Against the Grain Restaurant Review: There are wine bars and there are brewpubs, but it takes a certain twisted sensibility to combine the two. The owners of East Village wine bar Grape and Grain are trying just that with Against the Grain. Abutting Grape and Grain, think of it as a masculine counterpoint to its feminine neighbor. Hang out at the communal table in the middle and enjoy the upscale pub grub. The messy beer-steamed peel ‘n’ eat shrimp is a go-to dish but the true spirit of the place is best represented by the beer sausages --- a selection of three different porcine permutations --- as well as a juicy manchego cheese and salami sandwich. These meaty snacks nicely complement the wide selection of microbrews. Organized from light to dark on the menu, they run the gamut from Wexford Cream Ale and Sixpoint Bengali Tiger IPA all the way to Left Hand Sawtooth Ale and a Scottish brew called Old Engine Oil. Not to worry --- it tastes better than the real thing. |
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