The Vineyard Wine Bar — Restaurant in Havre de Grace

We had been looking for a special place to celebrate our forty-first anniversary in Havre de Grace. Only the Water Street Seafood had ever made a special effort for us or our friends before, but we wanted someplace a little more formal. The Vineyard had excellent ratings, so we decided to try. Mind you, we’ve had the other 40 anniversaries in restaurants from coast to coast, so finding something special in a small town like Havre de Grace seemed like wishful thinking. I called for reservations and the receptionist did not sound like one of the typical kids-commanding-counters types. Since my wife is ill, she arranged for a perfect-sounding table, away from the crowd. When we arrived a few days later and announced our name to the Maître-d’, who happened to be owner Joe, he did not at first recognize our special request, but soon asked “Do you need a separate space.” I told him what I told the reservation taker and he immediately set us up away from the crowd. Soon our server Jen arrived, the same one who made the reservation. She needed to walk extra paces from the kitchen to provide for us, but made it seem like there was hardly another soul in her care. I asked for a bottle of merlot, and she pulled off the nearby shelf an R-Collection Merlot, not the most expensive in the house, but a smooth choice with cherry and raspberry flavors. Due to my wife’s therapy, her appetite is curtailed, but we ordered separate entrees of rockfish for her and salmon with sweet potatoes for me. Both came perfectly prepared with seasonal asparagus and small enough portions to enjoy. We followed them up with a “dark-side-of-the-moon” desert of fudge cake encasing chocolate mousse. For our special occasion, Jen brought us a cleansing champaign with strawberry garnish. On the way out, Joe told us we were the last customers he would let in before dinner—which I took to be turning away business so that he could take good care of those who made reservations. How many meals do you remember for years after? For us, the only answer is only a few, but this was one of them. We’ll be back for our next...

If anyone was to ask me what my favorite restaurant of all time is… it would hands down be The Vineyard Wine Bar Yes, their food is amazing, yes, the variety of wine its impressive, but it’s their service and detailed attention to their customers that wins me over every single time! Last night we were at Gallery 220’s opening reception, my husband has 4 pieces there on display. We stayed till the end of the show then went to the Vineyard. It was pretty late, but we were hopeful. We asked about dinner, but sadly the kitchen had already closed. After about 30 seconds, Chef Ron told us to hold on he’d whip us something up. We took our seats and got our favorite bottle of 606 Moscato. Shortly after that he brought our plates out… he made me a pistachio encrusted salmon over asparagus with an artichoke cream sauce and my husband the filet topped with bacon over creamy mashed potatoes and asparagus. Not only was it amazingly delicious… but we were so grateful that they reopened their kitchen just for us. This VIP individualized service to their customers without hesitation is why they win 1st place with me every single time! Thank you Chef Ron Milburn and Angelia Milburn for being such gracious hosts, having an amazing attitude, and taking incredible care with us last night! If you’ve never visited The Vineyard then you’re missing out on a phenomenal...

Had a bit of an odd experience at this restaurant yesterday. My friend and I went for lunch and she ordered the pastrami sandwich, but asked for a different cheese because she doesn't like swiss. She was told there are no substitutions and the chef is very particular about the menu because a lot of thought goes into it. It's a sandwich, people. Seems pretty easy to just slap a different type of cheese on it to please your customer, but whatever. Apparently great chefs are moody. Her sandwich arrived and the pastrami was gristly, so the chef isn't quite as particular about the ingredients. There was also just a dot of mustard on the plate that I guess she was supposed to use for the entire sandwich but it wasn't nearly enough and she had to ask for more (either the chef isn't so touchy about giving more mustard or it was snuck out of the kitchen without being noticed). I ordered the turkey apple brie sandwich, which was fine except that it was glued to the plate by some sticky substance, which made my hands sticky and was rather unpleasant. Finger food shouldn't be glued to the plate with sticky stuff unless the restaurant provides finger bowls. Oh, and the carefully planned sandwiches were served with potato chips on the side. Classy.

The only reason I'm giving 3 stars is because the server was very nice and she also recommended wines that we...