Cellar Door — Restaurant in Pleasanton

My sister Kimberly works here and I'm visiting her this Veteran's Day weekend so yesterday I tagged along with her and while she started the 2-10 shift I rode my bike around town and explored downtown Pleasanton on foot on a classic bay area day. After a few hours I came in hungry and on a kind young couple's recommendation ordered the Ruben Sliders backed up with the Chicken Tortilla soup. I'm not a restaurant reviewer but I know good food and this was outstanding. But the top notch cuisine ended up being just the tip of what turned out to be one of my proudest days ever to call myself a veteran of the United States Navy. On Friday, I had seen many restaurants were offering free meals and discounts to members of the armed forces and veterans. I saw an older gentleman at the store with a VFW hat on and we struck up a conversation in which we thanked each other for his service (he was Navy too) and saluted as we parted ways. It felt good. So after my Sliders and soup I ordered chocolate cake (hey, I'm celebrating) and asked my dear sis if I could get a cup of coffee thrown in seeing as I'm a veteran. Let me tell you, when the quality people who own and work at the Cellar Door found out I was a veteran I was treated to the best Veteran's Day I have ever had. Dorina came and asked for my bank card to reverse the charges for the food I'd already eaten and told me to order anything I wanted on the house. Again, the food was perfect (Bacon Baklava, oh jeez) but the feeling I left with after these folks treated me with such genuine, heartfelt love and gratitude has had me buzzing for this entire Sunday. The kind words, the hugs and the feeling of such kinship with fellow Americans brought a tear to the eye of this old aircraft carrier flight deck hardened salty dog and will never leave my memory. To my sister Kimberly (who inherited the "sweetest lady on earth" title upon our grandmother's passing), sweet Dorina, kind and gracious Jenney, owner Terri and husband Scott, smooth Joe on the guitar, Alex the chef and the entire Cellar Door team I thank you from the bottom of my heart. An owner wearing a MARINES shirt in honor of her brave U.S.M.C. son, a server with a big American flag tattoo proudly displayed, another with a veteran brother bursting with patriotic pride for being so recognized. This is America at its best. Bless you...

The ambience was great. Came in at the end of their evening. We had a glass of wine each. The bartender was definitely the low spot. Waited for a bit for him to finish his conversation with someone at the end of the bar (and it wasn't that busy). And I still had to make eye contact with him to get him down to my end. I asked if they carried any syrahs (shot in the dark as they have none on their menu). I asked for a glass Pinot Noir ($13), and he had to exclaim that there was only enough for one glass...to which I said sounds like I'll get that last glass. For my second, I asked for a glass of the Pinot grigio ($15). He went on about how busy they had been and didn't have any left, so I began to look at the menu for an alt. He mentioned an international Sauvignon Blanc, but I wasn't entirely interested in that over priced suggestion. Shortly after, while I was looking at the menu, the person that he was speaking with earlier, went behind the bar, and pulled the wine I just asked for from the cooler. The bartender snickered about it not being sure that was the right wine. But other person said it was in the bottom of the cooler where it always is. After pouring the second glass, the bartender made a sideways comment about the total being $100.... I just gave him a look "not in the mood for fockery". He then said it would be $40 or $50. I slid $40 over knowing the total and walked away with my glasses. As I was half way to my seat he (the bartender) said loudly that the total was $40 and that didn't include a tip. To which I ignored and continued to my seats, knowing that he had his, and that I definitely wouldn't be giving one after...

Great atmosphere and nicely decorated. Unfortunately, it was one of the worst service experiences we had. We came into this place on Thursday after our dinner just before 9 pm (thinking they close at 10 pm per their operating hours). First, it took a while before anyone came over (it wasn't crowded). When we wanted to order, the wines we wanted to order were not available. We tried to order a "Steve's Picks - 2022 M5" and tried to order the 2021 Willakenzie Estate Pinot that was $20 a glass. Both were not available, and the server noted their website menu was going to be updated. We then proceeded to order whatever pinot was available. To our horror, that was probably only the beginning of our substandard experience at this place. Without any warning whatsoever, they turned on all the lights at around 920pm and proceeded to turn off the music at 925pm, clearly wanting to have everyone out. What a way to chase folks out early and close shop!! There were two other couples that were still there. But we got the hint and decided to chug our wines and leave. We are not coming back. Such a turn-off, and...