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     The Grape

“San Diego's first wine bar, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it spot on Fifth Avenue, pays homage both in name and ambience to the humble fruit that makes life worth living for oenophiles the world over.

Opened in the mid-'90s by Maria Viscuso, sister of nightclub impresario Mike Viscuso (On Broadway, Deco's) and owner of The Lime tequila bar, The Grape ushered in a new era of sophistication for San Diego nightlife. The prescient Viscuso uncorked a popular trend, evidenced by the wine bars that continue to crop up around the county.

With its dark wood furnishings and hazy yellow lighting, the long and narrow Grape has the feel of a cozy European tavern. The ceiling curves in a cask-like shape and rich-hued frescoes depict scenes of vintners and dusty cellars. Strings of purple, grape-cluster lights hang above the doorway, and behind the bar, bottles fill every slot of a wine rack that reaches to the ceiling.

The vast wine list includes more than 75 wines by the bottle, numerous flights of 2-ounce pours and about 50 wines by the glass. The Grape also offers clever cocktails (try the Grapesicle or Oatmeal Cookie) and a good selection of ports.

Appetizers ($8-$20) are designed to complement wine tastings, and include mostly cheeses, antipasti and salads. The melted brie with mango, served with a variety of crackers, is especially tasty with whites, while meat samplers pair well with heartier reds. Drop in during happy hour, weekdays from 5-7 p.m., for discounted drinks and food.” – AnnaMaria Stephens, SignOn San Diego Staff Writer.

“One of San Diego's first wine bars perpetuates the trend with dim lighting and an extensive list of the best grapes in California. It's only a small awning on Fifth Avenue that marks the long and narrow space, where dim lighting and dark furniture make this cave-like cafe seem miles away from the bustling Gaslamp scene just outside its front door. A knowledgeable staff helps make selections from the extensive California wine list and can also suggest pairings with one of several cheeses or spreads.” – Erin Chambers

“A truly mellow, sophisticated, unpretentious wine bar offering a refreshing respite from the sensory overload of the Gaslamp. Not that there isnt plenty here to tickle your senses: this small, tavern-like piece of Italy, with its grapevine mural on its arched ceiling, its flickering candlelight, and, of course, its extensive selection of wines, would make anybody feel like Roman nobility. Theres not a lot of space in this former coffeehouse: its a narrow room with a bar (where, let it be said, premium tapped beer is available), and a few comfortable tables and seats in the front and back. Wine is available by the half-glass, glass, or in grouped 2-ounce samples of three. Prices range from $2.50 for a (generous) half-glass on up. A small kitchen serves suitable appetizers: focaccia bread, fruit and cheese platters, pates. If you have any interest in or taste for wine, this utterly non-snobby place is absolutely worth a visit.” -John Shore

“This classic, late-19th-century bar (in the Hubbell Building, circa 1887) is a dark, intimate narrow space, 10 times deeper than it is wide. Cocktail-table rounds for four are in front and more expansive seating in the back, with outdoor tasting on Fifth Avenue (street odors can detract from serious tasting). The grape theme is carried out with grape murals on the ceiling and a large mural of a barrel cellar on one wall. Other walls are personalized with photos of exuberant patrons celebrating Halloween and other occasions. Good wine-bar fare, including pâtés, breads, antipasto platter, provolone loaf and crab cakes, for $7.95 to $14.95. The colorful plates and serving ware were the best of the tour.

The Grape offers three flights of wines ranging from $9 to $15.25, or you can create your own, selecting a half-glass, full glass or bottle. A good Rocking Horse 1999 Zinfandel was $5.25, $10 and $38, respectively; a Cinnebar Central Coast 2000 Merlot, $5, $9.50 and $36. The Grape features a wide array of California wines.

The crowd included business colleagues rehashing the day, a few wine-loving tourists and a wine broker taking a busman’s holiday before hitting another restaurant or two in the Gaslamp. Friendly service. Sit up front if you want to do some serious wine tasting; in the back if it’s party time.

Rating on a 1-to-10 scale: ambience, 8; wine selection, 8; food selection, 7; value, 7.” -- Tom Gable