Mouthwatering Wine Bars in San Jose

Gochi - Mountain View

★★★★☆ 4.1 (623) • $$$

"Food (4/5)Food was delicious! I would have liked a little more seasoning for my claypot rice however. It was a nice, comforting hearty meal. I've been here before and enjoyed the hamachi carpaccio too :)Price (4/5)On the pricier side. My gindara meshi/black cod small claypot rice was $37, my friend's tori soboro meshi/braised ground chicken small claypot rice was $26, and my other friend's tempura udon was $16 (this was the most fairly priced). Keep in mind that the dashi soup is an additional $2.5. We also ordered curry korokke ($10.5), which my friends enjoyed.Wait Time (4/5)Made a reservation several days in advance via Yelp for our party of three which was easy. We arrived on time and were seated promptly. We were told on arrival that our reservation was limited to 1.5hrs.One of my friends did have to wait a while for her udon while my and my other friend's meals were already arrived, so that was odd (I assume udon is usually quicker, but she did order the tempura udon?).Ambiance (5/5)Cozy interior, about 10+ tables for parties of 2-4, and three larger tables for parties of 4+ with tatami seating. It was pretty warm inside.Service (4/5)Everyone was pleasant and nice but it did take us a while to flag someone down when we were trying to ask about my friend's late dish. It also did take a while for us to get the check. No other concerns.Parking/Access (5/5)Located in a strip mall, there's plenty of parking available with no time limits. Most of the other businesses are closed for dinner time at least (the pool shop, key shop, FedEx). Probably wouldn't come back again since this was my second visit and there are other more affordable restaurants in the area with more exciting choices in my opinion. But definitely worth a try!"

Andiamo In Banca

★★★★☆ 4.2 (316) • $$$

"Good italian good and very friendly staff.If you eat inside the vault, then there will no phone signal."

888 Ristorante Italiano

★★★★☆ 4.2 (275) • $$$

"The food was amazing! Highly recommend the bruschetta and fettuccine di tartufo. Vince and his staff were incredible. Had a really nice dinner! Thank you so much!!"

Vaso Azzurro Ristorante

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$

"I've been here a few times and it's always great! This is one of my favorite Italian places in South Bay. I usually get their pastas and it's always so flavorful - I think their best one is the spaghetti carbonara. They also change up their specials. I've tried the salmon and enjoyed it a lot. Price wise, it is also quite decent. Each meal also comes with free bread, which is quite tasty! The ambiance is very casual, it's a great place for any occasion!"

The Emerald Hour

★★★★☆ 4.3 (79)

"3.5 STARSDate; Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024Time: around 5pmParty of: 2Meal: Dinner*Chicken Croquetas: traditional spanish fritter, curtido and spanish ham ($17)*Cavatelli: handmade pasta, early summer vegetables, wild green garlic pesto, burrata, and spicy tru e honey ($37)*BASQUE CHEESECAKE: basque style cheesecake, compressed mango, passionfruit curd, graham cracker crumble ($12)*COFFEE MARTINI: wheatley vodka w/cocoa nib, st. george nola, california sherry, marcona almond orgeat, cold brew ($19)*SPARKLING: NV Bohigas, Cava, Brut Reserve, Catalunya, Spain ($15)A girlfriend and I were going to a concert at Shoreline. Since we were running early, we decided to park at the amphitheater and walk to grab some food. After some quick searching, we decided to take the 15 min walk to The Emerald Hour. This spot is basically the hotel lobby bar, so just walk to The Shashi Hotel entrance and you'll see a door that says The Emerald Hour / Broma Restaurant. My CC bill was charged to Broma, so I'm pretty sure Emerald is the bar area and Broma is the dining room. The bar menu seems to be a smaller version of the restaurant menu.Food and drink at Shoreline was going to be expensive, so this was comparable. The portions are small so good for variety and sharing. I wasn't super hungry, but I was thirsty, so I tried a cocktail. I'm more of a spirit forward girl, so this was a lil light for me. But nicely balanced for a cocktail in general. Second beverage was a glass of bubbles which was a healthy pour.Service was pretty good. I did have to ask for a few things a couple of times, but I'm not too strict and judgey about that. One thing to note, they do charge an automatic 20% gratuity. It doesn't look like it was subject to sales tax, so that was nice.Decent place to grab some food and drink before heading to Shoreline. Pricey, but there not much around that's walkable.REVIEW #3482"

Palm City Wines

★★★★☆ 4.3 (287) • $$

"Palm City is an unexpectedly trendy wine bar located in the outer fringes of the Sunset district. In addition to their wide selection of wines, they also offer a series of gourmet Philly-style hoagie sandwiches, built on long rolls with a crunchy, nutty sesame seed exterior and dry, fluffy interior. Though many people know Philly for its cheesesteak, another iconic sandwich is the Roast Pork, and Palm City's version was made with a generous portion of thinly-shaved herb-garlic pork, broccoli rabe, and provolone cheese. The combination of the meaty, juicy pork, the bitter, earthy broccoli rabe, and the unctuous provolone all came together on the nutty, crunchy roll! We also got the creative Roasted Cauliflower hoagie, which seemed to be inspired by the Asian flavors of a banh mi. The hoagie included lightly-spiced roasted cauliflower florets, pickled carrots, avocado, fried shallots, cilantro, hot honey, and a deliciously creamy lemongrass ginger sauce. The combination of flavors was refreshing, earthy, and herbaceous all at the same time, and this sandwich presented a lighter alternative to the heavier, meatier, and greasier roast pork."

Wine Cellar Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.7 (704) • $$$

"I love the Wine Cellar Restaurant! I love the outdoor patio seating, with umbrella tables, little lights at night, and fresh air, even though you are basically in the parking lot. Indoors, there is a very quaint ambience that feels a bit like Tuscany. There is a raised area with some tables, and a lower floor, as well as a few tucked into corners. And, for those with mobility issues, we found out there is a little freight elevator that can be used to get you down the stairs if eating indoors. One of the highlights is the cheese fondue. We had that in Switzerland for the first time many years back, and this was one of the few restaurants that served it in our area. It is delicious, although, there is not enough cheese to cover the variety of things on the platter--usually bread cubes, red apples, green apples, broccoli, & cauliflower. I wish they would give you more cheese so that you could finish off your platter. Instead, you end up wasting food. But just having this, with a glass of wine, with a friend, and you have a nice appetizer! The Old Town Harvest Salad is very good, as is the Seared Ahi Salad. I was recently here with people who tried the Chicken Marsala, the Grilled Artichoke, and the French Onion Soup, which were also said to be good. They also have a nice selection to drink: we recently tried their Old Fashions, which took me back in time. It was tasty, and came with a fresh cherry (vs. a Maraschino), and their wine selection is also nice. It just has an enjoyable atmosphere to have a meal. I would give it 5 stars, but had an incident one time with one of the waiters who has been there a long time, where some people had left from another table that we didn't know, and he hadn't charged them for part of their order, so he put it on our tab. When we pointed it out, he said, "Well, those people have already left..." That does not ever mean that you should charge someone else for their meal. So very unacceptable. Since he is still there, I would always check your tab. I also had some issues in the past in trying to get them to cook my ahi tuna to medium rare, rather than just seared, and then having them way overcook it, so that it was inedible, so there have been a few issues, but overall, it is one of my favorite local restaurants to enjoy a meal."

107 Bistro & Wine Bar

★★★★★ 4.5 (11)

"Awesome from start to finish! Delicious food and awesome wine in a beautiful setting. Great addition to the Los Gatos dining scene. The market fish was a Black Cod that was expertly prepared with crispy skin and a great vegetable medley. The Smashburger was juicy and tasty. I saw that another reviewer complained that they couldn't order it medium rare, but come on, it's a Smashburger, you don't cook those medium rare. This one was incredibly juicy, and the quality of the meat was top notch. For the wine we started with a couple glasses of the La Rinconada Vineyard Chardonnay, which was flavorful and well balanced, followed by a luscious bottle of the Gary's Vineyard Pinot Noir. The bottles are just a $20 uplift to enjoy with your dinner, and if you are in the wine club you get the membership pricing. Very reasonable. Lastly, the service was outstanding, rounding out a great evening. We look forward to our next visit!"

Tessora’s Wine Bar

★★★★★ 5 (8)

"Fabulous first experience. Wine list is not extensive, but it's high-quality and all you need. Love the light, airy ambiance. The owner Adelia is a joy, welcoming and kind. Monica is amazing. The burrata crostini on point and a good amount for the price. I'll be back."

Fable

★★★★☆ 4.1 (937) • $$

"Incredible meal! Fable has a diverse menu, extensive wine list, and above all, extremely friendly service. Everyone there is warm and courteous. Our server in particular was extremely attentive to us. The outdoor courtyard garden setting is extraordinary. Overall, a stellar experience."

Centonove

★★★★☆ 3.9 (855) • $$

"Centonove is one of my favorite restaurants in Los Gatos. It's our go-to spot for my friends and me. Our favorite drink is the Pear Martini--it's so delicious and dangerously easy to have too many!The first time I went, we ordered pizza, which was a great choice, especially since they offer gluten-free and vegan options. However, since then, I've become partial to their Fiocchi di Pera--pasta pockets with pear and cheese in a Gorgonzola cream sauce. Absolutely divine!The staff is knowledgeable and super fun, adding to the great atmosphere. I highly recommend making a reservation, especially on weekends, as seating--both indoors and outdoors--is limited. But even if you have to wait, it's definitely worth it!"

Tasting House

★★★★☆ 4.2 (221)

"Well this was pretty darn cool! Such a lovely and unique menu, great wine selection, cozy but not crowded vibe - it's great having such an excellent restaurant in LG. The service was impeccable and detailed without being intrusive. I could tell how proud they are. Chef is top- shelf in creativity and quality. We had 2 small plates that we shared and split a main dish. All yummy and unique- and at excellent prices. All the wines, we'll recommend by Riley, were excellent and also well priced. One thought- I loved the idea of a pianist and their song choices were cool. Just kinda loud for the space. But maybe it's me"

Pizza Me

★★★★★ 4.7 (70) • $$

"Hi, there! Time to share my experience at Pizza Me! Food I ordered:Large Half Meat Lovers & Half Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pizza (4 stars)Both of them reach my taste, compare to the meat lovers, I like creamy chicken Alfredo better, the jalapeño on the meat lovers is too spicy for me. Chicken Caesar Salad (5 stars)The kitchen in the salad is so tender, it's NOT DRY AT ALL! My friend loves it pretty much! BBQ Wings (3 stars)The wings are not bad, but kinda saucy for me.Customer service: 4 starsAmbiance: 4 stars"

Rootstock Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (397) • $$

"WOW!Grace was an incredible, friendly server and had so much knowledge about the wines my husband and I were trying. We did the "Perfectly Pinot" flight with olives and burrata and it was an excellent pairing with the wines - I highly recommend all things listed. Music was awesome!! We sat outside and were super comfortable and loved watched the busy street of people on a Friday night. We are excited to go back and learn more from Grace and try more options from the extensive menu."

District

★★★★☆ 3.9 (523) • $$

"District has an excellent selection of appetizers. I had Brussels sprouts and ahi poke. Brussels sprouts were crispy, nicely seasoned, and mixed with pork belly. The tuna was beautifully presented over crispy rice but it was cut so small that I couldn't really taste it. The pizza was decent and arrived super hot so that was nice. Our servers were also friendly and very attentive at the bar seating. However, the 6% surcharge should have been printed on the dining menu as well, not just the drinks menu. I didn't order any drinks, so it came as a surprise. Overall I probably wouldn't return for a full meal but maybe for happy hour and appetizers."

Café Figaro

★★★★☆ 4.3 (447) • $$$

"Yummmmmmy lunch menu. Chicken sandwich and caprese sandwich added prosciutto was delicious! Got a Kids spaghetti as well. Love it here! They are so nice! We love their dinner menu as well."

Devine Cheese and Wine

★★★★★ 4.8 (125) • $$

"The northern reaches of Downtown San Jose become a dark and deserted wasteland after nightfall, where few but the bravest of tourists will dare to enter. But the natives know that a few excellent eateries still survive here, defiantly keeping the darkness at bay, and waiting it out until the day when the city finally gets around to reconnecting them again with the rest of downtown.The five stars are for the pasta and cheeses - because there are 2 or maybe 3 different layers of cheese activity going on here. Some mellow cheese thing going on top, and some salty cheese thing happening in the middle, and maybe some croissant cheese thing going down at the bottom.I don't know enough about cheese, so maybe it is something else. But this is not the cheese on my Doritos or Cheetos. This is not the cheese on the carne asada fries. And this is not the cheese inside my Subway sandwich, although it can be challenging to taste Subway sandwich cheese, even when you can see it."

Le Banc

★★★★☆ 4.2 (18)

"Wild place. I popped in 2 weeks ago and the lady that was the manager made me one of the best 'Old Fashioned's' I've ever had. Today I took my wife and it was some of the worst drinks we've ever had!Breakdown of our two drinks:Margarita, for my wife. Margaritas are not builds, they are shaken. Drink was out of balance, poured poorly, and stirred.Old fashioned, for me. Old Fashioned's are stirred, this was. However it was strained, over nothing (no ice) in a martini glass? We were the only customers in the bar as we were in town for the farmers market as it opened. It took the bartender around 5 minutes to produce two drinks. If we walked in the bar again and we saw this gentleman behind the bar, we're out the door.....The vibe/ambiance is weird....There's records on the wall, some oddly placed Funko Pop's and games that need to be moved around to fit better. My wife joked it's a goofy bar representation of our living room!We'll try again, thanks to happy hour pricing, but today was soooooo bad!Really a let down after one amazing cocktail......."

La Catalana

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$$

"Ambiance, service, food, all five stars! I can see why this place is always busy! The food was amazing and the staff was great! We got the patatas con alioli, arros negre, almejas, and the pescaditos fritos! The alioli, OMG!!! Each dish didn't disappoint! I highly recommend!!!"

ROOH Palo Alto

★★★★☆ 3.6 (707) • $$$

"This is a solid modern Indian spot with lots of good food options. It's a great place to bring your friends and family to introduce him to Indian food. The vibes are great. The ambience is great and the restaurant was packed. The service might be a little bit slow, but you will definitely get your food and drinks and we really enjoyed the chicken, tiki masala and all the appetizers. Try asking for recommendations on what's popular and you won't be disappointed."

Vintage Wine Merchants

★★★★☆ 4.1 (166) • $$

"Beautiful wine bar and shop with an outstanding selection. I have spent many times here at the bar enjoying the evenings, sipping great wine, and shopping for wine I can't get unless I travel to Taiwan, and that's not happening nowadays, only because I've been busy. It started when I first came to the Vintage Wine Bar, looking for a particular bourbon I had difficulty finding. It was during the renovation, and the gentleman there sent around the corner to their store and bar, Vintage Wine Merchants. I didn't know they had another bar and store on Santanna Row; who knew? The gentleman knew what I was speaking of and went out of his way to go to another location the same day to retrieve a bottle and called me when it was ready. I stopped in yesterday, I'm having a small gathering, and Kavalan is always the life of the party!"

Sultana Mediterranean

★★★★☆ 4.1 (701) • $$

"Genuine and really good. A must go. Went there with a customer. Ordered the appetizer plate. Every one of the items was excellent. The chicken kabobs were awesome. Try it"

Bodega

★★★★☆ 4.4 (332) • $$

"Pros: service, wine selection, the Music!, vibes, locationFrom the terrific music selection to the cool atmosphere...Bodega is a solid spot for a weeknight or weekend over-indulgent glass (or two) of wine. You can come solo, with a date, or with a group... but please be kind and don't bring more than 3 other people with you. The wine selection is broad and the staff are super helpful in giving you samples and finding the most delicious way for you to regret things the next morning. The menu has a fun selection of bar bites including some outrageously good chicken nuggets. I haven't tried the Sunday morning breakfast because the line is hilariously bad. You should probably know that sometimes it gets so loud in here that earplugs might be medically indicated. Oh, and the single bathroom can create lines of despair. All in all, Bodega isn't the reason that I moved to North Beach, but it is one of the reasons that I haven't left yet. So what are you waiting for??"

Osteria at Domenico Winery

★★★★☆ 4.3 (206) • $$

"I stumbled on this gem on my way to another place down the street for wine tasting and so lucky I did.Parking is tight in their lot but next door is another lot with many open spaces.They have a big space. Upon entering, to the right is a huge banquet space, available for weddings, parties, and other large gatherings. To the left is a long bar for wine tasting and grabbing a bite. They have a few tables indoor and both tables and a lounge area outside to get cozy. They serve many wines from around the world. You can pick from a selection of reds or whites for a tasting of four pours that come in beekers on a wooden pallet. The tasting fee is so reasonable. You can order a tasting, glass, or bottle. They also have beers on tap. They have everything from starters to salads, pizzas to steak. The menu changes. I'm always surprised with something new and fresh. I've never been disappointed. Dom's Godfather Pie is my favorite mouth burning pizza. The Truffle and Prosciutto hold second place together. On Wednesdays pizzas are 50% off for takeout. That's a steal! They have brunch on the weekend from 11-3. Dom's Scramble is excellent. The Pizza All'uova is an interesting twist.I joined the wine club my first time in. They offer 2, 4, or 6 bottles quarterly. Additional bottles are discounted and tastings or a glass are free when you pop in. I pop in frequently."

Roja Los Altos

★★★★☆ 3.9 (34)

"Great food, excellent ambience! Service was excellent. Had a great time.All good perfectly cooked"

Kianti's Pizza & Pasta Bar

★★★☆☆ 3.4 • $$

"The garlic Cheese bread was 10/10, the fettuccine Alfredo was 10/10 we loved it. The buffalo chicken pasta 8/10 it tastes like a hot wing so if you like that kinda thing then youd love it. And the service was really fast. A side of Ranch is $1.50 which is way too high for the tiny portion though."

Home

★★★★☆ 4.2 (336) • $$$

"I enjoyed such a memorable dining experience at Home last night with my boyfriend! My boyfriend took me to try Home to celebrate my birthday because of its wonderfully cozy and intimate atmosphere. We had a 7:45 reservation and sat outside in their beautiful garden area, where a portable heater kept us comfortable. Our server, Neil, was very kind and helpful. He checked on us often to ensure we were enjoying our food. Our appetizer, focaccia and sea lettuce butter, was delicious. The butter, which was served in an abalone shell, had amazing fresh flavor and complemented the focaccia. We ordered the squid ink orecchiette and beef cheeks for our main dishes. The squid ink orecchiette came with a lot of clams! The pasta had a pleasant al dente texture. All the elements of the dish worked well together-- savory clams and chili miso broth, salty and fatty pork belly, and crisp breadcrumbs. The beef cheeks were incredibly flavorful and so tender that we easily cut through the meat with a spoon. This dish came with pillowy, velvety gnocchi and was garnished with fresh edible flowers (which we recognized from the garden!). For dessert, we had the strawberry peach crisp with strawberry sorbet. The sorbet tasted like biting into a fresh strawberry. We enjoyed the contrast between the cold sorbet and warm crisp and peaches underneath. I can't wait to visit again to try their other dishes! Note: parking is confusing especially at night because it gets very dark and is hard to see. You can park in the church parking lot across the street."

Tramonti

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$$

"Tasty, clean, quiet environment but still family friendly. Came with my three year old for lunch, we both enjoyed our meals. Appreciated that our server took the time to interact with my daughter and encourage her to place her own order. Private lot & easy parking, too."

Ancora Vino By Enoteca La Storia

★★★★★ 4.5 (15)

"We were on a hunt for a place for delicious bubbles (sparkling wine). We live right around the corner from here and decided to stop by. It was a lovely surprise that they were having a sparkling wine tasting. They have various tastings on Thursday and Friday evenings. The young lady, Layla, is super friendly, passionate, and knowledgeable about the wines. When we first got there, Sue greeted us at the front of the house. A really low let and attentive lady. It's a lovely and quaint atmosphere on the patio or indoors at the front where they have huge windows which feels like you're sitting outside. The bubbles were amazing! They have a very large selection of all kinds of wines. What's also really coolabout this place is that one of the co-owners collects vinyl records. It's quite the amazing collection. You'll really enjoy this quaint, fun spot!"

Sorella

★★★★☆ 4.3 (272) • $$$

"Dinner was SOOOO good and service was awesome. Thank you, Kelsey, for being so attentive to our group, and thank you for being very knowledgeable; we asked so many questions and she had all the answers. At one point, my group was talking about how great it would be to have another order of bread so we can use it as a vehicle to soak up all the pasta sauces; Kelsey kindly brought us another batch on the house. I will have to say, the portions are not huge, but they are not small either. I could've used one more item but it's all good. Didn't leave feeling so full I could not walk and got to taste a few different things so I am happy. Food was really really good and you can tell the ingredients are of high quality and fresh. We did not have cocktails so I can't comment on that, but we did bring our own bottle of champagne. When I called prior to our visit, I was told the corkage was $30, however we were charged a whopping $45; that is the most I have ever paid. Didn't want to make a stink about it bc dinner was just so good, it superseded the extra we paid for our champs. Would definitely go back. Great for family, girls night and date night."

Taki Nori HandRoll Bar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (365) • $$$

"Located in downtown San Mateo - you'll have to find street or nearby garage parking. We had a reservation and they seated us right away. The interior is pretty small, with mostly bar seating and maybe a handful of tables. It's a small cozy setting and pretty quiet. Only one bathroom for entire place. Service was friendly but minimal interaction. When you sit at the bar, you can see them make the rolls, and they place them right in front of you. The food comes out one by one pretty quickly. We were bummed that they were out of the sushi tacos because we were looking forward to trying it. Everything else was available. We didn't come that close to their closing time, and it was a Saturday night, so it was odd that they ran out of one of their seemingly most popular appetizers. We tried the spicy edamame, truffle hamachi, combo C, soft shell crab roll, and yuzu toro roll. Truffle hamachi was great - I loved the flavors of everything put together, and the jalapeño gave a nice kick. The soft shell crab was one of my favorites - simple but you can taste the quality of the crab. Honestly the shrimp tempura was one of my favorites. The tempura was freshly made and lightly crisped and tender on the inside. We thought the yuzu toro was okay - while the toro was good, it was pretty thin and the yuzu flavor was very subtle - I don't think it was worth the extra $$. The scallop was very fresh and yummy, but there was a strong wasabi flavor with each bite - perhaps with the rice? Definitely on the pricier end given the portions, but overall good quality. Hopefully they adjust portions on the sushi tacos so they don't run out easily again!"

Lele Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.9 (39)

"We had dinner here on a weekday with our friends. It's a small yet cozy place, with tasteful decor and an inviting atmosphere. The service was outstanding. Our table was attended by Ed, who was friendly, witty, and attentive to every detail while explaining the menu and making recommendations. Despite the menu being relatively short, Ed's enthusiasm and knowledge made a big difference, turning our evening into a truly special experience.We started with some appetizers, which we shared along with a nice bottle of wine. Since my wife doesn't drink, Ed thoughtfully offered her a complimentary non-alcoholic white wine that, according to him, had tannins added to mimic the taste of real wine. That was a nice touch.The wine selection is excellent and reasonably priced.For appetizers, we ordered a variety of dishes along with half a dozen oysters--everything was delicious. For the main course, we had pasta and two orders of king salmon among the four of us. The ravioli was so good that we ended up ordering a second round. The dessert selection was limited, but that wasn't a dealbreaker for us.There aren't many Eastern European/Russian eateries in the Bay Area, so this place is a welcome addition--especially in South San Jose, where it's hard to find a slightly upscale restaurant with both great food and service. I hope they continue to maintain their quality and refresh the menu regularly so we have even more reasons to return."

VinoVero

★★★★★ 4.8 (83)

"One of the best meals/experiences we've had in LG. Excellent food, great ambiance, awesome service and the owner is heavily involved in the flow of the restaurant. I highly recommend this place!"

Lutticken's

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (197) • $

"Great vibe and energy throughout the entire resto.. Lots of cozy seating..Fabulous Beer and Wine selection. A fair selection of appetizers and entrees to choose from as well as a kids menu. Thursday's are dedicated to karaoke. Bring your singing voice! Recommend the antipasta plate and the Pot Stickers appetizer. Club house sandwich also really tasty! Super delish served super fast!"

Aziza

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$$

"Food was impeccable, service above and beyond expectations, and in a beautifully designed restaurant.It's not often that we have fine dining like this, in the sleepy part of the outer Richmond district. The Cauliflower appetizer could have been a main dish in itself, the flavors were on point. The cornbread is cooked in a skillet, that comes with its own honey butter spread. We will be back, highly recommended."