GrapeVine Market - Round Rock

GrapeVine Market - Round Rock

Monday, 07 January 2008

GrapeVine Market’s reputation had ripened in Northwest Austin for seven years before a second location sprouted in December 2006 at Hesters Crossing in Round Rock. This large specialty wine and food store is known for its gourmet selection and spectacular customer service.

Less known is the deli near the back of the store, which features an open kitchen and lit display of cured meats and more than 200 cheeses, some imported and others from local dairy farms. Bright yellow paper menus are in a stand near the register, where customers can place their orders.

Inspired by the Italian grilled sandwich known as a Panini, the deli’s menu also features Tapas, which are small plates, perfect for a snack while wine tasting. Insalates, which is Italian for salads, as well as sandwiches, wraps and pizza are also served for lunch, ranging in price from $2.50 to $8.

Most of us here in Texas are practically wired to dip chips into salsa while we wait for our main course to be prepared at any restaurant, and this habit can be indulged in a new way by ordering the Red Pepper Hummus ($6). A creamy, reddish-orange blend of chickpeas, Paquillo peppers, Peppadews, olive oil and garlic is served with grilled hummus chips. This slightly familiar but flavorful chip-and-dip combo is an alternative to its Mexican cousin.

The Grilled Cheese is simply Greek Halloumi cheese grilled to a slight crisp on the outside layer and sprinkled with lemon juice ($5). The Spinachi salad ($7) has spinach, red onions, sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, black olives and walnuts tossed in a fresh balsamic-black currant vinaigrette dressing. The salads are large enough to share, especially if you are sampling various menu items.

Extremely rich and flavorful, the Icabod Panini is served warm with Prosciutto di Parma and hot capacolla hams; aioli, which is a sauce made of garlic, egg and olive oil; red onions; Italian Montasio cheese and pepperoncini on flat, oven-baked Italian bread called focaccia (full $6, half $4).

Ken Seeber, the gourmet manager on staff, touts that all of the ingredients used for the lunch menu items are sold in the store, like the fresh La Brea bread used for the Panini sandwiches.

Platters and boxed lunches can be picked up or delivered with large orders requiring 24-hours notice.

Lunch is served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but the deli is open during regular liquor store hours to buy freshly sliced cheeses and cured meats.

Most notable is the quantity, freshness and decadence of the food – especially for the extremely reasonable prices.

What Else at GrapeVine?

• Beer - More than 500 micro brews, domestic and imported beers
• Wine - 5,000 labels of wine from all over the world
• Spirits - 2,000 liquors including vodka, rum, whiskey, scotch
• Cigars - All sizes and shapes of cigars from 25 different producers

Free wine tasting 5 - 8 p.m. Fridays and noon - 6 p.m. Saturdays.

Cafe hours Monday-Saturday

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

GrapeVine Market, 2400 S. IH 35 • Round Rock, TX, 512-248-9933