Library Wine Bistro - Wallingford

Very cool interior. They really need some noise damping though, it was hard to hear across our 2 person table. Johnnie, our waiter, was great. Food was good but there was nothing refined or subtle about it. Huge servings, quite good just not great. Where I really felt it fails though is as a wine bar . The selection by the glass was not tiny, but pretty much every glass was incredibly generic boring low end (see photo). Absolutely nothing I would actually want to drink with a steak. The Merlot is 18 bottle retail. The cabernet is 23. Both very mediocre. By the bottle at least there were a few that I would drink, despite only a page and a half long list. But for example put that Barolo on the by the glass list, and then I would expect something higher end by the bottle! Also, for a wine bar no vintages listed? So complete fail on the wine aspect.

The interior of the Library was early 30s. Ornate railings, staircases and balconies. The columns and the coffered ceilings were impressive. The menu was diverse and very appealing. The service was outstanding and very attentive, the only draw back was the noise. From the moment we entered the noise overpowered any conversation we attempted to have. With live music in the main dinning room it was virtually impossible to speak and be understood. If I were to make a recommendation it would be to attempt to tone down the sound vibration and not have live music in between the bar and main dinning area.

This was our 2nd experience at the library recently and it did not go as well as we expected. My wife's medium rare steak was cold on the inside and my rear steak was crispy/charcoaled on the outside. On a good note our waitress was extremely professional and the management was more than willing to compensate us for all the inconvenience.

Updated: Finding a magical place to dine is different for each person and can involve many things a view, a location, a Chef, a type of cuisine, whether there is live music jazz, rock, a solo classical pianist, or a good soundtrack a favorite table, dish or ambience. This Mediterranean restaurant is now one of mine. Interior design, seating, food, drinks, service and appeal are all exceptional. Truly wish I lived closer. Some notes about our dinner: Our house cocktails, The Librarian and Dancing with the devil, were mixed perfectly and had good pours. My gin martini was filled to the brim with rejuvenating cold components and fresh mint. The waiter walked very carefully to our table to set it down without spilling a drop. The whiskey drink with amaro and honey plays the bitter liqueur with the sweet nectar in a pleasing way. It 's a serious concoction meant to be savored. We shared an appetizer on the regular tapas menu, steak crostini, which is sublime with its mushroom gorgonzola cream sauce, balsamic reduction and herbs, tender charred medium rare beef and a robust bread that still gives a crunchy bite despite its creamy bed. Both entrées were magnificent. Chicken Paillard, a favorite of our waiter 's, Ryan, had a good portion size with two chicken breasts that are breaded and pan fried, with capers, artichoke, garlic and a lemon cream sauce. It 's served with well made mashed potatoes and green beans, the latter not being tough and under done which is common these days. Everything was properly seasoned. A special, a braised lamb shank in panko with red wine au jus, carrots, spinach and tomato served on parmesan polenta was melt in your mouth tender, warm and inviting with the many flavors melding in every forkful. Only thing that could have been better was if the shank was bigger so there was more of it. Cappuccino with Amaretto came in a nice big cup with the right amount of foam. The double espresso was smooth and hot served with the traditional lemon twist on the side.

Dined for the first time at The Library with a party of 9 for a birthday dinner. The restaurant has a very nice ambience and the building definitely has Library charm. We were seated in the upstairs loft area above the bar. There was plenty of room for us and the other 4 parties that came in after us. The food was great and everyone enjoyed it. There were three orders of the short rib entree, a rib-eye dinner, scallop plate and a salmon dish. One great commodity was the option to substitute sides with little or no extra cost! The kiddos had chicken tenders and fries and there was plenty to take home! Overall a great dining experience and we will return to try other menu items.