Behind a humble downtown storefront on 6th Street, a wine bar has been quietly turning date nights into Grants Pass traditions. 🍷
The Twisted Cork pairs an Oregon-heavy wine list with a menu of salmon, steak, pasta, and flatbreads.
Locals return for the glass pours, the sticky toffee finale, and the feeling of being treated like a regular.
How The Twisted Cork won Grant Pass’ hearts
The Twisted Cork opened in November 2011, and it was created by two local couples, Walt and Leanne Eaton and Mike and Beth Forshay.
Their idea was simple: build a locally owned restaurant that treats regional wine like the main character.
Today, the restaurant is known for a cellar of around 800 bottles from the Pacific Northwest, and sixteen wines are poured by the glass or in flights.
That makes it a true Southern Oregon wine bar for anyone who wants to taste the region one sip at a time.
The menu has its own charm, with American and Mediterranean-inspired dishes like soups, salads, pastas, flatbreads, and entrees built to match the pours. 🍽️
Then comes dessert, and the sticky toffee pudding cake sprinkled with sea salt has become the sweet signature that people ask about first. 🍮
Locals also love the menu’s seasonal changes, since the entrees rotate and every visit can feel a little different.
The result is a Grants Pass restaurant where the wine list draws you in, and the food gives you a reason to stay for another glass.
Food Highlights
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Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi: Mahi mahi with a macadamia nut crust, finished with a coconut milk and ginger sauce and served with crisp-tender bok choy. 🥥
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Pan Seared Salmon: Pan-seared salmon with a choice of ginger glaze or beurre blanc, served with rice pilaf or garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. 🐟
- Brisket: Slow-cooked brisket with a rich sauce, real mashed potatoes, and roasted Brussels sprouts.
- Mama Mia Flatbread: Fresh mozzarella, oven-roasted tomatoes, roasted garlic, spinach, and grilled chicken, finished with aged balsamic and basil pesto.
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16 oz Ribeye: A 16-ounce ribeye topped with blue cheese butter and served with cheesy potato mash and vegetables. 🥩
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Salmon Burger: A pan-seared salmon patty with dill aioli, red onions, lettuce, and tomato on a brioche bun, served with a house salad.
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Creamy Alfredo Linguini: Linguini in Alfredo sauce with sautéed mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and fresh spinach, topped with Parmesan cheese. You can add chicken, salmon, or shrimp.
- Chicken and Gnocchi: Chicken served with homemade gnocchi.
Atmosphere
The Twisted Cork feels like a cozy neighborhood wine bar, with a modest storefront that hides a lively, welcoming dining room. 🍷
Guests describe warm service and a relaxed, polished feel. Minors are not allowed inside, but they and pets are welcome on the patio in warmer months.
Reservations are limited, so plan for a short wait at busy times.
Bottom Line
Go for the Oregon wine list, the fresh salmon, the ribeye, the gluten-free options, and the warm service that makes a first visit feel like coming home. 🍾
Address:
210 SW 6th Street, Grants Pass, OR 97526
📞 (541) 295-3094
🕚 Open Tue–Fri, 11 AM–8 PM; Sat, 3–8 PM (closed Sun & Mon)