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LAKE ZURICH – A charming local wine bar has a new location off West Main Street, just west of South Rand Road in Lake Zurich. Bacchus Nibbles is zany just in its name – the perfect place for a new adventure. The restaurant has been in the area for about two decades, formerly in Kildeer.
My date and I decided to be spontaneous on a rainy Wednesday evening. Neither of us are wine connoisseurs, but we can typically agree on a nice bottle of red.
It was quiet around 6 p.m. – a couple of dinner dates and some friends gathering for after-work drinks. There were several appetizer specials.
Bacchus Nibbles has a lengthy wine menu and the food is just as intriguing. Our waitress brought us some bread and butter as we ordered some 'Bacchus Famous Escargots' and 'Ratatouille Provencal.'
As far as escargot is concerned, this dish topped the charts. The snails came baked in garlic butter and paired will with a fresh loaf of bread.
The ratatouille was a seasonal delicacy. Perfectly roasted eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, herbs, garlic and onion hit the spot.
It was calm in the dining area and the waitress was very attentive. Racks of wine brought an Italian vibe to the experience. We enjoyed quiet conversation, tucked away in comfort, away from the outdoor traffic.
Placing our dinner order, my date had a hard time deciding between duck and lamb. He went with four lamb chops, marinated in garlic and herbs. I chose the chicken kebabs with vegetables and rice.
Both dishes were more than enough food. The meat was tender; the veggies – delicious. I even tried a bit of lamb and didn't run for the hills.
A few daily specials caught my eye, like tuna steak and scallop dishes.
Situated in a strip mall, we went into Bacchus Nibbles with low expectations and left completely satisfied.
It would be hard to label Bacchus Nibbles' cuisine as French, Italian, Asian, American...there's simply a little bit of everything, which is good for first-time diners. There's no doubt that we will return to try something new.
Other notable menu items included goat cheese phyllo, shrimp salads, Shepherd's pie, beef tenderloin schnitzel, ravioli, grilled fish and steaks.
If you go
Where: 800 W. Main St., Lake Zurich
Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday and Monday; 11:30 a.m. to midnight Tuesday to Saturday
Dress code: Casual
Info: Call 847-438-3212 for information.