Grapevine Cafe menu faithful to Greek and American tastes -

Greek restaurants haven't fared well north of the city. So the new Grapevine Cafe is probably wise to offer lots of American dishes along with its Greek food, and to dispense with the traditional blue-and-white ...

[Connie Angelos]

The first time I went to the "Grape Vine Cafe" it had been open only one week. I grew up on Greek food, so I was anxious to see what kind of experience it would be. It turned out to be a culinary delight. The appetizers are heavenly, and the main dishes were made for the gods.(It's as good as Highlandtown if not better). The waiters and staff are very professional and friendly and you feel at home there. I am happy that the Cockeysville, York Road area has such a treasure. The decor is understated but fashionable. I highly recommend this restaurant.

[B Reece]

Just went to this restaurant with my husband. The decor is a bit Holiday Inn, but suffer through and your reward is made to order, heavenly greek appetizers. And please do yourself a favor and order a slice of the baklava cheesecake (homeade). It's way too good to share.

[Val]

This was our first visit to Grapevine Cafe and probably the last. Among the main reasons: the crab meat was clearly not fresh (to put it mildly), it had a chemical taste. One of the ordered crab cakes was left virtually untouched. The waitress was a little pushy, trying to get us to order more... She also insisted that everyone loves their crab cakes and we just don't know what crab cakes should taste like (we didn't argue with her, but we certainly do know our crab cakes). The Greek salad dressing was totally bland, a clear disappointment. The other dishes were OK. We also felt the prices were way too steep considering the location, ambiance (no table cloth, narrow uncomfortable diner style booths) and unmemorable food. At the end of our dinner the air conditioning was turned off (it was near their closing time) so we were forced to leave. We'd prefer someone just tell us they are closing...

[Robert]

Val wrote:

This was our first visit to Grapevine Cafe and probably the last. Among the main reasons: the crab meat was clearly not fresh (to put it mildly), it had a chemical taste. One of the ordered crab cakes was left virtually untouched. The waitress was a little pushy, trying to get us to order more... She also insisted that everyone loves their crab cakes and we just don't know what crab cakes should taste like (we didn't argue with her, but we certainly do know our crab cakes). The Greek salad dressing was totally bland, a clear disappointment. The other dishes were OK. We also felt the prices were way too steep considering the location, ambiance (no table cloth, narrow uncomfortable diner style booths) and unmemorable food. At the end of our dinner the air conditioning was turned off (it was near their closing time) so we were forced to leave. We'd prefer someone just tell us they are closing...

Maybe this woman is reviewing the wrong place? There is no way this is the same place I have crab cakes every Monday, Wednesday,and Friday! Everything on the menu (Greek or American) is always fantastic. Their crab cakes are by far the best around, which is why I drive 20 minutes to eat there. There is no other place I would waste 40 minutes travel time to eat lunch. It is also very hard to believe that the service was nothing short of excellent. The owners and wait staff are very accommodating and have stayed open well past their closing time for my office's evening meetings. This review has to be posted under the wrong restaurant?!

[Farrah]

Gyros were the worst I've ever had. They were basically steakums. The tomatoes and onions tasted old, and they put American pickles (the kind you put on a fast food burger) beside the gyro, which was strange. Definitely not a redo. You could get a better gyro and any strip mall deli place.

Greek food isn't difficult to make. They should know how to do better (or they do and they're dumbing it down to suit American taste buds). Hamburger pickles have no business being near a gyro!