Visit The Vineyard Wine Company for current menus and prices.
Lunch is a good meal. I don’t think I’m extending myself too far by saying that. There are only two other widely recognized meals it has to compete with, and it acquits itself pretty well, I think.
– Mike Nelson, author, writer, director, and musician, in his book Mind Over Matters
The Vineyard Wine Company
Lunch is my favorite meal of the day.
Unlike breakfast, which is simply a bleary placeholder for future meals, lunch is a diamond of opportunity set in the bright light of the midday Florida sun.
At lunch, I’m alert, optimistic, and able to strategize the rest of the day’s eating based on the success of lunch. When you eat too much at dinner, you must simply resign yourself to bed. Indulge at lunch, and you can simply skip the evening meal, coasting for the remainder of the day on memories of your delightful lunch.
So it was on the day I visited The Vineyard Wine Company in Lake Mary, FL.
The lunch menu offered an intriguing variety, from Napa Nachos to French Dip, but I had come with only one entree in mind: the Lobster Roll.
Ever since my first lobster roll at the Captain’s Grille at the Yacht and Beach Club, I have been deeply in love with this classic combination of buttered & toasted roll, lettuce, and chilled lobster in a light mayonnaise sauce.
Finding out that The Vineyard Wine Company had a lobster roll on the menu was akin to opening the phone book and finding the direct line to heaven. (If you don’t know what a phone book is, then I can’t help you.)
When I was first presented with my lobster roll, I was slightly confused. Was it open-faced? I didn’t remember it being described as open-faced.
No.
It was not open-faced. It was simply so full of lobster meat that the weight of the filling pushed down the sides of the bun.
Have I mentioned that direct line to heaven yet?
My dining companion went with the Bacon Gouda Meatloaf sandwich, a “Housemade Vineyard specialty” served with lettuce, tomato, and onion.
The meatloaf slice was grilled, giving it an extra smokiness. Although I’m pretty neutral on meatloaf in general, I liked the savory mix of flavors in my stolen forkful.
With offerings such as banana bread pudding and the mysterious “Chocolate Trilogy” on the dessert menu, it was oh-so-difficult not to order dessert. However, I had to make the sacrifice, as I had promised to take my dining companions to a French bakery down the road. (Chez Jacqueline, if you’re wondering.)
Dessert is just one more reason I’ll be returning to The Vineyard Wine Company.
I’m a little psychic, you know. I see another lobster roll in my future.
Sage
I’m a vegetarian, so these dishes didn’t really impress me, nor did the sound of the menu, but I can agree that lunch is my favorite meal of the day! I particularly love going out to lunch, it always feels so decadent sitting down to a restaurant meal in the middle of the day.
Katie
Decadent is the word! A great lunch is a wonderful indulgence.
Shelly
That lobster roll looks delicious! Did I mention that I love lobster? This would have also been my choice from the menu, if I had the opportunity to dine there. I do like meatloaf as well but only my own…. homemade. I like to know what is put in it, therefore would never order it from a restaurant, no matter the review. I am sure that the meatloaf dish also tasted great! I am sure that many people that have dined at this particular restaurant are pleased by the dishes that they serve.
Katie
I am not usually much on meatloaf, but this one was quite good. And the lobster roll? Wow!
Sarh S
Looks like a wonderful place to dine. I love the atmosphere it appears to give, such a comforting area to chat and eat or have some drinks. I’m sure we have some similar places locally, I’ll have to check it out.
Katie
I’m always on the lookout for good “New American” restaurants like this one.
Dee
Okay, so I just finished eating lunch but I find myself getting hungry again. Everything looks so good and I really want to try the lobster roll. I probably could just eat that and be happy with it!
Katie
I was certainly very happy with it! And that’s the trouble with writing restaurant reviews… they make you hungry all over again.
Kendall
Oh, my goodness! I am so hungry now! Can we just talk about that sandwich? It looks incredible! And the bread pudding sounds fabulous! I would definitely love to go here!
Katie
I can’t wait to go back and try the desserts! It will be hard to pick just one.
Alicia Snow
Now my mouth is watering. Everything looks and sounds so good. My husband is a big fan of lobster rolls. If only I lived closer. I’ll make sure my husband adds it to his Yelp list so if we are ever in the area we can try it.
Katie
Good idea! You wouldn’t want to miss out on a great lobster roll.
Chantal
This looks like such a delicious lunch! I would have to say that I am more of a dinner girl though. I wish this restaurant was closer to me because all of the food looks amazing especially the lobster roll!
Katie
Oh, I’m sure their dinner is just as good! I just don’t get out much for dinner meals, except the occasional date night. Lunches are more accessible for me. 🙂
jataya wiley
The restaurant looks like a fabulous to enjoy lunch with a friend! I don’t eat meat anymore so I got super excited about your lobster roll! When I stopped eating meat a year ago I never imagined how hard it would be to go to restaurants and find things on the menu that I could eat. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Katie
That certainly sounds like quite a challenge! I don’t know if I could ever give up my lobster rolls… 🙂
Vera Sweeney
Oh my gosh all of the food looks amazing!! I love the layout of the restaurant and the decor. Sounds like the perfect restaurant to meet the girlfriends out and have a great gab session!
Katie
It would be a great place to go with the gals!
Donna Ward
Great post and fabulous images – I know we would love, love the Bacon Gouda Meatloaf sandwich!
Looks like a fun place to meet with friends to be sure!
Katie
Exactly! We had a great time. Thanks for the kind words!
Tiffany
Wow! Now this sounds like the perfect sunny day lunch getaway. I love the character of both the dining area and the dishes themselves. Amazing!
Katie
Such a cozy atmosphere. Lots of wood and stone!