The Cheesy Grape — Restaurant in South Oxfordshire

Sadly Missed Opportunity It's great to have a new venture on your doorstep and I wish everyone involved well but it seems that a Tuesday evening in December isn't the time to visit The Cheesy Grape. A pretty unfriendly welcome from the lady owner who seemed to be having a bad day judging from her growling at the under prepared teenage waiter was followed by indifference to an explanation of the wine list or the menu. As a new customer in a new venture with a particular concept I would have appreciated an explanation about how the sharing platters work and some suggestions about matching wines with the cheeses without having to tease information out of the staff. Fortunately the cheeses and charcuterie are excellent as is the wine list. However there are a series of missed opportunities:

1. No local cheese from either the Nettlebed Creamery or the Marlow Cheese Company, wouldn't it be great to highlight the brilliant produce on their doorstep.
2. No local wine or a sparkling wine by the glass - there are a multitude of excellent wineries locally, one of them less than a mile away. Again wouldn't it be brilliant to highlight the local, and to offer a good sparkling wine such as Harrow & Hope or Fairmile Vineyard by the glass. Failing that at least a glass of champagne rather than a mini bottle of Prosecco.
3. Explaining the cheese and in what order to eat them when they are delivered to the table - fine if you know something about cheese you can work out the order but you don't want to start on the Epoisses for example as it'll kill the taste of the milder cheeses. It would be a nice touch and make for a better experience.
4. Suggesting wine matches for the cheeses you have chosen or a wine flight. Seems obvious I can't believe it isn't offered. The Cheesy Grape is a nice space, tastefully presented, the concept is interesting but the energy, enthusiasm and ideas seem to have...

We had such a relaxed time here, did not feel rushed- the vibe was absolutely spot-on. We came on a Saturday evening with friends and their teenager, and it was refreshing to see a great mix of ages in the crowd. The atmosphere struck a perfect balance between relaxed and lively, making it ideal for both socializing and soaking in the ambience. We indulged in the cheese & meat charcuterie board, which was beautifully presented and thoughtfully curated. Each item complemented the other perfectly, and the pairing with their extensive wine selection truly elevated the experience. One of the highlights of the night was trying the cheesy grapes – something totally unexpected and incredibly unique. It’s one of those quirky, once-in-a-lifetime bites that you’ll be telling your friends about. A must-try if you’re feeling adventurous! As we were wrapping up, the DJ began setting up and started playing classic house tracks, which instantly gave the place a whole new energy. It was the perfect way to transition from a relaxing evening into a more upbeat night – we were tempted to stay even longer and I walked out the door singing. Sorry! Special mention to the manager (who name I did not catch but he was a South African chap) , who was truly the pinnacle of what hospitality should be. Friendly, professional, and genuinely passionate about creating a great experience for customers. It’s rare to see that level of personal attention these days. We would like to give the fondue a try next time, but being of Swiss heritage I feel I might be a hard audience to please. The outside area I can imagine is very pleasant on a summers day with a glass of wine, cheese board and watching the world go by. A great spot for anyone who appreciates good cold cuts, cheese, wine,...

Boom! I have to say I don't normally comment on the wonderful eateries of Henley on Thames as they are the quality you expect! Today there was almost chaos.... "Two vegans" walked into the Cheesy Grape (not the start of a joke but it could have been!) only to find the Grape had, by complete accident and being rushed off their feet as its Christmas, not bought the vegan cheese!!!! We were there for their "Vegan Cheese Platter". In a heartbeat the owner had appeared and was so apologetic.... and within moments someone was sent to a local supermarket for our supplies! In no time at all our wonderful waitress "Jess" (well done Jess!!!!) has appeared with a replacement starter of Mushroom Pate and Breads..... I mean DO try this, its soo tasty! We sipped our "vegan" wine.... yeah ok I may have been a bit squiffy after two bottles but then... OH THEN.... THE CHEESE ARRIVED! Its actually decent vegan cheese (no nasty GARY after taste!... Violife or better????). Served on a breadboard with a light salad inc apples, grapes, miniature pickles... yeah vegans are weirdos and eat that stuff too, its not just decoration for us! The best part was due to all of the confusion they knocked a few of the items from the bill and even gave us a "Doggy Bag" for the vegan stuck at home who was babysitting for free! By far..... FAR.... the BEST experience I have had in a Henley restaurant and I will recommend. Thank you all for a wonderful evening Cheesy Grape and our dear Jess... all stars!!!! 5 stars for service with a million smiles......