options, but no complaints over all.
I've only ordered food here a couple of times, and I can't say that I was that impressed. The sliders are standard but tasty, and the pizza is generally good though I feel obligated to comment on a particular pizza.... Their "Greek" pizza sounds like a winning combination - tomatoes, feta, Kalamata olives, and shrimp. Should work. Extremely disconnected. I don't know if it's the olives that throws of the balance or if it was the incredibly under-seasoned shrimp bits that had been strewn across the top, but I was significantly underwhelmed. Normally, I'm all about left overs and taking it home and I would have left half of it on the plate and walked away if my friend hadn't finished it off. We both agreed it was a very odd tasting item - figured it must sell or it wouldn't be on the menu. ... unless it's that item that people order once and never again.
Go for the wine. Order the Bastone pomme frites (they're not on the menu, but you can order them anyway). Add those two together and it's a nice place to go hang out for a drink. Avoid the Greek pizza. -
Review from Jonny P.
6/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
(2.5 Stars)
This is the first wine bar I have been to in Michigan and have visited twice. The food is nothing to write home about, the prices are off (relative to the quality of what you are receiving.) Waitstaff is knowledgeable however they fail to execute basics (i.e. water @ the table). Seating inside is cramp and uninviting. During my second visit I walked in hoping to experience a celebration of variety (food & wine) and departed disappointed. -
Review from Ian M.
Downtown Detroit, Detroit, MI
5/9/2011
I'm not a negative guy, and I really hate to do this but...
Vinotecca is not what I remember. When I first went here in my late 30s I knew a fair bit about wine and food, and I was pleasantly surprised. In the last few years, I have grown considerably in my appreciation of both wine and food. Vinotecca failed tonight.
Service was uninterested in starting a conversation abut wine. Happy to make a recommendation, but uninterested. Wine bars are fueled by conversations about wine.
Maybe Mondays are a bad night. Crowd was thin, which meant it wasn't too loud--a good thing. I ordered the red flight: the Prisoner, a Cinsault, The Grinder, and a Spanish Cab/Tempranillo blend. I've had two of these before and they were spot-on. I had to ask when the Cinsault had been opened. My appetizer was poorly stored--Manchego was dry and tasted like it had been doctored with truffle oil to save it. The serrano was just salty and did not melt on the tongue, the smoked salmon was passable.
My partner's scallops had clearly been frozen (then again it was Monday).
The filet was a thinly cut medium well (ordered medium rare) over a boring bed of packaged polenta. I finally put down my fork when I realized the sauce's main component was Del Monte Stewed Tomatoes.
This was barely tolerable home kitchen cooking. It insulted the wine.
Next birthday, I'll cook for myself. -
Review from Andrew S.
7/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great place to go to in Royal Oak to catch up with some friends over a glass or bottle of wine depending on how much you need to catch up on. They have a wide array of wine selections with are decently priced and their staff is helpful when it comes to recommendations. They can get busy during evening hours, but it's pretty easy to find a table quick.
They also have some good appetizers and food to go with your wine, but you don't have to feel obligated to buy food. You can go there for the drinks and be perfectly fine. Just remember to drink and drive responsibly. -
Review from Chris C.
Chicago, IL
11/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Love this place on Thursdays half off wine :)
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Review from Maggie H.
3/9/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Vinotecca is one of my very favorite places in the metro area. My husband and I are big wine freaks and the selection at Vinotecca is very diverse.
First, the waiters at Vinotecca are exceedingly helpful and will make good suggestions if you let them know what you like and do not like. My father in-law likes wine, however cannot pick out exactly what he wants, many times when visiting Vinotecca the waiter made good suggestions to him. If you want to start drinking wine this could be a good opportunity for you to do so. I feel like the waiters will make good suggestions for you and they have never come across as "judgy" to me, which is helpful.
I also enjoy the food at Vinotecca. Whenever we go with friends, we always order assorted cheeses, meats, hummus and other "snacky" items. This is key when wine tasting because wine interacts differently with different foods. Luckily, Vinotecca lets you order by portion for these items so you can try a lot of different things, however are not roped into tastes you do not like. Finally, their selection of quality food is impressive. They have quality cheeses and meats, which is something many restaurants have not figured out yet.
As a tip, get there early. It is a small space and fills up quickly. We go around 7pm and get a table easy to enjoy out next couple hours.
Vinotecca really is one of my favorite places for a light-faired, relaxed night. Snacking on appetizers and drinking good wine rate highly on my favorite things to do and Vinotecca delivers it elegantly and with quality. I have never been disappointed in the many, many times I have visited. -
Review from David S.
Denver, CO
10/23/2011
Great wine list with knowledgeable servers, but I've found the food to be a bit lacking the two times I've visited here. Stick with the pizzas - they're pretty good, well-priced, and just enough for one hungry boy!
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Review from Dave M.
Royal Oak's elegant wine bar offers a menu of appetizers and entrees with roots that span the globe.
In the mood for wine and cheese? Vinotecca has you covered.
Change your mind and decide to stay for dinner? Vinotecca can handle that as well.
Start with a salad. We tried the Tuscan Green salad with granny smith apples and caramel vinaigrette. Sounds a little strange? Taste it. You won't be disappointed.
Other small plate appetizers include an excellent beef carpaccio, fried calamari, honey glazed scallops and even beef sliders with honeyed shallots and farmhouse cheddar.
Feeding a group? Try a sampler tray of artisan cheeses-- boursin, mozzarella; meats--a delicious rosemary ham, smoked salmon or prosciutto; or side dips like hummus, or red pepper and feta.
Full size entrees are also available, including a NY Strip Steak, Vino Lobster Mac & Cheese, or the Paella, which was divine--huge shrimp and scallops with lobster, mussels, chicken and sausage, saffron rice and traditional spices. The flavors were great.
Over two visits, we sampled several glasses of wine, which are available by the bottle or glass. A couple reasonably priced favorites include the Kings Ridge Oregon Pinot Noir--silky smooth and light; and the Veramonte Primus blend of Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot & Carmenere. This wine was full bodied with spice and lush fruit. For your convenience, wines by are listed according to Big, Bubbles, Luscious, Crisps, Sweet, Smooth and Earthy. There's something here for everyone. -
Review from Jennifer C.
West Bloomfield, MI
7/31/2011
Vinotecca is on my short list when I go to Royal Oak. They certainly have the best Happy Hour in the city and great staff who is eager to recommend a good wine. The food is great and if your nice you can order off Bastone's Menu too.
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Review from Lauren M.
11/17/2010
I love this place! Our waiter helped us pick out a wine that our party would like, and suggested appetizers and small plates that would go along with it.
This place is great for a date, girls' night, etc. One of my favorite places in Royal Oak. Thursday after 9, small plates, pizza and single glasses are 1/2 off. -
Review from Rachel K.
1/1/2011
I've been to Vinotecca a handful of times now - once on a New Year's eve a few years ago and a few times since to meet friends before going out, each time just grabbing one glass of wine then leaving.
I finally had the chance to meet some friends up on Thursday night and sample some of their small plates. Happy hour is 4-6pm everyday, and also 4-6 and 9-close on Thursdays.
I have to say that the whole half off thing was nice. Our total bill with 4 small plates and 8 glasses of wine was $68. I probably would have cried a bit had we spent $136 on what we ordered.
Wine was good. I've tried their selection of Michigan wines before and this time went for a Bordeaux blend and a Garnacha. Both glasses were $13 and $10, respectively, before the whole half off thing.
Our selection of small plates were tasty - I ordered a carpachio and my friends tried the calamari, shrimp, and chicken lettuce wraps.
I had a good time catching up with friends and love the ambiance of Vinotecca. We met up right at 4 pm and stayed a bit past 6, and while the restaurant was near empty at 4, there was a bit of a wait for a seat around 5. My only gripe was that they only had 1 bartender working, and she was also taking everyone's orders at all of the tables. There was a point in which we had all finished our 1st glasses of wine and sat at the table for a good 15 minutes before she was even able to stop by -- why they didn't have anyone else helping her out is beyond me. -
Review from Christina C.
Marietta, GA
7/2/2011
Not too bad of a place. Wine wasn't horribly overpriced because they had specials going on. Was filled with quite a few snobbish people though and our waitress didn't care for us because we only ordered the wines that were on special. They also seemed to have trouble bringing us drinks besides wine, such as water! I also find it obnoxious how you can feel the music of the bar below pulsating the floors. I will go back but only if I'm guaranteed some good wine for half off like I was this first time!
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Review from Lori Z.
Royal Oak, MI
1/13/2011
Went there on a Saturday night recently with another couple and while I used to be a big fan of Vinotecca, I can't say that I was that impressed on this visit. We had a drink at the bar and were seated about an hour later at a table not built for four people.
We ordered another round of drinks and shared the calamari, which was overly breaded and chewy. For dinner, I ordered the chicken tortelini -- it was saucy and spicy, perfect for me. But my husband's prime rib dinner (it was one of the specials that night) was cold and lacked flavor. So cold he could barely eat it and our waitress was no where to be found. By the time she checked on us, he was half-way through his dinner and didn't want to say anything.
We shared dessert -- the waffle with icecream -- and it was good. Big enough so each of us could have a couple bites.
Overall, I wish the service had been better, appetizer a little more tasty and everyone's food to be warm. But the wine was good and the atmosphere was fun. I'll go back but will stick to the wine and cheese and not the entrees. -
Review from Mary W.
Royal Oak, MI
4/25/2011
I spent my 40th Birthday at Vnotecca..... 6 hrs of great food, awesome wine and ice wine martinis and the best server!!!!!!! Christine was awesome!!!!!! Thanks for such a memorable birthday!
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Review from Ronnie L.
Chicago, IL
4/29/2009 9 photos
The Sister of Ann Arbor's Vinology. I love this place for wine. It's a cool atmosphere and the wine selection is fantastic and the staff is usually very cool.
I went here yesterday because I was wine-buzzed from a wine tasting I was at. I figured I may as well continue where I left off and get a couple of glasses.
I did. The good part about it is it was happy hour so All glasses of wine And Appatizers were half off - YAY!! I had the Mussles and Fritzes - they were really delicious and strangely they did go together.
Im a red-wine guy when I drink and I have always had good recommendations when I have been here. There is one BAD I must give it, though they countered it with a Good.
There is a no-try policy. I mean, there are so may wines in here it is hard to say what I will like or not. Yes, I could come to a wine tasting here and get a smidgen of knowledge, but If I want to try something new on the fly it makes it REALLY Difficult if I can't try a couple of sips before I say, "Filler up!"
I had a friendly chat with the manager about this - not to be like the complainy guy but just to find out what they were thinking. I mean, working at places with a variety of wine in the past, I would usually make educated guesses BUT then I would still give a little sip before pouring because of one All Important LAW - I can know Everything there is to know about wine - I can know what every wine behind my bar is like BUT I do NOT have the nose and I do not have the Palate of the person I am serving the wine to. It is impossible for me to really know what someone else will like - I can only know what I like. That's why we as bartenders offer sips.
This is what I explained to the manager when she suggested that they would like to think their Bartenders and Servers had enough wine knowledge where giving sips isn't necessary.
Well - agree to disagree but to their credit, though I'm not sure it made much sense they were willing to, if I did not like the wine I was given, exchange it for something completely different. I had to do this twice. I described what I was looking for and thought it could be summed up pretty closely in a Merlot.
They had 1 Merlot in house! Come On People! It was a stupid Movie and Not even a Good Stupid Movie! Let's all be good little Automotrons and assume that because it's in a movie it must be true. Meanwhile The first glass I picked after himming and hawing about the No-Try policy.
Yuck - not my gig. Then the second after much description I let the bartender pick; even worse!! The third - I put on my Jedi Blinders and Vibed like I do at the Wine Store - If I like the label I'll like the wine: 99% accurate.
Done deal. The third glass was Yummy. Good thing too, because I literally said I was starting to feel bad sending glasses back and that if the third one was no good I was done trying.
Anyway, it was still an overall pleasant experience. I like the atmosphere and the vibe. I like the people that come here. I like the staff and I always End Up liking the wine.
After all is said and done I do recommend this place to the wine enthusiast.
P.S. I am NOT a wine snob.Listed in: The Detroit Experience
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Review from Marissa H.
Royal Oak, MI
8/2/2010
I like Vinotecca. It's a quality wine bar in a great setting. The food is also pretty delish. Both small plates and full entrees on the menu sound great. And everything I've had has been good.
I am so thrilled that I have a wine bar within walking distance from my house for the fourth year in a row!! Perhaps I've been spoiled in the past, but here is my one suggestion for Vinotecca:
Dear Snotty Waiter,
I never have understood this type of attitude. You're a waiter. In a WINE BAR. IN ROYAL OAK. I know you're in a hurry to get back to staring off into space with a slight scowl on your face, but it's usually nice to check in on your table when they tell you they're planning to order food. Or, when they're unsure of what type of wine to order, maybe throw out some suggestions instead of burning holes into their face and then snapping you'll come back.
Okay, it's true you made up for it a little in the end by giving my friend a beer sample. Then it was nice when you let us bring our own dessert in. But watch yourself! You're on my warning list snotty waiter. I will yelp your ass again! Oh, and please don't do anything to my food the next time I come in because it was really tasty, and I want to order here again. And you know...maybe I was a little quick to judge you... Again, please do NOT do anything to my food.............................................. .................................................. ..............
BEWARE...Vinotecca might spit in people's food. I'm just saying...I could see it happening. -
Review from Melanie J.
Royal Oak, MI
7/7/2009
I am not a huge fan of most bars in Royal Oak, but I happen to really enjoy Vinotecca. I was surprised by dea a.'s review of the place, but I usually come here to catch up with some friends over wine and don't pay much attention to the rest of the crowd.
I have eaten here once and gotten some apps a handful of times. I think the food is ok, but prefer to come here just for wine. I love having the option of ordering a flight and that the waitstaff is actually knowledgeable about the wine. They have made excellent recommendations a number of times.
If you enjoy wine then I highly recommend attending one of their wine events. Some of them can be a tad pricey, but they are well done and a really good time. I recently attended their 4th anniversary party and had a fabulous evening. They had yummy food, a cooking demonstration, a smelling station (smelling different wine notes) and gave out generous tastes with some education.
My only gripes with Vinotecca are their hours (they close kinda early for a bar) and that the space is small so you usually have to wait for a table or even a space at the bar. -
Review from Vanessa W.
Royal Oak, MI
5/12/2011
So close Vinotecca, yet you kinda missed the mark for me. The interior is really well designed, dark and trendy, great for a date night and the food was delicious. So why the 4 stars you ask? A place that is known for wine should have a killer wine list and sadly Vinotecca's wine list is short and really badly organized. I grew up in around the Napa Valley so I know a bit about wine and I was really disappointed by lack of selection and tasting notes. And whats with the no flights? The waitress said I could create my own flight, so I did but you brought me two 1/2 glasses of Grenache in Port glasses. There is a glass that helps a develop a wine and one that doesn't, this didn't at all.
Here are my tips for you to create a better wine list: don't divide by just red and white(seriously) divide them out by country, or heck even continent. Use a small description so my table of 6 ladies doesn't occupy your waitstaff asking about every wine on the menu. Offer good flights, 3 pinot's from 3 countries, a champagne, a prosecco and a sparkling wine, have a blind test of 3 different countries and see if people can identify them. Give people paper so they can write down their notes on the wine. Its not rocket science, make it fun, give people a taste of it all and they WILL order a glass/bottle of their favorite after. Its better than people ordering a glass and not enjoying it because if they dont enjoy it, they wont come back. Lastly, serve it in the proper glass! -
Review from dea a.
4/11/2009
To counter Aaron K, I prefer Bastone more.
Vinotecca is the place to be if you are a skinny, snooty blond chick looking for some sap to buy you and your friends tons of drinks even though you don't plan on "repaying" the favor by sleeping with him. The women are dressed to impress, the men... what men? There were tons of pretty young girls there out with their girlfriends. It was a little too superficial for my tastes. A little too obnoxious.
I did not enjoy the prices of their wines. I laughed when I saw the wine flight they chose -- all Michigan wines -- all that I've had before -- and all for a "modest" price of 18 flipping dollars. You've got to be kidding me. 3-1 ounce pours of shitty Michigan wine for $18?! HA! I think I'll just order a beer from next door's Bastone instead. Don't get me wrong, I adore Black Star Farms, but almost no Midwest winery makes a good pinot noir (and if there is one, I have yet to have it!).
On the plus side, the rare plus side in Michigan, there was NO SMOKING. Why can't they do that in Bastone? Wtf? -
Review from Kristin G.
Royal Oak, MI
I met a friend at Vinotecca last night. I hadn't been back in quite some time and I wasn't let down. Since I've been there last, they have added lots more food items to the menu, which is a big plus!
I tried the Spinach Mushroom Pizza, it was pretty good. I love that it's the super thin crust style pizza. Along with the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, there was a bit of a herb cream cheese- which was a nice touch of flavor and the creamy whipped texture mixed well with the wild mushrooms and spinach.
The wine menu has a sort of "cheat sheet" that goes along with it. There's a flavor legend on the first page broken down into: Crisp, Smooth, Earthy, Bubbly, Sweet, Luscious and Big. (where's the "Spicy" flavor option?! ) Spicy Reds are my favorite!!! So I think the flavor legend is an interesting idea...sort of wine tasting with training wheels it seems, but it's handy. We tried some great wines and some so-so.
The atmosphere is always relaxed and not too crammed and loud. We found out that the happy hour is 4-6pm weeknights - half off glasses of wine. Thursday night is a reverse happy hour, starting at 9 and going until midnight.Listed in: Watering Holes
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/11/2010
Wine is one of my great loves. Vinotecca really knows its stuff when it comes to wine. The list is… Read more »
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Review from Jess T.
11/14/2009
Dustin and I really like our wine. I'm not ashamed to call myself a wino. We love tasting new and different wines. We have many aging bottles from our wine tasting trips through out California. But, we don't really do wine bars. Usually they are just so uptight with an older crowd - I mean I'm thinking Yuppie-ville Napa valley (a.k.a Yontville, CA)
Vinotecca was different. Due to its Royal Oak location, the crowd was not old and stuffy at all. On the contrary, the patrons seemed to be 20's/30's enjoying the wine and food. We sat at the bar, and the bar tenders were very attentive while manning a busy bar. I liked the wine menu for beginners, with the symbols next to the wine descriptions.
We were not very hungry so we just shared one of the larger appetizers. It was a very nice night of talking, sitting, enjoying the wine, and snacking - much like we would have done at home. -
Review from Stacey D.
Saint Clair Shores, MI
2/20/2009
I love this wine bar! I've ventured here several times & love it more with each visit. John the bartender recommends the perfect wine that satisifies your tastebuds. He's great company, so sit at the bar if there's room.
Each appetizer compliments the wine in every woody, fruity, or nutty sort of way. I recommend a cheese plate. Three different cheeses of your choice served with grapes, crackers, and a fresh baguette. Or maybe a goat cheese brushetta. The mussles & fritters are my favorite.
They have a reasonable happy hour. Half off wine & most apps between 4-6pm.
If you like wine & cheese & yummy appetizers as much as me, you'll love Vinotecca. -
Review from Haroun K.
3/24/2008
After 2 visits to both Bastone and Vinotecca, I definitely prefer Vinotecca. There is a formidable wine list from which you can order by the glass, carafe, or bottle. Also, they offer many reasonably priced wines for retail purchase. Service is very important here, and bottles are uncorked with the appropriate pomp. The food menu is simple, and appears identical to Bastone's.
I will definitely return to Vinotecca, especially since Happy Hour seems to be all night on Thursdays. Also of interest perhaps is the club/lounge that spans the basement of the 3 restaurant complex: Cinq.Listed in: EtOH
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Review from Clare G.
Detroit, MI
3/5/2011
I went on a Wednesday night around 7. It was very busy but I think the wine is rather overpriced and the appetizers are very small for the price as well! Maybe happy hour is a better experience...
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Review from Dee T.
Royal Oak, MI
6/11/2008
So glad that Royal Oak has a wine bar to counteract all the Woody's and Rocks on Thirds...and a good one to boot. The wine list is extensive, and several drinking options from glasses to carafes to full bottles allow one to sample or imbibe as varied a selection as one wishes.
It's a cozy space. We always seem to end up at the front booth area or the bar, which is fine. The decor is soothing and unobtrusive and service is excellent. Good selection of small plates and appetizers to enhance the drinking experience. -
Review from Christina L.
Rochester, MI
5/3/2011
Classy place. Good selection of food. I had the prosciutto and cheese plater for appetizer and the pork for the main course. Both were excellent. Our waiter was very helpful in suggesting a wine to complement our food. The bar area is nice, albeit quite dark which might be a problem for some, but I liked it.
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Review from Don K.
Beverly Hills, MI
5/3/2010
Vinotecca is a fabulously trendy wine bar. The bartender was knowledgeable about their products and pretty friendly. Diverse range of price, region and quality of wines by the glass. I am partial to french reds, of which they had 2 excellent choices that were reasonably priced.
My wife and I went here with another couple, so we were glad the music was not loud, which gave us a chance to actually hear each other.
We will be back to this place. -
Review from Augustine E.
Sterling Heights, MI
3/10/2010
I love wine and Vinotecca is a wine aficionado's heaven. They have a great selection of wine and the prices are comparable to other places that serve wine in the area.
Our server was a wine connoisseur and helped us find a wine suitable for our palate.
ps: make sure u try the different parities of cheeses they offer. -
Review from Steve L.
Ferndale, MI
7/9/2010 1 Check-in Here
Wonderfully hip atmosphere mixed with a knowledgeable staff, huge wine selection and a constantly changing cheese list makes Vinotecca a great place to meet up with friends or someone special. A Royal Oak gem!
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Review from Melissa W.
Royal Oak, MI
1/27/2011
I love the wine flights, and the servers are very knowledgeable, especially when it comes to food pairings. Very good date-night atmosphere on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
My bf and I went there on Friday night and had an absolutely awesome time. It gets very crowded, which I like sometimes. -
Review from Kim L.
Grosse Pointe, MI
7/16/2011
Went between Christmas and New Years, walked in about 8:30, it was almost full which made for a nice atmosphere. We sat at a 2 top table in the window so we could people watch. Waitress was prompt and attentive. Ordered beef carpaccio for our appetizer ($10.50), the beef was flavorless, so we added salt to bring out the flavor. The accompanying greens and crackers were good with a nice acidic dressing. I ordered the lobster mac & cheese, it was good, not great, again lacking seasoning, but it had a nice crust on top. The lobster pieces were generous, but in retrospect I decided it was an odd combination and the lobster didn't really add anything to the overall flavor. My son ordered the pork marsala, and again, he said it was good but he wasn't wowed. I ordered a pinot gris from Oregon, ($10 a glass - ouch), it was however a generous sized pour, my son had a coke. Dessert was cheap - small bites for $1.50 and good. Total bill came to $63 for 2. With all the great restaurants in Royal Oak and elsewhere we probably won't try this one again.
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Review from Jeremy D.
Royal Oak, MI
4/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
Unimpressed with the food. Service was a slow. Wine selection was good. Staff was knowledgeable.
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Review from Mark T.
Farmington, MI
11/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
Very nice... Great service and wonderful wine selection.
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Review from Scott A.
Berkley, MI
2/4/2011
I have frequented this place multiple times, and although it does the trick, it is a bar after all, dont expect to much. For calling them selves a "wine bar" there isnt a large selection by glass, nor is there a flight option that i can recall. Beside Susan, although it has been awhile since I've seen her-she is amazing, the service leaves much to be desired. Not very knowledgeable or seem to interested to help. One server felt it appropriate to move me and my party to the basement club/lounge after ordering a 50$ bottle presumably to reopen his table, and increase his sales-we had only taken one sip!! As a sever myself i find that completely inexcusable, and i always give the benefit of the doubt! The last time i was there my friend and i started chatting help the table next to us, we had never met before, they had left in a drunk tizzy and the waitress though it was appropriate to charge us for their tab! After two weeks of calling their response was half assed and they refuse to refund our money. For that reason alone i will never go back there again, and thats a shame, because with some polishing up, and a bit more professionalism, it could be a decent place, but for now i say stay away!
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Review from Gregory P.
Detroit, MI
10/16/2008
I would recommend this Wine Bar for anyone looking for a place to meet a particular person for the 1st time or maybe before or after dinner. This is also a great place to sit at the bar and maybe make a new friend or two. Being one who loves Wine Bars with a vast Selection and beauty of Wine bottles and rich dark woods I can appreciate Vinotecca. If anything the atmosphere is good and the tapas type menu is decent for appetizers if you want something small. I always recommend the Cheese and Fruit plates at Wine Bars and theirs didnt' dissapoint. This Wine Bar also serves up pizzas (i believe brick oven) I didnt' get to try one on this visit, but they looked very good passing from the kitchen. i was dissapointed that we were not allowed to sample the 2 wine choices we were trying to decide upon, especially with the intent of purchasing a full bottle. I find that irratating when bottles are marked up over 70%. However maybe this was a waiter issue, he placed on the establishment! The prices are pretty much as you would expect. 6.5 - 12 per glass.
Good place on a good night in Royal Oak...
I tend to rate places like this based on the economy so, if you must spend i would say this is 3 out of 5! -
Review from Nada O.
Warren, MI
8/31/2009
W-I-N-E. And no not the kind you're cranky 2-year-old loves to annoy you with. I'm talking delicious red, white, pink, and sparking forms of liquid goodness you enjoy with a side of Gouda fromage and pan. What I absolutely love about Vinotecca is the atmosphere. The bar has rows upon rows of bottles of wines. Small tables with bar stools adorn the majority of the space and in the back there are a few tables with chairs.
Besides luscious wines, Vinotecca also offers different beers and liquors and several cocktails. If wine is not your first choice, I would recommend the Bellini-it's one of my favorites. Oh and Vinotecca is connected to Bastone, so if you're into beer, it's no worries.
I'm a Merlot drinking kind of gal so any kind of red wine is a winner in my book. The Malbec and Chianti are one of m favorites. I've never tried any of the white wines but that's only because I prefer red over white.
Vinotecca also offers a complete dinner menu. The mussels and Belgian frites are pretty good as well as the Artisan cheese sampler.
I would recommend Vinotecca to anyone who is interested in having a quick drink or a long evening of wine tasting.
