I love this joint. It’s in a cute little part of Fremont that over the past few years has gotten quite hoppin’, which is always a plus. They are constantly having live music that is great, although I agree it can get a bit loud since the place is on the smaller side. The interior atmosphere is really warm and inviting and the service is A+. I came up here with my mom during the new«Second Friday on Fremont» event and it was a bit crowded. The hostess helped us find a seat with a group of people who weren’t using the whole table, which I thought was really nice. They offer really reasonably priced wines by the bottle and glasses with a good selection of locals and imports. I didn’t eat any food, but what everyone else was eating sure did look good. One of my favorite wine drinking spots in the city as of late.
Sophia C.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Cambridge, MA
My boyfriend and I came here for New Year’s Eve. We had a good time that evening as we welcomed 2010 with arms wide open. The glasses of wine were very, very good. My malbec was sweet, fruity, and everything that I wanted out of a wine! The crème brûlée that we had with our wine was pretty standard. Also, it gets extra points for being a neighborhood niche. My only complaint is the jazz band that was performing that evening was so loud that my boyfriend had to practically scream at each other to have a decent conversation. Not the most ideal. The music was good. In short, check out this place if you love wine, French food, and good jazz music.
Kate B.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Portland, OR
I went here when they first opened the Beaumont Village location and was not impressed(snotty, slow service, bad food). And though it’s a neighborhood joint, we have always chosen to go elsewhere after that lackluster first experience. Fastforward to now and it was the only place open on a dark and stormy night so we decided to give it another shot. This time it was a great experience. The service was still slow but everyone was very friendly and helpful when they did finally get to us. The desserts were ok(I think she said they were from La Petite Provence) but they did have a pretty extensive menu — much improved over when they first opened. The wines were very good. My two companions chose to go with flights and the pours were generous and the choices very solid — and only $ 10! I chose a ribera and was quite happy with my choice. There was also a nice jazz trio. Not too loud so you can still chat but loud enough to be able to hear them and enjoy the music. I’m glad we gave Vinideus another try. I’ll go back again and this time not as a last resort.
Bob S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Madison, WI
This place is a unique and remarkable place to listen to music, watch a French movie, learn to tango(or Salsa or Flamenco), and of course taste delicious wines and enjoy delicious French Bistro food. Spousal Unit and I listened to the Andre St. James Trio play a sweet set of jazz standards while we sipped a desert wine with pastries from Petite Provence. Not too loud, perfectly balanced, superb musicianship. It was so close and intimate. A sweet venue for live music. I can’t think of another place like it in Portland.
Brad C.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Portland, OR
Place was cool, the French sounding women running the joint are very friendly and helpful. We had a baby shower type deal for a group of 20 or so and they were very accommodating and let us have full run of the place on a Sunday afternoon. At first I was a little put off by there only being a few French bottled beers available but I got over it because lets face it, the place is a winebar specializing in that region. I can appreciate that, but not French beer, it is definitely light and crisp in a pilsner type style, not my favorite. I highly recommend this spot for gatherings and general socializing.
Christine S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Portland, OR
This is the first place I have visited in several months that has been Unilocal worthy. The wine bar/shop is owned and operated by a very sweet French couple and some of their friends. I went specifically to see a Flamenco show last night and was extremely impressed by their desire to please their customers and make them feel welcome. There wasn’t a seat in the house open when we arrived so the owner went outside and moved a table and three chairs in for us(right in front of the show!) I saw him rearrange furniture and find chairs for people all evening! After we were seated he brought us all a wine glass and poured a taste of a Spanish chardonnay in each glass. Then he came around and poured a red wine taster in the glass as well. He hadn’t asked us for our order yet so we were starting to think he was just going to keep pouring us free wine all night. We ordered the cheese plate and the Gruyère Bread Puffs(or whatever?) and a glass of Bordeaux. Honestly they had so many great looking wines on the shelves that buying one and splitting it may be your best bet. Prices per bottle ranged from $ 16 to $ 65 from what I could see from my seat. Fridays 5:30 — 7:30 free wine tasting and tango lessons(not sure if its free?) Regular live music on Fridays and Saturdays. Reasonably priced, great customer service, very friendly and inviting! I highly recommend it!