Vinum Japanese Fusion & Bar — Restaurant in Newark

I dined at the Vinum Wine Bar & Restaurant this evening. We opted to dine indoors as the outdoor dining area was a little spartan for us. There is a bright, sunlit dining room that overlooks the mall parking area and beyond which we preferred to the area near the bar. But that’s a personal preference.

As with most restaurants reopening, the Vinum staff told us the menu is limited. However, the menu had a lot more items than many restaurants I’ve been to post pandemic. And unlike many other restaurants that reopened, Vinum’s online menu matches the menu given in the restaurant. There is a good selection of tapas and appetizers but also a pretty good lunch/dinner menu of entrees. The quality of the ingredients, the taste of the food, and presentation were all very good.

We had the fish tacos and the chicken skewer, which were very good, The oysters were excellent (served with two sauces and horse radish). The lamb meatball and fried asparagus were just ok (we ate them all). For dessert, we had the Cinnamon infused pannacotta w/mixed berry gelee. Excellent. On my next visit I want to sample the risotto and whole fish Branzino entees.

The wine list is not huge, but much better than most of the offerings in the Fremont-Newark area. I had a Rose prosecco and the Juggernaut Cab both of which were very good. Note: Very good to excellent wine selections are usually found at fine dining restaurants. Since Fremont/Newark aren’t exactly the fine dining capitol of the Bay Area, I find wine lists at most Fremont/Newark restaurants less than inspiring. This is not the case at Vinum. They have flights of most of the wine categories and seem to have something for every level of wine drinker, including customers who appreciate some of the nicer labels. They might have one of the best wine selections in the tri-city area.

In addition to wine, the bar seemed to have a pretty good selection of mixed drinks and beer. Since I only ordered wine, I cannot comment on the other beverages except to say that they are on the menu. Special mention to Jack our server who an excellent job.

This is a restaurant that I will go back to and recommend to friends or family. We were there early so it was not noisy at all. Later in the evenings or on weekends, they are busier so the noise levels...

The price point was intimidating, but I must say they delivered and the experience eating here was perfect. The risotto with shrimps was the highlight for me!

For a party of two, we ordered: Assorted tempura - classic and hit the spot. They gave plenty of assorted vegetables with the shrimp. Garlic edamame - recommended by the server and it was very good Sashimi moriawase - it was pretty good quality, but not a wow factor Vinum reserve flight - I liked the Duckhorn and Caymus red schooner White wine sangria - plenty of fruit and good taste White volcano - recommended by server and was very good Mushroom risotto shrimp - highly, highly recommend this Trio skewers - I always love yakitori, so this was pretty good. I would order again if I come back.

The vibes here are nice with a dimly lit setting and the decor is very warm. The portions were generous and worth the price. This is located in Newpark, which is a newer plaza, so it's very clean and there's a ton of parking.

Vinum seems like the perfect place to unwind since they occasionally have live jazz music and wine tasting events. We just missed the jazz music, since they had a wine tasting event earlier.

The menu is extensive with all the Japanese fusion fare you would look for. Everything was delicious and great quality. Service was excellent-- server was friendly and provided perfect recommendations.

TLDR: The risotto definitely stood out and I liked the Vinum...

Upon arriving at Vinum, we were met with an unexpected delight. We initially set foot there with the simple intention of wine tasting, only to discover that this establishment offers so much more. To our pleasant surprise, Vinum boasted a culinary side that we were previously unaware of, further elevating our experience.

The ambiance of the restaurant struck a chord of sophistication and warmth. Each dish we tasted was a testament to the chef's dedication to flavor and presentation. While every dish left a memorable impression, one in particular stood out above the rest: the charred unagi handrolls. These handrolls were nothing short of culinary artistry. Their exquisite balance of flavors complemented the Pinot Noir wines we savored, creating a symphony of taste that danced delightfully on our palates.

For those who, like us, might be unsure of which wine to choose, Vinum offers a wonderful solution: a flight of wines. This allows you to explore a range of their finest selections, ensuring you find the one that resonates most with your taste preferences.

In conclusion, our visit to Vinum was not just a wine-tasting trip but an exploration of refined culinary pleasures. We left with palates gratified, hearts full, and a newfound appreciation for this gem in the heart of...