The Grape Escape

kittaaaay! nuff said.

First, I'm a fan.  The standard Yelp ambience choices don't really fit.  Miss Kitty and her Grape Escape aren't like anyone or anywhere else in town.  They're better!

The current location, about four blocks from the previous location is about three times the size and in a much better buildng.  The renovation of this space for the new Grape Escape is a rousing success.  The bar munu, while limited yielded some unusually tasty wraps, nicely sliced, seasoned, and presented.  On my most recent visit, Friday Nov 2, 2012, Miss Kitty wasn't there.   Her personality is larger than life, as is her fashion sense (in a good way) and she doesn't exactly blend into the woodwork.   If she's there, you know it.  So, food was excellent, beer selections very good, two bartenders and one helper all very nice, and the music (guitarist/singer with drummer) was fun and festive.  

Hours anyhwere in Galena are limited in winter, so it may be good to call ahead.  Today, Nov. 6, the hours posted on the door said open Noon to 1am on Tuesdays, but as I stood outside at 4pm, the door was locked, the lights were off, and nobody was inside.   I stood there with my pathetic hangdog look for a bit, and decided I'd come back another day.

I don't get the hype.  Perhaps we came on an off night.   I found the staff to be somewhat rude and it seemed like they didn't feel like working that night. My husband and I went there for drinks after dinner at Cannova's and our waitress basically tossed two menus on the table and said 'Martini and wine list' or something like that.  She was not very friendly and none of the other staff seemed very friendly either. Per the previous reviews, I expected a fun, friendly atmosphere and didn't feel that at all.  Miss Kitty was at the bar the whole time drinking with her friends and taking them to the wine room to show off various bottles of whatever.  It seemed strange that the owner would be doing that and not interacting with all the patrons (again what it seemed like in other reviews).

Overall, it just seemed like your typical bar.  Nothing special.