Vino Volo

My husband and I knew that we would have a random day during the week off (Thursday), and decided about 2 months out that we would go to Food, Wine & Co. in Bethesda, because they have all day happy hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  We traveled from NoMa to Bethesda just to go to this place and when we arrive we learned that they no longer offered the all day happy hour (even though it was still advertised on their website)!  Well, not only did they not have the all day happy hour, but the menu (that was also online), was not available anymore.  I had been really looking forward to this place, and basically starved myself all day so that I could enjoy all the yummy things they had to offer. Needless to say I was extremely unhappy, and after my husband finished his beer, we hurriedly left to go find somewhere else to enjoy our afternoon off.  Here is where Vino Volo comes in...

We were walking around aimlessly looking for a place we had not been before in Bethesda and quickly because I was about to eat my purse strap.  Ta Da!  Vino Volo!  Something about this place from the sidewalk just lured us in and I quickly fell in love.  We walked up to the bar to ask if they were open (they were! and they were about to start their happy hour in 20 mins!)  The guy behind the bar, Mike, was so sweet and quickly lightened my mood.  Of course I was friendly to him from the get-go, but I think he had a sixth sense about the disaster and frustrating situation we just left, and made us feel welcome.  
He gave us a great spot outside (per our request because it was a gorgeous day).  He brought out our wine flights (amazing deal for happy hour), and we dove in after he explained them to us.  The wind had started to pick up, so we hesitantly asked to be moved inside, and he said "no problem, I wouldn't want your wine to blow away".  He sat us at the prime window spot inside, and we then placed our food order.  I believe I ordered everything on the menu (not really, but I could have in the hunger state I was in).  And he joked around with us, and just made our time there wonderful.  He was also so sweet and put in our orders at the start of happy hour, instead of the 20 minutes earlier (when we actually arrived), so that we could get the happy hour prices.  
He was fantastic!  
The wine was so delicious.  I did the Spanish wine flight, and my husband did a red wine flight, and then I also did a sparkling wine flight.  From what I recall, the wine flights were half price during happy hour!  What?!  Jackpot!
The food was so yummy. We both had big eyes, and ordered a big salad with fruit, pork tacos, a small cheese platter, the house olives, truffle popcorn and my husband ordered a sandwich.  We were delightfully stuffed when we left and glad that we went to this place.

We do not usually go to "chains", actually we avoid them as much as possible.  You would never see me in a Roti, and I only grab a Starbucks when I cannot get to a local coffee shop, so we were bummed to find out that Vino Volo has MANY locations.  With that said, we would probably revisit this place after we try other places in Bethesda/DC.  We are so glad that we ended up here and not Food, Wine and Co. (I feel like that place is a little over-hyped...it is not that impressive).  
I would definitely recommend trying Vino Volo, especially with the amazing staff at the Bethesda location.  The food is fresh, the wine is delicious and the atmosphere invites you in.  
For me to give 4 stars to a chain must say something about the quality of this place.

Other locations:
  Baltimore, MD
   Bethesda, MD
   Boston, MA
   Cincinnati, OH
   Dallas, TX
   Denver, CO
   Detroit, MI
   New York, NY
   Newark, NJ
   Oakland, CA
   Orange County, CA
   Philadelphia, PA
   Sacramento, CA
   Salt Lake City, UT
   San Antonio, TX
   San Francisco, CA
   Seattle, WA
   Vancouver, BC
   Washington, DC

We did the flights of wine for California Kings and International reds. the California reds were better in my opinion. The Salads were a bit small but served in cool bowls. The wait staff was very good and attentive.

Just got back from a lovely end to my Friday evening.  The finance and I were driving through Bethesda and saw this wine shop/restaurant in the heart of town.  We decided it was the perfect way to spend our summer evening.  The ambiance of this shop is wonderful for both groups and smaller parties.  We had no trouble finding a spot on the "patio" and they even allowed us to have our small dog at our table.  They even gave him some water when they provided us with ours.  
The menu has both tapas portions and "large" regular dinner portions.  There is a separate menu for wines, including flights of three, glasses and bottles you can purchase to drink now or take home for later.  Half of the restaurant is a cellar where you can purchase bottles.  
We were excited to be able to try so many different wines with the flight options so that's what we went with.  We were not disappointed.  The wines were brought out on a tasting sheet, describing them, which was helpful in understanding what we were drinking.  The prices were also on there for the bottles should we decide to purchase one later.  We also got some meats and manchego cheese which paired well with our selections.  We were so impressed with the accompaniments on the board, a fig jam, stone ground mustard, cranberries and almonds.  The Virginia ham was sliced so thin, it was delicious!  
The wines themselves were great and sitting there tonight was the perfect way to start my evening.  Service was prompt, helpful and always pleasant.  We definitely will be back when we're in Bethesda.