Strolling down Grapevine's Main Street on a cool evening, it's hard not to be drawn to the small patio and warm glow coming from Farina's Winery and Café. With its red brick walls, dark carved wood accents and soft light, Farina's invites cozy conversation over a bottle of wine.
We went on a busy Monday night, and the door had barely shut behind us before the hostess offered a greeting and seated us under a glowing, multi-colored chandelier of grapes. My eye was immediately drawn to a large dark granite bar top with a prime view of the open kitchen. The main dining room is small, but two private event rooms add to the space.
A mixed crowd gathered around Farina's small, vintage bar area to sample wine. The bottle list was smaller than I expected for a restaurant that touts itself as a winery, but the menu of wines by the glass was more extensive.
The menu is predominantly salads, sandwiches, pizza and pasta dishes. The appetizer options are limited, so we opted for the bruschetta ($9.95) topped with sundried tomato pesto, spinach and fresh tomatoes, then drizzled with balsamic. Packed with fresh herby flavor and served on warm flatbread instead of toast, the bruschetta was surprisingly delicious. What it lacked in sturdiness, it made up for in sweet and smoky flavor.
Entrees come with either soup or salad. We tried the potato soup with fennel sausage and the mixed green salad with creamy Italian dressing. The salad included fresh mozzarella, pepperoni and green and Kalamata olives, giving it a wonderful antipasti flavor.
We opted for Baked White Fish from a dinner menu packed with pizza, steaks and classic Italian dishes. Delicate Basa filets ($17.95) are baked to perfection in a light, roasted garlic-lime sauce. The white fish was moist and flaky, and the sauce didn't overwhelm. Served with a side of grilled asparagus spears and an exceptional basil pesto penne sprinkled with pine nuts, this dish is one definitely worth repeating.
For more classic fare, the spaghetti and meatballs ($14.95) didn't disappoint. Two generously sized meatballs were tender and flavorful. The thin spaghetti was served al dente with a deep ruby marinara sauce, slow-cooked to draw out the sweeter flavors of the tomato.
For dessert, we requested the tiramisu cheesecake and were disappointed to learn it wasn't available. Instead, we opted to share a slab of tiramisu ($6.95) and didn't miss the cheesecake at all. It was a traditional interpretation of the classic Italian dessert, but we did enjoy the caramelized cinnamon flavor that added a little something extra to the cocoa topping.
Farina's is an excellent choice for simple, well-executed dishes and Texas wine served in a lively, neighborhood setting designed for conversation and communion.
Location: 420 S. Main St., Grapevine
For Info Call: 817.442.9095
Price Range: $ - $$
Hours: Mon.-Tues. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Wed.-Thurs. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
What We Like: The service is impeccable, and the homemade Italian cooking didn't disappoint. We were especially impressed with the seafood.
What We Don't: Farina's closes earlier on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, so plan on getting there early if you want to linger over a bottle of wine.
Our Recommendation: Make a trip here for a romantic date.