The next stop on our Berkeley Springs culinary tour took us to The Vine Trattoria, one of the most upscale restaurants we have been to yet on our adventures. Everything about this place screamed luxury – the Tuscan architecture and decor, the professional and attentive wait staff, and of course, the exquisite ingredients used to create absolute masterpieces that blew us away with the depth and flavor. This is truly the spot to go if you want to treat yourself to a luxurious night out.
Price 💲💲💲💲out of 5
The price tag on a lot of the dishes was fairly high, but that is what you would expect when you are partaking in fine dining. The good news is that there are lighter, less expensive options if you still want to experience The Vine Trattoria, but they also have those five-star dishes like the $74 Cowboy Ribeye, which is actually big enough to feed two people (or one very hungry Foodie!) All in all, The Vine does such a good job of mixing lighter fare with more high-end dishes, creating an atmosphere that is perfect for a date night or a holiday party.
Ambience 🧑🍳🧑🍳🧑🍳🧑🍳🧑🍳out of 5
What more can you say about the ambience? When you walk in, it’s like you are transported from West Virginia to the Tuscan countryside. The building itself looks like something out of a movie, and every piece of cutlery and decor is purposeful. They really took the time to make sure no matter what aspect you are talking about, it exudes sophistication and luxury. In terms of a fancier aesthetic, this place stands out above the crowd.
Food 🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩 out of 5
Does the food match the ambience? Absolutely. Here is what we were able to sample:
Crudo – one of the most visually appealing appetizers I have ever seen, this Crudo is a market fish that is dressed in herb oil and Tiger’s milk. Decadent and fresh, this is an elevated sashimi experience.
Halibut – one the most decadent pieces of fish I have ever tried. This massive piece of flaky fish is served over a bed of polenta, Calabrian chili, and sauteed broccoli raab. It is even garnished with a beautiful flower to really finish off the dish nicely.
Swordfish – another piece of gorgeous fish, this was the Chef’s special while we were there, so as of now it is not on the current menu. Hopefully it will be moving forward, because this fish was also so velvety and fresh, with a crispy sear on top.
Tonnarelli & Squid – again, another high-end dish with high-end ingredients. This pasta is sauteed with squid ink to give it a jet black color. If that wasn’t appealing enough, they topped it with massive tiger prawns that look as big as lobster tails.
Bone-In Cowboy Ribeye – the star of the show. This is the single greatest bite I have ever had in my entire existence. I am not usually someone who goes for steak, but I’ve never had steak like this that just melted in my mouth and was so flavorful. If you are in the mood to splurge on a meal soon, I’d highly suggest getting this and thanking me later.
Baklava Cheesecake – to finish the experience off, we tried the baklava cheesecake which was heavenly. It is no small feat to get honey-soaked Phyllo dough to mix with cheesecake and cinnamon dusted nuts, but they pulled it off. What an insane flavor profile I had never experienced before.
Experience ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5
To be completely honest, I am not usually one that is looking for high-end meals that are an experience as much as something you eat. But now that my world has been opened up to The Vine Trattoria, I can see why people clamor for this type of restaurant. It is a pretty cool thing when you get to try something that you feel is the best dish you have ever had. The whole reason we do this is to get to experience all of the amazing dishes, venues, and vibes of the local restaurants in the area, from small holes in the wall to glamorous upscale restaurants. Do yourself a favor and visit The Vine Trattoria for your next elevated dining experience.