Wine Experience Cafe

It appears Wine Experience Cafe is going out of business (there's a sign in the window advertising bottles of wine for 20-40% off) and when we saw that I really wanted to get into the restaurant for a final dinner and to celebrate a graduation in our family. I called on a Tuesday to make a reservation for today (Thursday) afternoon for a party of 6 at 3:30 p.m. While we knew that was early for dinner, we figured we'd beat the happy hour rush and have plenty of time for a leisurely group dinner and be done in time to get home to watch the Nuggets playoff game :). I had no problem calling and getting a reservation on Tuesday where I provided my name, phone number, time/size of party, etc. so you can imagine our surprise when we showed up at 3:30 for our reservation and were greeted with an additional sign on the window indicating they were closed (for dinner) tonight due to a "referigeration issue." The doors were open (I assume because they want to move their wine inventory as quickly as possible) and when we checked in at the host stand to confirm there was no dinner service the woman working there hastily half-apologized and reiterated they had a refrigeration issue. When I asked why I wasn't contacted since we had a reservation she claimed they tried to call and text me (I had no voicemail or text from the restaurant) and that she "didn't have an email" (I wasn't asked to provide one as part of the reservation).

Issues happen and obviously the refrigeration issue was an unfortunate hiccup, but I find it inexcusable that they made no attempt to contact us about canceling the reservation in advance when they opened (at 2 p.m. per their hours on the door and website) and before our party of 6 showed up on time, dressed up, ready to celebrate. We had to pivot last minute to a different restaurant (which was great) and I'm no longer sad that Wine Experience is closing their doors, in fact it appears there doors are already closed as far as dinner service goes and they are only interested in getting rid of the wine they can at 20-40% off. What once was a great, local upscale option for wine, food, and celebration, is now a sad shadow of its former self. The one star rating is for service (or lack thereof in this case) since there was no food or atmosphere to rate tonight.

Service: 1

I've been meaning to try this place for a while but it was so pricey we held off. Decided to go for date night and the drinks were really good. The charcuterie board was decent but the entrées were completely bland and tasteless. I don't mind shelling out $40-$50 for a really good dinner but unfortunately it was not worth it. I don't know what the food quality was originally but if this was the case in the beginning I can see why they are closing for good. Too bad the place had potential for sure.

They are closing and it is incredibly obvious. I had something that looked absolutely disgusting baked into my bread and no one could truly tell me what it was and never replaced the bread. Mentioned it to the owner and never heard back. The server was awkward and brought out our wine flights but didn't actually know what the wines actually were. All of the servers seemed more interested in hanging out together than checking on their tables and ours seemed put out any time he came by. The only bright spot was that the bottles of wine in their store were on a good sale.

They are going out of business soon so wanted one last experience. We didn't feel they were up to their usual standards. Food was bland - French onion soup and chicken cordon blue. They were out of what I went for - beef stroganoff. Bread basket had a few cold rolls and bland bread. Server had no personality. Sorry to see them go and hoping our experience was due to closing soon.

Very sad we found out it's closing due to Landlord increasing rent. The food as always was excellent. Our wait person was not tentative and we had to call her over to take our order after sitting and waiting for a while. Then we had to ask for bill as she never came back. Despite that it was great.

Relatively quiet with nice setting, but food was mid with good service but slow. When we arrived, we were handed 3 menus for 3 people, and 1 was different (we asked for paper menus instead of QR codes). Upon further investigation, we found 3 different menus in one placard with steak frites varying from $30 to $55 on pricing. That was strange. Appetizers were good, but entrees left a little to be desired. Server was nice and friendly, and drinks were good but cocktails were slow to come out. The restaurant wasn't very busy, so not sure why that was. Good place but not necessarily for special date night or gathering.

Best shepherd's pie I have had in a long time...........

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Really terrible service. We were one of two tables occupied and I still had to go to the bar to ask for more water and another glass of wine. Food was decent but really overpriced. I will not go back and pay that amount of money to be ignored.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 1

We went a little early, so it was pretty quiet. The food was very good, I ordered the Short Rib Pasta, and my husband ordered the Chicken Cordon Blue, both were very good. I had the Cream Brulle for dessert which was wonderful and was also a birthday gift from the restaurant. The staff was very friendly. I highly recommend this restaurant. We will be going back.

What a waste a of money & disappointment. My wife and I tried this place for Denver Restaurant Week since it was local. The evening before she showed me the menu and we were both hesitant because the online photos did not look appetizing. We went on a Saturaday evening on Denver restaurant week and it was nearly empty at 7pm. We were still hesitant but went in. The atmosphere was ok, nevermind there was still Xmas decor and it was March. We were sat next to a glass coat closet with coats thrown into it (not hung up) and a large visible extension cord probably for the vacuum. I only mention it because this is not the aesthetic of a restaurant charging the prices this place does. Neither of our appetizers were appetizing or appealing. Her pasta entree tasted like it was bought from the store and my "coq au vin" which was anything but seems like it was something bought from King Soopers and put together with dark meat chicken definitely not braised in wine in a thin, bland broth with store bought noodles. Even dessert seemed like it was probably packaged from Sysco and put on a plate. For the both of us at $55 each and we both did a wine flight for over $20 it was over $200 for one of the worst dine in experiences I've ever had. I was hesitant to even leave a tip as our sniffly clearly from a cold waitress didn't seem to really know what was on the menu or knew anything about the wine let alone pronounce the names. Our meal was brought out by one of the kitchen cooks who are all visible from the dining area and seemed more fit for a Village Inn. We'll never be back and I hope others avoid this money pit. In contrast we just paid for a party of 10 at Bone Fish Grill with an infinitely better experience for just $350 including the alcohol.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

Quaint place. Good wine selections. Owner knows his wine and makes nice suggestions, greets and thanks his customers for coming in. Food was good. Nice to have entertainment on occasion too! Support Small Business and keep some good restaurants in Southlands!

We give this place a try. A couple of times a year Because it is near our home. However, we are about done with the quality of the food. It seems the items that we did like on the menu are frequently not there. The menu changes too often. The quality of the recent food was subpar. The server was nice and polite but lacked in class. The saving grace for the evening were the wonderful cocktails and the amazing live music. We would have asked to speak to the manager, however we were with friends and did not want to ruin our evening.

we did the groupon deal for a wine tasting and it was super worth it. the wines were incredible and the bread and cheese plates were great. service was fantastic.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

It was strangly empty for a Saturday night. Makes me think it won't stay in business for long. It was strange they only gave us one menu and immediately asked for it back. Made us feel like they did not have very many menus for the restaurant. The food was fine. The wine was really good.

It's been a few years since my last review of this restaurant. GOOD places always deserve, merit, demand and new review a few years later to see if the shine is gone. Happy to report this is restaurant is still a hopping place NOW with live music, frequently AND frequent wine dinners! Food is still excellent, unique, and with a changing menu. On the appetizers the Wilt Boar Wontons and Calamari are recommended. Both unique and not found in any other places I've been. There are a multitude of charcuterie and cheese plates as well not found in most places. The wine selection is great AND if you like something you drank it is likely in the wine shop attached to the restaurant. This might be the most unique feature and we always leave with a new favorite wine. Don't see what you want? The owner Eldon will gladly order a case for you! All in all, this is still one of my favorite restaurants in the counter. Good value, good food, great wine selection, owner greets returning customers, live music on the weekend...what more can you ask for. I recommend!