|
|
|
 |
Mid Rivers Newsmagazine is St. Charles County's
exclusive direct-mailed community newspaper. |
 |
Restaurant Spotlight Archive |
|
|
Vivian’s Vineyards Offers Fine Dining Off The Beaten PathBy Mary Ann O'Toole Holley
Owner Jim Ogden runs Vivian’s with a simple motto: Do everything you can to make people happy, and serve good food. Vivian’s Vineyards, tucked away off the beaten path in St. Charles’ Historic Frenchtown, at 1409 North Second St., is a cozy getaway housed in a 100-year-old residence that in its prime was undoubtedly the belle of the ball. Now, diners enjoy the comfort of each of the home’s charming rooms, eating cozy meals for two or joining for a family affair. “We get all kinds of people here,” Ogden said. “Yes, some come for a romantic evening, but others bring the family or hold office parties, and each can be situated in one of the various private rooms.” Vivian’s does carry a full selection of wine by the glass or the bottle, but the food is what draws most patrons. “I’ll put our service and food up against anybody,” Ogden said. “Everything is made to order. We’re not confined to our menu. Our menu is just a starting point. If someone wants something, we’ll make it.” Try the Vineyard’s Burgers, and you won’t leave hungry or broke. Five ounces of ground beef with lettuce, onions and pickle is a mere $6.95, served with fries. The Nip ’n Tuck ($9.95) is an Old English favorite featuring 10 ounces of ground beef topped with cheddar cheese and lots of bacon on grilled sourdough bread. Vivian’s apple cinnamon pork sandwich ($8.95) will warm your tummy on any crisp fall day with its choice center cut pork tenderloin marinated in apple cinnamon marinade, grilled and topped with provel cheese. Try it, you’ll like it. Once you’ve enjoyed the flavor of pork and apple, you’ll make it your favorite. Whether you’re after simple selections like a BLT ($8.95) or even a plain ol’ stupid (as Vivian’s calls it) quarter-pound hot dog ($8.95), you can’t go wrong at Vivian’s Vineyard. For a full fare, try Vivian’s line of steaks, including the chopped beefsteak ($11.95), Mendi’s cut filet (about 6 oz.) $19.95, Karyn’s cut filet (about 8 oz.) $22.95 and Dan’s cut filet (about 10 oz.) $25.95. Each of the full fare meals is served with a fresh house salad, veggie or potato, bread and a complimentary dessert of sherbet and champagne. Salads may be upgraded to the “specialty salad” for just $3. There is also plenty of pasta, like G’s Ragin’ Cajun ($14.95), a chicken breast dusted with blackened seasoning, sautéed with green onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and a pinch of Cajun spice. It is then deglazed with tequila and a splash of lemon juice and finished with Pepper Jack cream sauce and served over linguine. If that’s not enough there are nightly specials that are really special. “No one entree really stands out more than the rest,” Ogden said. “We have a lot of variety, and everything is made to order. Our menu is just the foundation; an order is a matter of building your own meal.” Wine and other drink selections tend to change according to season, Ogden said. For fall, there’s locally brewed Schlafly Pumpkin Ale that warms the senses. Wine by the bottle stay relatively consistent, but by the glass you’ll find anything and everything from across the world. “I love wine,” Ogden said. “I’m constantly trying new wines, but I find my palate is changing lately. There are bigger fruitier wines available now, like McManis Syrah, a very good wine offering.” Vivian’s Vinyards caters to parties and other engagements. In fact, personal engagements are not unusual at Vivian’s. “Last week a guy came in a proposed to his long-time girlfriend,” Ogden said. “He gave me the ring, and when it came time to order an appetizer, he told me to bring whatever I thought. I brought the engagement ring on a bed of lettuce.” Vivian’s Vineyards welcomes families and children. Drop in, make your way up the beautifully appointed wooden staircase and sit awhile in Vivian’s cozy little upstairs bar. Then sit down and feast the night away in Frenchtown’s coziest hideaway. Dinner reservations are accepted.
Vivian’s Vineyards 1409 N. 2nd Street Historic Frenchtown St. Charles, MO 63301 (636) 940-8444
Hours: Mon. – Thurs. Bar opens 4:30 p.m., dinner 5 - 9 p.m. Fri. — Sat. Bar opens 4:30 p.m.; dinner 5 - 10 p.m. Sun. Bar opens 4 p.m.; dinner served 4:30 – 9 p.m.
|
|
|||||||
There are no grapevines at Vivian’s Vineyards, but there are plenty of fine wines and good food.
