Flights Wine Cafe — Restaurant in Arvada

The idea of this place is exactly what we want in the area - hip little wine bar with shared plates and outdoor seating. Unfortunately, Flights does not entirely land its mission. The first time we visited was an impromptu drop-in after accidentally passing the building on a walk with my wife, mother-in-law, and sleeping 6 month old in a stroller. We stopped in and after asking to know more about it, were coerced into sitting down for a flight of wines and some appetizers. We had no plans to stay and the baby started to fuss, so after 30 minutes or so I asked for the check. The owner asked why we weren't staying for lunch: "We didn't make a plan to eat out," I said, "and, the baby's getting fussy so we have to go" to which she responded "We're just not checking all the boxes for you today, huh", as if she hadn't heard what I said. It felt desperate and pushy, and I was not sad to leave.

Despite that first experience, we did return last night, because, again, the idea of this place is exactly what we want in the area. We had a pretty good time, all things considered, but there are indeed some issues that should be addressed.

Good Things: Wait staff: Both Ridge and Stephanie were friendly, attentive, and accommodating.

Food: We ordered a cheese plate, caprese flat bread, and hummus flight, and everything was tasty and good quality.

Setting: Pretty darn nice. We sat at a fire pit, near a live musician, and were given nice blankets to help keep warm as the night got cooler.

Issues: To be clear, all of these notes are for management. Everybody who was a part of our experience last night did a great job.

Prohibitively expensive: We ordered a cheese plate ($20), marcona almonds($5), flatbread ($14), hummus sampler ($14), dessert($8) and a flight of wine(three 3oz pours for $20). With reasonable pricing, that would have been 60 bucks. Our bill came out to $84 after tax and before tip, and with a 20% gratuity it was over $100. There's no reason for the price to be so high. We're not big people, and we ate enough and sampled some wine, but it was not an indulgent meal.

*Update your menu. What was served often did not match the description: 1) Our cheese plate said it would come with an 'olive mix', which it did not. 2) Our hummus flight said it would be served with ciabatta, and instead we got pita. 3) We ordered marcona almonds, which were delicious but soaked in garlic oil. Marcona almonds are not by default soaked in garlic oil, and if that's how you want to serve them your menu should mention it. Somebody out there wants almonds and no horrible breath.

*Substitutions are fine when necessary, but with no commentary from anybody you have to believe this is either sloppy or standard practice, and that bait n' switch stuff isn't cool.

Small things about food that bugged me:

1. Why is the spicy mustard on our cheese plate nestled right up into the fruity and nutty cheese crumble. That's not a good combination, and you've all but ensured I'm going to get a bite of fruit + whole grain mustard or leave it on the plate.
2. The pumpkin spice creme brulee had too much sugar on top - big crunchy chunks instead of thin crispy shards - and strawberries, which do not go with pumpkin.
3. Somebody explained that creme brulee is an egg white and sugar-based dessert, which is not true. I'm not mad at whoever for not knowing a custard from a meringue, but your staff should be familiar with the food they're serving, which only happens when you set up tastings where cooks explain to servers what they've made.

Plasticware: Don't do it. It's painted with chrome, but it's still plastic.

Setting: There was live music, which was nice, and then competing Spotify played from the kitchen out back, along with singing cooks. Your kitchen's rendition of Bob Marley is not adding to the ambiance.

Finally, the place is WAY too big. Unless you have a reason to expect a hundred people to show up, put away the extra tables close up sections - the emptiness gives the impression that everybody else knows...

Updated review July 17th, 2021:. Went with a few friends and noticed that the manager was talking to the performer about volume level. It was a great evening and we could have a conversation with the music in the background. Everything was good, drinks, food, service, interaction with the staff. All good! Great place with it's good and bad points. Let's start with the good and let's say great! Wonderful waitress by the name of Olivia, we wanted for nothing and she was extra knowledgeable. Answered every question we had. Wines were great, foods were great, ambiance was great and extra comfortable. Social distancing was in place but didn't feel like it as the back is nice and large. We even found a friend there that we had not seen in quite a while, that just made the evening even better. Everyone was nice and we will be going back for sure. Now a little bit of the not so great. First we couldn't have a conversation because the band, 2 people, 2 guitars and way too much amplification, seemed to think they were a headliner and not there to compliment the evening. This was an opinion shared repeatedly and not just mine personally. Next, one of the male staff just couldn't accept that the face mask should be covering nose and mouth, usually hanging below his nose. Finally, waiting to get in at the street, the wait was excessive. I dropped off two of my friends while I went to go find parking, when I walked back, about a block so not far, there was a couple waiting that was walking up as I pulled away, they were waiting long enough that I walked up and stood behind them waiting, and waiting and waiting, they finally were noticed and then escorted in and I waited and waited again, finally someone came to the street entrance and I got in. In my opinion that took way too long as there was plenty of staff and not a full house by far. So to wrap this up we plan on going back and introducing this great place to more of our friends. BUT, we will think twice only because Saturday will be the day we would plan to go and we will be competing to speak to each other with the band. Hard call if you want a relaxing evening with some friends and that is exactly what Flights can and...

I am in love with this place! Came highly recommended by a very nice lady who works for a builder. We met her while looking at their model homes about ten minutes minutes away.

Morrison is a little town that looks sleepy and if you blink you will miss it! But it's absolutely a darling destination.

There in the middle of two buildings sits this wine and beer heaven. Fire pit outside if you prefer drinking al fresco. The bulk of the charm here is the inside of the house. Yes it's once a house turned into an oasis of 100% warm reprieve from a busy day. Couches, tables and free wifi! The last one almost made me salivate! Lol! That means only one thing to me. I CAN HANG OUT HERE.

They carry a very good selection of wines and beers in flights, bottles and by the glass. They also have a very reasonably priced tapas. We tried their Antipasti Plate: Three Italian meats (Prosciuto, Salami, Pepperoni, Sopresatta) , paired with two cheeses, olives and toasted breads. $17.

My choice was the Ménage Trios Flight to relax while catching on the weekend's relentless house hunting. It was an awesome choice. It was a Riesling, Rosė and a Malbec. They were from Two Rivers in CO, Vinho Verde Rosė from Portugal and Pieza El Col Granache from Spain. $16. Generous pours.

The bar area is a must for me next time. Love talking to the guy Brent(?) that served us. Such a great personality. Although anywhere you sit I can assure you it is going to be an amazing experience with this gem in little town Morrison.

This is actually a place where it could be a great stop with friends. Or it could be a romantic destination. It is what...