Vertical Wine Bistro: User Reviews

Vertical missed the mark.
By Chaseme from Pasadena, July 9, 2008

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This place would have been a great concept but the decor and name are unfortunately the best parts of this otherwise lackluster wine bistro.
While the cuisine is well intenioned, $15 for two mushy prawns that were obviously previously frozen and served with little or no sauce, is not my idea of good food.
Some of the food could actually be good if it were actually available. In the three times I tried this place they were out of more than three items on the menu.
Another issue is that if a place is going to be called VERTICAL then you should have vertical tastings or bottles on your list. A vertical selection is when you offer a range of vintages from the same producer of the same wine. (i.e. 1997-2001 Paul Hobbs Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet.) You can't just call the place Vertical becaue it is upstairs.
Finally the worst part about this place is the lack luster service. On several occassions the staff serving the wine have had little or no idea of the wines available or the ability to discuss their attributes. While sitting at the bar one evening I even had an incompetent bar tender improperly open a bottle of red and spray wine drops across the bar and on to sleeve of my white shirt.
I say let this place die and be resurrected by people who are actually passionate about wine, food, and good service not just going through the motions.

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