Now open: Crouser, McLoughlin reopen Vine Expressions in Gilbert

Vine Expressions, a wine bar and retail store that closed six months ago in Gilbert Town Square, reopened today under the new leadership of Brandon Crouser and John McLoughlin.

If the names sound familar, they should. Crouser’s locally focused, fine-dining fare has been featured at Atlas Bistro, Crudo and Avalon. McLoughlin is one of Arizona’s best-known winemakers, doing double duty at Jerome Winery and Bitter Creek.

John Betz, who managed AZ Wine while Crouser cooked next door at Atlas, also is aboard as general manager and wine director.

The trio have limited Vine Expression’s retail displays to a side wall, as well as a section of the back wall where Arizona wines are featured.

The additional space has been filled with more comfortable sofas, lounge chairs and tables, a la Postino or The Living Room.

The new wine list features 21 selections by the glass ($7-$12), five from Arizona, along with another 16 options on the reserve list. Eight of 14 beers, cans or bottles only (most $4), are from Arizona.

It’s the food menu, though, where the changes are most significant. Where the former owners offered just cheese plates, Crouser – who calls his new place “an Arizona bistro” – puts together a daily lunch menu of a half-dozen dishes featuring local produce.

Opening-day choices included Seacat Gardens wild arugula with Saba-poached pears, Black Mesa Ranch goat cheese tart and curry candied almonds ($12) and in-season mussels in a Maya’s Farm mint coconut sauce ($14).

The dinner menu, which Crouser expects to change weekly, boasts five appetizers, five cold plates and five hot plates, such as slow-roasted pork carnitas Napolean ($12), a killer dish Crouser borrows from former Atlas kitchen mate Carlos Manriquez.

Valley pastry chef extraordinaire Tracy Dempsey provides the desserts.

Crouser plans to debut a Sunday brunch menu Sept. 11 that will be anchored by a build-your-own-crepes station. He’s also planning a retail case of local cheeses and charcuterie.

The trio is looking at other Valley cities for more Vine Expressions locations.

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