Terra & Vine

We were seated in a room that reminded one of a library. It was charming. Our waitress was extraordinarily helpful and pleasant, even jolly. The food was wonderful, and Alpana's suggested wines were great. It would be hard to find a better meal in Evanston.

Order the Roasted Cauliflower as an App or entree. Delicious! Wonderful food, great service.

An amazing experience, as always. This time we did the special Valentines Day prix fixe menu, and it did not disappoint. Lobster bisque was excellent - not as thick as I'm used to but it had all of the depth of flavor. The red beet risotto was surprisingly amazing. My fiance had the golden beet carpaccio and branzino with couscous. The fish was just as good as what you would get any any of the high end seafood restaurants downtown. And the wine pairings were phenomenal! Alpana has yet to disappoint.

Was nice valentines date

The food took a very long time; my partners dish came cold.

It was fun seeing Alpana Singhgh in the restaurant.

New menu has improved the offerings and the execution is much better than when we were there last. Special wine offerings are a real value and outstanding. Given the owner's background, the winelist is a real star here! Noticed Ms. Singh in the restaurant but she didn't make the rounds. The truly best of the best have owners that are out and about watching every detail. That touch would definitely elevate the place from very good to outstanding.

The very least of what is expected of Arpana.

I t was a bad night for the restaurant and today the manager explained why. We have gone there before and enjoyed it. I would recommend it to people.

First time here. Staff is good. We enjoyed our dinners.

The food was actually really good with unique flavors, it was well-prepared, and it was served immediately. The place has an excellent ambiance and the staff was courteous and efficient. My only complaint is that I noted it was my birthday when I reserved the table on Open Table, but the server did not mention it despite the table next to us getting birthday candles and complimentary desserts. We probably should have just mentioned it to him, but most places seem to note special occasions when you mention it in the reservation. Overall, great food though and we will definitely go again.

Our server was very nice. It was Friday so make sure you have reservations. The beef and mashed potatoes was excellent. So tender no knife needed.

One of the dishes was brought out significantly late, everyone at the table waited;was very uncomfortable experience. And no apology or follow up that it would be late or when it would be served.

We went out to Terra an Vine with a couple of friends. We had reservations for 7:15 and were promptly showed to our table. Our server came as soon as she was able to but it was obvious that they were understaffed. The food was good, yet our waiter was not able to even get us wine to go with our dinner until we were in the middle of the main course. I believe she was stretched way to thin. I think management should pay better attention to their staffing needs so their service can be as good as their food.

My wife and I went to T&V on a Saturday night. The host-stand seemed a little disorganized. We had a reservation but got seated not in the main room, but in a multi-purpose room that can be configured for large events. This room was too bright and had a large flat screen projecting a static ad for their event spaces. The overall ambiance was more like Hampton Inn free breakfast than warm and inviting (which the main dining room appeared to be). My appetizer, the pasta fagioli, was bland and pasty. The Mediterranean salad was entree-sized, fresh, and lightly dressed. Both entrees--the pork Milanese and the roast cauliflower--were excellent. The wine list was (as expected) large and full of interesting and affordable options. Our server was excellent. The portions were so large that we had decent amounts of all four dishes to take home. We will come, back but insist on being seated in the main room.

My husband and I had a good time here -- we will come back. Compared with other restaurants we 've eaten in in downtown Evanston, this was a bit pricy for what you got, but still, we had a romantic time and were well treated by our waiter. Loved the creativity of the Cauliflower dish -- very satisfying.

Good menu options

Alpana Singh knows how to set up a restaurant. We love the place, so we're biased. Service is always good and we were delighted that Alpana was working the room and she is always gracious and attentive. Menu is strong and has range of options for most tastes. With Madam Singh in charge the wine list is first rate. Love the place.

Wasn't thrilled that after being seated and told we could close the curtains to the street to ward off the chill that the manager came over and asked us to open them because closing them gave the illusion that the restaurant wasn't open!! The same manager more than redeemed herself when she came chasing into the movie theatre which my wife had left at our table!!

Our server was great, helpful, friendly, everything he was supposed to be!! Food very good, although the dinner menu could stand for a few lighter options (say from the lunch menu) like a sandwich or two. The restaurant is cold (temperature wise) near the front of the room, where we've been seated on our last couple of visits.

This is a great option for before or after a movie at the adjoining theatres, but again, a few lighter entrees, maybe a couple more dessert options, would go a long way.

Maybe since this was Alpana Singh's 3rd restaurant I expected more. The atmosphere was flat, the food was OK but I expected more in the details (this is an italian restaurant and we had to ask for Parmesan which was not grated at the table) , and the service was fair. The restaurant was not bad, it was just ok and I had hoped for more.

Overall I think the food and service was excellent. I do however find the house wine choices way overpriced, a glass of wine for $8-10 should be available. 3 wines represented 40% of the bill for a modest meal!

LOVE dining at Terra and Vine. Our favorite Evanston dining spot

We were in a hurry to get to a movie "upstairs" from the restaurant. Our server, David, got us in and out with our bellies full in plenty of time to see the coming attractions! Food was great, too!

Awesome service! Perfect Tuesday night date with my husband!
I highly recommend the mussels and Italian wine.
Thanks Gio!

Dinner with our son was last minute on a Monday evening, and we had one hour to squeeze between studying and an evening meeting! He is a foodie and we all wanted delicious meals for our highly different tastes. Each dish was as described and altered as requested. The calamari was crisp and fresh. The pizza appetizer with authentic mozzarella and arugula, was fresh, light and delicious. The boneless pork chop with mashed potatoes was huge, and perfectly seasoned and cooked. The seafood linguine (requested without garlic) was perfectly seasoned and light on the pasta. The service was excellent. We were able to have wonderful conversation and squeeze in this precious time together, while enjoying a wonderful dinner.

Nothing terribly exciting on the menu. Hum drum.

The food has always been excellent, but we've gone here less than we might have because the service has been spotty. It seems they've finally solved that problem-- the last three times we've been to Terra & Vine the service has been excellent. Add to that the superb wine list and the convenient location in downtown Evanston near the train station and the movie theaters, and the result is a five-star review!

Have been to Terra and Vine a number of times. It is wonderful: ambience, food, service and wine list. Highly recommend!

We were hosting some guests from Germany and we all went to Terra and Vine. There were 6 of us and we all thought the food was terrific. The service was very good too... very attentive but not invasive... just right! We had already been there several times before and we'll definitely be back!

We had a quiet setting to help us celebrate a birthday. The food was unusually superb. The service was attentive but never overbearing. We intend to return.

We've been here several times. The wine is rather overpriced for the vintages offered. Choices good to fair. Main dishes were generous and not skimpy servings as some others. OssoBucco was excellent (special). Short ribs excellent. Vegetable sides rather limited. Mussels as appetizer nicely presented with a baked bread topping. Sauce was very tasty. We like to dine here pre or post theater at the Cinemark.

The food was very good. Nice variety of small and larger plates, vegetarian and not. Waiter was helpful in assuring we made it to our movie, despite narrow window for meal.

Great atmosphere, exceptional staff, incredible pasta!

Service was super friendly and efficient but unfortunately the food was just average.
Both (my wife's and mine) main dishes were bland and under-seasoned.

We went here for a New Year's Eve dinner. The food was fine, pear salad especially tasty. Our waitress was excellent, funny and great service for working on a holiday. It is especially convenient if going to the movie next door potentially inclement weather.

NYE dinner. Excellent food. Not too loud. Fun for good friends!

Whatever the occasion or special event, T & V always delivers with specials entrees. A treat to dine in a restaurant that cares about food and service

Our dinners were very good, but the service and ambience were nothing special. Convenient, though, if you’re going to the Century Theatre next door. But overall, a bit disappointing.

One of the few fine restaurants open on Christmas Eve, Terra & Vine was congested, so service was slower than on previous occasions. Our well-meaning server was apologetic and the kitchen was churning as best they all could. Impressively, our server's colleagues assisted and served us when they could find time, just as he helped them. Nice to see solid teamwork.

The branzino was sauteed just right, with asparagus, and the pappardelle was toothsome and sauced perfectly. Both were served warm, so nothing was sitting at the kitchen counter waiting to be served.

We sat at a two-top right next to a pillar, which facilitated our conversation while lessening the buzz from the crowded room.

My mother and I went to Terra & Vine for Christmas Eve dinner, and I think they must have run into some holiday scheduling issues, because while our server was personable, it took a very long time for our drinks and food to arrive. I had to send a glass of wine back because I still think they poured chardonnay instead of the special, and when the food did arrive, it was bland and underseasoned.
The location and decor are nice and it's fun to watch families on Christmas Eve, but the food should take center stage. Terra & Vine is supposed to have a good reputation, and I have been there on previous occasions and enjoyed it, but this visit was subpar.