Page 91 - LVGL Summer 2019

Great food and drink on a familiar
Summerlin street

STORY BY ROBERT GOURLEY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY
COLLEEN CHALMERS OF GIGGLE BOX PHOTOGRAPHY

rape Street is an avenue familiar to many of folks. The
semi-new location at Downtown Summerlin is popu-
Glar with the upscale crowd that visits the expansive bar
area. The creative Italian/Mediterranean menu is constantly being
enhanced and improved.

John McKibben who practiced his craft at Carlucci’s for many years,
created the original Grape Street at Lake Mead near Buffalo 19 years
ago. The current location is a place where you can spend time with
friends and family. The rustic atmosphere, reminiscent of a wine cellar,
is awash with bright hues and inspiring slight lines. You can’t miss the
huge wine wall occupying most of the middle section of the room.
It begins at the top of the bar and rises to the decorative open-beam
ceilings. Hundreds of bottles of various vintages reside there and the
selection will astound you. If you want to sit outside and people watch,
invest some time in the large patio area that fills quickly when the
weather is right.

General Manager Bob Merf, a UNLV graduate, is involved with
just about every aspect of the operation and likes to interact with the
customers, and loves to honor requests regarding food and beverage.
Most people don’t know that Grape Street also has a retail wine license,
so patrons can order a bottle or a few cases of their favorite vintages at
competitive prices. If you are in the mood for only one selection, they
feature 45 wines by the glass, a huge list not found in too many places
in the valley.

When it comes time for food, consider ordering from the appetizer
fare. Many people enjoy Burrata with prosciutto, asparagus and roasted
red peppers immersed in 18-year old truffle oil. New Zealand Mussels
are another favorite, served with a choice of marinara or white wine
sauce, plus parmesan cheese. A tapas plate loaded with roasted garlic,
Greek meatballs, roasted vegetables, goat cheese cigars and Kalamata
olives is great for sharing.

The prices are reasonable, with sandwiches priced at $13. I sampled a
sumptuous grilled chicken and Emmenthaler Swiss sandwich, accented
with smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion and roasted red pepper
mayo. The gooey cheese, named after a town in Switzerland, has a

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