Unwined

The food was great. The only issue I had was it took a long time to get it. But being in the industry as long as I have I understand that in order to get great food fresh made there then it’s going to be a longer wait. I enjoyed my salad pizza it was perfectly dressed and just enough of everything. the décor inside is pretty and it’s a nice local place with local people I like that. i’ll try the crab cakes next time!

Unfortunately, this is an example of lost identity. Claiming to be a wine bar/​bistro, I found it to be neither. My expectation was for this establishment to be a more upscale, intimate atmosphere with a more vintage feel and a menu to match. The décor was like somebody went to homegoods and home Depot to throw this place together. The menu was lack luster and poorly constructed (who is going to a wine bar for wings and nachos???) and again was all over the place with very little in terms of bistro style fair. (Traditionally, bistros were small quaint eateries/​cafes of European origin that focused more on small inspired dishes to compliment the flavors of the region). There were a few things on the menu that my wife and I thought we would try, but ended up leaving prior to getting food…20 minutes for a bruschetta appetizer was as long as I was going to wait for a cold starter.
Stay away from the martini page, the martini my wife got was ill conceived and definitely not created by an experienced bartender or mixologist (using bottled pineapple juice, chambord, and cheap vodka creates a brown murky martini that they float a lime wedge in and call it a Flirtini, but not before giving it a granulated sugar rimmer). Try 1.5oz of Pineapple infused vodka, .5oz Dekuyper Razz, .5oz Cointreau liqueur, .5oz cranberry juice, splash of fresh lime juice, shake and strain into a pink sand sugar rimmed glass (sand sugar are larger crystals and used in baking for pastries to reflect light… they sparkel).
The place was empty except for a small party and 3 older people sitting at the bar… the kicker to signal this is not the place to be, was the acoustic singer who started playing country… at a wine bar whom claims to be a bistro. At least we can say we tried and crossed this place off the list.
Cheers!

Awful.
Took close to an 1 ½ hours to get our food and it was mediocre at best.
There were only 3 – 4 tables being occupied so it’s not like they were over their heads.
My mind is completely blown as to how wrong this experience was.
Did I mention how awful it was?

Stopped in on my way to Ruby Tuesday and I’m so glad I did. One of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a while and I dine out 3 – 4 times a week. I’ll be back soon!

I eat here often because the food and service is exemplary. Every meal I’ve had had been cooked to my exact specifications and served fast and with a smile. I’ll definitely be back!

Recently started becoming a regular, love the intimacy of the place. Great choices and variety of entertainment. Food is great. Gorgonzola bistro burger with mushrooms and onions as good as any burger around. We have also had the chicken and broccoli, calamari, and lobster ravioli, all excellent. Food is make fresh and from scratch and it shows. Friendly efficient staff. Its a great place eat, drink and to relax in a welcoming place.

Food and music was fantastic as always.
Newer staff may take a while to bring to speed. We had to clear our own plates after it was sitting in front of us for an hour. Other customers noticed and commented to us. Bartender/​waitress said it wasn’t her job.
Also noticed a party of 10 call for a reservation… Sandy should handle the front house calls as this group was being told everything they could to be turned away by the more experienced staff member.
Young girl works her butt off! Cleaning up everything she can.

I was reluctant to try this place after seeing the many negative reviews. A group of us were getting together though and someone suggested Unwined, so why not?
I was pleasantly surprised. The interior has a nice bar area and a decent amount of table seating with a cozy feel. Service was attentive during our visit with our waitress making suggestions on what we should order.
I had the Chicken Mozambique and enjoyed it.
The negative part of our visit was the music. They had live music that evening and it was so loud it was difficult to carry on a conversation even though we were seated at the table furthest away from the performer. It was definitely a drawback as we were all getting together to catch up.
I would definite;y go back and try Unwined again.

This place could be a 5 if the service was better. The bartender/​waitress yet always smiling was lacking the attentiveness. Jason who is the chef was the highlight of our night! The food was amazing! He let us taste a sample of His delicious ravioli with truffle balsamic sauce and took care of us /​connected. And the chourico and pepper pizza was yum! We will be back for the sangria and the food but not for the service. So much potential

Terrible terrible terrible that is all I can say. I am just praying I don’t get sick. We were 6 people and we all sent our food back. They gave us another choice but the food that came out the second time was just as bad. No one was in there and the waitress was M.I.A.

UnWINEd is my go to place. Great food –Shrimp Mozambique –yum! Friendly accommodating staff, relaxing atmosphere. You won’t be sorry.

Unwined is an amazing place. You would never think a restaurant in a mall would be any good but this place is incredible good food excellent staff and very talented live music. You really need to come here. My pizza was excellent

We were excited to try a wine and small plates place in this area as there is really nothing like it around here. When we walked in, we went straight to a pair of open seats at the bar. When we sat down, the bartender came over and told us that we would have to move because those seats were «reserved» for people that were going to be there shortly… we looked up and down the bar and there were no open seats remaining. So we had to get up and sit at the bar table next to the bar. First, reserving seats at the bar is unheard of. It’s a BAR. That’s why there is such things as tables to be reserved. Not bar stools. Not only were we told to get up and move, but we weren’t re-​directed by anyone to another seating area. We should have just left then and taken our business elsewhere.
Against better judgment, we sat down and waited a few minutes for a waitress. Nothing. So we reached back onto the bar to get our own menus. We glanced over the menu and decided that we would just stay for a glass of wine. So, we waited and waited… Finally the waitress came over and took our order. The wine was so-​so, which was disappointing because they have a decent selection. It tasted like it had been open for too long.
Meanwhile, a guest or off-​duty employee (couldn’t tell) was busy going behind the bar and helping themselves to whatever they wanted. The place smelled like cleaning fluid… Enough that we overheard someone mention it when they entered. Oh… And not to mention the people that the bar seats were «reserved» for didn’t arrive until we were leaving… So, looks like we could have sat in the seats and been out by the time the more important guests were coming…
Overall, it was disappointing. As new guests, we should have been treated a little better (reserved bar seats? what?) to ensure our return business… Instead we will never set foot back in there.

I’m surprised by the negative reviews. I’ve been 2 – 3 times. Each time we’ve had great food and excellent service. I really like the chicken mozambique. I haven’t been at a busy time, I don’t know if that’s the difference.

I have now been to Unwined 3 times over the past year. I have a smattering of pro’s and con’s that I’ll highlight below. Overall — worth checking out to make your own opinion. (And I honestly would have been there a few more times than 3 except that I always forget it’s right there in the Swansea Mall) I may seem like I have numerous (and pretty lengthy) cons, but please trust me when I say that this place has major potential with their food and they deserve a chance to make it better. This area has few decent restaurants… (And the atmosphere is lovely)
Pro’s —
1) Overall, really tasty food. I’ve ordered the Chicken Marsala, and twice ordered the steak. The green beans are delightful and so is the butternut squash. My friend ordered (to-​go) the Chicken Parm for her boyfriend at home — it looked AMAZING and the portion of pasta, chicken, sauce, and cheese was enormous. Smelled amazing and the chicken was jsut the right kind of crispy on the edges — I will try that next time, and I’m not generally one to order Chicken Parm as it’s usually just not done well. (what do you want, I’m a foodie)
2) The waitress was lovely (this past week). A younger woman, very friendly, mostly attentive. (However someone needs to tell her how much grenadine goes into a Shirley temple — there was about 2 inches of thick syrup at the bottom of my friends sprite — ick) She was very accommodating and made sure we were happy with our meals. (there were 4 of us dining this most recent time) She got a very nice tip from us.
Con’s —
1) Some of the portions for certain meals are enormous! And some are very tiny. Prices are a touch high here (which I don’t mind for gooood quality good) but when my 2 side items are amazing green beans I want more than 6 of them. And when I request your delicious butternut squash, I’d like more than an itty bitty mini portion that I finish in 4 bites to enjoy. (Give me more reasons to come back and recommend you to others!!)
2) This past visit, myself and 2 other friends each ordered a meal that came with a steak and 2 sides. All of our sides were mixed up with each others (1 had my green beans while the other had my squash, I got fries and mashpotatoes that I didn’t ask for, etc) In additional to once being «fixed» — my steak was swapped with my friends. (He got my medium rare and I got his medium well) But since I had ordered gorgonzola cheese on top of my steak, we couldn’t really swap them and didn’t want to wait for new steaks.
3) Re: the steak dinners listed above — I ordered the steak with 2 sides. ($ 17 + $ 1 for the gorgonzola cheese) My 2 other friends ordered the special — a Surf and Turf. The Surf and Turf turned out to be the EXACT same steak I had (with the 2 sides) plus 2 small baked stuffed shrimp. To order my meal is $ 17, their’s was $ 29!!! (Obviously, they should have asked the price of the special before ordering– whoops! — FYI, meant to be tongue in cheek, as I wouldn’t have asked the price either) So for $ 13 more, all they got was MY meal plus 2 small stuffed shrimp. (which were dry)
**TIP** for Unwined: If you have delicious italian bread & butter to serve your patrons prior to their meal — we shouldn’t have to ask for it. I understand not wanting to waste bread by bringing it automatically to a table of patrons who may not want it — but at the very least please ask us if we’d like some bread to munch on. (each of the 3 times I’ve been to Unwined we had to ask for bread) — it’s just a small detail — but it’s the details that set you apart! (and it is lovely bread)
Overall — I look forward to my next experience there, I may order the Chicken Parm as take-​out some time… I hope they read these reviews and can work on a few things because I see huge potential here. There are just a few common sense issues that need addressing.

*** I am editing this review to include that someone from the establishment did contact me and offer a gift card to make up for the bad experience. She said that the server we had was new, and that the goat cheese was honey goat cheese, which is not what they usually have, and that the server misinterpreted the situation. I told her the gift card would not be necessary, while I do appreciate the effort. I’ll let you all decide what you think.***
I am not at all surprised to find such a low rating for this restaurant. We were ignored at the door on a Monday night with only one table already seated and two people at the bar. I could hear the two waitresses chatting instead of helping customers. Not a big deal if that were the only problem.
Long story short, she forgot about our appetizer and we had to ask a second time. Then, the real issue, I ordered a salad that had goat cheese listed in the description and when it came without goat cheese, our server proceeded to tell me (after checking with the kitchen) that the chef said the goat cheese «didn’t look right» and that he «didn’t want to risk it.» I believe she also used the phrase «better safe than sorry.» WHAT? When we asked if it would be possible to not be charged for the goat cheese, she said that it wasn’t something she could remove the charge for because it is just included in the price of the salad. Odd that it is included in the price but not in the dish itself. We asked for the check.
That’s probably all you need to know.

Such a great, hidden gem. I don’t know what the other reviewers are talking about with poor service and lackluster food. We find that it’s anything but! The husband and I eat here as often as we can. For each of the kids birthdays and then shortly before Christmas, we take a trip to ToysRUs and then head next store to the mall for UnWined. We always sit at the bar since we don’t have the kids. This restaurant is like a haven for the weary in the mall. I love to try their specials. Typically, they are posted on their Facebook page earlier in the day, so I can even check them out (and drool) during the day. But, the menu, while small, has a little bit for everyone.
I’ve only been there during the entertainment once, and it was loud. But that’s expected since it’s a small space. We just found that we talked during breaks between songs and watched whatever sporting event on the TV in the meantime. It may not sound like everyone’s idea of a great time, but it’s perfect for us. Laid back, good food, good service and did I mention the wine? Lengthy and versatile wine list.
Check this place out if you’re looking for a nice meal or you just want another option than a chain restaurant while out shopping.

Atmosphere was good and waitress was friendly. Food was simply ok, rather bland. I had the portuguese steak as my entrée, it was alright, def had better. Fries seemed to be overcooked, on the plate was white boiled rice that was not so good. Sticky and tasteless… One good note was that the steak was cooked properly… Just lacked flavor. Hope with time, this place get’s better. We will give it some needed time to improve and will return sometime in the future. Best of luck!
*02/​25
Owner of unwined contacted me in regards to our experience. She did offer us a refund or a gift card. I did refuse both, as people do have off days. Most of all i truly am impressed as to how the owner is concerned and truly cares about her patrons experience… To the point she actually reaches out to them. That imo says something about her character. As stated above we will return.

This review will obviously be much different than my first! I had a great experience the first time we ate there almost a year ago. I gushed about this place so much my family got me a gift certificate for a xmas gift.
Walked in at 6:15pm, Saturday, July 28^th. The place was dead yet it still took a few seconds for the two servers chatting at the bar to notice us. Although she was friendly, the server basically showed us to the table, dropped two menus and rushed back to her conversation. No «welcome»…no «could I start you with a drink?»…no «let me tell you about the specials»…NOTHING! As we sat ther for a few minutes (I was already aggravated) I noticed an empty salt shaker at our table. Really? Are you too busy to at least take care of the details? Completely turned off by the service we decided to just get up and leave as the server said «ok take care!». Did she care to ask why we were leaving? She was probably thrilled that she had more free time to chit chat with her friend at the bar.
Went right across the hall to Ruby Tuesday. The place was packed! (what a difference) Excellent service and the food was pretty good too!
So what am I going to do with this $ 50 gift certificate??? Honestly, I’ll probably throw it away. I’ll sell it half price to anyone that actually likes this place! I could never give it to anyone I know for the fear of them receiving the same service. NEVER AGAIN.

Unwined seems to be the renegade that stands out in the Swansea Mall business crowd if for nothing more than having broken from the mold of cookie cutter establishments like Ruby Tuesday’s across the way.
And with generally light music, dim lights and live candles flourishing invitingly on top of cleverly designed tables, some might even call it an intimate dining experience. But whatever it is, it’s a welcome haven from the customary annoyances that visiting a mall entail.
Upon entering, it became apparent that Unwined can proffer itself improvement by simply displaying a «Seat Yourself» sign. Running restaurants with a skeleton crew on slow nights is commonplace, but communicating to one’s patrons should always be tantamount. I fleetingly thought that they were closing for the night and so were not accepting more diners. As we took a table, other patrons wandered in, only to gaze about in a haze of nescience for simple direction.
My GF and I sat at the high bar style tables. She complained to me that she seemed to be sitting too low. I think she was just being picky but eh, maybe she was right. Anyway, the tabletops had a cool cork inlay centerpiece that was built down into the middle of the table and covered by a translucent plate upon which sat a quaint live flame.
Très romantique.
Now onto more practical matters:
Bread — Seemed on the fresher side of life: B
Butter — Packet style, but at least it wasn’t terribly hard: C+
Appetizer — Perfectly cooked scallops with excellent flavor: A
Steak — Requested medium rare but arrived closer to alive than dead. More fat than meat and less flavor than average: D–
Rice — Arrived cupped and utterly without adornment or taste: D
Squash — Very tasty but it arrived scald-​your-​tongue-​hot: B–
Wine — Less Bordeaux and Tuscans than I would have expected at a placed boasting the word «wine» in it’s very name: C
Price — In keeping with the overall quality of the food.
Ambiance — Excellent, except when the vocals of Britney Spears and Lady Gaga burst forth from the speakers to emphasize just how markedly they stand in stark contrast with the overall ambiance.
The burning question: Will we return?
Probably not.