The Peppered Vine — Restaurant in Sandy

Chef Renée Poe certainly doesn't throw her title around, and neither does she make much ado about having graduated from Le Cordon Bleu, but she certainly has every right to. As a self-professed foodie, and someone who also loves to cook, I appreciate both how much work is invested in such a degree and what it represents, and I couldn't help but to approach The Peppered Vine with a higher set of standards than I bring to most restaurant tables.

That all said, having lunch at The Peppered Vine was an exquisite experience! It was a Monday, so I opted to try her Piri Piri Chicken. Following Renée's advice, before I began, I deposited the home-made Creamy Citrus Slaw over the chicken, and enjoyed it together. The chicken breast itself was grilled perfectly, tender and juicy in the center, with just the right amount of heat brought to bear by the chilis and other peppers, and a lovely balance of sweetness curbed by a precisely appropriate amount of vinegar. The genius of Renée's Piri Piri Chicken lies not only in her recipe (which is delicious, to say the least), but also in the dish's presentation, the harmony of which I rarely get to truly appreciate while eating out. The fiery exuberance of the sizzling chicken was perfectly balanced by the cooling influences of both a bed of coconut rice beneath, and the ice-cold Creamy Citrus Slaw on top. On the side were an assortment of vegetable spears (carrot, parsnip, asparagus) that couldn't have been more perfectly cooked and were ideally seasoned.

In a day and age, when restaurants routinely present diners with three times the quantity of food that they could ever hope to eat, it was refreshing to see all of The Peppered Vine's efforts directed toward quality, toward the creation of a dish with a unique and unforgettable flavor profile, rather than overwhelming one with an unrealistic portion designed to compensate for an unrealistic price. The fact of the matter is that Renée, given her degree of skill as a chef, could probably charge more for the food that she produces. The City of Sandy is lucky to have her modest restaurant, and I, for one, plan to avail myself of her delicious masterpieces whenever an opportunity...

I recently tried out a new takeout-only restaurant, and let me tell you, it was a delightful experience. We ordered the boeuf bourguignon, and it was nothing short of spectacular. The meat was incredibly tender and seasoned to perfection. The pickled onion added a lovely touch, and the serving size was generous, including mashed potatoes, mushrooms, and carrots. It's a must-try! It comes cold and you can heat it up in the packaging it came in... or move it to a dish of your own like I did so you can take full credit for cooking the dish. #sorry Renee, I did that!

We also tried the house sandwich box, which looked exactly like it did in the advertisement photos. The sandwich was delicious, with a generous serving size as well. It's not your average sandwich; it's a lunchtime treat that feels like a taste of luxury. The sandwich came with potato salad that was also delicious and a sugar cookie that was simply delightful. However, if you have an addictive personality, you might want to skip the cookie; it's that good!

I have a feeling I'll be visiting this place weekly. Renee the owner and chef, who I met when I picked up our dinner, has the best energy and is an absolute joy to be around. She's extremely passionate about cooking and runs a very clean kitchen. Her energy was contagious, and I can't wait to see her again next week. Who knows, maybe we'll...

So happy i stopped by here today. It was a pleasure to meet Rene, and mikayla. Its hard to believe people so freindly can make such a mean sandwich. To clarify when i say "mean sandwich," I mean one of the best sandwiches ive ever had. Their sunflower pesto caprese sandwich box doesn't just blow starbucks sandwiches out of the park, its in the same leauge as an artisinal sandwich you might fight served in a florentine bakery.

With fresh grilled ciabbatta, crispy crunchy lettuce and tomato, rich mozzarella, all accompanied by homeade pesto, its a great option for vegetarians. However, they also offer addittion of turkey, or grilled chicken so carnivores will delight in devouring this delicacy as well.

If you eat a lot you wont be left hungry with the healthy portions, but it all comes in a neat box wich makes it easy to store the second half for latter, if your a lighter eater. To top it all off every sandwich box is paired with a side of pasta salad and a cute cookie.

I could go on, and on, but i'll stop by saying im looking forward to returning to try the many other menu options, and thanks ya'll for making my...