The Cask Wine Bar — Restaurant in San Carlos

Cask isn't your snooty wine bar. It really is a classy, welcoming spot for a nice quiet conversation where you won't be embarrassed to take anyone, whether a date, friend or even colleagues you may not know too well. The atmosphere doesn't come across cheap, but the wine prices and the food are very reasonable. It's not vernacular and you can mark an occasion, but again, it's so approachable in downtown San Carlos.

At first glance, you may wonder if it is a wine bar or a restaurant. And yes, given you are in San Carlos residential area, you cannot go for the high-end premium luxury wine bar experience. But also, if you go too low, you can't call yourself a wine bar. And this is what Cask does so well. You aren't pressured to dress up, but you'll also fit right in if you've gone all out.

Wine selection is a bit small and I wouldn't say they have opted for the truly expensive wines. They have good coverage but I would've loved to have seen more Italian, French and other wines. The mark up wasn't too bad but again, when I'm out at a wine bar, I'd like to be a bit more adventurous and try things out.

Each glass were healthy portions and I genuinely enjoyed my Pinots with the cheese plate as well as the flatbread.

Cask is an essential constituent for Laurel St. Without it, I don't know where a few adults can go for a quiet conversation, somewhat dressed up. It is absolutely fine the way it is and I'd frequent the place. I would also encourage the owner to start going a bit upscale into the next grade of wines (ie. Silver Oak Napa or...

We really wanted to like this place. Unfortunately, it wasn't just meh...it was flat out bad. The service was clumsy, with waiters putting our menus on top of our plates and hovering without actually asking how things were going. We both did the wine flight. The presentation was...odd. The full size wine glasses on a holder that takes up half the table. My partner did the whites and 2/3 were terrible to the point of being undrinkable. I did the pinot noir and couldn't even tell if I like them, as they were served not just room temperature but warm. We wound up sending both flights back. I ordered the lamb burger medium rare and received it medium well with sweet potato fries that-given their absolute nothing taste-appear to have gone form frozen to fryer. My partner got a mushroom flatbread, which she aptly described as being equivalent to what one would get at Subway. The only reason this isn't a one star review is they did take the flight off our bill without question...though the manager stood nearby watching and never came over to discuss. We will not...

I have been here 4 separate times, with various friends. Is a popular place, but overall, I have to say there are much better choices on this street. The food is good, but the wine selection, wine prices are disappointing. There is no one with any info to help select wine, and the servers have no idea about the wines. When drinks arrive, the servers just set then on the table randomly, and if you ask which wine is which glass, they just say these are the whites, and these are the reds. Very disappointing for a place that claims to be a wine bar. I don't like giving poor reviews to local restaurants, but I have given this place enough chances to...