I agree they both have pluses and minuses. I prefer Grapeseed and my husband prefers Newton's Table, but we're both happy with either. I prefer Grapeseed for the wine parings. If you don't know, Grapeseed does wine parings a bit different. Rather than making a dish and then picking a wine to compliment it, they pick a wine and then create a dish to compliment it. Each dish has a suggested wine (available in a taste or glass). I love tasting the wine before I taste its food counterpart and then taste it with the food. You can also just order a bottle of any wine on their list, but I think that is missing the point.

birthday/dinner date no kids

What for? They both have pluses and minuses. Great food and service at newtons apple.

Grapeseed has better atmosphere, but maybe not food that is quite as good. I'd go with Grapeseed every time though.

which would you recommend?