Let's Eat: La Vigne

The idea started out as a simple one.

Lisa VanSickle wanted to create a restaurant that she and her husband would love to go to. So last May they opened La Vigne French Bistro and Wine Bar, at 4921 E. Ray Road.

Over the course of the year, however, the restaurant became a project VanSickle found she could constantly improve upon.

"The more I do this and the more I talk to people, the more exciting everything becomes," VanSickle said. "I can't stop doing research and trying new things. On my days off, I cook and work on things."

This week, La Vigne is rolling out a revamped menu, including six new lunch crepes, a lamb burger, a crab burger and a paté sandwich. For dinner, La Vigne is introducing monk fish, which has the same flavors and texture as lobster at half the price, wrapped in bacon and served with a lobster sauce.

"I like to continuously rework the food and the menus to keep things fresh and interesting," VanSickle said. "I think we can always better ourselves."

It took VanSickle six months to perfect their new frog legs, which will be offered as an appetizer. She said she had to make sure her kitchen staff would be able to make them quickly and to perfection, because there's a difference between making one meal and bringing it to the kitchen to duplicate that.

VanSickle said her staff loves the challenge.

The restaurant has also brought live jazz players in from 8 to 11 p.m. They are trying to offer live entertainment in the restaurant every night, because, VanSickle said, "Nothing goes better with jazz than a glass of wine."

La Vigne has expanded its wine menu and now offers about 80 wines by the glass. The restaurant's happy hour is from 3 to 7 p.m. daily and offers 50 percent off all wines by the glass, beer and well drinks, as well as 25 percent off appetizers.

The restaurant hosts special events, such as a wine tasting every Tuesday beginning at 7 p.m., participants can try five varietals from different countries and enjoy food pairings. Cost is $35.

The restaurant also caters, hosts wedding receptions and plans to "pull out all the stops" for its Mother's Day buffet.

For more information, call (480) 785-4791 or visit www.lavignebistro.com.