Come For the Wine at Bin 48, Stay for the Food

BIN 48 WINE BAR AND GRILLE

Where: 24204 W. Lockport St.

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to midnight Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday

Information: 815-733-5212

Reservations: Taken for parties of six or more.

Wine and sangria enthusiasts will want to check out this gem of a spot that not only has great wines but serves one of the best spinach and artichoke dips I've ever tasted.

Upon walking up to the front door of Bin 48 Wine Bar and Grille, one immediately begins to feel a sense of walking into someone's home. Perhaps it's the welcome mat or the grapevine wreath that adorns the door or the exterior that is an actual  facade of a home. Either way, Bin 48's atmosphere is certainly inviting.

Located in downtown Plainfield, with its own adjacent convenient parking lot, this charmingly decorated restaurant gives you choice of dining inside or afresco on the outside deck. Be prepared for an upscale-yet-relaxed dining experience.

If you're lucky enough to dine on Wine-Down Wednesday, as we did, you're in for an extra special treat as selected wines and sangrias are discounted. We are talking $2 for fairly large glasses of white or red. Our group of course couldn't resist the prices and was delighted by the quality.

Cozy tables with a wine themed decor are the main event. The good sized bar area and a front room that looks out onto the street are cozy and private but we opted for the outdoor deck. Our group was met by friendly staff who attended us well and answered our many questions.

We inquired about their signature dishes and were told about the tempting "Baked Brie To Die For" and the Margarita chicken. Both have fun, unusual names and lived up to their praises.

The Margarita chicken is served on two marinated chicken skewers accompanied by a small, salt-rimed bowl of sauce and limes. The presentation is fantastic and I would recommend using all of the ingredients to "dress up" your meal. We enjoyed this dish but couldn't taste the marinade flavor. That was OK by me as the citrus dipping sauce is the star here. The brie was as the name implied and then some; heavenly to be sure.

The spinach and artichoke dip was amazing -- the recipe combined fresh fennel and garlic, cheeses, artichoke hearts and spinach. Served with herbed pita toast points, this dish was hands down the favorite. The creamy-yet-substantial texture of the dip was a nice complement to the ingredients.

Serving plates and dishes are colorful, hand-painted Italian pottery, which added to the chic atmosphere and enhanced the dining experience.

The wide variety of options is the big surprise here: burgers, steaks, pork chops, pork sandwiches, chicken, pasta and fresh fish are the "big plate" entrees and range from $12 to $25. Small plates include hummus, bruschetta, portabella mushrooms, shrimp, ceviche, roasted vegetables and pork riblets with barbecue or Asian sesame sauce. Small plates run from $5 to $10.

Salads, soups and sides such as double baked potatoes and herb rice are also available.

The creamy tomato soup and grilled cheese also struck a chord with those at our table. For dessert, we tried the bar sampler and especially loved the lemon bars.

Wines include Rose, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandels, Malbec, Shiraz, Syrah and Petit Syrah. Glasses are priced from $6 to $12. There are also 60-plus wines served by the bottle, or opt for a flight of four wines for $16. (A full range of beers and mixed drinks can be ordered as well.)

A nifty feature is that sealed wine bag customers can use to bring home unfinished wine to be enjoyed later.

All and all,  we'd go back to Bin 48 Wine and Bar Grille. The atmosphere is pleasant and relaxing and the food quality and variety to our liking as were the many wine options. A children's menu is offered, although this is not a place to bring the tiny tots for a family dinner. Save this place for an evening with your significant other, a girl's night out or beers with the guys.

Stan the Piano man entertains on the back deck from 8 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Sarah Adamson reviews restaurants for plainfield.patch.com. Contact her at Sarah@SarahsBackstagePass.com.