Redstone Winery & Restaurant — Restaurant in Lincoln

Don't let the picturesque backdrop and gorgeous space fool you. Behind the facade of fraudulent smiles and pretentious attitudes of the front of house lies a menu that looks great on paper but needs a lot of fine tuning.

The hostesses were less than hospitable considering that the Redstone Winery restaurant is just under 3 months old. They had no qualms showing displeasure at the fact that they had to figure out where to seat an unexpected group of 8 from out of town. The task proved too difficult, that a floor manager had to manage our seating arrangement and provided us with a table on their private patio. Great, we were looking forward to celebrating two birthdays at dinner.

Aside from their empty restaurant and half full patio, I'm not entirely sure why it was so difficult other than perhaps we didn't fit the 'mould' of the kind of diners they'd like at the restaurant (evident after a quick scan of the diners).

The menu was a disappointment with the exception of one dish. Our party ordered from various sections of the menu and the only dish that delivered was the halibut. It was a gorgeous plate, cooked and seasoned perfectly - no complaints there.

The appetizers were a disappointment  albacore tuna toast which included potatoes was predominantly potato and the fried chicken skins were average. Although the tortellini dish was presented well, the texture overly al dente.

The restaurant claims to make Neapolitan pizza but I found out after the meal that they lack the VPN certification of true designated Napoletana pizza. It was a huge disappointment especially when you can get the real deal (VPN certified) at Pizzeria Libretto's in Toronto (the original Napoletana pizza in the GTA).

This restaurant is a prime example of why the controversial certification process for Neapolitan pizza was created by an organization in Naples who's mission is to protect the integrity of this cuisine and Redstone does not live up to these standards yet the pizza is labelled as such. The dough was dry, hard, and lacked flavour and the toppings mininimal with large areas devoid of any toppings. The pizza at Redstone bastardized Napoletana pizza and should remove that title from their menu. Just call it what it is, stone oven baked flatbread and take the price down a few notches.

At the end of our meals when our server had asked one of our diners about what he thought of the pizza, he provided a truthful response of why it was disappointing. His feedback was taken in one ear and out the other as she changed the subject and continued to clear our table. Our server who appeared to care about customer service, in the end didn't.

The birthday celebrant of our party had also ordered a glass of ice wine and was brought the wrong one. Instead of correcting it with the one she ordered she was given a glass of sparkling wine that had already gone bad and was sour. The restaurant losing money seems to be worth more than correcting an error and dissatisfied diners.

The lack of service, subpar food and inflated prices are a disappointment and no one from our party will return or recommend this restaurant. There are so many exceptional restaurants in the Niagara region which dish out amazing food minus...

Disappointing Experience at Red Stone’s Themed Friday Night Dinner

We attended Red Stone last evening for their themed Friday night dinner event, which featured a Cajun-Creole menu. At $65 per person ($95 with wine pairing), we were excited to give it a try, especially as we were celebrating a family occasion. Unfortunately, the experience fell short of expectations.

The meal started off well, with some well-prepared appetizers and salads. However, the entrees and desserts were a letdown.

The featured dish, a bouillabaisse-style creation with pan-seared catfish at the center, was not well received—not just at our table, but at several nearby as well. The next course, a variation of gumbo, lacked depth of flavor to the point that we had to request salt.

The third entrée, shrimp-stuffed ravioli, was presented beautifully, garnished with pancetta and peas. While visually impressive, the pasta was undercooked—not al dente, but too firm and chewy to enjoy. A light butter sauce could have elevated the dish, but it was missing.

Dessert was equally disappointing. The burnt orange crème brûlée, though plated nicely, had an unappealing texture—runny and bitter, with hints of what seemed like oatmeal or another thickener. None of us could finish it.

Service also missed the mark. We had opted for the wine pairing, but it was overlooked for the first course and only brought out after we had finished eating. Our server was new and visibly uncertain, lacking confidence in her role. While this wasn’t her fault, it reflected gaps in training and, ultimately, the restaurant’s reputation.

With a price tag of nearly $500, we all left feeling underwhelmed, disappointed, and that the experience simply did not match the value. For a special occasion, we had hoped for a more seamless and enjoyable evening. While the concept of the themed dinner is great, execution is key—and unfortunately, too many details...

Redstone Winery was an absolute highlight of our CRUSH wine tour experience. Nestled in beautiful wine country, the atmosphere was upscale yet relaxed, perfect for a leisurely lunch with a view.

Our visit included a Lunch Prix Fixe, which came with a choice of soup or salad, a pizza, and either a wine flight or a glass of wine. I opted for the Baby Gem Caesar Salad, and it exceeded expectations. The double smoked bacon was rich and flavorful, the parmesan and brioche croutons added the right amount of crunch, and the white anchovy brought a beautiful umami depth. Honestly, it might be one of the best Caesar salads I’ve ever had.

For the main, we shared two pizzas: • The Pepperoni Pizza with tomato, mozzarella, and cup & char pepperoni was everything you’d want—crispy edges, gooey cheese, and just the right spice from the pepperoni. • The Cremini Mushroom and Blue Cheese Pizza was a standout. The garlic confit and rosemary honey paired unexpectedly well with the pungent blue cheese, creating a perfect balance of earthy, sweet, and savory flavors.

Both pizzas came with a thin crust that practically melted in your mouth, and the portions were impressively large, more than enough for a satisfying individual meal.

The wine flight allowed us to sample a variety of Redstone’s offerings, all of which were thoughtfully curated and paired beautifully with the food. Service was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the experience feel special without being stuffy.

Highly recommend Redstone Winery for anyone touring the Niagara region, whether you’re a foodie, wine lover, or just looking for a perfect afternoon escape. We’ll...