Is there anything better than a good grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup? Bites Wine and Grilled Cheese Bar does them both just right, with a bit of a gourmet twist.
The second you walk in, you're struck by the quirky, re-purposed vibe of the charming downtown house. The thing I like best about restaurants like this is how they make the most of an older building with outdoor seating and bright, cheerful decor.
Courtesy of Bites Wine and Grilled Cheese Bar
ADDRESS: 105 South King Street | Leesburg, VA
PARKING: free surface lot behind the restaurant
WEBSITE: Bites Wine and Grilled Cheese Bar
We sat down with manager Jess to talk about why Bites is a must-try Leesburg destination.
"Bites is unique because it combines some of your favorite childhood meals with adult favorites like wine and sangria." she explained with a laugh. "The cozy atmosphere really captures the feeling of downtown Leesburg."
Weekly specials include $2 Mimosas on Sundays, a half-priced bottle of sparkling wine on Saturdays, bingo and trivia nights, paint and sip nights, wine school, and many more! Check their Facebook page for updates and announcements.
Here's what we tried:
A Flight of Sangrias
Ranging from classic sangria to exotic mixes like Lychee and White Peach versions, this little flight takes you on quite a whirlwind trip. With both red and white wines making an appearance, anyone who likes sangria will find something to sip. My favorite was the White Peach.
The Hogback Grilled Cheese
Both sweet and savory, this sandwich mixes five cheeses with bacon and apple butter on sliced sourdough bread. Delicious!
The Ramon Grilled Cheese
This sandwich was our favorite of the bunch. The spicy jalapeño cheddar bread and creamy guacamole provided a unique base for the house cheese blend and pico de gallo.
The Hamilton Grilled Cheese
Smooth, sweet fig spread goes beautifully with the Gruyère, Fontina, and Brie in this gorgeous sandwich. Served on grilled cranberry walnut bread, it's definitely one to try.
Tomato Bisque
This classic soup was the perfect zesty counterpoint to all of the rich, melty sandwiches. Simply prepared with a sprinkling of cheese, it was a delicious, timeless pairing.
Charcuterie
There's a little bit of everything on the charcuterie board, including wedges of Gouda, and craggy shards of Pecorino Romano. Fruit is provided to cut the saltiness of the chorizo, Virginia ham, and capocollo slices. Everything is served with a dollop of sweet fig spread and grilled bread.
Who would like Bites Wine and Grilled Cheese Bar?
I can't shake the feeling that ladies would really love a meal at Bites. My first thought was that I have to get my sisters back here for a day of antiquing and sangria as soon as possible.
That said, the day we were there, several families came in for casual lunches and I could even see coming here for a daytime date. Basically, anyone who loves cheese, wine, or grilled cheese sandwiches would be delighted with a meal at Bites.
*All photos in this article are by Tony or Sarina Petrocelly unless credited otherwise.
Have you ever been to Bites? What are your favorite dishes? Let us know in the comments below!