Category Archives: Wineries

Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant In the Vineyard

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**** (4 stars)

Tabor Hill wines share the characteristic struggle of other Michigan wineries, where you can sense the winemaker struggling to overcome difficult growing conditions for vinifera. However the real highlight at Tabor Hill is the restaurant and the ambience of the property. A leisurely lunch on the patio overlooking the vineyard can’t be beat. We enjoyed the charcuterie plate, the fish tacos and the orange shrimp salad. Service was friendly, and the view can’t be beat.

Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant In the Vineyard
185 Mount Tabor Rd
Buchanan, MI 49107
(800) 283-3363
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tabor-hill-winery-and-restaurant-in-the-vineyard-buchanan

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants

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***** (5 stars)

I was impressed by a Cooper’s Hawk in Arlington, Illinois, so I was looking forward to this location in Orlando, and I wasn’t disappointed.

The interior of these restaurants is particularly inviting, with high ceilings and great use of natural wood and winery related props to create a themed, but not clamorous environment.

The food offerings are quite broad, and everything we tried we really enjoyed. In particular the appetizers of Mexican Drunken Shrimp and Ahi Tuna Tacos were outstanding.

Of course, since it’s a “winery” there are many, many selections of wine. I assume they source these from various negotiants, and they are well chosen to reflect a broad range of varietals and styles. The four wine tasting flights are a great way to explore the differences, and the pours are as generous as the pricing is reasonable.

Service was friendly, helpful and attentive. This place has definitely been added to our regular lunch rotation.

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants
8005 International Dr
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 956-3400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/coopers-hawk-winery-and-restaurants-orlando-4

Eos Estate Winery

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*** (3 stars)

This is a lovely facility owned by Firestones. Most of the wines poured here are actually fro other properties, with only the Cabernet locally grown. Some wines are from as far away as Napa.

Overall wine quality was only mediocre, with several wines exhibiting sulfite or sorbet issues.

Service was friendly, and pricing is reasonable.

Eos Estate Winery
2300 Airport Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 591-8050
http://www.yelp.com/biz/eos-estate-winery-paso-robles-2

Robert Hall Winery

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**** (4 stars)

The first Paso Robles winery to wine the “Best Winery in California” title by taking the most medals at the fair. The wines are perhaps not all categorically great, but the reserve wines are extremely well made. The tasting room policy of free tastings with the purchase of a bottle is highly appreciated.

Robert Hall Winery
3443 Mill Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 239-1616
http://www.yelp.com/biz/robert-hall-winery-paso-robles

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants

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**** (4 stars)

This is a bustling operation divided into many dining rooms and fronted by a large gift shop. They offer a broad range of wines they barrel age and presumably blend themselves, and we found them sound if not inspired, and reasonably priced. The food was excellent, from the vegetarian flatbread to the fish main courses. The menu is extensive, and I’m sure we’ll return to explore further. Service was friendly and efficient.

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants
798 W Algonquin Rd
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 981-0900
http://www.yelp.com/biz/coopers-hawk-winery-and-restaurants-arlington-heights

City Winery Chicago

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***** (5 stars)

I love everything about this environment. The bar is a great place to hang out before a show, and the show space has great acoustics. You can arrive an hour or two early and have a great meal of small plates. The flat breads and dips were good, but the “root beer” rubbed pork belly with savory french toast and maple-bourbon sauce was phenomenal. I’ve had pork belly in some of the world’s best restaurants, and this was the best ever: not too fatty, bursting with subtle flavors, and the perfect accompaniments. Their house made wines are respectable and interesting, and there are also lots of beers and other choices. Good service, too. An excellent venue for a show, probably my top choice in Chicago.

City Winery Chicago
1200 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-9463
http://www.yelp.com/biz/city-winery-chicago-chicago